First Post - Portraits don't look 'natural" HELP!

[myroadlesstraveled]

I've been playing around with my DSLR for about 6 months now and I'm trying to get better at portraits. I love the natural, fun type of portraits and mine seem a little posed. Any advice is appreciated!!!




Camera Nikon D80
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 250

[autofocus]

Are you talking about a more photo journalistic style? If you told your daughter to sit on the blanket and you throw a camera in her face it's probably human nature for her to freeze into a pose...exactly what you didn't want. You'll need to basically go invisible. Go out when she's playing and follow her lead. Just keep taking lots of pictures, and before you know it she'll probably start ignoring you, and maybe then, you'll start getting the shots you want. Whatever you do, don't tell her, "let's go outside and take some nice pictures of you." Hope this helps

[alicia_anne]

I definitely agree with autofacus. You could also try to get someone else to interact with the child, like a sibling or parent. Even if they are just making jokes of faces out of frame, this helps them relax and forget about the camera.