Time the light. Shoot in the best natural light of the day. Golden Hour is just after sunset when the light is softer with more red tones. Blue Hour is prior to sunset when the light is evenly diffused.

Location, location, location. Choose a place with a variety of locations. If one setting doesn’t work, you have other shooting options nearby.

Watch the weather. Rain and heavy cloud cover can put a damper on shooting. Clear, blue skies are great, but a few clouds can be even better - they can add color and texture.

Bring style to your shot. Think about your subject before shooting. Who is the person and why are they in the scene? Make sure wardrobe, accessories and makeup are appropriate and convey a story.

Frame it up. Follow the Rule of Thirds and the Golden Ratio. They will help you place people in scenes and give your images tension, energy and harmony.

Think off-center. With portraits, your subject is the center of attention. However, in some scenes, placing your subject directly in the center of the frame can be distracting. Try a few options to find what looks best.

Mind the background. Find harmony between your subject and your background. Watch for colors that don’t fit with the overall image or anything else that could distract a viewer’s eye. Eliminate anything distracting.

Watch the horizon. Check that the horizon line doesn’t cut through the middle of your image. Place it one-third of the way at the top or bottom to add visual interest.

Crop carefully. Think before you crop. You want as much of the subject’s personality to come through, so it’s best to avoid losing part of your subject’s head or legs.

Bring good light. If you need to brighten a scene, use a reflector or diffuser to aim more light on your subject. Or use a strobe to give you complete lighting control.