Free guide
Portrait photography shot list
Portrait sessions live or die on the first ten minutes. This portrait photography shot list template keeps you moving through classic headshots, three-quarter and full-length variations, environmental setups, and family groupings — so your subject stays warm, your gallery has range, and you never finish a session wishing you'd shot one more angle.
Sample portrait shot list
A 2-hour personal-brand or family session across two looks. Each row is one shot block that expands into 10–20 selects, landing around 40–70 delivered images.
| Time | Shot | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | Warm-up: coffee, chat, test frames off-camera | Shoot a few throwaway frames to break the ice |
| 00:10 | Classic headshot grid — eyes to camera, neutral | 85mm f/2, catchlight at 10 or 2 o'clock |
| 00:20 | Same look, three expressions: soft smile, laugh, serious | Direct with feeling words, not face words |
| 00:30 | Three-quarter body, hands doing something natural | Cross the arm nearest camera, weight on back foot |
| 00:45 | Full length against clean wall + against textured wall | 35mm, subject 1m off backdrop for separation |
| 01:00 | Environmental: subject in their workspace / setting | Wide aperture, foreground element for depth |
| 01:15 | Wardrobe change + refresh makeup | Keep shooting the reset — often the best frame |
| 01:25 | Second look: profile, over-shoulder, walking | Continuous AF, small burst on each pass |
| 01:45 | Detail crops: hands, jewellery, texture | Vertical + horizontal for gallery variety |
| 02:00 | Group / family combinations (see combos list) | Tightest grouping, kids in front, tallest centre |
How to build your own
- Start warm, not perfect. The first 20 frames build trust — plan them, but expect to bin them.
- Ladder your crops. Head → three-quarter → full length → environmental so the subject relaxes into it.
- Direct with feeling. "Think about your best friend arriving" beats "smile softly" every time.
- Chase the catchlight. Every hero image needs light in the eyes — check it before releasing the subject from a spot.
- Shoot the reset. Between poses, keep the camera up — those unposed frames are often the sale.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a portrait session be?
A single-look headshot runs 30–45 minutes. Two-look personal brand sessions want 90 minutes. Family sessions with two outfit changes and multiple groupings need a comfortable 2 hours, especially with young children.
How many outfits should the subject bring?
One neutral (LinkedIn / press) and one branded or personality piece for headshots and personal brand. Families work best in a coordinated but not matching palette — three colours across the group is the sweet spot.
How many final images do portrait clients expect?
Headshots: 3–5 finished retouches from a 30-shot cull. Personal brand: 20–40 across two looks. Family session: 40–70 edited images. Deliver a private gallery and let them favourite for a smaller print set.
What lens is best for portraits?
85mm f/1.8 is the workhorse for flattering headshots at safe distances. 35mm f/1.4 handles environmental and family groupings. Skip anything wider than 24mm on faces — the distortion is unforgiving.
Build yours in 2 minutes
Start from a template, drag-order shots to your timeline, then run the whole day from your phone in Live mode. Free while in beta.
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