• About
  • How it Works
  • Artwork
Main Header Logo
  • About
  • How it Works
  • Artwork
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
contact us
contact us
August 11, 2016
Katie Donnelly
The Authentic Portrait

Common Photo Mistakes You Don’t Realize You’re Making (and How to Fix Them) || The Authentic Portrait

So, you’ve done a little research and bought a nice camera. Go you! And yet, for some reason, your photos aren’t coming out at all like you’d hoped. Here are 10 common mistakes you probably don’t release you’re making:   1. You’re using the wrong ISO. Keep it as low as possible, that way you’ll avoid […]

So, you’ve done a little research and bought a nice camera. Go you! And yet, for some reason, your photos aren’t coming out at all like you’d hoped.

Here are 10 common mistakes you probably don’t release you’re making:

 

1. You’re using the wrong ISO. Keep it as low as possible, that way you’ll avoid noise (which that does NOT look pretty!). – don’t know what ISO is? Head over to my post on this HERE.

1/640 sec at f / 2.5, ISO 100

1/640 sec at f / 2.5, ISO 100

2. Your photographs are not sharp enough, despite the autofocus. It’s possible that your shutter speed isn’t fast enough. From 1/100 +  should give you a sharp result. If you’re photographing a portrait, focus on the eyes. – Don’t know what shutter speed is? Head to my post on this HERE.

3. Your framing is bad. It’s important to create something interesting for the eye, to have the urge to keep looking at the picture. If you want to avoid the boring straight-on picture, look at it from different angles! (for more about framing click HERE)

TRY INTERESTING ANGLES - 1/1000 sec at f / 1.8, ISO 100

TRY INTERESTING ANGLES – 1/1000 sec at f / 1.8, ISO 100

4. You crop, a lot. Instead of cropping after taking your photos, use your body to move in closer to your subject, it’ll create a better shot in-camera without you having to do any work afterwards.

5. Underexposing or overexposing (your photos are too light or dark). Even if you think you’ll be able to fix your photos in Photoshop it’s still not entirely fixable. Try your best to get your ideal photos in camera rather than correcting them after. Watch out for your shutter speed (read more on that HERE), make sure it’s not tooooooo fast, even if it’s a very sunny day.

UNDEREXPOSED

UNDEREXPOSED

CORRECTLY EXPOSED - 1/320 sec at f / 1.8, ISO 100

CORRECTLY EXPOSED – 1/320 sec at f / 1.8, ISO 100

OVEREXPOSED

OVEREXPOSED

6. The subject is too small or too big. Don’t be lazy! Get up and go a few steps closer/further to take that picture!

7. Your shot is boring. Try using depth of field (by playing with the aperture), and looking for possible dynamic compositions. Lacking inspiration? An incredible photographer for composition is David Alan Harvey. 

8. Avoid photographing portraits when your subject has their eyes to the bright sun. Place your subject with their back towards the sun or in the shadow that way you won’t have anyone squinting and making uncomfortable faces in your photos! A great alternative if you’re shooting in direct sunlight is to have your subjects looking at each other.

LOOKING AT EACH OTHER - 1/4000 sec at f / 1.4, ISO 100

LOOKING AT EACH OTHER – 1/4000 sec at f / 1.4, ISO 100

BACKLIT - 1/500 sec at f / 2.5, ISO 100

BACKLIT – 1/500 sec at f / 2.5, ISO 100

9. If you want to have that extra pretty soft lightning, wait until sundown. The golden hour (hour after sunrise and before sunset) is always beautiful to photograph with and will mostly give you a nice result.

10. Do not forget to check if your horizon is straight. This is a SUPER simple way to get better photos!

CROOKED HORIZON

CROOKED HORIZON

STRAIGHT HORIZON - 1/1600 sec at f / 3.5, ISO 100

STRAIGHT HORIZON – 1/1600 sec at f / 3.5, ISO 100

This is just one of the solid, easy to implement tips and tricks for photography that I talk about in The Authentic Portrait: A Parent’s guide to Documenting Childhood, an ebook perfect for anyone who want to learn the basics of photography and improve their photos without spending hours and hours taking classes. Find out more here!

Are you making some of these mistakes? Do you have any more to add? By using these quick fixes your photos will be SO much better without really trying =]  Share your new photos with me over on Instagram in #TheAuthenticPortrait series, a series for learning and growing in photography.  Don’t forget to tag your photos with #TheAuthenticPortrait! 

 

back to blog
previous post
next post

Up Next

Mother Daughter Session in Madrid with Mimosa Lane (Real Jardin Botanico, El Prado and Parque de El Retiro)

Mama daughter photos with these two are something that I look forward to every year. Last year we headed to London, the year before, I met them in Paris. It seemed only fitting that I meet them this year in Madrid! It was hot. Like, knee-sweatingly hot. So we headed first to the gorgeous refuge […]

Read Post
Mother Daughter Session in Madrid with Mimosa Lane (Real Jardin Botanico, El Prado and Parque de El Retiro)

related articles

  • Solo Photo shoot in Paris under the Pink Cherry Blossoms in April
    Paris

    The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Portrait Photography

    Find the Right Light:  Lighting is everything in portrait photography. Natural light can work wonders, so consider shooting during the golden hours—early morning or late afternoon—when the light is soft…
    Read Post
  • Paris Photo Sessions

    Winter outfit inspiration that will look amazing at the Eiffel tower! II Best Paris Photographer

    Cosy sweater season is upon us and we could not be more excited about it! Pair it with a midi skirt and some chunky boots. Throw a scarf or a…
    Read Post
  • Paris Photo Sessions

    Who are family portraits for and why they are so important II Paris Family Photographer

    They are for you, you, and you too! you know I am talking about you. Having your family photographed is just the best way to stop the time. Whether it’s…
    Read Post

shop my Paris Essentials

French Girl Favorites for Paris Red Sweater
French Girl Trench coat, what to wear in paris
what to wear for paris, favorite tote bag longchamp
French Girl Style, Hermes scarf must have for Paris
Instant film camera must buy for paris trip
french girl sunglasses, what to wear in paris
The Perfect Paris Umbrella
Quality Travel Adapter for your European France Vacation

Ready to book your family portrait or solo session?

get in touch

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

@katiedonnelly_

Footer Logo
  • About
  • How it Works
  • Portfolio
  • Artwork
  • Blog
  • FAQS
  • Contact

Socials

get inspired by every captured moment!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading
Large Footer Logo

© Copyright 2025 Best Paris Family Photographer, Katie Donnelly Photography

|

Website by Saevil Row + MTT

|

Privacy Policy + Terms

French Gourmet Travel
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading
Contact Form
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
--- Select Choice ---
--- Select Choice ---
Family
Solo
Couple
Maternity
Other
If you live here please put an ideal date!
If you live here please put an ideal date!
We will text you to make sure you are getting our emails (sometimes they go to spam!) Do you prefer we text you via imessage or whatsapp? *
Ex: Your Friend's name, an influencer, etc
Loading
EDP x KDP Giveaway!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Ex: We are coming to Paris this spring at the end of March and it's our first time! We don't often travel so this is really big for us. I've been a Francophile since I was in my teens and have always dreamed of coming. I'd love this for my family and especially to be able to relive this special trip everyday on my walls with an art piece! My kids are 2, 5 and 9. Crossing my fingers and toes to be chosen!!
Loading
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading

Notifications

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123456789