Updated October 13, 2026
The Authentic Portrait is a series of photography tips to help you improve your photography by taking more REAL (authentic!) photos, written for parents who want to document their kids. I’m Katie Donnelly, a Paris photographer, and this page lists every lesson in the series, from camera basics to getting kids to smile.
What You’ll Find in This Blog:
What Is The Authentic Portrait?
KATIE, BUT WHAT THE HECK IS IT?
Well, awesome-person, #TheAuthenticPortrait is a blog series of photography tips to help you improve your photography by taking more REAL (authentic!) photos! There will be shooting tips, camera tips and tips on capturing the RIGHT moments.
Hey Katie, why do you care about sharing photography tips with us? Well, beautiful-person, I think everyone can make art and should be documenting their life some how. For me, it’s through photography. Also, I LOVE photography and I love people, and you deserve to know the “secrets”.
The series grew into a book, The Authentic Portrait: A Parent’s Guide to Documenting Childhood. I am working on a new edition. Until it is ready, every lesson below is free to read.
Camera Basics
- Free iPhone photography course: before, during and after the photo.
- What is aperture? How to get that blurry background.
- What is shutter speed? How to avoid blurry photos.
- What is ISO? How to photograph when there is not much light.
- What is white balance? How to get colors right.
- What is camera RAW? RAW versus JPEG.
- What are megapixels? And how many you need.
- Camera lenses explained: prime, zoom, macro and iPhone lenses.
Light
- An instant indoor lighting hack
- Finding the light inside on a cloudy day
- Catchlights: the sparkle that is missing in your photos
Composition
- The rule of thirds
- The basics of composition and framing
- Straighten up your photos
- 10 common photo mistakes and how to fix them
Photographing Kids and Families
- 9 tips for photographing kids
- How to get kids to sit still and smile
- Get down on their level
- 3 tips for sharp photos of kids in motion
- Taking better group photos
- Get closer for more intimate photos
Being in the Photos Yourself
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- How to look good in photos: 7 easy tips
- How to choose the perfect outfits for your photo session
- What to wear for a Paris photoshoot, with my favorite pieces on ShopMy
More recent guides: the ultimate beginner’s guide to portrait photography, travel photography tips for your best vacation photos, and solo travel photography in Paris.
Always the one behind the camera?
Hand it over for a morning. Our English-speaking team photographs families in Paris, so you are in the photos too. Sessions start at €150, and you see your photos the same day in our Saint-Germain studio.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
Questions About The Authentic Portrait
The Authentic Portrait is a series of photography tips by Paris photographer Katie Donnelly. It helps parents take more real, authentic photos of their children, with shooting tips, camera tips and tips on capturing the right moments.
Parents and beginners. You are not a photographer or trying to be. You just want to do something meaningful to document your kids.
No. Many of the tips, such as the rule of thirds, catchlights, getting down on your child’s level and straightening your photos, work with a phone.
Start with aperture, shutter speed and ISO, the three basics of how a camera works. Then move on to light and composition.
Yes. The series grew into a book, The Authentic Portrait: A Parent’s Guide to Documenting Childhood. Katie is working on a new edition.
About the author
Katie Donnelly, Paris Photographer
Katie Donnelly is an American photographer who opened her Paris studio in 2013 and was voted Best Portrait Photographer in Paris in 2017. She and her English-speaking team photograph families, couples and solo travelers at sunrise, so visitors go home with relaxed, real portraits instead of rushed selfies. Meet Katie and the team.
Ready to Book Your Paris Photoshoot?
You take the everyday photos. Let us take the ones with you in them.
- When: Mornings, just after sunrise, when the city is quiet
- Who: Families, couples, engagements and proposals, and solo travelers, with an English-speaking team
- Your photos: Viewed the same day at our studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Session fee: From €150. Inquire for our full price list.
Tell us your dates and we will help you plan the rest.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
