How to Achieve Moody and Emotional Portrait Photography

Some of the most enticing shots in portrait photography depict darker emotions, adding elements of storytelling that include our shadow sides and show the subject as a complex human. Portrait, documentary and news photographers rely on emotions to draw viewers in. This guide will teach you how to intensify emotions and tell more compelling stories with moody and emotional portrait photography. Discover tips and tricks of the trade, and lean into the dark side.

Use composition as a storytelling device

As the rule of thirds is considered one of the most dynamic ways to photograph portraits, try using different approaches to draw the viewer in and see something different in the scene. Placing the subject in the lower half or upper half of the frame, and even directing their gaze out of the scene, sparks something in viewers that might keep them around to explore.

Also, having a dark background helps draw the subject forward and keeps the overall look and feel somber and more serious. Classic portrait lens choices like Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM and Nikon AF 85mm f/1.4D, or even a zoom like a 24-70mm would work perfectly well. But a focal length too far away might make the viewer feel detached from the subject unless it is a shot tight in on the face.

Simplify your lighting

Consider the light sources to achieve a deeper photographic aesthetic. Typically, lighting shows us what to focus on, and shadows live in the background. But for moodier imagery, consider underexposing by a full stop or exposing for highlights to let the shadows take center stage. Also, keep the light sources to a minimum unless intentional to the composition. 

If you are dealing with emotions like contemplation or struggle, having two converging light sources of distinct colors helps tell that story. If there is a lot of commotion, you can perhaps slow the shutter speed to allow the lighting to take new shapes and surround your subject while keeping the focus on their face. Always keep the details of the subject’s face defined and focused. Indoors, try keeping artificial lights off and place them in front of a window to light key portions of their face and emotions.

Be patient

One of the virtues of photographers is patience—keeping our eyes open and waiting for the perfect moment. But when that moment comes, you have to be ready to take in the wide range of emotions present that may never be repeated. Be sure to set your camera on continuous mode, available on most contemporary digital systems. Allowing the subjects to get comfortable might also let them open up so that more candid moments will happen naturally. Emotion isn’t always shared easily.

If you like to shoot with telephoto lenses, like a 70-200mm f/2.8, you can use the distance from a particular scene or subject with zoom capabilities, producing a milky background to tell the story.

Observe first, direct second

When it’s time to execute, be ready to slow down and observe. And, as always, don’t be afraid to move around to get the compositions you are looking for. To take nods from documentarian photographers, getting closer in with a wider focal length allows the audience to feel physically closer to the person and, therefore, closer to their feelings and story.

While directing, lean into what feels most familiar to the subject’s mood, story and space. Ask the model to move around as your photograph, use a fast shutter speed, and then let them know when to pause so you can get closer or farther away for other compositional options. This will yield more natural results and more options to cull through later.

Read more tips and techniques on the MPB Content Hub.