From a Snapshot to a Fine Portrait

A photograph that reveals even one element of thoughtful composition can stand out in the crowds of snapshots filling up computers, hard drives, and online galleries. And why is that? What is the difference between a snapshot and a portrait? While many other factors, such as lighting or background, are relevant, the greatest difference between a snapshot and a portrait is how the image is composed. The point of composition in portrait photography of children is to draw the viewer’s eye naturally to the child — plain and simple. Beyond that, you can use composition to create a feeling or tell a story. What often differentiates a snapshot from a fine portrait is that a snapshot includes too much information, or has too much clutter.