General tips for photographing people

• Set speed to greater than or equal to the focal length. So if using 90mm, use at least 1/90 second. If they are moving moderately, use 1/50 second or higher. For sports, use 1/500 or higher.
• ISO as high as you dare. Full frame camera will let you go higher.
• Remember that sharp, noisy pictures are better than blurred, clean pictures.
• Aperture wide enough to blur background but narrow enough to keep everything in focus. Remember that the closer you are, the lower the depth of focus.
• Wide angle lens for groups, but give space at the edges to minimize distortion.
• 50mm is ok, but you may have to get uncomfortably close for head shots (and also suffer reduced depth of focus).
• 90-100mm great for standard portraits.
• Classic portrait lens is 70-200 f2.8. Beware of blurred noses and ears when using wide apertures.
• Expose for the highlights, but avoid burn. If in doubt, underexpose by one stop.
• Ensure the face is not in shadow. as needed, remove or tilt back hats.
• Don't have them facing the sun (they will screw up their faces).
• Ideal angle for light is 45' high, 45' to the side.
• Avoid distracting backgrounds. Something blurred and contrasting to show edges of people. So don't line them up against a wall.
• Don't tell them to smile. Relax them. Do something funny like saying you've forgotten which button to press.
• Ask them to 'think of a time when...' then watch their face for signs of emotion to capture.
• Manage their direction of gaze. Ask them to look at the camera, a spot on the wall, etc.
• Be careful in editing to keep the person 'real'. We are highly attuned to facial characteristics.
• In editing, remove skin blemishes and flyaway hairs. Sharpen eyes and maybe lips. Shape with subtle contrast.

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