Deluxe Photo Atlanta - Photo Composition Guide

Photo Composition Guide for Portraits

Getting the right composition makes the difference between a photo guests love and one they reject. The goal is simple: capture people clearly, without cutting off important parts of their face or body, and without leaving too much empty background.

General Rules

Keep the main subject centered — don’t let them “float” in the corner.
Avoid too much empty space above the head (the “air gap”).
Don’t cut off heads, hair, arms, or shoulders. Cropping at joints (elbows, wrists, neck, etc.) looks unnatural.
Step back or zoom out enough so everyone fits comfortably in the frame.
Fill the frame — guests should be the focus, not the restaurant background.

Always aim for straight photos!

As a general rule, take photos from a straight-on angle 🙂📸. It gives the most natural proportions, keeps faces and bodies looking balanced, and feels “honest” to the guest. A straight-on angle also helps your photos look consistent across tables and locations.

When taking portraits, always aim for straight photos instead of angled ones 🎯. Shooting at odd angles can distort how people look — making heads, bodies, or features appear stretched, tilted, or unbalanced. A straight, level shot keeps everyone’s proportions natural, ensures faces are captured clearly, and creates a clean, professional look that guests are more likely to love and buy 💯.

That said, great composition in this job isn’t only about rules — it’s about reading the room 👀. Pay attention to subtle body-language cues: a woman covering her stomach, someone leaning back, a guest turning their shoulders away, or a man trying to look taller. These signals usually mean they’re feeling self-conscious. When you catch it early and adjust (your position, the camera height, or how you arrange the group) 🔄, the final photo feels more flattering, and customers are far more likely to love what they see 😄.

For larger subjects, think from the customer’s perspective ❤️ and avoid angles that exaggerate size. Side angles are usually less forgiving, so choose a more direct position and crop when needed to keep the frame clean and intentional ✂️. Remember: whoever is closest to the camera will look larger, so don’t let one person sit much closer than the rest. If possible, position yourself so the subject is slightly farther from the camera and keep everyone on a similar plane 📏.

A small camera-height adjustment can make a big difference 🎯. Shooting slightly from above (without going extreme) can create a flattering look and help reduce the appearance of a larger body, while still keeping the shot natural 👍. The goal isn’t to “change” anyone — it’s to create a photo where every guest feels confident enough to say yes at the sales stand 💪🖼️.

Bad shot❌

Photo was taken from an angle that puts the mom much closer to the camera, making her look unnaturally large while the daughter appears much smaller and out of focus in the background. The uneven perspective and depth make the photo feel unbalanced and distort the natural proportions of both subjects

Good shot ✅

Photo was taken straight on, keeping both mom and daughter in clear focus with natural proportions, no distortion from angles or distance. Their faces are close together, framed evenly, and the daughter’s hug adds warmth and connection, making the portrait balanced, intimate, and visually appealing.

1 Person (Headshot / Solo Portrait)

Frame from chest up or shoulders up.
Leave a little space above the head (not too much, not touching the top edge).
Center the person and keep eyes about one-third from the top of the frame.

Bad shot❌

The subject looks too small in the frame — there’s too much empty background space, making the person less of the focus. For a portrait, the face should fill more of the frame to show expression and detail.

Bad shot❌

You cut off her head and hair, and there is no space between her head and the edge of the photograph.

Bad shot❌

Subject is on the side, not in the center, peace sign isn't fully in the frame

Good shot ✅

The subject fills the frame with balanced space above the head, the peace sign is fully visible, and the background supports without distracting

2 People

Position them close together — no big gap in the middle.
Frame from waist up or chest up.
Keep both heads fully in frame with a little space above.
Avoid cutting off one person’s arm or shoulder while including the other fully.

Bad shot❌

two people are standing too far apart, leaving a big empty gap in the middle

Good shot ✅

two people are close together, hugging naturally, with both faces clearly in the frame, no big gap between them, no cropped arms or heads, and the framing keeps the focus on them instead of the background

Bad shot❌

Too much empty background and a messy table with plates visible, which distracts attention away from the people and makes them look too small in the frame

Good shot ✅

The subjects are clearly the focus, their faces are well-lit and sharp, there’s enough space above their heads for comfortable framing, and the background is present but not distracting

Bad shot❌

There’s too much background that pulls attention away from the couple, the messy table with plates and glasses is clearly visible and distracting, and the angled camera position makes the composition feel unbalanced instead of clean and straight

Good shot ✅

The couple fills the frame nicely without excess background, and the moment feels warm and balanced without distractions, no messy table and not too much of background

Bad shot❌

There is a large amount of "empty" background, guests aren't in the frame focus, different eye level

Good shot ✅

• Both subjects are centered — Your eyes go immediately to the father and child, not the background.

• Heads are on the same level — This creates balance, connection, and a natural family-portrait feel.

• Background is present but not distracting — You can still see the arcade environment, but it no longer competes with the subjects. The lighting and colors support the photo instead of overwhelming it.

3 People

Angle them slightly toward the camera so faces are closer.
Frame from chest up.
Keep the group balanced — no one squeezed against the edge.
Make sure heads are roughly at the same level (avoid one head cut off at the top).

Bad shot❌

No space on the top, cutting head

Good shot ✅

Everyone is in the frame, Straight Photo

Bad shot❌

Violates the "Straight Photo" Rule: The photo was taken from a sharp side angle rather than straight on.
Fails to "Fill the Frame": The subjects are competing with their surroundings. A huge portion of the photo is wasted on the empty table in the foreground and the wall/surfboard in the background
Poor Vertical Spacing: There is too much "dead space" at the bottom showing dirty plates and menus. A good portrait should capture the guests from the chest up, eliminating the table clutter entirely.

Better shot ✅ (but not perfect!)

Still Angled shot, but:

chest-up crop, still a little space on the top, frame filled with smiling faces, not table or background

4+ People

Step back enough so everyone fits comfortably.
Frame from waist up or full body depending on the setup.
Keep spacing even — avoid too much background on one side.
Watch the edges — don’t cut off someone’s arm or foot.

Bad shot❌

Person on the lift isn't inside the frame

Good shot ✅

Everyone inside the frame, some space on the top

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Too much background — subjects look “small.”
❌ Cutting off heads, hair, arms, or shoulders.
❌ Uneven spacing (big gap in the middle, people cropped awkwardly).
❌ Zooming in too close — losing context and balance.

Bad shot❌

Too far from each other

Bad shot❌

Person on the right isn't inside the frame

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