Photograph: Jeff Lubin / Shutterbug News archive.
Two people in a portrait need a believable relationship within the frame. That relationship can be affectionate, formal, playful or reserved. Start by asking what feels appropriate to the subjects rather than assuming that physical closeness is always the answer.
Set the broad arrangement
Place the subjects where both can stand or sit comfortably and where the light works for their faces. Check the space between them and the way their shoulders relate. Small differences in height or angle can make the arrangement feel less rigid without turning it into a complicated construction.
Give one clear direction, such as looking toward each other or toward the same point. Watch both expressions. A strong expression from one person does not compensate for the other looking uncomfortable or caught between movements.
Check overlaps and breathing room
Inspect hands, arms and the edges of clothing for confusing overlaps. Move your own position slightly before asking the subjects to make a large adjustment. Keep enough room in the composition for the relationship to read clearly.
Make a straightforward frame before experimenting with more interaction. Invite, rather than demand, touch or closeness, and respect a preference for distance. Review the pair as a whole: the most successful image may be the one in which both people look at ease, even if the arrangement is less formally balanced than you first imagined.
