Portrait photographers often use eye contact to guide the audience’s eyes through an image. Although the standard eye contact position is to have the person look into the camera, there are many other options. What other eye contact positions can you think of? How would each position impact the look or feel of your image?

-looking off to the sides, out of frame; leads your eyes through the composition, and may be useful in adding a sense of mystery or wistfulness (depending on expression, of course)

-looking above or below; similar effect, because the lines of the face tend to lead your eye through composition

-looking at the camera, but not directly at the lens; establishes a connection between the subject of the portrait and the viewer

Just pretend that your talking to a empty room