Hello! I'm new and just wondering...

Does anyone know how to make a photo look soft? Is It done using special software or something else. I'm not sure if soft is what you would call it. But below is a sample photo of what I'm talking about. Please help!!! Thanks. :D

Hi and welcome to the site!

One of the ways to get a soft look is to use a soft focus filter on your lens (I've never used this method though.) You can also get the soft focus look using Photoshop or another program using a blur effect, and erasing it from the parts that you'd like to have sharp. I'm sure one of our resident studio experts will reply with more detailed instructions on how to do everything.

Hi! Thank you so much for the tips.

Basic portraiture 101, to use a clichée is to make the eyes very sharp and often the hair as well, and to soften creases, wrinkles, and skin imperfections as well as the neck area.
Lighting and filters are the main approaches, although software filters can even by applied in post processing.

Ronnoco

I made a Beauty Brush action in Photoshop. Duplicate layer, apply Gaussian Blur to around 10, reduce opacity to about 50%, and then bring up a layer mask. Use a brush to paint black over the eyes, hair, and anything else you want sharp.

If the eyes are sharp, the photo looks sharp.

If you are using film, the soft filter, a stocking over the lens, or petrolium jelly on a clear filter in front of the lens are all tricks we used to use a lot.

Hello everyone!

Again, thank you so much for all your tips.