Soft-focus Portraits

I am fascinated with creating soft-focus portraits. However, I do not want to do so in image-editing software. Can you help?

The technique of shooting soft-focus portraits was initiated way back in the 19th century, and considered a technical mistake at that time. Nonetheless, if you are interested in making soft-focus portraits in a camera, then you can use soft-focus filters. Additionally, you can make use of the in-camera Soft Focus mode, which is present in most compacts these days. Alternatively, you can experiment with toy cameras, slightly expired film or makeshift plastic filters. These will work just as well and will lend a soft-focus effect to your portraits.

The technique of making soft-focus portraits was first initiated by Victorian photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron.