Portrait photography is about capturing people and their personalities. But portraits often go beyond a photo of a smiling person. So, get creative and find the genre that fits your subject!
10 Types of Portrait Photography
Here are ten types of portrait photos you should know!
10. Traditional Portrait Photography
A traditional portrait often depicts the subject looking at the camera. Classic portrait photography is posed. It helps people look their best. Usually, photographers shoot conventional portraits in a studio with a formal photography backdrop. The genre also tends to favor the most traditional portrait composition. This means the head and shoulders crop rather than a full-body portrait. But that’s not always the case. Traditional portraits usually come to mind when thinking about the portrait genre. This type of image has been around for a long time. But it remains popular because the mix of posing and studio lighting is flattering. A sub-genre of the traditional portraits are formal portraits. They apply the same posing and studio setting but formal or business attire.
9. Lifestyle Portrait Photography
Lifestyle portraiture is the polar opposite of traditional portraits. Yes, it’s still a portrait of a person (or many people). But lifestyle portraits capture people in an everyday environment, often doing ordinary things. This photographic genre works in an environment familiar to the subject instead of a studio. For example, you can take lifestyle portraits in a family’s home. Lifestyle portraits aren’t posed in the traditional sense. A lifestyle photographer often has a limited time frame to capture a series of portraits. Plus, lifestyle photographers will usually direct the subjects. For example, they may ask siblings to jump on a bed or ask a family to give each other a group hug. Clients that choose lifestyle photography like the genre because it resembles real life. Lifestyle family photography also captures the interaction between family members. This way, you can create some touching memories.
8. Fine Art Portrait Photography
The fine art portrait genre is controversial. Artists debate what classifies something as fine art. Fine art portraits can include anything. You often see artists use visual techniques to make their images pleasing. The characteristics of fine art portraits come down to context, concept, and storytelling. Jovana Rikalo is a great artist for fine art portraiture inspiration. She creates her own universe. And you, the viewer, get to decide the narrative and context of her characters. The secret to fine art portraits is to get creative. Try out-of-the-box photography techniques that make sense in your head!
7. Environmental Portrait Photography
Environmental portraits are a mix of traditional portrait photography and lifestyle portrait photography. In environmental portrait photography, the surroundings and the person both have importance. This photoshoot takes place in a specific location with a special meaning to the subject. It is a way to give the viewer clues to that person’s personality. That location could be a home, an office, or a favorite place outdoors. Or, if you photograph a dancer, it could be a ballet studio. While the location is essential, environmental portraits can still use posing techniques. It is not as informal as lifestyle photography. The photographer sets up a pose and lighting, like in the case of traditional portraits. The posing, lighting, person, and background work together in an environmental portrait image.
6. Candid and Street Portraits
You don’t plan candid portraits. The best example is street photography featuring people. Photographers don’t have to photograph strangers to take a candid portrait. But candid portrait photography doesn’t involve direction or posing from the photographer. Street photographers often take candid portraits of the people they meet. There’s usually no setup. The photographer gets inspiration from the position the person is taking. The light, the environment, and other factors create a spontaneous photoshoot. Qualities of candid photography can influence different genres. Some photographers use a mix of posing and prompts to encourage candid moments.
5. Glamour and Boudoir Portrait Photography
You could think of a glamour portrait as a beauty portrait. The beauty of the subject is in the focus of glamour photography. It often involves planning the wardrobe and using professional makeup artists. Glamour photography is also sensual. It’s designed to highlight a woman’s beauty, sometimes in lingerie or nude. Glamour and fashion photography often have a similar feel and poses. But glamour still emphasizes the person, not what they are wearing. Boudoir is a similar but not identical type of portrait photography. Glamour photography often takes place in different locations, including outdoors. As the name suggests, boudoir photos take place in a bedroom or home. Boudoir celebrates sensuality too. Women and men often book a boudoir session to give these photos to their significant other. Boudoir isn’t about sexual poses and lingerie. Many say a boudoir session can help boost a person’s confidence.
4. Conceptual Portrait Photography
Conceptual portraits capture an idea or concept within a portrait image. Conceptual photographers often use props, setting, or photo editing to achieve that concept. Because conceptual photography encompasses an idea, the possibilities are endless. Levitation, perspective manipulation, makeup, or wardrobe tricks are common. Photoshop stunts and post-processing are part of this concept.
3. Surreal Portraits
Surrealism is an artistic style that feels dream-like. This style can apply to portrait photography as well. You can’t photograph something that doesn’t exist. That’s why surreal portrait work often involves Photoshop. You can also create scenes with props, wardrobe, and other photo tricks. A surreal portrait turns dreams into real photos. That’s tough to do. But the results are often stunning when done well.
2. Self-Portraits
Quick, smartphone selfies give the self-portrait a lousy reputation. When done well, self-portraits can be gorgeous images. Photographers use the more elaborate term “self-portrait” for a profound portrait. A selfie is a quick snapshot. Self-portraits need insight and planning. Taking a photo of yourself is not easy, beyond holding a smartphone out at arm’s length. You can use a tripod to get rid of that selfie look and extended arms. Focusing and composing when you’re in front of the camera instead of behind can also be tricky. Try using a remote release or a smartphone with a Wi-Fi-enabled camera.
1. Couple, Family, and Group Portraits
A portrait isn’t always a single person. Photos of couples, families, and other groups together are still portraits. Pictures of more than one person are often harder than portraits of an individual. You have more people to pose and interact together within the photograph. Communication is key. With more people, you can also capture genuine interaction. You can’t achieve this with a single person. Portraits of groups can still fall under other sub-genres too. Lifestyle photography, for example, is a popular genre for family photography.
Conclusion
Self portrait photography captures people and personalities. Every person is different—that’s why this photography genre has various styles. The best way to understand different types of portrait photography is through practice. Go through the various techniques covered in this article and see what gets you the most excited. Get to know the person you take photos of! See what your subject is like and which genre fits the person. You’ll capture better portraits that represent the subject in the best light! Try out our Preset Collection to add consistency to your portraits in editing!
