Types of Portrait Photography: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 8 min read

Portrait photography is an art that captures the essence of a person or group. With so many types of portrait photography to choose from, it's essential to understand the differences between them. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various types of portrait photography and how they can help you express your creativity and tell compelling stories.

Traditional Portraits

Traditional portraits are the foundation of portrait photography. They focus on capturing the subject's face and expression with minimal distractions. There are three main sub-types of traditional portraits: studio portraits, outdoor portraits, and headshots. Let's dive into each of these to understand how they differ and what makes them unique.

Studio Portraits

Studio portraits are taken in a controlled environment, like a photography studio, where the photographer can manipulate lighting, backdrops, and props to create the desired atmosphere. This type of portrait photography is perfect for those who want a polished, professional look:

Lighting: Studio lighting can be adjusted to create various moods and emphasize the subject's features.
Backdrop: A simple backdrop, such as a solid color or a pattern, helps keep the focus on the subject.
Props: Props can be used to add interest to the portrait or provide context for the subject's personality or interests.

Outdoor Portraits

Outdoor portraits are taken in natural settings, such as parks, beaches, or urban landscapes. This type of portrait photography offers a more relaxed and candid feel. Here are some points to consider when shooting outdoors:

Natural light: Outdoor portraits rely on natural light and may require the use of reflectors or diffusers to achieve the desired look.
Background: The choice of location plays a significant role in the overall composition and mood of the portrait.
Weather and time of day: Keep in mind that weather conditions and the time of day can dramatically impact the final outcome of your portrait.

Headshots

Headshots are close-up portraits that focus on the subject's face, typically from the shoulders up. They're often used for professional purposes, such as business profiles, resumes, and actor portfolios. Here are some tips for capturing great headshots:

Expression: Encourage your subject to maintain a natural, relaxed expression that reflects their personality.
Eyes: The eyes are the focal point of a headshot, so make sure they're sharp and well-lit.
Cropping: Proper cropping is essential for a headshot, as it should focus on the subject's face without unnecessary distractions.

Now that we've covered the basics of traditional portraits, let's move on to other types of portrait photography that offer more creative and dynamic options for capturing your subjects.

Environmental Portraits

Environmental portraits aim to tell a story by placing the subject within a specific context or environment. This type of portrait photography goes beyond the subject's appearance, giving viewers a glimpse into their life, interests, or occupation. There are three main sub-types of environmental portraits: urban environment, natural environment, and workplace environment. Let's explore each of these in more detail.

Urban Environment

Urban environment portraits are taken in city settings, such as streets, alleys, or architectural landmarks. These portraits capture the subject's connection to the urban landscape and often convey a sense of energy and movement. Here are some tips for successful urban environment portraits:

Background: Choose a location that complements the subject's personality or interests and adds visual interest to the portrait.
Composition: Incorporate leading lines, patterns, or textures from the urban environment to create a dynamic and engaging composition.
Color: Experiment with color contrasts between the subject and the surroundings to make the subject stand out.

Natural Environment

Natural environment portraits are taken in settings such as forests, beaches, or mountains. These portraits showcase the subject's connection to nature and often evoke a sense of tranquility or adventure. Keep these points in mind when shooting in natural environments:

Lighting: Take advantage of the golden hour or overcast days for softer, more flattering light.
Location: Choose a location that reflects the subject's interests and adds depth and context to the portrait.
Props: Incorporate natural elements, such as flowers or foliage, to enhance the portrait's composition and storytelling.

Workplace Environment

Workplace environment portraits capture subjects in their professional setting, such as an office, workshop, or studio. These portraits offer insight into the subject's profession and often highlight their skills and passions. Here are some tips for creating compelling workplace environment portraits:

Context: Showcase the subject's tools, equipment, or work in progress to provide context and highlight their expertise.
Lighting: Use natural light or additional lighting sources to illuminate the subject and their workspace effectively.
Interaction: Encourage the subject to engage with their work or surroundings to create a dynamic, candid portrait.

Now that we've explored various environmental portraits, let's move on to other types of portrait photography that capture the essence of people's lives and personal stories.

Lifestyle Portraits

Lifestyle portraits focus on capturing the essence of people's everyday lives, relationships, and experiences. These portraits often have a more relaxed, candid feel and aim to showcase genuine emotions and connections. Below are three sub-types of lifestyle portraits: candid photography, family portraits, and travel portraits. Let's dive deeper into each of these categories.

Candid Photography

Candid photography is all about capturing spontaneous, unposed moments that reveal the subject's true emotions and personality. These types of portraits are often more intimate and genuine, creating a sense of connection with the viewer. To achieve great candid portraits, consider these tips:

Be prepared: Have your camera ready to capture unexpected moments as they unfold.
Observe: Pay attention to your subject's expressions, body language, and interactions with others to anticipate great photo opportunities.
Be discreet: Blend into the background and avoid drawing attention to yourself, so your subject feels more at ease and acts naturally.

Family Portraits

Family portraits are a popular type of lifestyle photography that aim to capture the love, connection, and personalities of family members. These portraits often become cherished memories and can range from formal group shots to casual, candid moments. Keep these tips in mind for successful family portraits:

Location: Choose a setting that reflects the family's interests and provides a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.
Posing: Experiment with different poses and arrangements, but prioritize natural interactions and expressions.
Timing: Schedule the session at a time when everyone is well-rested and in good spirits, especially when working with young children.

Travel Portraits

Travel portraits capture people in the context of their journeys, whether they're exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, or engaging in unique activities. These portraits often tell a story about the subject's adventures and evoke a sense of wanderlust. To create memorable travel portraits, consider these suggestions:

Local interactions: Encourage your subject to interact with locals and immerse themselves in the culture to create more engaging portraits.
Iconic landmarks: Include recognizable landmarks or scenery in the background to provide context and a sense of place.
Emotion: Capture the subject's reactions and emotions as they experience new sights, sounds, and flavors during their travels.

With a better understanding of lifestyle portraits, let's move forward and explore more creative and artistic types of portrait photography.

Conceptual Portraits

Conceptual portraits are a more artistic approach to portrait photography, focusing on conveying a specific idea, message, or story through the use of creative themes, props, and compositions. These portraits often have a strong visual impact and can provoke thought and emotion in the viewer. Let's discuss three sub-categories of conceptual portraits: fine art portraiture, surreal portraits, and experimental portraits.

Fine Art Portraiture

Fine art portraiture elevates portrait photography to an art form, with the goal of creating visually striking and emotionally captivating images. These portraits often feature imaginative compositions, lighting techniques, and post-processing methods. To create impactful fine art portraits, consider the following tips:

Concept: Develop a clear concept or theme that conveys a specific message or emotion.
Composition: Use elements such as color, texture, and lines to create a visually engaging image.
Technique: Experiment with lighting, camera angles, and editing tools to achieve a unique and artistic look.

Surreal Portraits

Surreal portraits blur the lines between reality and fantasy, often featuring dream-like scenes and unexpected juxtapositions. These portraits can be thought-provoking and visually intriguing, inviting the viewer to question and interpret the meaning behind the image. To create surreal portraits, try these suggestions:

Manipulation: Use photo manipulation techniques, like combining multiple images or altering proportions, to create surreal effects.
Props and wardrobe: Incorporate unusual or symbolic objects, as well as unique clothing and accessories, to enhance the surreal atmosphere.
Storytelling: Craft a narrative within the image that encourages the viewer to explore and interpret the scene.

Experimental Portraits

Experimental portraits push the boundaries of traditional portrait photography by exploring unconventional techniques, materials, and concepts. These portraits often challenge the viewer's expectations and can result in innovative and visually striking images. To create experimental portraits, consider these ideas:

Alternative processes: Experiment with alternative photographic processes, such as cyanotypes or multiple exposures, to create unique effects.
Unusual materials: Incorporate unconventional materials like paint, fabric, or light projections to add texture and dimension to the image.
Collaboration: Work with other artists or subjects who share a similar vision and are open to pushing creative boundaries.

Now that we've explored the world of conceptual portraits, let's move on to the glamorous realm of fashion portraits.

Fashion Portraits

Fashion portraits showcase clothing, accessories, and beauty products while also highlighting the model's appearance and charisma. This genre of portrait photography often requires a collaborative effort between photographers, models, stylists, and makeup artists. Let's dive into three distinct styles of fashion portraits: editorial photography, commercial photography, and high fashion portraits.

Editorial Photography

Editorial photography is typically found in magazines, newspapers, and other publications. It combines fashion with storytelling, creating a narrative around the clothing and accessories being showcased. To create compelling editorial portraits, you can follow these tips:

Theme: Develop a cohesive theme or story that connects the images and showcases the fashion items.
Location: Choose a location that complements the theme and adds visual interest to the images.
Posing: Guide your model to pose in ways that accentuate the clothing and accessories, while also expressing the story's emotion and mood.

Commercial Photography

Commercial photography focuses on promoting and selling a specific product or brand, often used in advertisements, catalogs, and online stores. The goal is to present the items in an appealing and desirable manner, encouraging potential customers to make a purchase. To create effective commercial portraits, consider these guidelines:

Lighting: Use clean, bright lighting to showcase the product's details and colors accurately.
Composition: Compose the image in a way that draws attention to the product, while minimizing distractions.
Model interaction: Direct your model to interact with the product, demonstrating its use or highlighting its features.

High Fashion Portraits

High fashion portraits represent the epitome of fashion photography, often featuring top models, couture designs, and avant-garde styling. These portraits aim to make a statement and push the boundaries of conventional fashion, often appearing in high-end fashion magazines and campaigns. To create stunning high fashion portraits, try these suggestions:

Styling: Collaborate with a talented team of stylists, makeup artists, and hair stylists to achieve a cutting-edge look.
Posing: Encourage your model to adopt bold, striking poses that exude confidence and showcase the designs.
Creativity: Experiment with unique lighting, locations, and post-processing techniques to create a distinctive visual impact.

Exploring the various types of portrait photography can help you find your own style and niche as a photographer. Whether you're drawn to traditional, environmental, lifestyle, conceptual, or fashion portraits, each genre offers endless possibilities for creative expression and connection with your subjects.

If you're looking to improve your portrait photography skills, don't miss the workshop 'Demystifying Portrait Photography' by Cyn Lagos. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights, techniques, and inspiration to help you capture stunning portraits and take your photography to the next level.