An Introduction to Different Types of Portrait Photography

If you're looking for portraiture for yourself, your beloved ones, commercial purposes or…, it's essential to understand the different types of portrait photography available. From traditional poses to street portraits and everything in between, various portrait photography styles can help capture the perfect moment. In this blog post, we'll glance at some of the '“most typical” types of portrait photography and how they can capture your special moments. 

Traditional Portraits: Traditional portraits are posed images usually taken against a simple background. These images feature people in formal poses, such as sitting or standing with their arms crossed or hands on their hips. This type of photography is excellent for capturing headshots or professional-looking photos for use in resumes and other business applications. 

 Glamour Portraits: Glamour portraits center around beauty and glamorizing the subject through creative lighting techniques like silhouettes and backlighting. This type of portraiture is typically used for fashion shoots, but it can also be used to create stunning images that artistically highlight someone's features. 

Sabeti, Aida. “photo was taken for a makeup portfolio, showcasing the works of Elmira Khosravi, a talented makeup artist” .2015

   Lifestyle Portraits: Lifestyle portraits capture more casual and natural-looking shots than traditional portraits. These images can take place in various interesting locations, giving them a more relaxed feel than traditional portraits. This type of portraiture is often used for family photos and candid shots that capture the unique personalities within a group shot. 

   Candid and Street Portraits: Candid and street portraits capture people in natural settings without posing them. These images often take place outside on city streets, parks, or other public spaces. They offer an interesting glimpse into everyday life by showing people as they actually are—not as they want to be seen by others. 

“Alongside indoor locations, Downtowns have always been my favourite for lifestyle photography. They are always full of energy, colours, creativity, roots and inspiration. “

   Environmental Portraits: Environmental portraits are similar to lifestyle portraits, but they focus on the environment around the subject rather than just the person being photographed. This type of portraiture can document an event, show off a particular skill, or evoke a feeling with its setting and atmosphere. 

Sabeti, Aida. “The blacksmith in Krakow” .2015

No matter what kind of portrait you're looking for—whether it's traditional, lifestyle, environmental, candid & street style, or..., there are many ways you can achieve your desired look with portrait photography! Considering these different portrait photography styles before selecting one for your shoot will ensure you get exactly what you envision! The key is understanding each type so you can choose one that best fits your needs and captures the moment perfectly! Reach out today if you need help deciding which style would work best for your needs!