12 Different Types of Portrait Photography – With Examples!

Are you looking to spice things up in your photography portfolio? Discover the different types of portrait photography.

Portrait photography and its different types have one focus: capturing people and their being. However, this style of photography is more than just creating an image of someone. It is also a versatile photography niche that enables an artistic representation through the use of light, setting, backdrops, poses, and others.

Knowing how to capture your subjects is crucial to achieving professional and high-quality results. Being aware of the different portrait photography types can help you craft your very own portraiture style and also approach commercial briefings the right way.

Discover below a list of 12 different types of portrait photography:

1. Traditional portraits
2. Lifestyle portraits
3. Beauty portraits
4. Environmental portraits
5. Candid and street portraits
6. Glamour portraits
7. Editorial portraits
8. Fine arts portraits
9. Conceptual portraits
10. Surreal portraits
11. Self-portraits
12. Couple, Family, and Group portraits

Traditional Portraits

When most people reflect on portrait photography, the traditional style often comes to mind. This type of portrait normally includes the subject’s head and shoulders. Oftentimes, traditional portraits are shot in a studio and include a formal backdrop.

A sub-genre of traditional portraits is the formal portrait style.

Lifestyle Portraits

Creating a great contrast to traditional portraits, lifestyle portraits focus on capturing a person or a group of people in an everyday or relatable setting. The subjects are oftentimes candidly depicted when performing day-to-day activities.

For this type of portrait photography, lifestyle photographers usually do not position their subjects. As these images are supposed to reflect authenticity, they should be spontaneous and captured at places such as a family’s home, a restaurant, or any other social setting.

Beauty Portraits

Beauty portraits are focused on a particular look and/or product. Their purpose tends to be commercial, therefore retouching is usually requested to highlight certain aspects of the portrait.

Sometimes, beauty portraits are also used in the jewelry industry.

Environmental Portraits

Environmental portraits focus on capturing the moment in a meaningful environment to the subject. This genre of portrait photography offers the viewer an insight into the subject’s personality.

Not only is the location important in this type of photography, but the posing techniques have a significant impact. Environmental portraits are not as informal as lifestyle photography. The photographer capturing the moment typically establishes the pose and lighting.

Candid and Street Portraits

It is probably the purest form of portrait photography. This is because candid and street portraits are not planned. This sub-style of photography doesn’t require any posing. Street photographers often take spontaneous images of people they have met or run into on the street.

Candid and street portraits do not require any setup. Photographers who practice this type of genre get inspiration from the style and poses of the subjects. They focus on capturing spontaneous and unique moments. Therefore, it is important o have great timing and speed.

Glamour Portraits

When hearing the term glamour portraits, many people think of beauty portraits. However, the great focus on the glamour aspect involves extensive planning of the wardrobe and makeup looks.

Glamour portraits can also reflect a sensual vibe, as the subject’s beauty is placed into the focal point. They can be set in a range of locations — either indoors or outdoors.

Editorial Portraits

Editorial portraits can overlap with other portray photography types such as beauty, glamour, and environmental portraits, but they each have a particular focus, style, and purpose.

One of the key aspects of editorial portraits is storytelling. The focus is on conveying a message rather than selling a specific product.

In terms of applications, an editorial portrait might feature a person in a specific setting, engaged in an activity, to complement an article about their life or achievements. Styling and location matter.

Fine Art Portraits

Traces of fine art photography can be reflected in any style of the craft. Fine art portraits take an extremely artistic approach. This style encompasses conceptual portraits, as well as surreal portraits.

Any photographer who is interested in this style of portrait photograph must get in tune with their creative side.

Conceptual Portraits

Conceptual portraits work as a visual representation of an idea. Like an illustration with a photography medium. This type of portrait seeks to communicate a message or abstractly represent a concept.

Indeed, if you are looking to reflect a powerful message through your photography, consider conceptual portraits!

Surreal Portraits

Surreal portraits are an artistic style of photography that seems dream-like. In order to achieve this fantasy imagery, it is necessary to add special effects and invest in post-production after the images are captured.

Although it can be difficult to achieve the desired results, props, wardrobe choices, and makeup styles can help turn your vision into a reality.

Self-Portraits

In recent years, selfies have shed a dim light on self-portraits. On the flip side of the traditional selfie, photographers who capture self-portraits must pay great attention to the planning of the shoot and the equipment they use.

Couple, Family, and Group Portraits

This style of portrait photography does not place a focus on capturing a single person but the chemistry between a group of people. These portraits are usually photographed during important holidays or life events, such as birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations.

Here it’s also important to keep a certain level of spontaneity and authenticity. Posed subjects shouldn’t look too forced or unnatural.

Let’s sum it up!

There are 10 different types of portrait photography. Take into account your desired photography style to decide which type of portrait photography to use.

For more, discover portrait photography poses at the blog post here. Or, earn more about portrait photography and get inspired by the talented work of some of our London-based creatives, here.

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