Portrait photography is the art of creating a visual representation of a person or a group of people; given the complexity of creating a one dimensional representation of a three dimensional object, it is known as one of the most difficult genres of art. Portraits must capture the personality, character, and mood of the subject. If done correctly, a photograph should be an artistic representation of the subject’s essence. Portraits should be created to tell a story about the subject; the entire mood of a photograph should create an almost spiritual connection between the viewer and the subject.

Visual art goes beyond photographing people such that attention to the face and eyes speak to the mood and emotions of the subject. Posing also plays a major role in creating an effective portrait as it contributes to the overall power and story of the subject.
What constitutes a great portrait? First, a great portrait draws attention to the subject. This is normally achieved through a combination of composition, color, lights and shadows.

In addition to dynamic lighting, composition and posing are essential elements in portrait photography. Classic portraiture composition is divided into three categories - head and shoulder portraits, three quarter (3/4) portraits, and full body portraits. In head and shoulder portraits, the subject is framed from the chest up, such that the composition includes just the head and shoulder in the frame. These kinds of portraits show the character and features of the subject in more detail. When it comes to three quarter portraits, the subject is framed from knees up, which means the upper three fourth of the subject’s body is in the frame. These portraits let the viewer see a bit more of the character and features of the subject, compared to head and shoulder portraits. Lastly, in full body portraits the subject is framed from head to toe and it fills most of the frame. Full portraits show the complete personality of the subject and they can be quite complex in terms of lighting and posing. Great photographs emphasize your subject’s best features and play down unattractive features.

Traditional Portraits
A traditional portrait often depicts the subject looking directly at the camera. Traditional portrait photography is posed. Often, traditional portraits are shot in a studio with a formal photography backdrop and professional lighting. The genre also tends to favor the most traditional portrait composition. This means a head and shoulders crop versus showing full body. Traditional portraits are often what comes to mind when someone thinks 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 which apply the same posing and studio settings, but with formal or business attire.

Couple, Family and Group Portraits
A portrait isn’t always a single person. Photos of couples, families and other groups are still considered to be portraits. Pictures of more than one person are often harder than portraits of an individual. There are more people to compose, pose and light within the photograph. With more people, the genuine interaction between subject is important and requires emphasis. You can’t achieve this level of complexity 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.

Lifestyle Portraits
Lifestyle portraiture is the opposite of traditional portraits. It is still a portrait of a person or a group of people. But lifestyle portraits capture subjects in an everyday environment, often doing ordinary things. Instead of a studio, this genre of photography works in an environment familiar to the subject, such as 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. Lifestyle photographers will often direct the subjects. For example, they ask siblings to jump on the bed or ask a family to arrange themselves in a group hug. Lifestyle photographers don’t position their subjects. Clients that choose lifestyle photography like the genre because it resembles activities in their real life. Lifestyle family photography also captures the interaction between family members.

Environmental Portraits
Environmental portraits are a mix of traditional portrait photography and lifestyle portrait photography. In environmental portrait photography, the environment and the person are equally important. This type of photoshoot takes place in a specific location which has a special meaning to the subject. It is a way to give the viewer clues to that person’s personality. The location could be a home, an office, or a favorite place outdoors. Or if you photograph a dancer, it can be in a ballet studio. While the location is important, environmental portraits still rely on classic posing techniques. It is not as informal as lifestyle photography; the photographer sets up the pose and the lighting. The pose, lighting, subject, and background all work together in an environmental portrait.

Fine Art Portraits
The fine art genre can be controversial. Artists frequently debate the nature of fine art photography. As you might assume, fine art photographs are something that would be shown in an art gallery. That could be significantly different than the placement of a portrait on the walls of a family domicile. Other types of artwork often inspire fine art photography. Some fine art photographers model their portrait photography after Renaissance paintings. Others get creative with wardrobe and makeup, posing, and photo editing. Fine art photography also often encompasses conceptual portraits and surreal portraits.

Beauty, Glamour, & Boudoir Portraits
Glamour photography highlights a subject’s beauty. Glamour photography often involves planning the wardrobe and using professional make-up artists and hairstylists. Glamour photography could also be sensual. It’s designed to highlight a woman’s beauty, sometimes in lingerie, or full implied nudity. Glamour and fashion photography often have a similar feel and similar posing. 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. Boudoir, as the name suggests, takes place in a bedroom or home. Boudoir celebrates sensuality. Women book a boudoir session to feel good about themselves or to give photos to their significant other. Many say a boudoir session can help boost a woman’s confidence. It is important to know that boudoir isn’t about sexual poses, lingerie, or nudity.

Candid and Street Portraits
Candid portraits are impromptu. The best example is street photography featuring people. Photographers don’t have to photograph strangers to take a candid portrait. But the subjects in candid portrait photography don’t rely on direction or posing from the photographer. Street photographers often take candid portraits of the people they meet. There’s often no setup. The photographer gets inspiration from the dynamic between the subject, the environment, and the mood or lighting. Qualities of candid photography can influence different genres. Some photographers use a mix of posing and prompts to encourage candid moments.

Conceptual Portraits
Conceptual portraits capture an idea or concept within a portrait image. 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.

Surreal Portraits
Surrealism is an artistic style that feels dream-like. That 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 editing in software such as Adobe® Photoshop. Surrealistic photographs can also be created with props, wardrobe, and other photo manipulation. A surreal portrait frequently transforms dreams into visual art.

Self Portraits
Smartphone selfies give the self-portrait a bad reputation. When done well, self-portraits can be gorgeous images. Photographers use the more elaborate term self-portrait for a serious portrait. The selfie is a quick snapshot usually captured with a smartphone. Properly done self-portraits need insight and planning. Taking a photo of yourself beyond holding a smartphone out at arm’s length is not easy. You can use a tripod to get rid of that extended arms selfie look. Focusing and composing when you’re in front of the camera instead of behind can be tricky.