Portrait Photography

create dramatic portraits with natural light live view for camera settings
Couples Portrait Photography example

What is Portrait Photography?

If you’re a social person and you love to capture the essence of people in real-life shoots, then portrait photography might be the discipline for you.

Unlike candid shoots, portrait photography sees your subject posed in front of a specific backdrop.

how to use natural light for high key portraits
Bridal Portrait Photography Example

History of Portrait Photography

Portrait photography is one of the oldest photographic disciplines in the world, first arising thanks to the affordability of daguerreotypy in the 1840s. These early cameras had long exposure times, and as such, early subjects often look expressionless and are posed very simply. As photography advanced and cameras started to have shorter exposure times, it gave photographers more ability to experiment with poses, lighting, and costume.

Approaches to Portrait Photography

There are four key archetypes of portrait photography that are in use today:

Creative

Creative portrait photographs are staged shots where the photograph is manipulated to change the final output. This is what we commonly think of when we talk about portrait photography, as modern creative portrait photographers use programs like Photoshop to change the subject’s appearance or setting.

Candid

Candid portraits are taken of people in their natural environment and without their knowledge. While this can produce stunning images that showcase the subject’s personality, this use of photography has been widely condemned as the paparazzi have made it more exploitative and invasive for the subject.

Environmental

Environmental photography is a less invasive form of candid photography, where subjects are captured doing something that relates to them. These shots have been popular throughout history and as such photographs from this discipline are considered a vital source of historical information.

Constructionist

In a constructionist portrait, subjects are photographed working in a situation that pertains to a certain idea that the photographer wants to capture. These kinds of portraits are popular in technical environments, for marketing purposes, and in business.

See the latest portrait photography news, tips and tutorials in the articles below.

coverphoto

The One Lens Minimalist Challenge: 24-70mm Edition

Pye

We’ve teamed up with Adorama to bring you a series of photography tutorials called “Master Your Craft” to be featured on their Youtube Channel. Subscribe ...

one lens minimalist challenge portrait session feature image

Take the Minimalist Challenge with a One Lens Portrait Session

Pye

Take our minimalist challenge and get back to the basics. Stop psyching yourself out on shoots with gear you don't always need. Consider this an exercise in creativity. Join us!

Your Guide to Natural Window Light Portraits

Wendell Weithers

Who doesn't love good window light?

slice of pye profoto b10

Dramatic Outdoor Portraits with David Suh

Pye

Welcome to the live series we’re doing every two weeks on Profoto’s Instagram called “Slice of Pye”. We’ll be covering a myriad ...

AdoramaTV Face Covered Portraits SLR Lounge

How To Capture Dramatic Face-Covered Portraits with Gavin Hoey

David Crewe

It seems that face masks protecting us against COVID-19 have been the official accessory of 2020, and there is no ...

client communication photography

5 Techniques for Communication & Effortless Photoshoots

Pye

Learn how to better communicate with your clients to create effortless & genuine emotion.

profoto b10 plus lighting setup

Full Walkthrough Tutorial: Portrait of a Doctor Pt. 1

Pye

This is a two-part series where I walk you through the conceptualization, lighting, shooting, and editing of this editorial doctor’s ...

natural light family portraits

5 Tips for Creating Authentic Natural Light Family Portraits

Pye

Here are five tips for creating beautiful natural light family portraits with posing tips to elicit authentic emotions.

Creative photography ideas how to make a water hat on the cheap

Creative Photography Ideas | How to Shoot “Water Hats” on the Cheap!

Pye

Here's a fun & affordable creative photography idea that's perfect for shooting in midday sun.

advanced portrait lighting

Advanced Portrait Lighting (Full Tutorial)

Pye

Here is a full tutorial from one of our best-selling Lighting courses that shows you an advanced portrait lighting technique for on-location shoots.

get creative with perspective photography tips

How to Get Creative with Perspective

Pye

Follow along, from concept to execution, and see how to use perspective to level up the creativity in your portraiture.

Mango Street Three Tips Tricks To Take Your Portraits To New Heights SLR Lounge

Three Photo Tips & Tricks To Take Your Portraits To New Heights With Mango Street

David Crewe

In this video, the Mango Street team take some Vanity Fair inspired socially-distanced portraits of their model Kyra with a DJI Mavic Mini 2.