What is portrait photography?

By the eighteen century, the only ways to capture a visual representation of people and places were paintings and drawings. Of course that wasn’t always within the reach of everybody. The invention of photography had a big impact in society since it made it possible for everybody to capture moments and people with incredible precision. That was the birth of professional portrait photography.

Today, photography is so advanced and developed, that even many social platforms are based on images. Its popularity and the unique style it delivers have been an inspiration and are now a part of many camera settings both in smartphones and professional cameras. Do you want to know what is portrait photography? In Jacky Reuter we explain to you everything you need to know about it.

The essence of portrait photography is to capture the personality, identity, and attitude of a person while utilizing backgrounds, lighting, and posing. This definition might be simple, however, you can think of it as the person being the centerpiece, and everything around is carefully blurred so it does not interfere with the portrait.

Many consider this part of photography the most challenging one to master. The goal and the best results come from capturing a photo that appears both natural and prepared to allow the subject’s personality to be seen through the lens of the camera. As long as the portrait photographer manages to capture this essence, any additional equipment other than a good camera does not really matter.

What does a portrait photographer do?

As a portrait photographer, this person is responsible for taking pictures of the subject or the subjects. It is the photographer’s job to find the best background and location. They pay special attention to lighting because it is very important for portrait photographs.

The majority of these professionals also share some posing tips with the subjects, explaining to them how to position themselves for the best possible photo. When the photoshoot is finished, the photographer edits and prints the photos to give to the clients, and also uploads them on a drive or cloud, depending on the client’s choice.

Location

The subject of the portrait photoshoot can suggest a location, but usually, the photographer is the one that finds the best location, depending on the background of the portrait photograph. These sessions can be done in a studio, or outside, in some location that fits all the requirements. For portrait photography, the common choice is the plain background within a studio setting.

This is ideal because it is also considered the most traditional approach. It allows the photographers to isolate their subjects and eliminate any distracting background elements. Another option is outside the studio. The photographer here can introduce some creative elements that can help reflect the character’s personality.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most crucial aspects of portrait photography. Different lighting aspects create a different representation of the portrait. It is good to know not to rely entirely on the camera’s built-in flash and use natural light or studio lights and reflectors. Additionally, body positioning is very important for achieving effective natural light.

What makes a photo a portrait?

One photo can become a portrait when the subject in it, along with the background, lighting, and emotion can evoke a sense of connection between the viewer and the portrait photograph.

Why is portrait photography important?

There are many reasons that make portrait photography important and they vary from person to person. While some perceive a portrait photograph as an important part of historic preservation, others see it as a great way of personal branding, or just a pleasure.

There is not only one reason why this type of photography is important. It is a form of art that is hard to explain, in terms of importance. The emotions and the feelings that can be evoked through a good portrait are what make a connection on a deeper level.

Different types of portrait photography

There are different types of portrait photography, but they all have the same goal – capturing personality and people.

Traditional portrait – the subject is looking straight at the camera;
Lifestyle portrait – the goal is capturing people in their everyday environment;
Environmental portrait – the emphasis is on the environment while the subject is still part of it;
Street portrait – unplanned, candid portraits;
Beauty portrait – portraits showing the beauty of the subject, which includes fashion and make up;
Family/group portraits – portraits that involve multiple people.

Now you know what a portrait photographer does and the different types of portraiture. As you can see, it is really a complex world in which many different details have to converge to create the best possible photograph.

In Jacky Reuter we can capture the art within the best moments of your life. If you need professional photography and films crafted with care and attention to detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our contact page.