Whether the medium is photography, painting, or sculpture, portraits have long been key to capturing the human experience. Although plenty of people still sculpt and paint, photographs have easily taken the lead in popularity.
While nearly any image of a person could be called a portrait, true portrait photography is about more than just taking a picture of someone—it’s about telling a deeper story. These images capture emotions, personalities, and moments in a way that words alone often can’t.
Portraits serve countless purposes, from professional headshots to artistic expressions, but the one thing they all share is their ability to reveal something essential about the subject. Whether it’s formal, candid, or somewhere in between, the type of portrait you choose will help shape how your story is told.
In this post, we’ve rounded up 10 types of portraits, each offering its own approach to enhancing the story behind the image. With examples and tips on how each one is executed, the list offers a comprehensive look at what makes the various styles stand out.
Let’s dive in and discover which portrait type best captures your narrative.
1. Traditional Portrait
Often, traditional portraits are simply called “headshots.” These images have started to pop up just about everywhere, from professional spaces to social media. You can even use an AI headshot generator to create these types of headshots of yourself—the new AI generators are extraordinarily accurate and extremely fast.
Headshots comprise an entire category of photography, but it’s important to mention that while headshots are portraits, not all portraits are headshots. Virtually any image of a person or a group of people could be considered a portrait, but headshots are typically used for professional purposes or for things like high school yearbooks.
You can probably picture the traditional portrait: The subject is facing the camera, with just the top part of their torso visible. They usually look professional, with a slight smile or no smile at all.
In professional environments, these portraits are vitally important because they will often be the first impression anyone has of you—and you only get to make one first impression. That’s why the headshot industry, either through professional photographers or AI alternatives, has grown so large. Simply put, headshots are hard to beat.
2. Family (or Group) Portrait
There’s a good chance you’ve taken part in a family photograph, either as an adult organizing one yourself or as a child being dragged to one by your parents. Family portraits can also include group portraits, often taken alongside friends or extended family.
These sorts of portraits make for great keepsakes, reminding you of a time in your life or an experience you shared with your family or a group. Often, families get yearly portraits taken by a talented photographer—time flies, and it can be nice to look back through the years as we grow older.
That doesn’t keep the experiences from being annoying to most children, or to parents who are trying to get everyone to look at the camera all at once. Photographs are bad enough; now imagine trying to get a family portrait painting made!
Family portraits can be varied: There might be a simple backdrop behind the family or they might be posed at an outdoor location or at home. While it’s common to smile, these portraits can be more formal in appearance, though often your photographer will take a few goofy ones for good measure.
3. Lifestyle Portrait
The goal of a lifestyle portrait is to capture a singular moment in the subject’s life as it happens, rather than relying on a staged photograph. They are typically a version of a family portrait, but they can be just as effective as a solo shot.
With any luck, a successful lifestyle shot will convey a story about your life, personality, and experiences in an authentic, candid way. These shots are, naturally, a departure from more formal and staged shots.
They are especially appropriate for occasions such as birthday parties, but lifestyle shots can be great when you’re just having fun with your partner or your family. The more unplanned the shots, the better, underscoring their candid nature. Great lifestyle shots should seem as though the subject was unaware they were being photographed.
While they can sometimes be tricky to pull off, a well-executed lifestyle portrait will capture a memory like nothing else.
4. Editorial Portraits
Even if you’ve never considered what editorial photographs are, you’ve most likely been exposed to them your entire life without realizing it. When you’re reading about the Oscars and viewing an actor’s image alongside the article, or reading a piece about wildfires and seeing photos of firefighters battling flames, you’re engaging with editorial photography.
Simply put, editorial photographs are the images you see alongside written articles, both online and in print. These photos are carefully curated to enhance the narrative, drawing readers into the story and evoking emotions that align with the written content. In a meta sense, the examples we use in this article are editorial photographs in themselves, as they help illustrate the portrait types being discussed.
Editorial photographs don’t just decorate a page; they are integral to storytelling, making the article more dynamic and persuasive. Whether capturing the raw emotion of a news event or the glamour of a Hollywood red carpet, editorial images serve as a bridge between the reader and the narrative. A single photograph can shift perceptions, deepen emotional responses, and even change the course of a story’s impact.
Because, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, these images not only complement but amplify the written content, making them an essential part of the reader’s experience.
5. Close-Up Portraits
As the name implies, close-up portraits are similar to traditional ones, except that they show the subject close up. They do away with outfits and backgrounds, offering a more personal and direct view of the subject.
These photos can range from extreme close-ups, like in our example, to a shot that includes the head, neck, and perhaps shoulders. These types of photographs help to create an intimate and personal connection with the viewer.
Naturally, these photos highlight the eyes, so if you’ve got a nice pair of peepers, a close-up portrait will show them off in all their captivating glory.
However, there are some things to consider if you’re willing to be photographed so close. On the one hand, close-ups don’t involve painstaking decisions over backgrounds or outfits; on the other hand, only some are comfortable being captured from such extremely close angles.
While showing off your natural attractiveness and perfect complexion can be great—if you have been born with such gifts—it can also highlight any flaws. And while flaws should generally be embraced, not everyone is secure in their appearance.
6. Environmental Portraits
An environmental portrait seeks to photograph the subject in their element, showing the viewer who the person is and what they do. In some ways, they are similar to lifestyle photographs; however, environmental portraits are typically staged, and the subject is often posing. Note that, despite the name, environmental portraits usually don’t have anything to do with nature.
First and foremost, an environmental portrait attempts to tell the subject’s story, so the environment is more than simply a backdrop. Whether they depict an EMT in an ambulance, a writer in a library, or a landscaper in a garden, these portraits both add context and provide insight into the subject.
Since they’re taken when you’re in your element, these portraits will be able to create a deeper connection between you and the viewer. They are ideal if your profession or hobby isn’t just what you do, but is a part of who you are.
7. Conceptual Portrait
A conceptual portrait focuses on capturing an idea or theme, rather than simply showing the subject in an environment or with a plain backdrop. A well-executed conceptual portrait will have an obvious theme backing it up, such as isolation. These photographs differ from more traditional portraits because the emphasis is on a concept, emotion, or message, often using symbolic elements to convey a deeper meaning.
While conceptual portraits may involve the subject posing, they are by no means a simple headshot. Props, creative lighting, and unique compositions are often incorporated to tell a story or evoke a feeling. In our example, the subject is alone in a crowded place, which is accentuated by the fact that they are the only person in the crowd who isn’t out of focus and blurry.
The key to a strong conceptual portrait is its ability to communicate an idea visually. By using surreal props, dramatic lighting, or unusual angles, these portraits aim to go beyond the literal, tapping into the subject’s personality or message in an abstract way. They’re perfect for individuals or brands looking to make a bold statement and stand out from more traditional images.
In conceptual portraits, creativity is at the forefront, making them a great choice for artists, performers, or anyone who wants to express something unique about themselves.
8. Candid Portrait
Candid portrait photography captures people in authentic moments, often unaware of the camera, leading to a natural, spontaneous representation of the subject. Unlike posed portraits, candid photos focus on capturing real emotions, expressions, and actions as they happen, without interference or direction from the photographer. This style creates an organic feel, emphasizing genuine interactions and emotions.
In some ways, candid portraits are similar to lifestyle photographs, as both aim to reflect the subject’s real personality and environment. However, candid portraits are less likely to be staged and instead rely on the unpredictability of real-life moments. Whether it’s a burst of laughter during a conversation, someone absorbed in their work, or a quiet, reflective moment, candid shots capture these moments in an unobtrusive way.
This type of photography is particularly effective for anyone wanting to display their true personality or story without the formality of traditional portraiture. It works well for individuals whose work or hobbies have a more relaxed, dynamic nature—like artists, performers, or event organizers—where the flow of real moments can convey more than a structured pose ever could. In candid portraits, the environment becomes less about location and more about the moment captured, making it feel timeless and real.
9. Glamour Portraits
Glamour portrait photography showcases the subject’s beauty, style, and allure, often with a polished, high-end look. This type of photography creates an idealized version of the subject, blending professional makeup, flattering lighting, and enticing poses to enhance their appearance. The goal is to highlight the subject’s elegance and confidence, making glamour portraits especially popular among models, actors, or anyone looking to capture a refined, striking image of themselves.
Unlike candid portraits, which capture spontaneous moments, glamour portraits are meticulously planned and styled. From the choice of wardrobe to hair and makeup, every detail is chosen to create a flawless, glamorous presentation. These portraits often take advantage of soft lighting and carefully crafted poses that accentuate the subject’s best features, making the final image feel both polished and captivating.
Glamour portraits are particularly well suited for anyone who wants to celebrate their style or enhance their personal or professional image. Whether it’s for a portfolio, personal branding, or simply to capture a moment of beauty and confidence, glamour portraits offer a timeless, stylish way to showcase the subject at their best. They’re a great option for those who want to make a bold, stunning impression.
10. Self-Portraits
Self-portraits have become a ubiquitous part of modern life—in the form of selfies. You can’t go anywhere today without seeing a selfie of someone, thanks to the powerful cameras built into our smartphones.
Self-portraits might have started as paintings—everyone can picture Vincent van Gogh’s famous one—but today, anyone can easily snap a quick self-portrait. These photos range from casual selfies taken while going about our days to images taken with a bit more flair and artistry—and, of course, beauty-enhancing filters.
Unlike traditional portrait photography, which typically involves a photographer capturing the subject, self-portraits allow individuals to take control of their image. This can lead to a deeper exploration of personal expression and creativity, as the subject can experiment with different poses, lighting, and settings. This enables the subject to convey emotions or concepts that resonate with their identity.
Additionally, self-portraits can be a powerful tool for building a personal brand. They allow individuals to present themselves authentically, which is increasingly important in today’s visually driven world. Whether for social media, artistic expression, or personal reflection, self-portraits provide a unique opportunity to showcase one’s personality and creativity.
Create Great Portraits With the Help of Portrait Pal
If you’ve ever wanted to have a portrait of yourself taken but have been turned off by prohibitively expensive photo shoots, as well as the preparation required before you even attend one, then Portrait Pal might be right up your alley.
With Portrait Pal, you can quickly and painlessly create an entire batch of great-looking headshots for use across a wide range of sites, from LinkedIn to Instagram. The only requirements are a few good selfies taken from various angles, a two- to three-hour wait time, and between $35 and $75.