I thought I would briefly discuss a number of different types of photographic images with people in them. This definition list is far from exhaustive and somewhat reflects my own experience as a photographer. I won’t go into, events, sport or news. Another reason for putting this together is because many people (including image makers) don’t understand the different categories. Just because a person is prominent in the image doesn’t make it a portrait.
When planning a shot, it is important to consider the best approach whilst understanding how the image is to be used. In much the same way that Inuits don’t have one word for snow but have 60 words for different types of snow, there are many different types of photography in which people maybe significantly in the image, but not considered a portrait. The following styles will crossover, they may use the same tools and considerations, but the purpose of the image, for example it’s placement and attitude towards creating it maybe very different. The descriptions are a quick overview and are fluid in their definitions.
portrait
There are many different types of portrait. I suppose the important question is what is the image for and who is it of interest to? For example is the image an editorial in a newspaper or magazine or is it a keepsake for a family? As in most images, a portrait should be engaging. A portrait should be about the the subject of the image. To be a portrait, the image has to tell a story about that person, whether it be a reflection of their personality or character or something that we know them for. I have personally always enjoyed using props.
headshot portrait
A headshot is almost just a way to show what someone looks like. It’s like a profile image. It’s minimal and says very little. It’s almost like an e-commerce product shot that shows what the item looks like. A headshot is like a logo in place of a name that others can easily recognize on social media, magazines or other listings.
environmental portrait
An environmental portrait is a portrait as described above, however, the “environment” around the person adds to the story about who this person is or what they do. A good example maybe a portrait of a person who is in their work environment. Think of people in medicine, blacksmiths or other trades, or in a place that is significant to who they are.
architectural lifestyle
Architectural lifestyle is when people are used to decorate an architectural space. The composition is about the space, then people are added into that composition. The key here is that the space is the focus of the image. The person/people in the image probably have no connection with the camera. They may only fill 5-10% of the image where as a portrait could be 80%. This person increases the human connection to the space. They show relevance. Does this person make a difference to the feel of the image? Absolutely! They should be modeled and styled in a way that is relevant.
lifestyle
Lifestyle is really big right now. It is the influx of social media affecting how we see images across the board. To me, lifestyle is less about what is in the image, but more about the feeling and the excitement. This is important when you want to tell a story and communicate the message very quickly. Key questions prior to any shoot include – Who is in the image? Where are they? What are they doing? What are they wearing? Images again should be playful and engaging. We don’t need to know about the person or who they are, just a vague idea of who they are. For example they are a grandparent with their grandchildren playing with toys or they are young and have a certain amount of financial flexibility. Brand narrative maybe a key consideration, again, depending on the purpose, use and placement of the image.
still life lifestyle
Still life lifestyle doesn’t necessarily have much of a person in the image. Still life inherently means nothing moves in the setting. If the image is about a product, the product will be more prominent. The inclusion of a person may be as little as a finger. Imagine a food image, a hand poised with a spoon ready to crack a creme brûlée. As with architectural lifestyle images, the identity of the person is not important, yet they show a connection to the product being used. The person or body part could be highly significant in telling the story about the product.
fashion
Fashion is really about the clothes. The image should be a way of describing the clothes. If the image is more about the person wearing the clothes then we probably don’t get to see clothes in a way that we would like. Fashion can be typically split into two more types. Editorial and catalogue. Editorial is possibly what most people think of when it comes to fashion photography. By nature of the name, it means the images will be used editorially in magazines, newspapers or online blogs etc. The images are styled, maybe more illustrative, more expressive and more creative. Catalogue fashion photography is more functional. If you were looking at an item to buy, this would help you by determining size, cut, shape, fit, color, etc. This image will likely be used more in catalogues and product listings. Look books are a number of images that fashion houses and retailers can place many items together to show how they work together as a collection.
beauty
Beauty can be easily confused with fashion photography as they are both stylish. However fashion is about the clothes yet beauty photography may have no visible clothing. It is about the hair, make-up and technical aspects of photography such as a gelled hair light that tells the story.
fitness
Fitness photography is very much open to interpretation as to it’s definition. The underlying focus is that fitness, sport or activity is central to the theme. A fitness image can also be lifestyle, fashion or architectural in setting.
dance
Dance, like fitness photography comes into its own. The resonating factor is that the image represents the act of dance be it whatever style of dance it is, the cultutral associations and styling that comes with it. For many, dance photography is a reinterpretation of learned performances. However it can be a process created through spontaneity rather than perfected action.