Portrait photography focuses on people as the main subject and aims to portray their character, personality traits, or moods. Subgenres include children’s, wedding, fashion, and nude photography. Technically, a focal length of 85–135 mm, an aperture of f/1.8–f/4, soft light, and a blurred background are recommended. Legally, the right to one’s own image protects against unwanted publication. Authentic moments often arise when people are not posing.
Category: Photography Basics > 7. Genres & Subjects Article ID: 7.3 Created: May 2026
The Essentials at a Glance
- Portrait photography has people as its main subject – its goal is to portray a person’s personality traits, character, or emotional state
- Subgenres range from children’s and wedding photography to nude photography
- In a broader sense, portrait photography also includes animals (animal portraits)
Explanation
What Is Portrait Photography?
In the classical sense, portrait photography has people as its main subject. The goal is to bring out a person’s personality traits, character, or mood – not merely to produce a technically accurate depiction.
Subgenres of portrait photography:
- Children’s photography – children at eye level, in everyday situations, playing and naturally
- Wedding photography – documentary and posed, high time pressure, often unrepeatable
- Fashion photography – clothing and styling take center stage; a borderline area between portraiture and still-life photography
- Stage photography / theater photography – people in performance situations
- Nude photography – focus on the human body (not on character)
- Event photography / concert photography – people at events
Technical Basics (Brief Summary)
→ Detailed tips: Article 4.13
- Optimal focal length: 85–135 mm (natural proportions, flatters facial features)
- Aperture: f/1.8–f/4 for bokeh and subject isolation
- Light: soft, diffused light (shade, overcast skies, indirect flash)
- Background: unobtrusive, blurred
- Perspective: eye level of the person being photographed
Legal Considerations
Portrait photography is particularly sensitive from a legal perspective – the right to one’s own image (Section 22 of the German Art Copyright Act) protects people from the unwanted publication of their images. → Details: Article 9.2
Practical Tip
The strongest portrait often emerges when the person being photographed is not posing – when they are laughing, talking, or concentrating on something else. Take many pictures and wait until the person “forgets” the camera – authentic moments rarely arise with the first shutter release.