Maximise your portrait photographs using tips below.
Purpose and Intent
These are created with a specific business or promotional goal in mind. They are often used in advertising, marketing materials, corporate profiles, product packaging, and other commercial applications. The primary objective is to convey a particular image or brand message, focusing on making the subject look appealing, trustworthy, or relatable to a target audience.
These are driven by the photographer's creative vision or the expression of an idea, emotion, or concept. The goal is not to sell a product or service but to create art. These portraits may challenge conventional aesthetics, evoke strong emotions, or explore complex themes, often reflecting the photographer's personal style or artistic statement.
Stylistic Approach
The style is typically clean, polished, and professional. Lighting, posing, and composition are carefully controlled to ensure the subject looks their best. The focus is on clarity and perfection, with a strong emphasis on technical precision. Retouching is often used to enhance the subject's appearance.
The style can be more experimental, with greater freedom in lighting, composition, and post-processing. The photographer may use unconventional techniques or perspectives to convey a specific mood or message. Imperfections may be embraced as part of the artistic expression, and the subject's personality or story might be emphasized over aesthetic perfection.
Audience
The audience is usually broader, including potential customers, clients, or the general public. The portraits are designed to appeal to this audience, often focusing on universal themes like professionalism, beauty, or success.
The audience may be more niche, including art enthusiasts, critics, or a specific community. These portraits might provoke thought, challenge societal norms, or explore deeper, sometimes less accessible themes.
Context and Presentation
These are often presented in commercial contexts such as websites, advertisements, brochures, or product packaging. The environment in which they are displayed is typically professional and business-oriented.
These are usually displayed in galleries, exhibitions, art books, or online platforms dedicated to art. They are often part of a larger body of work that tells a story or explores a theme.
Collaboration
The process is usually collaborative, involving input from clients, art directors, or marketing teams. The photographer must balance their creative input with the client's needs and expectations.
The photographer often has more creative control and autonomy. While collaboration with the subject might still occur, the photographer’s vision typically takes precedence.
Emotional and Conceptual Depth
These often aim to communicate straightforward, positive emotions or messages, like confidence, friendliness, or reliability. They may not delve deeply into complex or abstract concepts.
These can explore various emotions and concepts, including ambiguity, tension, vulnerability, or identity. They might provoke thought, elicit strong emotional reactions, or challenge the viewer’s perceptions.