DIFFERENT TYPES

AND STYLES OF
PHOTOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT
PHOTOGRAPHY
Abstract photography, also known as
conceptual, concrete, or experimental
photography, is a genre that is difficult
to define. Abstract photographs often
use color, light, shadow, texture, shape,
or form to imbue a feeling, sensation, or
impression — without actually providing
a representational image of the object or
scene that’s being photographed.
ADVENTURE
PHOTOGRAPHY
This type of photography captures images
of adventures, usually in the great
outdoors. It often features remarkable
landscape shots, adventurous travelers,
and challenging shooting conditions
because of accessibility to particular
locations and shifting weather conditions
while taking photographs outside.
ARCHITECTURAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
The main subject matter of the photograph
is a building’s exterior or interior.
These shots tend to be pretty accurate
representations of the construction that
are taken in a way that is also aesthetically
pleasing to the eye.
ASTRO
PHOTOGRAPHY
Taking photos of astronomical objects
like stars, planets, and meteors, celestial
events like lunar or solar eclipses and other
phenomena of the night sky all fall under
the spacey umbrella of astrophotography.
BLACK & WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Black & white photography focuses on
capturing an image with no color. Often
capturing classic, timeless, and elegant
shots, black and white photography is
mainly considered fine art photography
these days. Art films and other motion
pictures also sometimes make use this as
the chosen aesthetic, producing a nostalgic
or vintage vibe.
BUSINESS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Business photos focus on the working
world, with imagery being captured to
support the growth and development
of a business, usually for marketing and
promotional purposes. By capturing images
of the owners, their products, their teams,
or their services, business photography
allows companies to tell a story about their
offerings through photos.
CANDID
PHOTOGRAPHY
Most photographs of people are often
posed, with the photographer directing
the shot and models. Candid photography
is a type of photography that removes
the posed aspect of the equation, with
photographers taking shots of people in
motion, spontaneously, or by surprise.
CITYSCAPE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cityscape photography captures images of
city skylines or sections of a metropolis.
These images can be taken during the day
or night and usually feature large sections
of a city.
COMMERCIAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
Commercial photography is that which
is taken specifically for commercial use,
usually to promote or sell a product
or service. Photographers are hired to
take shots of the product to be used
in marketing collateral like brochures,
menus, pamphlets, and beyond.
DOCUMENTARY
PHOTOGRAPHY

Documentary photography captures

images of real life, usually in the context of
historical events, as well as the everyday.
DRONE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Drone photography, also called aerial
photography, captures scenes from high in
the sky. It requires access to a helicopter,
plane, or other airborne objects, such as a
drone.
EVENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
Event photography captures guests,
activities, and the ambiance of a gathering.
Weddings, christenings, corporate parties,
birthdays, dances, awards ceremonies,
funerals, conferences, live concerts, and
other engagements fall under this category
of photography.
FAMILY
PHOTOGRAPHY
These types of shots are often
commissioned by the family for personal
use to hang in the family home. They
capture the relationships between parents,
children, siblings, and sometimes extended
family. Family reunions, weddings, and
other family occasions are an ideal
opportunity to practice this type of
photography.
FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHY
One of the oldest types of photography,
existing since the mid 1800s, fashion
photography is the practice of capturing
models in clothing and other fashion
accessories for editorial or advertising
purposes.
FOOD
PHOTOGRAPHY
Food photography is a niche in which food
is the main subject matter. Whether it’s
fresh ingredients, kitchen scenes, or plated
dishes being shot, this genre encapsulates
all things food.
HOLIDAY
PHOTOGRAPHY
It’s usually used to capture memories or
still life imagery of Christmas, Kwanzaa,
New Years, Solstice, Hanukkah or other
holidays typically falling at the end or
beginning of the year.
LANDSCAPE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Landscape photography focuses on trees,
deserts, beaches, mountain ranges, lakes,
rivers, and all other aspects of the natural
world. Landforms, weather, changing
seasons, and ambient light are all aspects
of this photographic niche.
NIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHY
All photos taken at night fall under the
category of night photography. Camera
settings must be adjusted and sometimes
special techniques are used in order to
capture images in these low lit conditions.
PORTRAIT
PHOTOGRAPHY
Portrait photography captures a portrait
of a person or group of people. Portraiture
is a challenging genre of photography
because it needs to use lighting, backdrop,
and posing to convey the personality of the
subject in a single shot. Self-portraits and
silhouettes, as well as headshots, also fall
under this genre.
SPORTS
PHOTOGRAPHY
The act of capturing sports imagery is
known as sports photography. This type
of photography is often considered to be
a branch of photojournalism, particularly
with regard to professional sports. Sports
photographers often work for newspapers
or sports magazines, but may also create
imagery for advertising purposes.
STILL-LIFE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Still-life photography is another
overarching genre of photography in which
inanimate objects are arranged in an
aesthetically pleasing manner and shot for
either personal, editorial, or commercial
use. Images usually incorporate some
artistry, with the photographer having
creative leeway in how to arrange the
composition of the shot.
STREET
PHOTOGRAPHY
The art of capturing a scene in a public
place, particularly on the street, is called
street photography. Many of these types
of photographs are also considered to be
candid in nature, usually unstaged and
shot spontaneously.
TRAVEL
PHOTOGRAPHY
Documenting a place, particularly one that
highlights the cultural, historical, touristic,
or iconic aspects of the given area, is called
travel photography. Dating back to the
1850s, the genre had been made incredibly
popular by travel publications like National
Geographic and Conde Nast Traveler.
UNDERWATER
PHOTOGRAPHY
This type of photography results in images
of marine life, the subaquatic environment
(including shipwrecks, geological
features such as cave systems and other
underwater-scapes), and/or people
pursuing underwater activities.
DIFFERENT TYPES
AND STYLES OF
PHOTOGRAPHY