The majority of professional photographers only specialize in a few different types of photography, but did you know there are several different types practiced today. With multiple photography genres worth looking at, we have come up with a list of the ten most popular types that are used by photographers around the globe today.
It seems like everybody nowadays fancy themselves as a photographer. Most modern smartphones have built-in top of the range cameras that allow the average person to capture incredible images without any formal photography education. Social media platforms give people the opportunity to display these images, so it’s no wonder that there are so many people wanting to learn more about how they can take better snaps.
If you are planning a career in photography, one of the hardest decisions you will have to make is what type of photography you should get involved in. It is of vital importance that you find out about the different niches before choosing what path to go down. For more details, check out this comprehensive list.
- Landscape
Landscape photography has been popular since cameras became easily accessible. Photographers can capture a natural scene, often of mountainous areas, and other stunning locations.
Taking landscape photographs can prove tricky, especially if you don’t have the proper equipment. The lighting can be difficult to work with too, however, it is one of the most traditional styles so there is plenty of information out there that will help you understand how to take great landscape shots.
- Wedding Photography
Wedding photographers have had a tough time during the ongoing pandemic. Lots of couples who were planning their weddings were forced to cancel their big day to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. However, due to the vaccine rollout, most venues are once again allowed to host weddings.
It is a lucrative business to get into, but it can prove extremely challenging. In the past, traditional wedding photographers took photographs of the couple, their family and some of the ceremony, but now, reputable wedding photographers are embracing modern technology. A lot of them use drones and other equipment to capture the big day. The best in the business have their own unique style that allows them to get the best shots of the wedding.
The downside about becoming a wedding photographer is that it is seasonal in most countries. A lot of people want to avoid having their wedding during the colder months, so you can expect to have a lot of time where there is not a lot of work available.
- Wildlife
Wildlife photography might seem straightforward, at the end of the day, you’re just taking a snap of an animal, but to produce a good wildlife image, you will need a lot of patience and plenty of experience. You might be forced to spend several hours waiting in silence for the animal to appear, and even if they do show up in the area you want them, they might not be looking in your preferred direction.
If you are thinking about going down this road, experiment in your backyard by taking photographs of birds and other wildlife you see. The best thing about wildlife photography is that animals are found everywhere, so you can practice as much as you like!
- Fashion Photography
To showcase clothing, accessories, and other products, fashion companies often look to hire top fashion photographers. People who are looking to get into the fashion industry often do so by becoming a fashion photographer, but if you want to get noticed, you must keep in mind that the industry is highly competitive. Blogging has become very important in fashion, and several companies use blogs with professional photographs to promote their products.
There are several photography courses out there, so you should easily find online and in physical classrooms that teach people everything about this type of photography. Universities and colleges often have a course that focuses specifically on fashion photography.
- Portrait Photography
Portrait photography is one of the most popular styles out there, and it is used to capture the mood and emotions of a person or a group of people. It can be extremely powerful, but getting people to feel relaxed so you can take a natural photograph of them can be difficult. It is a lucrative business to get into because there are several types that you can earn money from including:
- Family portraits
- Engagement photographs
- Child photographs
- Senior portraits
- Headshots
- Sports Photography
Sports photography gives people the chance to capture unique images. Capturing an image of a person playing sports can show drama and emotion. If the sport you are taking photographs of is fast moving, you will need your equipment set up so you can take shots fast. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to stop the game to get the players to pose, so you will want to raise the ISO that will allow you to take photographs at an extremely high shutter speed. Capturing the perfect shot is not going to be easy, but with plenty of practice, you should be able to master it.
Although sports photography is sometimes overlooked in the art world, some sports photographers can express themselves through capturing a live sporting event, especially when emotions are high. Some of the most famous sports photographs taken are a piece of history that countries and sporting organizations cherish.
- Commercial Photography
Companies that are looking to advertise a product or service often hire a commercial photographer. Sometimes they are required to take photographs of the product on its own, but this isn’t always the case. They might be asked to include models and other objects to help the product stand out. Trying to make a product or service look appealing to others can be difficult, which is why some businesses spend a lot of money hiring the best photographers in the business.
- Still Life Photography
Still life photography is another common type of photography that has been around for a long time. Lighting plays a very important role when shooting still life. The photographer can use the light to create the mood and give context to the image. Most people use simple backdrops so it won’t distract from the main object. Getting the lighting right is often a complicated process. A lot of still life photographers work in commercial and advertising photography.
- Travel Photography
Traveling the globe with your favorite camera sounds like a photographer’s ultimate dream. Although it is a very broad type of photography, it has become extremely popular in recent years. People can show cultures, incredible scenery and how people live their lives in different parts of the world.
With travel blogs growing in popularity, some travel photographers have been able to make a fantastic living while on the road. People on social media often follow people posting images of different areas around the globe.
- Aerial Photography
With drones readily available, photographers are able to capture incredible images from the sky. However, not everyone uses aerial photographs to display beautiful images. Army’s everywhere utilize these aerial images to plan and find out what their enemies are doing. The British Army famously took over fifty thousand aerial photographs during World War II.
When drones first burst onto the scene, very few people could afford them. Nowadays, they are affordable which is why most photographers have invested in one. Some are large in size, but others can fit in the palm of your hand so you should have no problems traveling with them.
