Everyone who plans to engage in photography professionally asks himself or herself a question sooner or later. There is the question of which photography genre to choose as the main one. It is important to pay attention not only to the craving for a particular genre, but also the opportunity to build a career on it. You can build a strong foundation for your photography career by practicing 7 types of photography genres that are noted below.

Portrait Photography

Portraits are different: some people need them for a portfolio, some for a website, for a resume, or for book covers. There are a lot of options, and many of them require less creativity and more ability to please the customer. There's also an alternative way to make money from portraits – taking photographs for commercial and stock purposes.

Portrait photography is a good way to become a skilled hand in comfort. You'll have to work with one person, and it's much easier to establish communication, master interaction with the model, etc. You can practice with your friends and acquaintances. You'll notice that you'll start getting orders over time. Since portrait photography is always in demand, you won't be out of work.

Fashion Photography

If you want to do fashion photography, you have to start small. First you have to work with photography for catalogs, websites, and online stores. And only then, if you manage to prove yourself, you will be able to take it up a notch, cooperating with major brands and even shoot fashion weeks. While standard photography is more focused on portraits and working directly with the model, catwalks are a completely different genre. It combines elements of documentary photography and event photography.

You should not expect to work in the studio: a lot of people prefer to shoot in interesting locations, including outdoors. So, you will have to master both the staging of light and adapting to daylight. You will have to take a lot of equipment with you and take into account the requirements of designers. You will have to work as a team, and you will have a lot of retouching to do at the very last stage.

Photojournalism

Another popular genre that requires stamina is photojournalism. A photojournalist, just like a travel photographer, has to be in many different places. But his or her work is much less about landscapes and more about events, including natural catastrophes and political upheavals. There are a lot of risks in this profession and it is not easy at all. But the likelihood of fame, making successful and problematic shots, is much higher than in other professions. As you know, a large number of awards are given for the most socially significant photos.

The photographer's task in this case is to tell a story, to make a distant problem personal and important to the viewer. It is creativity and skill at the same time, it is visual storytelling. A photojournalist must be able to switch between genres in order to tell a story in the most moving and effective way.

Architectural Photography

We often use the term architectural photography for describing a hobby. But there is also a professional genre that appeals specifically to this field. Architectural photography encompasses several types: shooting for bureaus and development and construction companies, for real estate assignments, and interior photography. All of these branches require a different approach, but in general, it is quite possible for one person.

Difficulties for the photographer also come in a variety of ways. For example, you need to be able to catch a building’s essence to photograph it successfully. It will be necessary to photograph both elements of the external decor, and the general plans. You will have to look for an original approach, such as shooting from the window of the building across the street. But the most difficult thing is to choose lighting conditions.

The same applies to shooting interiors. You often have to work with a decorator, because it is he or she who gives the interior a spectacular look that triggers a viewer’s reaction. An architectural photographer should always remember that the main task is to sell. It is necessary to take photos that can sell a service, a building or a room.

Sports Photography

It is not easy to build a career in this genre. This is a job for those who love and understand sports, for those who know anatomy and can react quickly. And such a photographer will also need the most modern and powerful equipment. The biggest problem is probably getting enough practice. You will have to shoot amateur competitions in order to get a hand and build up a portfolio. If you succeed, the work will allow you to travel and attend even the most closed tournaments, getting the best viewing spots and meeting famous athletes. Sports photography also includes advertising photos, promotional shots, and more. So, it never becomes boring and monotonous.

Abstract Photography

Abstract photography is a form of photographic art that is based not on the perception of details and objects as in conventional images, but on shapes, colors and lines. To learn to perceive color and form, the photographer needs to abstract from the usual perception of reality, which is often difficult. For the reason that abstract photography is built on form, line and color, it requires the photographer to have a deep understanding of these aspects.

Commercial Photography

One of the most difficult but also the most lucrative fields is commercial photography. Here you will encounter a lot of photographers who work in advertising. This is not an easy task because you will have to deal with very different things. It could be cars, jewelry, souvenirs, products, etc. And the photos will be used on websites, in advertising or in catalogs. It is necessary to emphasize all the best features of the object hiding its flaws. In most cases, the work will be studio work, which is great for introverts. But it is necessary to know how to handle light. Ideally, the photographer uses his own home studio, because renting it is not profitable. It is not uncommon to have to take photographs outside as well, or on location.

That’s It!

There are a lot of other genres, and with some skill you can make a profession out of almost any of them. By the way, you can learn valuable lessons and techniques that will make you a better photographer in other styles by improving in only one photography genre. The main thing is to realize how to approach the realization of your ideas. And the rest is a matter of practice.