37 Types of Photography For All Artistic Styles in 2025
There are many types of photography to explore that fit a variety of artistic styles and preferences. Each type of photography offers opportunities to tell stories, capture moments and express your creative perspective. Budding photographers don’t have to pick a genre and stick to it, but it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the options.
This article explores various types of photography with descriptions and best examples. Pick a few that seem the most promising and start to explore your options in a class or out in the wild.
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Types of Photography
1. Newborn Photography
Newborn photography captures a baby’s earliest moments with soft lighting, minimal props and serene compositions. It requires patience and creativity to document these fleeting stages. Check out Melissa Arlena’s iconic baby portraits and best tips. These types of photography create timeless keepsakes for families and celebrate the innocence of new life.
Take some photography classes in Atlanta or photography classes in Austin or photography classes in Boston to learn more about photography. Once you know about the basics and master photography for beginners, you can start to take images of niggly, sleepy newborns.
2. Wedding Photography
Wedding photography tells the story of a couple’s special day, blending portraits, candids and event photography. It captures emotions and moments that the couple can cherish long into their old age and pass down through generations. Explore popular wedding photography examples on Pinterest. These types of photography preserve life’s most memorable celebrations with artistry and emotion. Plus, they make their subjects look fabulous. Another aspect of wedding photography is engagement photography, where couples gather images after their engagement or before sending out their Save the Dates.
Learn more about wedding photography and gain photography skills at one of the following classes:
3. Food Photography
Food photography transforms dishes into art but requires creativity and technical skill. It can be candid moments of people eating at a restaurant or the food itself, but it can also be heavily stylized, using tricks to make the food look more sumptuous. The rule of thirds in photography applies to most types of photography, but when you take pictures of food, it really comes in handy. Learn more in photography classes in Denver or photography classes in Detroit or photography classes in Houston.
One famous example is New York Times food spread. These types of photography make food irresistible, showcasing culinary creations in a captivating way.
4. Street Photography
Street photography documents urban life and candid human interactions, highlighting culture and modern scenes. It thrives on spontaneity and storytelling. A fine example of this is Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare” which captures the essence of everyday life in a gritty way with artistic flair.
Learn to take your own street photographs with:
5. Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography captures images of animals in their natural habitats. It requires patience and expertise in the outdoors. Some wildlife photographers spend hours hiding in camouflage, trying to capture the perfect moment. Check out the 50 Greatest Wildlife Photographs that connect us with the natural world. Learn to take your own wildlife pictures at photography classes in New Jersey or photography classes in NYC or photography classes in Orlando.
6. Commercial Photography
Commercial photography promotes products, services or brands using visually engaging techniques. It merges creativity with marketing objectives. Coca-Cola’s iconic campaign images are excellent examples of this genre. These types of photography help businesses communicate their message effectively and attract customers. However, they can also be culturally impactful long after the campaign is over. Consider Dove's "Campaign for real beauty" in 2004 which changed the way beauty companies marketed to a new audience with inclusivity and originality.
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7. Macro Photography
Macro photography magnifies small subjects and reveals intricate details like textures and patterns. It’s popular for nature and scientific imagery, but makes solid art as well. Close-ups of snowflakes by Alexey Kljatov showcase the hidden beauty in the miniature world. Learn the types of photography techniques needed for macro photography at photography classes in San Francisco, photography classes in Seattle or photography classes in Tampa.
8. Portrait Photography
Portrait photography focuses on capturing a subject’s personality through expression, pose and lighting. It’s a timeless form of artistic documentation. Steve McCurry’s “Afghan Girl,” which appeared on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985, is perhaps the most famous and most controversial example of portrait photography.
These types of photography immortalize human emotions and stories.
9. Landscape Photography
Landscape photography celebrates natural and manmade environments, often emphasizing light, scale and atmosphere. These types of photography highlight the world’s grandeur and inspire a connection with nature. Ansel Adams’ “The Tetons and the Snake River” is a classic example of the genre.
10. Still Life Photography
Still life photography transforms ordinary objects into visual art using creative composition and lighting. It’s widely used in advertising, as well as in fine art. This type of photography is known for elevating everyday items into art. The photographic style is similar to the painting style but there’s more versatility in the photographic genre.
11. Documentary Photography
This genre records real-life events and narratives with authenticity and depth. It often addresses social or historical issues and gives a visual record of human experience and history. The most famous example of documentary photography is undoubtedly Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother.”
12. Travel Photography
Travel photography captures the essence of places, people and cultures around the world. It’s a blend of portrait, landscape and street photography. Jimmy Chin’s travel and adventure images are a fantastic example of photography that inspires wanderlust. This form of photography is often paired with journalistic or blog-form writing to explain the context surrounding the images.
13. Sports Photography
Sports photography freezes dynamic, high-energy moments in action-packed events. Timing and specialized equipment are 100% crucial. The following pictures are the most iconic examples of the genre. Due to the masterfully timed and framed images, you can imagine the excitement and buzz surrounding the moments that led up to the crucial sporting moments.
- “Michael Jordan’s Final Shot” by Fernando Medina: Jordan’s iconic buzzer-beater in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
- “Usain Bolt's Lightning Pose” by Cameron Spencer: Bolt striking his signature pose after winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- “The Miracle on Ice” by Heinz Kluetmeier: Team USA celebrating their unexpected win over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- “Tiger Woods’ First Major Win” by Stephen Munday: Woods raising his arms in triumph after winning the 1997 Masters Tournament.
- “Pelé’s Joyful Lift” by John Varley: Pelé is lifted by teammates after Brazil’s victory in the 1970 FIFA World Cup final.
- “The Hand of God Goal” by Bob Thomas: Maradona controversially scoring against England during the 1986 World Cup.
- “Boston Marathon Iconic Finish” by John Tlumacki: A runner crossing the finish line with a mix of triumph and exhaustion.
- “Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics” by Leni Riefenstahl: Owens captured gold during the Berlin Olympics, defying Nazi propaganda.
14. Astrophotography
Astrophotography explores the night sky, stars and celestial phenomena, requiring advanced gear and long exposures. These types of photography reveal the universe’s breathtaking beauty. They also require specialized (and expensive) lenses.
15. Aerial Photography
Aerial photography captures stunning views from above, showcasing landscapes, architecture and events. Drones have revolutionized this genre. Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s Earth from Above collection is an example of the unique perspectives that come from aerial pictures.
16. Underwater Photography
Underwater photography reveals the vibrant life and landscapes beneath the ocean’s surface. It requires waterproof gear and diving skills. These types of photography highlight marine beauty and conservation, but they usually require significant color touch-ups. The publication National Geographic has some great examples of these pictures.
17. Architectural Photography
Architectural photography focuses on buildings and structures, emphasizing design and symmetry.
These types of photography showcase the artistry of architecture and include:
- “Flatiron Building” by Edward Steichen: Captures New York’s iconic Flatiron Building shrouded in mist, blending architectural grandeur with artistic atmosphere.
- “Farnsworth House” by Ezra Stoller: Highlights the minimalist beauty of Mies van der Rohe’s architectural masterpiece in Illinois.
- “Villa Savoye” by Lucien Hervé: Showcases the geometric precision of Le Corbusier’s modernist design in France.
- “Guggenheim Museum” by Frank Lloyd Wright (Photographed by Pedro Guerrero): Celebrates the museum's spiral form and unique interplay of light and shadow.
- “The Seagram Building” by Julius Shulman: Enjoy the clean lines and modernist elegance of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s skyscraper in New York.
- “Case Study House #22” by Julius Shulman: Iconic nighttime image of a modernist home in Los Angeles with dramatic city lights in the background.
- “Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut” by Lucien Hervé: Highlights the sculptural qualities of Le Corbusier’s innovative chapel in Ronchamp, France.
- “Sydney Opera House” by Max Dupain: Emphasizes the dramatic curves and sails of Jørn Utzon’s architectural wonder in Australia.
- “The Louvre Pyramid” by Iwan Baan: Features the juxtaposition of I.M. Pei’s modern glass pyramid with the classical Louvre Palace in Paris.
- “Burj Khalifa” by Tom Lowe: Showcases the world’s tallest building illuminated against Dubai’s skyline at sunset.
- “The Salk Institute” by Louis Kahn (Photographed by Ezra Stoller): Highlights the symmetry and serene concrete beauty of this Californian-based research institute.
- “Fallingwater” by Christopher Little: Captures Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural marvel blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
18. Pet Photography
Pet photography captures the personality and charm of our most beloved animals. It’s a growing niche for pet owners and brands. These types of photography celebrate our furry companions, and they also make great gifts for cat lovers and gifts for dog lovers.
19. Black and White Photography
Black and white photography emphasizes contrast, texture and form. It has a timeless and dramatic effect of which Sebastião Salgado’s works are a great example. These types of photography strip away distractions to focus on the core of the subject.
20. Fine Art Photography
Fine art photography blends technical skill with creative vision, producing images meant for artistic appreciation. These types of photography prioritize emotion, interpretation and storytelling. Alfred Stieglitz was one of the first fine art photographers to create works of artistic modernism. His image, The Steerage, showed the stark contrast between lower- and upper-class passengers of a ship — physically in space and emotionally. It dealt with framing, such as the geometric forms and spatial planes, but also the issues of social class and gender differences.
21. Fashion Editorial Photography
Do you love high fashion? Are you always combing over glossy Vogue magazines? Then fashion editorial photography may be for you. This genre combines style, narrative and artistic direction. These types of photography showcase trends and elevate clothing into art. If you're looking for the best fashion photographers, we suggest going back to the beginning and searching for the trailblazers like Lee Miller, Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon. Or go more contemporary with the likes of Annie Leibovitz (also a much-admired portrait photographer), David LaChapelle (not the comedian Dave Chapelle), Ellen von Unwerth, Tim Walker and Cody Choi.
22. Flower Photography
Flower photography highlights the beauty and details of blooms and declines, often using macro techniques. These types of photography celebrate nature’s elegance.
23. Candid Photography
Candid photography captures genuine moments without posed setups. Social media trends have turned to candid photography as a method of capturing “real” moments. These pictures aren’t easy to capture, though. It takes a skilled hand to truly capture a striking candid moment. The pioneer of candid photography is Henri Cartier-Bresson, a humanist photographer, who captured pivotal moments in the history of the world with his keen eye for people, as they are.
24. Lifestyle Photography
Lifestyle photography portrays people in real-life settings, emphasizing authenticity and emotion. These types of photography connect viewers with relatable stories. Elena Shumilova's highly stylized images and Brandon Stanton's more candid shots are two good examples of lifestyle photography, although they are completely different in style.
25. Time-Lapse Photography
Time-lapse photography compresses hours into a single shot, revealing changes over time. A time-lapse photographer may set up different types of photoshoots across days to get the right shot. Martin Heck and Morten Rustad are masters of these types of photography.
26. Long Exposure Photography
Long exposure photography captures movement over time, creating ethereal effects. Check out the following types of photography that transform motion into art.
- “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico” by Ansel Adams: A classic landscape combining the dramatic movement of clouds with still elements under moonlight.
- “Star Trails Over the Himalayas” by Lincoln Harrison: A mesmerizing capture of circular star trails over the majestic Himalayan mountains.
- “Traffic Trails in Tokyo” by Masashi Wakui: Long exposure of vibrant light trails created by bustling city traffic at night in Tokyo.
- “Northern Lights Reflection” by Ole Salomonsen: A stunning long exposure of the aurora borealis reflecting over an Arctic lake.
- “The London Eye at Night” by David Gutierrez: Captures the movement of the London Eye’s rotation, creating a glowing circular blur.
27. Infrared Photography
Infrared photography uses special filters or cameras to capture wavelengths of light invisible to the human eye. These types of photography create surreal and otherworldly images. Photographers use a digital camera that has been modified for infrared use or an infrared film.
28. Night Photography
Night photography captures scenes after dark, often using long exposures and creative lighting. These types of photography reveal the magic of the nocturnal world — in nature or the city.
29. Action Photography
Action photography freezes fast-moving subjects, requiring precision and quick reflexes. These pictures capture energy and motion and require photographers to be in the field.
30. Surreal Photography
Surreal photography blends reality with imagination, creating dreamlike compositions. This genre aims to challenge the viewer's reality by combining elements in unexpected ways. You can always look to the paintings of Salvador Dalí for inspiration.
31. Food Styling Photography
Food styling photography elevates dishes through thoughtful presentation and composition. These types of photography make food irresistible to the eye. Often, these photographers are creatives who recreate dishes using inedible items to get the best shot. For example:
- Perfect Grill Marks: Grill marks are added using a hot skewer or a branding iron to create a consistent, appealing pattern.
- Fake Ice Cream: Real ice cream melts too quickly under studio lights. Food stylists often use a mix of shortening, powdered sugar and corn syrup to create a faux ice cream that holds its shape.
- Whipped Cream: Shaving cream or stabilized whipped cream (with gelatin) is used to create perfect dollops that last under hot lights.
- Propped-Up Ingredients: Toothpicks, skewers or foam blocks are used to support and arrange food at precise angles for better composition.
- Super Glue: Drops of super glue on fresh fruit and juicy meat make us think that these foods are super fresh with drops of liquid coming out.
32. Flat Lay Photography
Flat lay photography arranges objects on a flat surface for overhead shots, perfect for social media or for stock photography. These types of photography highlight design and storytelling.
33. Editorial Photography
Editorial photography accompanies written content and visually enhancing stories. Each image must align with the tone and purpose of the written piece, whether informative, inspiring or thought-provoking. For instance, a photograph of a chef in a bustling kitchen might accompany an article about culinary innovation.
34. Real Estate Photography
Real estate photography showcases properties in their best and most comprehensive light. These types of photography attract buyers and renters with compelling visuals and can be quite a lucrative photography field.
35. Medical Photography
Medical photography documents medical conditions, procedures and anatomy for research and education. These types of photography serve healthcare and scientific communities.
Medical photography is a specialized field focused on documenting clinical presentations, medical procedures and specimens for clinical, educational and research purposes. It requires technical expertise to ensure images accurately represent the subject without causing misinterpretation. These types of photography are so important to healthcare providers and researchers. They’re visual records for diagnosis, treatment planning and medical education.
Historically, the use of medical photography began in the mid-19th century, with pioneers like Alfred François Donné and Hugh Welch Diamond utilizing daguerreotypes to document bones, teeth and mental health patients. Over time, it became a vital tool in medical research, teaching and documentation.
Photographers in this field often hold degrees in photography and sciences, coupled with knowledge of anatomy, medical terminology and digital imaging software. Their work requires sensitivity toward patient privacy and serious adherence to ethical and legal standards.
36. Forensic Photography
Forensic photography captures crime scenes and evidence with precision for legal purposes. These types of photography aid investigations and require specific types of photography techniques (and often degrees). There are no examples that are pleasant to look at but this is a vital field and skilled photographers with a passion for justice enjoy this genre.
37. Cinemagraph Photography
Cinemagraph photography blends still images with subtle motion for mesmerizing effects. This technique combines a still image with a video to create a moving image with a continuous loop. This genre became popular in 2011 after a pair of New York-based photographers, Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck, revolutionized how motion could be integrated into still photography.
Types of Photography FAQs
How many genres of photography are there?
There isn’t technically a set number or limit to the photography genres. Photography was invented in the 1800s and new genres and subgenres are constantly emerging as technology advances and creative trends shift. There are definitely less than 100 known and recognized genres and around five genres are commonly recognized as art. They include:
- Portrait Photography
- Landscape Photography
- Still Life Photography
- Black and White Photography
- Architectural Photography
Which type of photography is best?
The best type of photography is your personal favorite. Different genres are better for different artistic goals. For example, portrait photography alone may not be ideal for a wedding photoshoot. Your "best" type of photography will align with your passion and the stories you want to tell.
How do I become a photographer?
It’s not easy to learn how to become a photographer. The skills you need to learn require time and study to master. The steps below will help you get started on the right path.
1. Find your passion and style
The best way to learn photography for beginners is by finding your passion. Start by exploring different photography styles to discover what excites you most. Take your camera everywhere and treat every moment as an opportunity to practice. Find your preferred photography styles through practice and dedication.
2. Pursue a photography education
While self-teaching is possible, a formal photography education can provide a strong foundation. Enroll in photography courses or programs to learn essential skills like composition, lighting and post-processing. Schools should offer flexible learning options and certifications that can make your portfolio better and boost your credibility.
3. Invest in quality gear
Professional photography requires reliable equipment suited to your chosen style. Start with a dependable camera body (or more affordable cameras) and lenses tailored to your niche, such as macro, wide-angle or portrait lenses. Essentials like tripods, filters and external flashes will also help elevate your work. Remember, investing in backup gear is crucial for client assignments.
4. Build your portfolio and brand
Your portfolio is your most important asset as a photographer. Showcase your best work on a dedicated website or social media platforms, emphasizing consistency and quality. Develop a personal brand that reflects your unique style and professionalism. A strong online presence helps establish credibility and attracts potential clients.
5. Network and collaborate
Connections are key in the photography industry. Attend workshops, exhibitions and events to meet other photographers and professionals. Offer to assist or second-shoot for experienced photographers to gain hands-on experience. Engage in online forums and communities to exchange critiques and ideas. Building relationships can lead to collaborations and business opportunities.
6. Keep learning and growing
Photography is a constantly evolving field. Stay updated on new photography tricks and technology. Experiment with different styles and challenge yourself creatively. Continuous learning will refine your skills and ensure your work remains fresh and relevant.
Photography is diverse and there are endless opportunities for artistic expression and professional growth. There's truly something for everyone and each genre comes with its own challenges, rewards and creative freedoms. As you explore these types of photography styles, remember that the best type of photography is the one that excites and inspires you the most.
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