By Editor Marius Cinteza
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 19th of April 2024

Have you ever looked at a portrait photograph and felt an instant connection with the subject? 
That's the power of emotion in portrait photography! It's not just about technical perfection, it's about capturing the raw, authentic emotions of the subject and conveying them to the viewer.

A great portrait photography goes beyond the technical perfection: it's about capturing a glimpse into someone's soul, a raw and unforgettable spark of emotion. Technical perfection alone is not enough to create a compelling portrait; it is the emotion conveyed to the viewer that truly makes a portrait stand out. In fact, a portrait that captures strong emotion can successfully compensate for a lack of technical perfection.

'Sara' by Tomek Dyczewsk

As a portrait photographer, it's your job to establish a trust relationship with your subjects and to be patient. Give them time to let their guard down and reveal their true selves. Allowing the subject to behave naturally in front of the camera can often reveal the most genuine emotions. Engage in dialogue, ask questions and bring up topics that evoke emotion. Be mindful of the lighting, focus and background and use the best equipment available. But most of all, trust your instincts and be led by what you love to see as a human emotion. In addition, it is important to note that capturing emotion in portrait photography is not just about the subject's facial expressions. Body language, posture and even the environment can all contribute to the overall emotional impact of the portrait. A skilled portrait photographer will be able to use all of these elements to create a powerful and emotionally engaging portrait.


For an authentic emotion to be captured the photographer should go beyond the surface and use the intuition to understand their thoughts and feelings. Can you spot a forced smile or genuine joy? Trust your gut to discern authenticity and let your fascination with human emotions guide you.

The most compelling subjects are those who captivate you with their inner world. Eyes speak, they are windows to the soul and a powerful tool for conveying emotion. The other elements – posture, hands, light and background – all support the story the eyes tell.

'The sea inside' by Mohammadreza Momeni

Portrait photography is about capturing genuine expressions and revealing the inner personality of the subject through the emotions conveyed in the photos. Next time you look at a portrait photo, take a moment to spot and appreciate the emotion conveyed. And if you're a portrait photographer, remember the power of emotion in creating a truly compelling portrait.

Successfully photographing people happens only when the photographer is able to capture and reveal their authentic emotions, thus creating a portrait that stays with the viewer and is unforgettable.

'The performer' by Marc Apers

Untitled by Petko Petkov

'Angalamman Festival @ Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri, Tamilnadu, India' bySaravanan  Dhandapani

'***' by DAVID MINSTER

'Looking for a future' by Sergio Pandolfini

'Tanya' by Zachar Rise

'Captivating Eyes' by Rana Jabeen

'| \' by Svetlana Bekyarova

'Amelia' by Tina Signesdottir

'dream' by Hari Sulistiawan

'Man from the crowd' by Waldemar Szmidt

'Pensive' by Stefan Eisele

Myriam' by Nico Pakvis