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Questions & Answers

Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

What makes a photo a portrait?

1 Answer

What makes a photo a portrait?

For a photo to be a portrait, it should say something about the person whom you are photographing or painting. It should portray a person without using words to describe them. Visit 1stDibs for a range of picture-perfect portraits and other photography.

1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021

Shop for Photographs Portraits on 1stDibs

"Mobius (Coral)" - photograph portrait, gold, sepia

By Luis Gonzalez Palma

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Luis Gonzalez Palma Mobius (Coral), 2019 digital photograph on canvas, gold leaf and Judea Bitumen

Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Mobius (Coral)" - photograph portrait, gold, sepia

Luis Gonzalez Palma
"Mobius (Coral)" - photograph portrait, gold, sepia, 2019

Julia II - Contemporary, Photograph, Portrait, Color

By Cristina Fontsare

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

which they travel that becomes invisible to the adult gaze.I've been photographing the same girls for

Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment

Julia II - Contemporary, Photograph, Portrait, Color

Cristina Fontsare
Julia II - Contemporary, Photograph, Portrait, Color, 2011

"Mobius (Virginal)" - photograph portrait, woman with crown

By Luis Gonzalez Palma

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Luis Gonzalez Palma Mobius (Virginal), 2019 digital photograph on canvas, gold leaf and Judea

Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Mobius (Virginal)" - photograph portrait, woman with crown

Luis Gonzalez Palma
"Mobius (Virginal)" - photograph portrait, woman with crown, 2019

Julia - Contemporary, Photograph, Portrait, Color, 21st Century

By Cristina Fontsare

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

which they travel that becomes invisible to the adult gaze.I've been photographing the same girls for

Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment

Julia - Contemporary, Photograph, Portrait, Color, 21st Century

Cristina Fontsare
Julia - Contemporary, Photograph, Portrait, Color, 21st Century, 2011

Sepia Toned Photograph - Portrait of Ruth - Berkeley 1968

Located in Soquel, CA

Photo portrait of a woman by Arnulf Rabl (German-American, 1942-2016). In this soft portrait, the

Category

1960s Realist Portrait Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photographic Paper

Sepia Toned Photograph - Portrait of Ruth - Berkeley 1968

Arnulf Rabl
Sepia Toned Photograph - Portrait of Ruth - Berkeley 1968, 1968

"Mobius (Joven Alado)" - photograph portrait, boy with wings gold

By Luis Gonzalez Palma

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Luis Gonzalez Palma Mobius (Joven Alado - Winged Youth), 2019 digital photograph on canvas, gold

Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Photography

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Mobius (Joven Alado)" - photograph portrait, boy with wings gold

Luis Gonzalez Palma
"Mobius (Joven Alado)" - photograph portrait, boy with wings gold, 2019