Portrait photography or portraiture is the capture by means of photography of the likeness of a person or a small group of people (a group portrait), in which the face and expression is predominant. The objective is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the subject. Like other types of portraiture, the focus of the photograph is the person's face, although the entire body and the background may be included. A portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the camera.

Every Picture Tells a Story © Sandy Powers

Lady Lisa. I saw her and had to photograph her so I got up my nerve and went and asked to take her photo. She was delighted, and talked to me for a long time about how she used to be a model. I showed her the picture and she really liked it ! - Sandy Powers

Every Picture Tells a Story

Painter, Paris © Bruno Schlumberger

A Paris painter hides his face as he sees a photographer aiming his camera in the distance. The painting on the right is a self-portrait done by the man, one of many street artists who work on Place du Tertre in Paris, France. - nationalgeographic

Painter Bruno Schlumberger

Smiling Girl © Catherine Whitford

My friend's daughter is a ham, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Cassidy likes to make a heart shape with her hands and peek.-Catherine Whitford

Smiling Girl Catherine Whitford

old fans © Jack Kamaruddin

(O © RamonaG

Beach kiss © Bettina Schwesig

I took this on our first evening at the Barcelona beach. - Bettina Schwesig

Beach kiss

A Strange New World © Chris

The lonely clown... © Carf

Vando had big expectations for the day but turned out a rather sad clown during our Hummingbird in the community manifestation on May 1st. He was missing his clowning colleague, Vinicius, who was unable to be present on the day.- Carf

The lonely clown

Stop killing people © Surinder Singh

I'm Feeling Angry Today © Ricardo Liberato

Sad Clown © Rich

God I love face painting day at daycare. Today Frankie came home as a clown. Which should be a happy thing but I always think of clowns as sad so I immediately said "time to take pictures" and "make your sad face". She takes direction so well for an almost three year old.

Later, we were in the back yard with the dogs and Colonel Mustard had an apple and jumped on the lawn chair to eat it. Frankie turns to me and says "We need a picture of this". That's my girl! - Rich

Sad Clown

Holi is the festival of colours, a Hindu festival held in February-March each year. For more info, see Wikipedia. This man was enjoying Holi, and quite happy to have been doused in many colours! - Dey Alexander

Happy Holi