Portraiture emphasizes the personality and purpose of the individuals who make up our larger community. Our portraiture photography is characterized by two key style principles:
01. Natural Light
Subjects should be lit by even, natural lighting. Skin tones should feel warm.
02. Authentic and Human
Avoid portraits that feel posed and overly art directed. Whenever possible, capture subjects with genuine expressions. Maintain authenticity by ensuring the subject’s true emotions and character are reflected.
Shooting subjects from an angle just below straight on gives compositions a subtle heroic feel.
Traditional Headshots
Whenever possible, shoot headshots outdoors with an element of architecture or greenery to ground the subject. Headshots should use natural light as much as possible.
01. Architecture
Emory’s unique architectural backdrop grounds subjects and compositions.
02. Greenery
Using nature as a backdrop highlights our lush campus and creates cohesion across headshots.
Portraiture Misuse
Do not use dramatic lighting or any lighting effects.
Do not use highly directional lighting.
Do not use unnatural color tone effects or filters outside of the brand monotone or add graphics over images.
Questions?
Contact the Communications and Marketing brand team.
emory.branding@emory.edu