Portrait Photography

November 5, 2024

Photographer Unites Strangers Across America for Intimate Portraits [Interview]

Seventeen years ago, photographer Richard Renaldi took a gamble. What would it look like if he brought two strangers spontaneously together and asked to take their portrait? And not just any portrait at that. These portraits were intimate, intended to unite two worlds, if even for an instant. To answer this question, Renaldi crisscrossed the United States and, starting in 2007, began asking people to pose for a series he would call Touching Strangers.

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September 15, 2024

The History of the Selfie Starts 185 Years Ago

Selfies are now embedded into our digital lives, from animal selfies to Snapchat to the memories that appear on your phone shows. Since the 2010s, selfies have only become increasingly popular after the invention of the selfie stick and the rise of social media.

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July 1, 2024

Early 20th-Century Portraits Preserve the Heritage of Native Americans

In what he perceived as a race against time, due to the American expansion and the intervention of the federal government, photographer and ethnologist Edward S. Curtis spent more than 30 years documenting Native Americans and their traditions. Curtis referred to Native Americans as a “vanishing race,” and as such, wanted to document the customs and traditions of a wide variety of Native American tribes.

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April 22, 2024

Colorful Flowers Used to Create Empowering Conceptual Self-Portraits

Photographer Fares Micue uses her artistic self-portraits to encourage and empower others. Her conceptual imagery often features natural elements, such as flowers, which she uses to cover her face. In this way, the photographer uses her body to help her portray a character rather than simply document herself. As Micue's work has evolved, she's aimed to become more honest and sincere in her photography.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.