What Portrait of Britain Teaches Us About Photographing People

Some photography needs explaining.

Some photography just needs a moment of attention.

 Portrait of Britain sits firmly in the second camp.

 Each year, the project selects 100 portraits that are displayed on digital screens across towns and cities throughout the UK - on high streets, in stations, shopping centres and public spaces. People encounter the photographs while going about their day, often without expecting to see “art” at all.

That context matters. These portraits have seconds to connect. And that makes them a useful reference point for anyone wanting to improve their people photography.

You can explore the project in full on the official Portrait of Britain website, which gives a good sense of its scope and intent.

Photographing people starts with attention, not technique

One of the clearest lessons from Portrait of Britain is that strong portraits don’t rely on spectacle. There’s no single visual style, no consistent lighting setup, no obvious formula.

 What links the images is attention.

 Each subject feels seen rather than captured. Whether the portrait is posed or candid, the photographer has clearly taken time to notice the person in front of them.

MYP takeaway: 

Better portraits don’t come from faster shooting - they come from slower looking.

Context is part of the portrait

 Many of the selected images place people firmly within their environment. Workplaces, streets, neighbourhoods and familiar surroundings quietly add meaning.

 The background isn’t decoration. It’s information.

 This reinforces an important principle in portrait photography: you’re not just photographing a face, you’re photographing a life in a moment.

MYP takeaway: 

Before you raise the camera, ask yourself what the setting contributes. If it adds nothing, simplify. If it adds meaning, include it deliberately.

Empathy shows - even when nothing dramatic is happening

 There’s very little visual shouting in Portrait of Britain. The strongest images are often quiet, understated, even ordinary at first glance.

What gives them weight is empathy.

You can sense when a photographer has approached someone with respect rather than urgency. That human connection is visible, even if you don’t know the backstory.

MYP takeaway: 

A brief interaction, a pause, or simply waiting for the right moment often improves a portrait more than any technical adjustment.

Variety keeps photography honest

 Portrait of Britain works because it reflects modern Britain without forcing a narrative. Different ages, communities, professions and experiences sit alongside each other naturally.

 There’s no attempt to define a single “look”. Instead, the strength comes from variety.

For photographers, this is a reminder that repetition dulls impact.

MYP takeaway: 

If your portraits are starting to feel samey, the solution probably isn’t new gear — it’s new people, places or perspectives.

Where photographs are seen changes how they’re read

 Seeing portraits in public spaces strips away the safety net of galleries and captions. Viewers don’t arrive prepared. They glance, react, and move on.

 That reality forces clarity.

An image has to communicate quickly and honestly, or it’s ignored.

MYP takeaway: 

Imagining your work displayed publicly can help sharpen composition and intent. Ask yourself: Would this hold someone’s attention for five seconds? 

A simple exercise to try this week

 If you want to put these ideas into practice, try this:

1. Photograph one person, not a group

2. Spend at least 30 seconds observing before you shoot

3. Include something meaningful from their environment

4. Make one frame that feels honest rather than impressive

Then stop. One considered portrait will teach you more than dozens taken on autopilot.

Final thought

 Portrait of Britain reminds us that photography doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. Attention, empathy and intent still matter - especially when photographing people.

Those are skills worth practising, whatever camera you use.

Visit the official Portrait of Britain website.