Portrait photography can run the gamut in type and style—everything from the traditional “head and shoulders” shot to lifestyle and environmental, candid and street, glamour, boudoir, maternity sessions and much more. This week, we present 5 images that piqued our interest—from a vibrant maternity shoot and retro family moment to images with cool motion blur effects and more.

Rachelle Welling took this image in her backyard pool in Phoenix, Arizona. “This was a maternity shoot with a creative editorial spin,” she explains.

Photographed with a Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Z 24-70mm lens, Welling says she loves the lightness and ethereal take here on a time in a woman’s life that can “often be heavy, both literally and figuratively. This image transcends that, and feels both soft and edgy at the same time. I love images that can channel both masculine and feminine energy together,” she sums up.

[Read: 7 Maternity Photographers on IG Capturing ‘Mom Glow’ with Style]

This next shot by Welling has a completely different feel but with just as much impact. We love the vintage feel of it. In fact, Welling also loves how timeless this image feels.

“The styling and editing makes it feel like it could have been taken at just about any point in time,” she explains. “The bit of foliage blurred in the foreground adds dimension and helps aid in the storytelling.” And the composition of the daughter in the sky, adds Welling, was an intentional separation to guide the viewer’s eye to the most important part of the image. “Her reaction was obviously unplanned but takes this image to the next level. It embodies the innocence and pure joy of childhood.” We agree!

[Read: What is Lifestyle Family Photography and How do You Shoot It?]

As of late, we’ve really been getting into images with motion blur effects and this one, by Morgane Cazaubon of Petite Visuals, is no exception.

“The location is a very busy one—the Louvre in Paris,” the photographer explains. “The couple was left for a moment while I changed SD cards, and I could see them standing still and talking while people around them were going about their business between us. Oblivious to it, they were in their world. It reminded me of that very famous Alfred Eisenstaedt Times Square image and some of Elliott Erwitt’s street portraits. The photo here is actually a mash up of two images, both taken after the other. All were taken with the same settings. I got one image that could work on its own, but I really wanted that 3-layer perspective to grab our eyes towards the couple…so I cheated a bit and used Photoshop.”

She continues: “This image wasn’t planned, and while the couple was asked to stand in that specific spot (I liked the geometry of the lines), I did not interfere in what they did beyond that. They hadn’t even realized I was taking some photos, they just stood there talking and kissing. I wanted to capture that. I like that the feeling of this image is authentic, even if I used Photoshop to create a better perspective. I would also argue that the use of layers/Photoshop actually helped convey that moment the couple was in: kissing, talking, and oblivious to everyone else in their fast-paced life.”

[Read: Intentional Photo Blur and Why My Clients Love It]

Cazaubon sums up her photography style, stating that it is guided by capturing what the moment feels like; not what it looks like. “So whatever and however it is, my goal is always to reflect a moment. It can be a blurry Photoshopped image, an iPhone photo, a video snippet with sound—nothing is off limits to capture what the moment feels like.”

Gallop Extension, says Eugene Tan of Bottled Groove Photography, is one of the more popular go-to spots in Singapore at the moment for wedding shoots. “After having been there a few times, I wanted to do something different. This is one of the more ‘creative’ shots, playing with the curves and the lines that break up the convention of how wedding photographs should be,” he explains.

With the line “Caution, Low Headroom” emblazoned on the archway above them, I purposefully (and ironically) gave more headroom for the photograph. I had the couple position their hands and elbows to complement the arch, which is framing the groom’s elbow, and in turn, the groom’s elbow is framing the bride’s elbow. The hands of the couple add to that extra layer of shape and mystery! It’s one of my favorites from this set. The black-and- white treatment was done to allow the focus to be on the couple.”

Sue Konvalinková of Moments by Sue says she captured this moment during an evening party and boisterous concert of the bride and groom’s schoolmates’ band, which reunited just for their wedding.

“It was wild, there was a lot of jumping, singing along and dancing,” she explains. “I positioned myself in front of the crowd and started capturing the atmosphere. One of the images I like the best from that series is this one. It carries information about many of the people there, as well as the bride at the same time. She and her emotions are the main highlights of the image.

“The blur adds movements and makes the scene more dynamic,” the photographer continues. “The reason I love the blur the most for images from wedding parties is that it wraps scenes into mystery, making them feel a bit worn off, distorted or fractional…as memories tend get in our heads over time.” 

Dig into our Photo of the Day archives for even more compelling, eye-catching, images including portraits and other photos with motion blur, movement and other effects you won’t want to miss out on!  Send us your wedding and portrait photos, editorial, documentary and commercial image submissions: [email protected]