We’re lucky to live in an age where we can find beautiful photos of anything we want online. Adorable puppies, stunning culinary creations, remote places in nature and even close-ups of tiny insects are at our fingertips. But we’re all capable of taking striking photos, because some of the most captivating subjects are human beings!
Below, you’ll find some of the most beautiful and eye-catching photos of people that have been shared in this subreddit that’s dedicated to capturing the human experience. So enjoy scrolling through these pictures, and keep reading to find a conversation with professional photographer Sergio Garcia!
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Two Girls Kissing In Front Of An Anti-Gay Protest
I love the expressions on the demonstrators' faces.
Woman In Blue
This Is The Woman Whose Handwritten Calculations Were Responsible For Taking Us To The Moon, Katherine Johnson, Was An American Mathematician & Nasa Employee. Born: August 26, 1918, White Sulphur Springs, Wv Died: February 24, 2020, Newport News, Va. She Was 101
I loved the movie. I would have loved being there.
There are infinite fascinating things on this planet, and one of those things just happens to be: us! There are over 8 billion people on Earth who speak thousands of different languages and have millions of unique habits, physical features and experiences. So as mundane as it may seem to capture people on film, it can actually teach us a lot about ourselves and others around us to take photos of one another.
That’s something that the subreddit we’re featuring on this list understands. Noting on their homepage that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” this group is dedicated to sharing “high quality images of humans.”
“We are focused on looking at what humans are, more than what they do,” the community’s about section states. “To show you how humans exist. How people show their emotions and inner self.”
An Aztec Dancer
Stanislav Petrov, The Man Who Made The Decision Not To Fire At The United States After A Faulty Report From The Russian Missile Detection That A Nuke Had Been Fired, What Probably Prevented WWIII
Iranian Chess Player Dorsa Derakhshani Plays For The Us Team After Being Banned From Playing Without Her Hijab In Her Own Team
As far as the rules of this subreddit, there are only a few simple ones: share portraits only (faces must be visible), include as much context about the image as possible, and only submit static images. Aside from that, members are free to share as many stunning, fascinating and eye-catching photos of celebrities, their grandparents, their friends and people they meet while on vacation as they like.
While taking photos of people might seem simple, there’s no question that we love looking at one another (and ourselves), even on social media. According to a study from Georgia Tech University, photos with human faces are 38% more successful on Instagram than pictures without people. These photos are also one third more likely to attract comments.
Four Tibetan Monks Came Into This Guy's Drag Show In Beijing Because They Were Drawn In By The Music And Laughter
A Bath With Clean Water In Mozambique
Mother And Daughter In Traditional Attire From Chiapas, Mexico, By Evangeline C. Rodriguez
As far as why we enjoy looking at photos of humans so much, Saeideh Bakhshi, the Georgia Tech College of Computing Ph.D. student who led the study, says that it’s something we start doing at birth. “Even as babies, people love to look at faces,” she explained. “Faces are powerful channels of non-verbal communication. We constantly monitor them for a variety of contexts, including attractiveness, emotions and identity.”
Child Sleeping With Reindeer In Mongolia
"The Beauty Of Ireland"
Kate Menson From Ghana
To learn more about what makes a portrait particularly captivating, we reached out to professional photographer Sergio Garcia, who was kind enough to share some of his thoughts with Bored Panda. "What makes a photo of a person really hit home for me is when it nails a raw moment that gets you to do two things: stop and think," the expert shared. "Lighting, environment, and action—or the lack of it—can make you stop. Then, the 'think' comes in. What's the story here? What happened 10 minutes after the shot? What was I up to when I captured it? The questions don't stop, and neither should they."
Sergio also pointed out that what makes a photo striking is subjective. "A grandma in the midwest snapping pics of her grandkids on her new iPhone would find them striking," he noted. "So, context is king. And no, you don't need fancy gear to capture something meaningful."
My 86 Year Old Math Teacher. He’s Been Teaching For 6 Decades
Little Girl And Her Horned Lizard At The Venice Beach Pet Show, California, 1936
Amazonian Girl And Her Pet Sloth
As for amateur photogs who want to take great pictures of their friends, Sergio suggests that they aim for "interesting" over "high quality."
"People remember photos that grip them, not necessarily those that are technically impeccable," he explained. "So, amateurs: craft a storyline around your portraits. Imagine taking a city dweller and photographing them as a farmer in times square. That'd turn heads. Or go subtle, shoot against a simple backdrop but direct your subject's expressions. Both are intriguing."
"For the tech-savvy, yeah, basics like composition and lens choice matter," Sergio added. "I enjoy my 85mm for close-ups and my 35mm for broader frames."
Little Girl Is Thrilled By Her Dad's Amazing Balancing Act In Melbourne, Australia - C.1940
Every time I see this one, I'm struck by the little girl's dress. It's so cute.
Ridiculously Photogenic German Police And Protester
I don't believe I have ever seen a photo of police and protestors smiling in the middle of this sort of an interaction. I don't know why, but it restores my faith in humanity a bit.
Construction Worker Jason Oglesbee Rescues A Woman From The Des Moines River
We were also curious about some of Sergio's favorite photos that he's ever taken. "Early on, I shot a friend as if he'd just been in a fight—fake blood, white shirt, the works," the photographer shared. "One image still haunts me; it's how he threw his head back and how the 'blood' splattered on his teeth."
"Another gem was with an actor from Stranger Things. We riffed on different themes, and when he said he used to be in a band, it clicked," Sergio told Bored Panda. "I got shots of him miming guitar play and then evolving to this 'shocked-at-the-mirror' look. It's how he brought those emotions to life that still strikes a chord with me."
I Met A Woman With A Possum And A Beautifully Sincere Smile
An Old Man With His Cat
A Nepali Girl During Holi, The Festival Of Colors. Photo By Mihaela Noroc In 'The Atlas Of Beauty'
Sergio also left us with some wise words about taking photos of people: "Portrait photography isn’t just about nailing the technique. It's empathy, intuition, and finding gems in everyday life. So keep pushing those boundaries, keep shooting, and, most of all, keep connecting."
If you're in need of a great photographer, be sure to visit Sergio's website!
A Little Girl In Northern Iraq Helping To Block A Flare From Hitting My Lens
To quote my racist father when he actually "met" a foreigner: "Why, they're just like us!"
Maldivian Model Raudha Athif
College Girl Being Catcalled During A Photoshoot. This Is The Exact Moment She Heard It
We don't all have professional photogs at our fingertips, though, so we enjoy taking photos of our own faces as well (as anyone with an Instagram can attest to). There are over 300 million pictures on the app that have been hashtagged “selfie,” and countless more being shared every single day. Faces are incredibly important to us, as we’re likely to notice them first and pay closer attention to them than any other part of the body.
Dancer In Dublin
A Woman's Last Moments With Her Friend
If you ever find yourself in this situation I beg you stay with your pet. This why they look so happy even though they are very sick they are with their person all the way to the end.
I always stay and hold them and whisper to them until the end. And then I sob uncontrollably for days.
Load More Replies...This was me just yeasterday, saying goodbye to my best little buddy of 17 years. The pain and emptyness is insane.
I'm so sorry ☹️ but remember your little darling had 17 wonderful loving years with you, and of all the people in the world that could have been his human he was lucky enough to have you. Blessings to you both xx
Load More Replies...I have a similar photo with my boy. He played fetch like a puppy again and ate a whole bunch of chicken nuggies and burgers before he left me. 10years is not enough. F#ck cancer :(
The woman on the right looks looks like a vet so I am assuming she is euthanizing the dog & the other lady is the owner who is saying goodbye 😢
Load More Replies...Poor lady! I still find it hard when my pets get old. People say they are just pets. People never understand. My friend had an amazing Black Labrador and she would bounce like a spring whenever I pitched up. She passed away last year. It still upsets me, when I think of her.
I immediately started sobbing. I've been the person on the left too many times. RIP Hailey, Max, Panda and Lyra. The person on the right is a hero.
Aww, I dread this day. My best friend and pup is a 17 year old Corgi mix that I will heartbroken when the day comes. Poor pup and dog mom.
I had to say goodbye to my best boy off 15 years a few months ago. It still ain’t easy.
it's been eight days since I was right here. I'm not blaming onions. I miss my sweet girl!
I'm so sorry. We want our babies to stay with us forever. Any amount of time is too little.
Load More Replies...You also want to stay with them, no matter how hard it hurts, stay with them, because you don't want their last moments be filled with anxiety and nervousness because you aren't there with them. They do worry and panic, working at shelters and a vet clinic I know, they worry less when you are with them.
This one just breaks my heart...... I love that the vet probably came to the place where the dog probably had his best times with his human. The smile on the dogs face. I stayed all the way through with my German Shepherd, I wanted my face to be the last face she saw. So happy they are together in his final moments.
oh i didn't expect to cry today. we had to do this with our 4 year old pittie in april.
We had to put down one of our cats after 17 and half years. Vet gave him less than a year, under our care he made it to two. When we brought him in for his last Vet visit, took him out of the carrier and put him on the table. He basically just collapsed on it, he had no fight or spunk in him left. The first shot numbed him to everything and was asleep in under a minute, rubbed him for a few more minutes then hit the buzzer saying we were ready. Vet came in and said the next shot will put him down, but since he's out, you probably don't want to see it as final biological functions occur. So we waited just out side the door, crying and hugging each other. Wasn't long, as he was already weak and gave him back to us in the box I provided to bury him. You know the right decision was made, but the hurt and pain is still there.
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.” - Irving Townsend
The look of joy on the dog is only matched by the sadness of the lady. Heartbreaking.
Here’s the beautiful tribute on Huffington: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/15/i-died-today-heart-warming-photos-dukey-labradors-last-day-earth-pictures_n_5586867.html
We just put our cat down this past Saturday. I currently have 3 dogs and 2 cats. I can't handle it 5 more times. No way am I getting a pet after them, I just can't take the emotions, it's not fair. I'll foster so that way when they get adopted the new pet owners can deal with that part of their life.
Held more than a paw during their last minutes. So wonderful this vet does it in open air. Vet offices are not the place to say goodbye. But I would never want such a pic be taken
One of my husband's friends was a tough ex-Green Beret/black ops guy. He had an Akita named Koontasch (Tash for short). He was 13, in pain and finally not able to climb the stairs. The Vet came out and said the kindest thing Darrell could do was put him down before he got in any more pain. The one and only time I saw this man show any kind of human emotion. He cried like a baby (in fairness, we all did. Tash was an amazing dog).
The pup is happy and healthy, waiting for you on the other side of the bridge!!
Reminds me of a friend who lost her assistance dog to cancer this week.
Brings back memories, I could not have my dog put down, had to get my daughter to do it. I cried for days, and to this day I still miss her, 20 years later.
Awhh :( had this moment before with my moms dog as a child. Everyone around her in her last moments it was very hard. I drew her a little picture of the dog and us together and gave it to the dog 😭 rip penny you were an awesome german shepherd for the whole 18yrs you were here
That's really sweet that they let the dog be outside. And the dog is happy because they're with their best friend
I could never do this sort of photoshoot. That's not how I want to remember them.
Usually, I Don't Smile In Pics So This Is Very Rare. My Friend Took This While I Wasn't Paying Attention At A BBQ Recently
Some people even share selfies online because they can help them feel more confident and boost their self-esteem. 41% of adult women and 65% of teens report that posting selfies and other flattering pics of themselves has a positive impact on their self-confidence. 40% of teens even note that social media helps them “present their best face” to the world.
This Is Sandra. She's 25 And Just Started Her Own Falconry
A Couple In A Photo Booth, 1960s
We hope you’re enjoying looking at these photos that celebrate how beautiful humans are, pandas. Keep upvoting the ones that you find particularly captivating, and let us know in the comments what some of your favorite photos of people are. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring pictures of humans “doing human things,” we recommend reading this piece next!
Four Women At Chicken Bone Beach, A Segregated Beach In Atlantic City By John W. Mosley, 1960s
Traditional Gowns And Braids Of The Pomak Village Of Startsevo, Bulgaria
Culturally Different Brothers In Burma
A Woman From Luzon Photographed In 1875
Ethiopian Beggar Boy With Blue Eyes On The Streets Of Jinka, By Mike Eloff
His eyes are even more blue than Elijah Wood's.
22 Year Old Penha Goes From Aldeia Yanomami, Amazonas - Brazil, 1997
Curse my gay little heart, why are all these women so stunning??
Emotions Of A Woman After Giving Birth, By Kristen Lewis
A Little Girl Holds A Flipper As She Walks With A Penguin Family Around The London Zoo In 1937
Mother And Child By François Pache, Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Indian Dancer At The Spring Festival
Rabari Shepherd In Rajasthan, India, Photo By Steve Mccurry, 2009
Two Children On A Bank In Alabama, 1956
Lithuanian Woman In Traditional Garb
A Tribesman From Rural Papua New Guinea With His Face Painted Like An Undead Spirit
Aboriginal Man, Tom Noytuna And His Son, Use A Newly Installed Telephone For Their First Time At A Remote Outstation At Korlobidahdah, Central Arnhem Land, Australia ... (C.1980)
Mother Fixing Her Sons Hair On A Train
Nihang Sikh, Photo By Mark Hartman
Japanese Samurai During The Last Days Of The Tokugawa Shogunate, Circa 1865
When A Vacation By The Sea Collides With The Arrival Of Refugees
At least they will get the help the people in the foreground are concerned enough to help even if just words and water the world has gone bad that people are fleeing their own countries to feel safe and then sometimes like in UK at Stradey Park Wales they are treated like outcasts the world is for sharing its the Government's that are the problem
Himba Woman, Namibia
Anyone know what she used on her hair? It almost looks ceramic.
West African Exiled 'Desert Rock' Group Tinariwen. Shot By Thomas Dorn
Note: this post originally had 64 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Adelaide Ross always seems to post good threads like this.
Load More Replies...A tit tok celebrity decided to crash my party but i tossed them out with my size 12 boot [ Insert long paragraph here of my bs story to gain sob story tears ] AITA or NTA
Load More Replies...This, IMHO, is one of the best posts in a long time. Every photo is amazing in so many ways.
This is so much better than most of the c**p you post on here, designed to make us angry with people. I know you won't listen because you know some people will always go to the trash. BP used to be better than this.
if you don't like it, don't read it
Load More Replies...there is beauty in every corner of the world but some people in power are to blind to see
Adelaide Ross always seems to post good threads like this.
Load More Replies...A tit tok celebrity decided to crash my party but i tossed them out with my size 12 boot [ Insert long paragraph here of my bs story to gain sob story tears ] AITA or NTA
Load More Replies...This, IMHO, is one of the best posts in a long time. Every photo is amazing in so many ways.
This is so much better than most of the c**p you post on here, designed to make us angry with people. I know you won't listen because you know some people will always go to the trash. BP used to be better than this.
if you don't like it, don't read it
Load More Replies...there is beauty in every corner of the world but some people in power are to blind to see