ADVERTISEMENT

Portrait photography and photojournalism are two potentially intense and powerful art forms that don't always get the recognition they deserve, so we thought we should show you some of the most powerful and diverse portraits of people around the world that we've ever seen.

Both the faces of the people in these photos and their contexts speak volumes about the people pictured and the worlds they live in. Some can be unimaginably and even horrifically different from ours, while other once-exotic worlds seem to grow closer and more interconnected with our own. Though they are only photos, looking into their eyes can still give us a feeling of connection.

If you have a powerful portrait that you think should be added to this collection, please don't hesitate to add it and vote for your favorites as well.

#1

Yezidi Girl Carries An Assault Rifle To Protect Her Family Against ISIS

Yezidi Girl Carries An Assault Rifle To Protect Her Family Against ISIS

Zmnako Ismael Khalid Report

You May Also Like:
#2

Somayeh Mehri (29) And Her Daughter Rana Afghanipour (3) Give Each Other A Kiss. After Being Disfigured In An Acid Attack, They Say Others Don’t Like To Kiss Them

Somayeh Mehri (29) And Her Daughter Rana Afghanipour (3) Give Each Other A Kiss. After Being Disfigured In An Acid Attack, They Say Others Don’t Like To Kiss Them

Ebrahim Noroozi Report

#3

A Boy Rescues His Sister From Underneath The Rubble Of Their Home In Syria

A Boy Rescues His Sister From Underneath The Rubble Of Their Home In Syria

reuters Report

#4

Heart Surgeon After 23-Hour-Long (Successful) Heart Transplant. His Assistant Is Sleeping

Heart Surgeon After 23-Hour-Long (Successful) Heart Transplant. His Assistant Is Sleeping

James Stanfield Report

Add photo comments
POST
DorotaDorotaki
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is Zbigniew Religa - legendary Polish heart surgeon. He died in 2009. There is a movie about his life made last year - 'Bogowie' (Gods)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Diego Frazão Torquato, A 12-Year-Old Brazilian, Playing Violin At His Teacher’s Funeral

Diego Frazão Torquato, A 12-Year-Old Brazilian, Playing Violin At His Teacher’s Funeral

salvemasnossascriancas.blogspot.com Report

#6

Little Guarani Girl Holds On Tight To A Dead Rat

Little Guarani Girl Holds On Tight To A Dead Rat

Gregory J. Smith Report

#7

Egyptian Woman Kisses A Policeman That Refused To Fire On Protestors

Egyptian Woman Kisses A Policeman That Refused To Fire On Protestors

tolaire.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

This Girl Survived 11 Days In A Siberian Forest

This Girl Survived 11 Days In A Siberian Forest

huffingtonpost.com Report

#10

Black Baby Holding An Albino Baby

Black Baby Holding An Albino Baby

Report

#12

A 13-Year-Old Eagle Huntress In Mongolia

A 13-Year-Old Eagle Huntress In Mongolia

Report

#13

Unknown Soldier On Duty In South Vietnam, 1965

Unknown Soldier On Duty In South Vietnam, 1965

Horst Faas Report

#14

Two Women Who Were Finally Able To Marry After 72 Years Together

Two Women Who Were Finally Able To Marry After 72 Years Together

Report

#15

Blind Albino Students Stand In A Dorm At The Vivekananda Mission School In India

Blind Albino Students Stand In A Dorm At The Vivekananda Mission School In India

Brent Stirton Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#17

Rwandan Boy Left Scarred After Being Liberated From A Death Camp

Rwandan Boy Left Scarred After Being Liberated From A Death Camp

James Nachtwey Report

#19

A 106-Year-Old Armenian Woman Guards Her Home

A 106-Year-Old Armenian Woman Guards Her Home

Armineh Johannes Report

Add photo comments
POST
DavidMorgan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are many Armenian women both young and old,who protect their homes like this in nowadays.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

A Chinese Paramilitary Police Recruit Breaks Into Tears Before Shipping Off For Service

A Chinese Paramilitary Police Recruit Breaks Into Tears Before Shipping Off For Service

imgur.com Report

#21

Omayra Trapped Under The Fallen Debris Of Her House. She Died Just Hours After This Photo Was Taken

Omayra Trapped Under The Fallen Debris Of Her House. She Died Just Hours After This Photo Was Taken

Frank Fournier Report

#22

The Migrant Mother - An Iconic Image Of The Great Depression

The Migrant Mother - An Iconic Image Of The Great Depression

Dorothea Lange Report

#24

A Malnourished Mother And Child At An Emergency Feeding Center In Tahoua, Niger

A Malnourished Mother And Child At An Emergency Feeding Center In Tahoua, Niger

Finbarr O'Reilly Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#25

Siberian Family Meal

Siberian Family Meal

imgur.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
AmyWeiss
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like that they're having this big, bloody meal...and drinking out of teacups.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#26

A Miner Takes A Break Inside An Unregulated Coalmine In Sabinas, Mexico

A Miner Takes A Break Inside An Unregulated Coalmine In Sabinas, Mexico

Reuters Report

#27

The Eyes That Speak - A Muslim Woman Wearing A Hijab

The Eyes That Speak - A Muslim Woman Wearing A Hijab

Steve McCurry Report

#29

A Woman With Ambras Syndrome. In The Middle Ages, These People Were Called Werewolves

A Woman With Ambras Syndrome. In The Middle Ages, These People Were Called Werewolves

Bronek Kaminski Report

Add photo comments
POST
LuzHerrera
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the hair on her face must be soft and silky. in fact it makes me wanna hug her and kiss her on her cheeks :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

A Coal Miner Smokes A Cigarette After Finishing His Shift On The Outskirts Of Changzhi

A Coal Miner Smokes A Cigarette After Finishing His Shift On The Outskirts Of Changzhi

Report

#32

A Girl From The Minority Yazidi Sect Rests At The Iraqi-Syrian Border

A Girl From The Minority Yazidi Sect Rests At The Iraqi-Syrian Border

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#33

Boy From The Suri Tribe

Boy From The Suri Tribe

Report

#34

A Girl Covered In Traditional Body Paint Holds Her Puppy

A Girl Covered In Traditional Body Paint Holds Her Puppy

David Lazar Report

#35

A Final Embrace: The Most Haunting Photograph From Bangladesh

A Final Embrace: The Most Haunting Photograph From Bangladesh

time.com Report

#36

Stilt Fishermen

Stilt Fishermen

Steve McCurry Report

Add photo comments
POST
TarynWallace
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so cool. I can't imagine the skill (not to mention strength) it takes to do this.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

A Man Cries While Flipping Through A Family Album He Found In The Rubble Of His Old House

A Man Cries While Flipping Through A Family Album He Found In The Rubble Of His Old House

Mads Nissen Report

#39

Portrait Photographer in Afghanistan

Portrait Photographer in Afghanistan

Steve McCurry Report

#40

Tea Time In Yamal, Russia

Tea Time In Yamal, Russia

Сергей Анисимов Report

Add photo comments
POST
Chelsea Evans
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have an actual phobia of being cold. So this freaks me put but I love that it's a family having tea no matter what climate or part of the world they're in! It's sweet.

ADVERTISEMENT
#41

Cuban Woman Smoking A Cigar And Holding A Ring Flash

Cuban Woman Smoking A Cigar And Holding A Ring Flash

Jorge Pozuelo Report

#42

An 18 Year Old IDF Soldier Pauses After A Long Run In Full Gear And Battle Paint

An 18 Year Old IDF Soldier Pauses After A Long Run In Full Gear And Battle Paint

Report

Add photo comments
POST
MaartenKuiper
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is my favourite of the entire series. Very beautiful photograph!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

Toshimana, A Maiko In Kyoto, Japan

Toshimana, A Maiko In Kyoto, Japan

Report

#45

Papua New Guinea Woman During A Singsing Celebration In Mount Hagen

Papua New Guinea Woman During A Singsing Celebration In Mount Hagen

Eric Lafforgue Report

Add photo comments
POST
LeisaCearr
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been to a sing sing in Mt Hagen when I was 13 years old- crazy with cassowary races, insane bungee jumping & pet tree kangaroos !

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

Village Elder In Sapa, Vietnam

Village Elder In Sapa, Vietnam

Report

#47

One Of The Last Four White Rhino's In The World (kenya)

One Of The Last Four White Rhino's In The World (kenya)

Report

Add photo comments
POST
JeanneDeaux
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad he must live with bodyguards instead of being free and happy... Hope they'll be able to save him and the three other ones.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

A Girl Holds A Rifle As Fighters Of Al-quds Brigades, The Military Wing Of Islamic Jihad, Gather In Gaza City

A Girl Holds A Rifle As Fighters Of Al-quds Brigades, The Military Wing Of Islamic Jihad, Gather In Gaza City

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#50

Peace

Peace

Report

Add photo comments
POST
JoeHoehn
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are still plenty of men, women & children who want our help in the world. God bless our troops!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#51

Minority Village Girls Selling Their Works, Sa Pa, Vietnam

Minority Village Girls Selling Their Works, Sa Pa, Vietnam

Report

#52

Woman In Traditional Costume, Maramures, Romania

Woman In Traditional Costume, Maramures, Romania

Report

#53

A Man Pouring Tea In The Middle Of Desert, Jordany,

A Man Pouring Tea In The Middle Of Desert, Jordany,

Report

#54

Homeless Man On The Day Of The Summer Festival, Tirana, Albania.

Homeless Man On The Day Of The Summer Festival, Tirana, Albania.

Report

#55

Syrian Refugee At Turkey

Syrian Refugee At Turkey

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#57

An Old Burmese Woman

An Old Burmese Woman

Report

#62

Kathakali Dancer From Kerela

Kathakali Dancer From Kerela

Report

#64

Taghi The Carpenter!

Taghi The Carpenter!

Report

Add photo comments
POST
selchidh
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I just want to shake his hand! He looks like a gentle and kind man.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#65

Icelandic Womens In The Country (1930-1940)

Icelandic Womens In The Country (1930-1940)

Unknownphothografer Report

Add photo comments
POST
#66

Purple Hands (hmong Of Vietnam)

Purple Hands (hmong Of Vietnam)

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

Man Sleeping In A French Train, From Caen To Paris.

Man Sleeping In A French Train, From Caen To Paris.

Report

#69

Rice Farmer In Small Vietnamese Village

Rice Farmer In Small Vietnamese Village

Report

#70

Coming Home From The Coal Mine - Near Datong, China

Coming Home From The Coal Mine - Near Datong, China

Report

#71

An Old Romani Woman Sitting In Front Of Her House In Tirana, Albania

An Old Romani Woman Sitting In Front Of Her House In Tirana, Albania

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Chelsea Evans
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks old but well maintained. Its aged but not dirty and the yard and the walkway is swept clean. I'd say it's probably a very cozy little property. And if she's the one doing all the work I say she has a right to pop a squat wherever and whenever she feels like it.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#74

Woman Having A Beer In Barcelona.

Woman Having A Beer In Barcelona.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
P.Brux FHell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, the good ole' spanish-something-spanish dictionary for travelers

#75

Reina Isabel From La Chureca A 31 Years Old Scavenger With Tuberculosis."

Reina Isabel From La Chureca A 31 Years Old Scavenger With Tuberculosis."

www.facebook.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

Girl Standing Near Her Home, Kenya

Girl Standing Near Her Home, Kenya

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#77

Cape Verde - Watching The Fishes

Cape Verde - Watching The Fishes

Report

#78

Female 'igorot' Elder Begging From Tourists - (baguio City, Philippines

Female 'igorot' Elder Begging From Tourists - (baguio City, Philippines

Report

#79

Bataan Death March Survivor Relives A Moment In Time.

Bataan Death March Survivor Relives A Moment In Time.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#80

"la Jeune Fille A La Fleur"

"la Jeune Fille A La Fleur"

Report

Add photo comments
POST
MatthieuWidehen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“La Jeune Fille À La Fleur”... http://lesensdesimages.com/2012/06/05/analyse-dun-photographie-la-fille-a-la-fleur-de-marc-riboud-1967/

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#81

A Eldery Icelandic Woman Serving Sweets

A Eldery Icelandic Woman Serving Sweets

Report

#82

Child In Baia Mare Ghetto, Romania. (c) Gus Palmer

Child In Baia Mare Ghetto, Romania. (c) Gus Palmer

www.guspalmer.co.uk Report

Add photo comments
POST
Anita Foster
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How great a contrast between this picture and the joyous old thai man on the next picture.... So sad

#83

A Very Long Journey - Vietnam

A Very Long Journey - Vietnam

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#84

An Old Woman Sittng In The Afternoon Sun, Near Ponferrada, Spain.

An Old Woman Sittng In The Afternoon Sun, Near Ponferrada, Spain.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#85

Little Girl, Kenya

Little Girl, Kenya

Report

#86

Capitana Grande Fidelia From Guaraní-izozog, Bolivia.

Capitana Grande Fidelia From Guaraní-izozog, Bolivia.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#87

Children Performing Traditional Japanese Dance: Sendai, Japan

Children Performing Traditional Japanese Dance: Sendai, Japan

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#88

Old Thai Man With His Monkey

Old Thai Man With His Monkey

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Maysa Niyazova
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Horrid man. Yeah, it's very cute that you have a monkey chained up and with that heavy ring around his neck.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#90

In The House Gate / No Portão De Casa

In The House Gate / No Portão De Casa

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#91

Hand Rolling 6000 Incense Sticks Per Day - Mysore Southern India - Credit Ashley Calvert

Hand Rolling 6000 Incense Sticks Per Day - Mysore Southern India - Credit Ashley Calvert

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#92

Cape Verde - Two Kids Getting Ready To Jump

Cape Verde - Two Kids Getting Ready To Jump

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#93

Peruvian Woman, Cuzco, Peru (by Gina Mako)

Peruvian Woman, Cuzco, Peru (by Gina Mako)

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#94

Malnutrition

Malnutrition

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ÖzgürYeşil
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the fight we all must instead of fighting for subjective stupidity.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#95

Zé Pretinho, A Sculptor Of Dolls In Brazil

Zé Pretinho, A Sculptor Of Dolls In Brazil

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#96

Celtic Pavilion At The Annual Winnipeg Folklorama - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Celtic Pavilion At The Annual Winnipeg Folklorama - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#98

Peshmerge Kurdistan

Peshmerge Kurdistan

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#99

Voladores De Papantla (mexico)

Voladores De Papantla (mexico)

Report

#100

"i Think, Therefore I Am Free" - Young Manifesting In Bordeaux (france), For #jesuischarlie

"i Think, Therefore I Am Free" - Young Manifesting In Bordeaux (france), For #jesuischarlie

YoungmanifestinginBORDEAUX(France),fortheevent Report

Add photo comments
POST
#101

Bite

Bite

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#102

Abhisumat, 12 Years Old In Thanjavur - India

Abhisumat, 12 Years Old In Thanjavur - India

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#103

On Holiday With Grandad In Slovenia

On Holiday With Grandad In Slovenia

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#104

Brazilian Blue-eyed Boy

Brazilian Blue-eyed Boy

www.flickr.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#105

Brazilian Little Girl And Blue Dress / Menina Brasileira E O Vestido Azul

Brazilian Little Girl And Blue Dress / Menina Brasileira E O Vestido Azul

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#106

Indonesian Kids Playing Plastic Footbal On The Street.

Indonesian Kids Playing Plastic Footbal On The Street.

PhotobyChandra,ajuniorhighschoolstudent. Report

Add photo comments
POST
#107

In 1974 During The Troubles Of Northern Ireland: Gypsy Girl And Her Carton

In 1974 During The Troubles Of Northern Ireland: Gypsy Girl And Her Carton

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#108

Woman In Vigo, Spain

Woman In Vigo, Spain

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#109

Olhar Ruivo - (catalão/go - Brasil)

Olhar Ruivo - (catalão/go - Brasil)

www.flickr.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#110

Namibian Girl On The Roadside

Namibian Girl On The Roadside

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#111

Moroccan Worker Passing By The Imperial Palace Gardens

Moroccan Worker Passing By The Imperial Palace Gardens

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#112

Chozhia Vellalar Woman "paambadam" (serpent Earring) In Tamilnadu, India

Chozhia Vellalar Woman "paambadam" (serpent Earring) In Tamilnadu, India

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#113

Monterrico Guatemala

Monterrico Guatemala

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#114

Green Eyes

Green Eyes

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#115

Generational Head Gear

Generational Head Gear

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#116

Awaiting Their Turn For Check Up.solala Medical Mission,guatemala.

Awaiting Their Turn For Check Up.solala Medical Mission,guatemala.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#117

Javanese Dance About A Knight Fights An Ogre.

Javanese Dance About A Knight Fights An Ogre.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#118

Proud, Yet Weary Farmer, Alabama, United States

Proud, Yet Weary Farmer, Alabama, United States

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#119

Patients In The Looted Al-rashad Mental, Saddam City, Baghdad, 2003 – Luis Costa

Patients In The Looted Al-rashad Mental, Saddam City, Baghdad, 2003 – Luis Costa

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#120

Cotton Picker In Costa Rica

Cotton Picker In Costa Rica

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#121

Native Innu Elder And Her Grand Daughter

Native Innu Elder And Her Grand Daughter

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#123

Tibetan Girl

Tibetan Girl

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#125

Children At The 'festival Du Voyageur' In Winnipeg, Manitoba

Children At The 'festival Du Voyageur' In Winnipeg, Manitoba

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#126

Indian Woman, Oaxaca, Mexico 1978

Indian Woman, Oaxaca, Mexico 1978

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#127

Street Portrait Of Sculpturer Luis Antonio. Panama 2014.

Street Portrait Of Sculpturer Luis Antonio. Panama 2014.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#128

A Parisian Police Nationale Officer Eyes An Approaching Mob.

A Parisian Police Nationale Officer Eyes An Approaching Mob.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#131

Grapes Of Wrath

Grapes Of Wrath

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#132

Begging For Alms, Bodh Gaya, India.

Begging For Alms, Bodh Gaya, India.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#133

Indian Girl From Jaipur, India, October 2014

Indian Girl From Jaipur, India, October 2014

Report

#134

Garilla. Kurdish Women

Garilla. Kurdish Women

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#135

'i Want True Universal Suffrage'_a Hong Kong Protester During The Umbrella Movement

'i Want True Universal Suffrage'_a Hong Kong Protester During The Umbrella Movement

Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT