Keep up with key trends in Licensing as 500px’s Art Director & Creative Research Lead, Karen Biilmann, analyzes common threads and current themes throughout our Contributors’ photography submissions. From portraits, fashion, travel, and more, here’s what’s trending in this sample of some of the most popular genres in the 500px collection.

People

The people category touches on a variety of styles and compositions in this sample. From candid to conceptual photos, here are a few of our favorite examples:

A spike of light by Antoine Martin on 500px.com

A spike of light by Antoine Martin

Shot on:
Nikon D810
With:
24.0-120.0 mm f/4.0
Using:
120mm | ƒ/4 | 1/125s | ISO 125

What we love:
We love the contrast in this image: everything from the darker negative space to the lighter lines featured in the architecture. Antoine’s image creates visual interest through the use of natural light, with the model hovering between light and shadow. The wardrobe reflects the various grey tones seen throughout the image and balances the light with the dark.

Coconut love by Casey Kidd on 500px.com

Coconut love by Casey Kidd

Shot on:
Nikon D700
With:
35.0 mm f/1.4
Using:
35mm | ƒ/1.4 | 1/350s | ISO 200

What we love:
This casual snap immortalizes this instance of joy and spontaneous fun. While crossing arms to drink from a coconut may not be the most natural position, the feeling this expressive moment captures is what we yearn for in lifestyle photography.

IMG by Dima Minakin on 500px.com

IMG by Dima Minakin

Shot on:
Canon EOS 6D
With:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Using:
50mm | ƒ/1.8 | 1/1250s | ISO 100

What we love:
With a cold and snowy setting, the warm tones in this image hint at the early beginnings of spring, as the model basks in the soft glow of the sun. The narrow focus allows us to hone in on this quiet moment of relaxation and peace, and the soft focus accentuates the calm in the photo.

Young woman pulled her hair by Claudio_Valdes on 500px.com

Young woman pulled her hair by Claudio_Valdes

Shot on:
Nikon D800
Using:
50mm | ƒ/8 | 1/250s | ISO 400

What we love:
Body language speaks volumes in photography. With a strong stance, this image confronts the viewer with the model looking directly at the camera, exuding confidence. The image is angular and sharp, however, displays movement and flexibility with the hair blowing across the model’s face, while suggesting that she is not easily swayed.

RED by Rafael Atempa on 500px.com

RED by Rafael Atempa

What we love:
A fresh take on portrait photography, this image uses only half the frame to provide interest and space around the subject. The less-than-common crop provides a new perspective for the viewer.

Who? by RJ Edwards on 500px.com

Who? by Ryan Edward

Shot on:
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
With:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Using:
35mm | ƒ/2.8 | 1/200s | ISO 800

What we love:
Mirrors help to manipulate and transform space, and offer an intimate look at self-reflection. Ryan uses the mirror as a tool of literal and metaphorical reflection, providing a critical focus on self-awareness and imperfect experience through the scuffs on the surface of the mirror.

one leg stand by Roy Petit-frere on 500px.com

one leg stand by Roy Petit-frere

What we love:
This image is all about balance. We see this in the strong pose of the model, as well as in the composition of the image. The cool tones in the sky and water are offset by the heat and vibrancy of the red pants, creating a striking image overall.

Anna-Temilade by Amelia Fox on 500px.com

Anna-Temilade by Amelia Fox

Shot on:
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
With:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Using:
85mm | ƒ/2.8 | 1/500s | ISO 100

What we love:
Brighter images are growing in popularity—incorporating a lighter aesthetic into your photography can make even the greyest days seem bright. With studio lights now overplayed, photographers are gravitating toward natural light, with refined white and neutral palettes and sharp compositions. It also helps lead the eye to the elements in your image to which you want to draw attention. While this model is slightly posed, we love the quick, over-the-shoulder attitude she has, as she looks directly at the camera.

Man swimming in lake under the rain in thunderstorm by Bogomyakov Sergey on 500px.com

Man swimming in lake under the rain in thunderstorm by Bogomyakov Sergey

What we love:
Embracing and enduring the natural elements provides a connection to the surrounding environment. Texture is created as the raindrops hit the water, and becomes immersive as this man swims in the lake while it rains—celebrating and enduring this natural scene.

like mushroom in the grass by hippiekoala photo on 500px.com

like mushroom in the grass by hippiekoala photo

Shot on:
Canon EOS 6D
With:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
Using:
70mm | ƒ/16 | 1/125s | ISO 160

What we love:
Adding distance between you and your subject can add depth and dimension to your image. We see this with the model peering through the branches in this image.

Fashion

Fashion photography is a great place to look for current trends in photography, often defining pivotal movements in the visual space. This year is all about bold colors, confidence, and inclusivity—breaking through previous “standards” and moving toward a world of “no-label.”

Yevhen by Ekaterina Ignatova on 500px.com

Yevhen by Ekaterina Ignatova

Shot on:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
With:
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Using:
85mm | ƒ/2.8 | 1/250s | ISO 250

What we love:
This image embraces fluidity and neutrality as the model bends with the wind. No-label apparel is essential in the everyday minimalist wardrobe; this attire contradicts the space, mixing fashion with the farmyard in an unexpectedly chic way.

Untitled by Renat Renee-Ell on 500px.com

Untitled by Renat Renee-Ell

Shot on:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
With:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Using:
50mm | ƒ/6.3 | 1/160s | ISO 160

What we love:
Bright colors help catch your attention and incorporating 2-3 vibrant, complementary colors in your image can help add punch to your composition. Marigold yellow became one of the 2019 color trends when it was featured in New York’s spring / summer fashion week collection, which quickly associates this image with current trends and cultural shifts toward brighter, more electric colors.

EQ0A7373.jpg by Anastasia Belorustseva on 500px.com

EQ0A7373.jpg by Anastasia Belorustseva

Shot on:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
With:
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Using:
60mm | ƒ/5.6 | 1/60s | ISO 100

What we love:
This image is photographed from below, creating a forced perspective as the model stands tall. This image further visually empowers the model, as she looks onward.

Family

Winnie Bruce integrates herself into the everyday routine of parenthood. She makes her subjects comfortable, which is reflected in her photography. In this particular series, she features tender moments with dad and the classic carefree lifestyle of a toddler. These small snippets of the day-to-day are essential within our family collection.

px by Winnie Bruce on 500px.com

Px by Winnie Bruce

Shot on:
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
With:
EF35mm f/1.4L II USM
Using:
35mm | ƒ/2.2 | 1/1000s | ISO 1000

px by Winnie Bruce on 500px.com

Px by Winnie Bruce

Shot on:
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
With:
EF35mm f/1.4L II USM
Using:
35mm | ƒ/2 | 1/1000s | ISO 1000

px by Winnie Bruce on 500px.com

Px by Winnie Bruce

Shot on:
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
With:
EF35mm f/1.4L II USM
Using:
35mm | ƒ/2 | 1/640s | ISO 1000

px by Winnie Bruce on 500px.com

Px by Winnie Bruce

Shot on:
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
With:
EF35mm f/1.4L II USM
Using:
5mm | ƒ/2 | 1/320s | ISO 1000

Sport

Sport photography often highlights a split second of action. These images all reflect this, whether in the form of a race down the slopes or a pre-jump pause—it definitely gets our adrenaline going.

Like a condor by Michael Neumann on 500px.com

Like a condor by Michael Neumann

Shot on:
Nikon D7000
With:
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
Using:
200mm | ƒ/7.1 | 1/2500s | ISO 400

What we love:
This dramatic shot embraces the contours of the snowy mountain edge, while providing the viewer with context around the sheer scale of this particular ski run. The simplicity of this image is what makes it so striking.

kiting in Mauritius by Alexey Aryutov on 500px.com

kiting in Mauritius by Alexey Aryutov

Shot on:
Sony Alpha a6000
With:
Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS
Using:
10mm | ƒ/8 | 1/1250s | ISO 320

What we love:
This split-level shot gives us added perspective when looking at and below the water’s surface. As we can see in this shot, what happens on the surface does not necessarily translate to the tranquil space below, providing an added narrative to this particular story.

Boy ready to jump from trampoline at sunset by Aitor Lamadrid on 500px.com

Boy ready to jump from trampoline at sunset by Aitor Lamadrid

Shot on:
Canon EOS 6D
With:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Using:
88mm | ƒ/3.5 | 1/1250s | ISO 500

What we love:
We love the pastel city skyline that amplifies the silhouette of the solo diver, creating suspense as we wait for him to take the plunge.

Travel

Travel is all about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature. We find ourselves exploring the quiet and calm on a singular level, embracing what it truly means to go off-grid and rediscover yourself through immersive exploration.

Karersee by Alex Karamanov on 500px.com

Karersee by Alex Karamanov

Shot on:
Nikon D600
With:
24.0 mm f/1.4
Using:
24mm | ƒ/1.4 | 1/2000s | ISO 100

In the rain by Valdemaras D. on 500px.com

In the rain by Valdemaras D.

Shot on:
Sony Alpha a7S
With:
Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA
Using:
35mm | ƒ/5 | 1/640s | ISO 125

Traveler on the red square by Vladimir Noskov on 500px.com

Traveler on the red square by Vladimir Noskov

Shot on:
Nikon D3000
With:
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
Using:
35mm | ƒ/2 | 1/640s | ISO 100

Man on the sand hill by ???? ????? on 500px.com

Man on the sand hill by Yulia Bilych

Shot on:
Canon EOS 500D/Rebel T1i/Kiss X3
With:
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Using:
28mm | ƒ/4.5 | 1/1000s | ISO 200

Landscape

From snowy peaks to sandy deserts, Tanner shoots dramatic, global landscapes that highlight diversity. What we love is the human elements he incorporates into his imagery. Here, this only adds to the narrative of the image, working within the natural scope of the landscape.

Sand Dunes by Tanner Wendell Stewart on 500px.com

Sand Dunes by Tanner Wendell Stewart

Shot on:
Nikon D810
With:
35.0 mm f/1.4
Using:
35mm | ƒ/4 | 1/160s | ISO 64

Two Jack Lake by Tanner Wendell Stewart on 500px.com

Two Jack Lake by Tanner Wendell Stewart

Shot on:
Nikon D810
With:
35.0 mm f/1.4
Using:
35mm | ƒ/5.6 | 1/200s | ISO 64

Stokksnes by Tanner Wendell Stewart on 500px.com

Stokksnes by Tanner Wendell Stewart

Shot on:
Nikon D850
With:
24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8
Using:
46mm | ƒ/4 | 1/160s | ISO 64

Mt Rundle by Tanner Wendell Stewart on 500px.com

Mt Rundle by Tanner Wendell Stewart

Shot on:
Nikon D4
With:
35.0 mm f/1.4
Using:
35mm | ƒ/11 | 1/2500s | ISO 100

Food

Incorporating a human element into food photography helps to flesh out the storyline of experience first, creating more relatable content.

Rum and Cola by the Sea by Rick Lawrence on 500px.com

Rum and Cola by the Sea by Rick Lawrence

pasta by özge bay?nd?r on 500px.com

pasta by ozge bayindir

Shot on:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
With:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Using:
50mm | ƒ/2.5 | 1/160s | ISO 160

Want to see more of what’s trending in Licensing? Check out the 500px collection.