This post is part of
an inspiration series
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For as long as we’ve had the means, we’ve been studying and recording images of other people. The earliest known “portrait” is 27,000 years old, scrawled inside a cave in France. Yes, the faded black strokes are a far cry from the detailed sculptures, paintings, and photographs to come, but is early evidence of the natural instinct to watch and record those around us.

You’d think that after thousands of years, we’d have exhausted the many techniques and innovations in portraiture. Although there are some techniques we’re more used to seeing than others, Behance creatives continue to step up and demonstrate innovative ways to consider and represent their fellow humans. Check out some of our recent favorites.

Most portrait photoshoots begin with some degree of preparation. Whether it’s a full on hair and makeup session, or even just readying oneself mentally, most subjects take a little action to get ready for their closeup. These subjects, though, were caught in one of the least prepared states-they’re barely awake. In the SLEEP/WAKE photoset, 16 poor souls sit before the camera having just been pulled out of their beds and thrust in front of the lens. After being used to seeing the glossy and coiffed models in the ads we’re surrounded with, seeing this stripped-down version of human faces is refreshing (and hilarious at times).

Take a look at this portrait. Notice anything odd? Perhaps he…overuses hairspray, hasn’t showered in a while? Actually, this subject was photographed upside down. This photographer invited subjects into his studio, and then, yup, suspended them from the ceiling. Check out how he used an intense system of pulleys and supports to get this done in the behind the scenes video. It fascinating to see how the human face transforms under the influence of gravity in Upside Downy Face Portraits.

Ah, Ikea. Anyone who has visited the Swedish super-store has an idea of the tremendous amount of inventory they manage. Still, it’s quite a feat to have such a wide variety of products that you had can make entire mosaic portraits out of them. This set of impressive works is for an ad campaign with the slogan “Ikea: Long Live Diversity.” We think they’re very cool, and manage to find a balance in which you can recognize both the portrait of the subject, and the individual items their face is made up of.

Psych studies show that long term couples often grow to look alike. We’re not quite sure if this “Couples” photoshoot supports this theory or pokes fun at it, but we think it’s interesting portrait work nonetheless. Here, you’ll find 9 couples, personifying various styles and types, from grunge, prep, hipster, to some other intriguing personas (involving face painting and Hello Kitty). An amusing and well-done set, we think.

To see more inspiring images for this article, check out the “Innovation in Portraiture” album that our curators put together on Veer.com. If you like what you see, sign up for a Veer account for a choice selection of affordable stock photography. Bonus – new registrants get 10 free credits.