documentary photography
The simplest form of journalistic photography wherein the message conveyed is far more important than the aesthetic of the picture taken.
landscape photography
Usually a wide angle shot of the landscape including elements of nature rather than human subjects. Very closely related to nature photography.
nature photography
Dedicated entirely to showcasing natural elements, in this case the bird and the sky. Nature photographs typically shoot to enhance the beauty of nature.
long exposure photography / light drawing
This type of photography involves setting the shutter speed very low so that the camera captures the movement of light in a way unforeseen by the human eye.
night photography
Capturing images at nighttime taking advantage of the low light available to create silhouettes.
sports photography
Capturing movements within a sport. Usually achieved with a high shutter speed to accurately click subjects in motion.
portrait photography
Showcasing the expression or emotions of a singular or multiple subjects in focus via close up pictures.
self photography
Pictures of the photographers taken by themselves usually with the help of a tripod set to take clear images. The photographs usually are meant for self expression.
fashion photography
An artistic way of showcasing outfits and other fashion items by image. Most fashion photographers experiment stylistically to best focus on the product at hand.
still life photography
Creative pictures taken of otherwise mundane objects, or interesting immovable objects.
event photography
Capturing moments in high quality of people enjoying themselves in a variety of events like meetups, celebrations, etc.
abstract photography
Photography made using objects or patterns that create unusual visuals. Usually achieved by zooming into textures and patterns.
food photography
The main focus of the image captured is food in this type of photography. It is the main subject, there can be secondary subjects too.
pet / animal photography
Like food photography, the main subject in this type of photography are animals or pets.
street photography
Meant to capture moments of the regular everyday life. This type of photography aims to memorialize the mundane workings of life through candid pictures of strangers.
The genres mentioned above are only a few of the myriad present in the world of photography. These are some of the most commonly used and genres that I have personally had experience with before. The best part about photography is that there is no need to stick within a set box, creativity is celebrated here so if a picture doesn't seem to fit any genre more commonly talked about it doesn't take away from the appeal of the photograph. Any beginner photographer tries to delve into all kinds of genres before finding their niche, so it is very important to begin with a deep dive into the study of the different genres of photography.