A bit of a rant, so you can stop here if you'd like.
I have noticed lately (and it has probably been a bit of a trend for much longer, but has just started to irritate me) that a number of photographers have been making portrait series that are two steps above a mug shot or passport picture. Same angle, same composition, pretty much the same or very similar backgrounds. Bland expressions, bland lighting. Ordinary people, rarely with much of a clue as to personality or inner "soul" or vocation. This is not August Sander or Walker Evans, here. There are just so many empty expressions one can take, especially if that is not the intended message. Avedon's In The American West, although the background, scale and perspective was what linked the photos together, the people came through clearly. Sometimes grabbed you by the collar and yanked you in. In the work I am criticizing, what is the appeal beyond the first dozen shots? Am I missing something?
Yes, the joy of photographing a style of photography, that, for whatever reason, please the shooter.
Some may have an aspiration to mimic or better a style, photographer, photography or internal vision they hold dear or as a challenge or lesson, much needed to succeed in or, as a personal challenge.
Many simply want to get a handle on the lighting, gear, position, location or topic to hand.
Others will simply enjoy the process, the wet tray reveal, the chemistry they compounded themselves or the printing process, such as gum or Platiniumn-Gold tone prints.
Some folks set personal challenges and others want to be seen in Galleries, frames in the homes or workplaces of people they photograph, or sell photographs too.
Then there are the photographers that want to be known for a specific "style" that they make their own and yet still, others have focused on getting the best portrait they can as they learn how to make images, before moving on to other approaches.
Then you have those photographers that love to document friends and willing sitters, that have no other ambition than to make a good photograph, period.
I'm sure others can fill in my near empty list of why, but, if you're no willing or able to look at such works in an appreciative way, it simply means it, portrait work in traditional, everyday styles, really does no inspire you to try it out yourself nor get a thrill from doing it.
I guess I sometimes feel that way about other things Photographically, secretly finding them a puzzling waste of time, material, or a good model or background which I'd never care to try, but just like you, that's me and every other photographer and 'Critic' on the Terran Planet or in the Space Stations.
Life is good, enjoy your work and be gratified you are able to do as you please.
Cheers.