{"id":165,"date":"2023-11-25T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital-photography-school.com\/blog\/?p=165"},"modified":"2023-11-26T06:11:30","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T19:11:30","slug":"environmental-portraits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digital-photography-school.com\/environmental-portraits\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create Environmental Portraits (Tips and Examples)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/span>\"How<\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This article was updated in November 2023 with contributions from Darren Rowse, Kevin Landwer-Johan<\/a>, Kav Dadfar<\/a>, Rick Berk<\/a>, Post Production Pye<\/a><\/em>, and Jaymes Dempsey.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike standard portraits<\/a> – which focus solely on the subject – environmental portraits show the individual with their surroundings. These images are often uniquely captivating in how they offer a window into the subject’s world, but let’s be clear: achieving a compelling environmental portrait is no walk in the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll need to juggle various elements like setting, lighting, and composition. It’s an intricate balancing act that, when done right, results in powerful photographs that tell a story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that’s what this ultimate guide is all about. I’ll explain all of the basics of environmental portrait photography, then I’ll offer essential tips and techniques to help you start capturing meaningful environmental portraits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an environmental portrait?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, an environmental portrait is a portrait that includes more <\/em>than just the subject. The idea is to capture an individual within a broader context, offering a glimpse into their life, personality, or occupation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/span>\"Environmental<\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Environmental portrait photography does not <\/em>involve capturing your everyday headshot<\/a> or head-and-shoulders image. Instead, the photographer generally uses a wider lens to show the subject as well as nearby elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that environmental portraiture isn’t always posed, but it always involves an awareness from your subject. In other words, your subject knows <\/em>they’re being photographed. While unplanned candid photography<\/a> has its own charm, environmental portraits usually involve a level of interaction between the photographer and the subject. If your subject isn’t aware they’re being photographed, you’re likely venturing into the realms of street photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The setting for your environmental portrait can be diverse – and your choice of background, whether a bustling marketplace or a tranquil beach, can significantly influence the image’s mood and meaning. Some photographers like to capture subjects in their natural habitat: a chef in a kitchen, a musician in a studio, or a hiker on a mountain trail. The key is that the setting should add <\/em>to the story you’re trying to tell, not distract from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are environmental portraits so powerful?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/span>\"Environmental<\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Ever wonder why some portraits just speak to you? Many of the best portraits do more than showcase an individual – they tell a story or at least offer insight into who that subject is<\/em>. And environmental portraits excel at storytelling. Because they include a subject’s surroundings, these portraits add extra layers of information about that subject. Instead of just a face, you have a person in a place, doing something or being part of a bigger scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This additional context helps the viewer to better understand the subject. A musician photographed in a rehearsal space, surrounded by instruments, can tell you more about their dedication and passion. Similarly, a teacher captured in a classroom, even without students, gives a sense of vocation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/span>\"Environmental<\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The power of environmental portraits also lies in their authenticity. Because you\u2019re incorporating real-world elements, the photos feel grounded. You’re not just capturing a face; you’re capturing a relationship between that face and its surroundings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for beautiful environmental portrait photography<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Capturing gorgeous environmental portraits can seem tough, but there are actually a few simple ways to improve your results, starting with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Spend time getting to know your subject <\/h3>\n\n\n
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<\/span>\"Environmental<\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Before you select a location and start shooting, spend some time getting to know your subject. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out where they spend their time, what the rhythm of their life is like, and how they behave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will not only help you find appropriate locations but will also help you get a feel for the style of shots that might be appropriate for the session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, you’ll begin the process of helping your subject relax! If you can, you might even want to accompany your subject to some possible locations; that way, you can see both whether the location suits them, as well as how they behave and interact there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Get your subject talking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know a little about your subject, what they like to do, and where they like to do it, it’s time to point a camera at them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be the “make-or-break” point of the shoot. If your subject is uncomfortable in front of the camera, it’ll come across in the images – unless you find a way to get them to relax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, one of the easiest ways to get them to relax is to just start a conversation. Make them forget that you are taking their photo by asking them about themselves. Have them talk about the location, their hobbies, their families, their job – anything to get their mind off of the camera in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the portrait below, my subject was a New Yorker and lived nearby. This was an impromptu session after a private tutoring session, and she was reluctant to let me point the camera at her. She wanted to learn photography herself, so I wrapped a lesson into the banter and pretty soon she was just talking photography and forgetting I was snapping images!<\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/span>\"My<\/span>
Image by Rick Berk<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

3. Choose the right location <\/h3>\n\n\n
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<\/span>\"Environmental<\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Sometimes a location chooses you – but on other occasions, you need to be quite deliberate and purposeful when making your choice. It can take a lot of searching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You ideally want to find a location that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n