Portrait photography has been around since the inception of the camera, and while the style has changed over the years, the basic premise remains the same: to capture the essence of a person in a single image. Environmental portrait photography takes this one step further by placing the subject in their natural environment, whether that’s at home, work, or play.
This type of photography is about more than just taking a pretty picture; It’s about telling a story. And the best way to do that is to let the environment speak for itself. That might mean showing the subject in their element, or it might mean capturing the mood and feeling of a place. Either way, the goal is to give the viewer a sense of who the subject is and what their life is like.
Here are a few tips for taking great environmental portraits:
1. Get to know your subject.
This is especially important if You’re photographing someone you dont’t know well. Take the time to chat with them and get a feel for their personality. The better you know them, the easier it will be to capture their essence in a photo.
2. Choose the right location.
The location of the shoot is just as important as the subject. It’should be somewhere that has meaning to the subject, or somewhere that accurately represents their life. If You’re photographing a musician, for example, shooting in a recording studio would make more sense than shooting in a park.
3. Pay attention to the details.
The little things matter just as much as the big picture. When You’re scouting locations, look for small details that can help tell the story of the subject. A well-placed prop or piece of furniture can make all the difference.
4. Let the environment do the talking.
Your job is to capture the feeling of the environment, not to stage a photo shoot. The best environmental portraits are the ones that feel natural and unforced. So relax, and let the scene unfold before your eyes.
5. Be patient.
Good things come to those who wait. If You’re patient, you’ll be rewarded with candid moments and genuine expressions. And those are the kinds of photos that really tell a story.
