Environmental Portrait

The environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject's usual environment, for example their home or workplace, and typically illuminates the subject's life and surroundings. It says something about the subject within the framework of their own environment.

Why do I prefer environmental portraits?

• they give context to the subject you’re photographing
• they give points of interest to shots (something you need to watch as you don’t want to distract from your subject too much)
• they help your subject relax
• they often give the viewer of your shots real insight into the personality and lifestyle of your subject

These shots sit somewhere between the purposely posed shots of a studio portrait (they are posed and they are unmistakably ‘portraits’) and candid shots which capture people almost incidentally as they go through their daily life.

Two good rules of thumb when attempting to photograph people in their surroundings:

1. "Half of all location photography is moving furniture."

2. "'Available light' means any light that's available."

Both sayings have been attributed to the great location portraitist Arnold Newman. More importantly, each can help spell the difference between a good environmental portrait and a great one.

When making an environmental portrait, there should be a connection between the subject and where it’s photographed. When photographing animals, this is not a problem in that where it’s photographed is where it lives. It can be an issue if you’re into photographing bugs and you unknowingly place an insect on a plant that is poisonous to the species. With people it becomes more of an issue as the story as to why a person is photographed in a specific location needs to be logical. If the person and the setting conflict, chances are the image won’t work.

So lets turn our attention to some ‘how to’ tips on environmental portraits.

1.Know your subject

Find out where they spend their time, what the rhythm of their life is like and observing their personality. Out of this you’ll not only find appropriate locations but will begin to get a feel for the style of shots that might be appropriate and you’ll begin the process of helping your subject relax into the photo shoot.

2. Location

Sometimes a location chooses you but on other occasions you need to be quite deliberate and purposeful in making your choice. When choosing your environment you ideally want to get one that:

• says something about your subject
• adds interest to the shot - every element in an image can add or detract from your shots.
• doesn’t dominate the shot - Try to avoid cluttered backgrounds (and foregrounds), colors that are too bright etc.

3. Camera Settings

There is no right or wrong way to set your camera up for an environmental portrait as it will depend completely upon the effect you’re after and the situation you’re shooting in. A wider focal length in these situations also to give the environment prominence in the shot. This doesn’t mean you can’t shoot more tightly cropped or with a large aperture and shallow depth of field - ultimately anything goes and you’ll probably want to mix up your shots a little.

4. Posing

What sets the environmental portrait apart from candid portraits is that you post your subject. Some of the poses might seem slightly unnatural and dramatic but it’s often these more purposely posed shots that are more dramatic and give a sense of style to your shot.

The expression on the face of your subject is also very important in environmental photography. It should fits with the overall scene.

5. Props

Props can make or break an environmental portrait. If they are subtle and naturally fit within the context of the environment they can be very appropriate and add to the image nicely but you’ll want to avoid anything that doesn’t quite fit or that potentially distracts the attention of viewers. The same goes for the clothes that your subject wears. Try to be true to the context without getting too outlandish.