How to Take Environmental Portraits

An environmental portrait is a photographed portrait that captures subjects in their natural surroundings instead of in a studio or other artificial setup. Rather than focusing on what the subject looks like, environmental portrait photographers use the background to portray a truth or convey an idea about who the subject is. Shooting environmental portraits can be a great way to create visual interest while also revealing something about your subject’s life and personality. Environmental portraits provide context, something that studio portrait headshots often lack.

Environmental portraiture is essentially a posed candid. While not a true candid—because the subject is aware you’re photographing them—environmental portraits are shot in a natural setting while the subject goes about their daily life. Here’s how to create an environmental portrait photography setup.

1. 1. Get to know the subject. As a photographer, you can increase your subject’s comfort in front of the camera by connecting with them on a personal level. By getting to know them a little, you’ll be able to better figure out the type of shot that reflects who they are. This is a great time to talk about possible locations, such as their workplace, their home, or an urban or natural area where they like to spend time.
2. 2. Get to know the location. Research potential locations to understand the layout and available lighting conditions so that you can come properly equipped with the right gear. Test out different portrait lighting setups if necessary to ensure you’ll get what you need.
3. 3. Make a plan. Have a few shots in mind that you know you want to capture, especially if you’re working with natural light. Depending on the available light or present colors, you may also want to instruct your subject on what they should wear, or some particular poses to try.

An environmental portrait can help capture the essence of your subject in an unexpected way. These photography tips can help you master the environmental portrait.

1. 1. Adjust your camera settings. When taking an environmental portrait, adjust your aperture and focal length to create a longer depth of field, as a shallow depth of field won’t provide enough background detail. Use your settings to draw the viewer’s eye to the most significant part of the image. If your subject is in motion, adjust your shutter speed to capture them clearly.
   
2. 2. Use ambient light. Try to use natural light if possible, positioning your subject to control any shadows or off-colors that may occur. If there isn’t enough ambient light, you may need to bring extra lights, such as speedlights.
3. 3. Use a wide-angle lens. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for environmental portraits, as they provide a distinct separation between the background and the foreground, allowing you to emphasize whichever is better for the shot.
4. 4. Communicate with your subject. Great portrait photos happen when there is an understanding on both sides of the camera. You may need to pose your subject or give them instructions on how to move within the frame. Work to make the photoshoot a comfortable and relaxing place that they can be themselves in—because that is exactly what you are trying to capture.
5. 5. Use props naturally. Only use objects or props that are relevant to the subject’s narrative or who they are. Make sure the prop complements the image, rather than taking it over completely.
6. 6. Focus on the essential details. Environmental portraiture sometimes takes place in busy settings. Elements of the photo that do not belong in your frame can be confusing to the viewer or muddy the story of your subject. Keep your frame clear of unnecessary details or distractions that might ruin the focus of the shot.

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