6 ways to approach photographing environmental portraits

Hi all, welcome to an entire month deicated to free online photography education at the photography campus.

This month it's all about photographing environmental portraits.

Portraits which capture the essence of someone and how they relate to their world.

Today we're going to cover off six ways to approach photographing this wonderful artform.

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So here we go.

6 ways to approach photographing environmental portraits.

All photographic portraits require an element of pre thought.

And environmental portraits are no different. In fact some might say they require more thought than others.

After all you're not just capturing a person with this kind of photography, you're capturing how they relate to their world, in the context of that world.
So beyond technical issues, there's story telling issues to consider.

The point of your photographic portrait is to feature your subject in a context which best represents them, and their life.

In that sense it may seem less intimate because the subject is positioned within their environs but these types of portraits are hey are no less intimate than any other type of portrait photography.

So before you shoot, here are a few thought starters to mull around in your mind as you consider the options available to you as a photographer.

1. Get to know your subject.

We can't stress this highly enough. You need to understand them and their personality to truly represent them. It may be they are already a mate or a family member in which case you have a head start. But don't let this familiarity stop you being inqusisitive. 
In some cases your environmental portrait photography shoot, will be an assignment you've either been asked to do or paid to do, or chosen to do with someone you may not know well if at all. In that case it's a great idea to meet them first without taking shots just so they feel comfortable with who you are and what you're about. It doesn't matter what you talk about. Just get them 'used to you.'

2. Case the joint.

Well in a nice way! Visit where you will be shooting if you can , before you photograph, because there's three aspects to enviro portraits.  
 

• Understanding the subject.
• Understanding their environment.
• And understanding their relationship with that environment.

Watch what your subject does as you're talking to them. Where do they stand? Do they pick something up? Can you use that object in some way? Are they more comfortable in one section than another? Is there more meaning for them in one place over the other? How do they stand. or do they sit?

3. Look around for helpful angles.

By that we mean angles that bring added advantages. Available light is such an example.Is there a window that offers diffused light? A doorway that propped open supplies a shaft of light? These elements  don't have to be in frame they can be off to one side, as it's only the light you might need, not the object it's radiating from.

4. Be aware of unhelpful angles.

Are there props or objects that cannot be removed that you don't want in a shot? Maybe an ugly bookcase or some other kind of eyesore which won't add to the shot or worse will distract from it. If so accept it and try and find a way to block it out of frame. Work with the drawbacks, not against them.

5. Think lighting.

We will talk lighting later in this month, but at this stage when you're looking around, start to think if  you will be using flash. If so tell your subject so it's not a shock to them. Some people freak when they see equipment!
 

6. Ask them if they are relaxed about having their photo taken.

If they are being truthful, 99% will say no they are not! Few of us really are. Assure them. Laugh with them. Tell them you are very relaxed ( even if you're not!) they will be looking to you to inspire confidence. Put them at ease. Make them like you.

That's it for now. We'll be adding to this list throughout the month, so make sure you visit every day.
In the meantime. Is there anything we've missed? How do you approach photographing enviro portraits? Do you have any tips to share?