4 Photography Tips to Improve Your Environmental Portraits
Environmental portraits typically portray a person in their natural environment. Different from traditional portraits, the environmental portraits capture the character of the subject and give insight into their daily life making for a more personal image, generally telling some kind of story about the subject. The benefit of photographing people in a natural environment is people feel more relaxed and comfortable resulting in better and stronger images.
Here are 4 tips on how a black woman photographer can capture stunning environmental portraits:
1. Tell a Story with a Relevant Background
The key to a fantastic environmental portrait is in knowing the person you are photographing. If you know something about the person’s story, that will help you create more compelling and meaningful images. When you’re setting up your environmental portrait, look at the background. Check for elements that will support your subject’s story. Compose your image with at least one significant object, detail, or view in the background of your image.
2. Know the Importance of the Location
It’s a good idea to scout the area in search for the right place to depict your subject. The right location can bring out stronger images. Meet with your subject beforehand and get to know them. Try to know the place where they feel relaxed. Some people feel comfortable at their homes, which strengthen the chances of capturing natural facial expressions and body language.
3. Engage With Your Subject
While taking an environmental portrait, connecting with the person will help you create a lively image. Take time to have a conversation with them. Even if you don’t speak the same language, non-verbal communication can be helpful. Also, don’t be afraid to direct your subject for a particular pose. Prepare your camera’s settings before you approach your subject.
4. Use Different Depths of Field to Balance Your Portrait
A deep depth of field is usually necessary when it comes to environmental portraits. It can be a good idea for you to have a greater part of your image in focus to show what is surrounding your subject. But you may also choose to have a narrower aperture setting to have less of your composition in focus. It’s important to find a balance of how much is in focus.
Wrap Up-
In environmental portraits, you should ensure that the background complements your main subject. You can produce engaging environmental portraits by understanding the subject and what the surroundings mean to them. The essence of environmental portraiture is the connection between the subject and their surroundings. There are various famous portrait photography services in Portland, which have experienced and professional photographers for taking high-quality images.
