Environmental Portraiture: Tell Your Subject’s Story and Create Dynamic Portraits with One Bag of Gear

Consider Appearance

I use physical appearance and demeanor as an indicator of how flexible and easygoing the subject might be. The guy in the T-shirt and jeans might be more willing to hang on the jungle gym, for example. (But don’t be surprised if the woman in the business suit will strike a yoga pose!)

A profile about this young lady had her at one of her favorite places, a yoga studio, but in a business suit. So we shot it. It’s out of the ordinary, and makes you look twice. She was happy to do it, and it’s better than her standing outside the building, right?

Another consideration in making your subjects look their best is the angle you ...