4 Tips to Take BETTER Photos of People Using Environmental Portraits

In this video, I want to share with you 5 tips to help you learn how to use environmental portraits as a way to enhance the impact of your images of people. I use this style of portraiture as part of my work as a professional photojournalist, and I want to share this advice with you to help take your portraits to a new level.
📕 Download your FREE version of my new eBook, 'The Camera Doesn’t Matter - Professional Secrets for the Amateur Photographer' which reveals tips how you can immediately start improving YOUR photography gallagher-photo.com/learn
🚀 Ready to really level up your photography? Join my one-on-one STORYTELLING MENTORSHIP program to go beyond equipment and single images. I will teach you how to use photography to tell stories that matter. Learn more gallagher-photo.com/mentorship/
📷 What's Inside:
0:00 Intro
01:38 What is an Environmental Portrait?
03:17 Give Your Subject Space
05:37 Pay Attention to the Details
07:40 Focus on a Story
09:45 Get Creative
11:11 Learn More
📸 Book a PORTFOLIO REVIEW with me for yourself, or as a gift to others gallagher-photo.com/shop
✊ Become a 'Super Supporter' and channel member. Learn more about your perks:
/ @seangallagherphotogra...
🧳 What’s in my Camera Bag (2024) amzn.to/3TVxyjT
📗 My Favourite Photography & Photojournalism Books amzn.to/4dqKCXz
🎥 My Favourite Photography & Photojournalism Movies amzn.to/3y8tWnf
👍 Enjoyed this video? Show your support by liking, subscribing, and consider a 'SuperThanks'! Your engagement helps me create more content like this.
/ @seangallagherphotogra...
✏️ Have questions or thoughts? Drop a comment below! Plus, stay tuned to the end of the video for an exclusive invitation to join my private WhatsApp/WeChat groups.
Embark on a journey to refine your photography compositions and discover the artistry in everyday life with me.
VISIT MY WEBSITE: gallagher-photo.com
INSTAGRAM: / sean_gallagher_photo
FACEBOOK: / sean.gallagher.photogr...
EBOOK: gallagher-photo.com/learn

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks for watching! If you have any questions about making environmental portraits, please let me know in the comments below. Want more content like this? Don't forget to like 👍 this video and subscribe to my channel to help me reach 10,000 subscribers! ✊Download your copy of my new eBook ➡ gallagher-photo.com/learn

[@lunerjuice1832]

This isn't a new idea, and that's why I love it. It's a reminder of a lesson I learned a long time ago and had forgotten. When I look at my mother's old photo albums it's filled with photos like this. It shows not only "who" but "where" a subject is. In her photos it's family, fun moments, smiles and memories. I wanna bring this back to my own photography. Thank you Sean for re-teaching me this important lesson and for bringing it to the forfront of new and experienced photographers minds.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. Great way to look at these type of portraits 👍

[@ElevatedThreat]

I suddenly realized I've been guilty of being a slave to the "features of expensive lenses", where I over use wide aperture. I see now that I've been "missing the point" of what I was trying to capture in my photos, by excluding the environment around and behind my subject. I was unaware that by thinking this way, I was removing key elements of the "story" I was trying to tell. ... Your video is a wakeup call to me, which I needed. Thanks!

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

I think many photographers get seduced by that creamy bokeh that comes with the expensive lenses, Rex! But you're right, if you want to tell someone's story, you need to think about those other elements in the frame. Good luck with your "new" style of environmental portraits ✊

[@jharrelphoto]

really insightful video! thanks!

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

👍

[@namukolosiyumbwa3323]

As a portrait photographer, I love this video.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

🤝📸

[@mrfairycake4333]

Thanks, Sean, brilliant

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks for watching ✊

[@el0blaino]

Very nice video, appreciate all the examples!

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@RioHusnadyHidayat]

awesome as always sean, appreciate it

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

👍

[@reachtoanish1]

Thank You Sean

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

✊

[@markmarshall7359]

Brilliant Overview!

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

👍

[@tjmanou6422]

Very useful video. Subject that not many talk about, thank you very much

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Glad it was useful, TJ. Yes, environmental portraits are often overlooked but they're one of my favourite types of portraits.

[@chamacarol]

Fantastic overview of environmental portrait photography, Sean, I found it very valuable and I will make sure to put into practice the tips you shared. Love your content, congratulations!! 💯💯💯

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Really pleased this is valuable to you 🙂 Thanks @chamacarol ✊

[@KaonTaAnay]

Very educational

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Glad it was useful 👍

[@andreaspretali]

Hi Sean, I really like your video, your advices give me some cool ideas and I will follow them on my next shooting outdoor.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Great, Andreas. Good luck with your shooting! 📸