Environmental portraiture is portraiture which is executed in the subject’s normal environment, this emphasizes the subject’s life through their surroundings. Environmental portraits give context to the subject being photographed. Environmental portraits lie between quite strict studio portraits and candid portraits; the subject is relaxed however is aware they are being photographed.

Here are some examples found online of how environmental portraiture can be executed…

When executing an environmental portrait it is most effective for the subject of the piece to be facing and if possible looking into the lens of the camera which creates an emotional eye contact, which depending on the expression of the subject could imply further context to the image.

The purpose of environmental portraiture could be to document or display the everyday life of a certain individual, whilst they are in their usual environment.