Environmental Portraiture: Capture People in Their Own Space
A course by Liz SeabrookPortrait and Lifestyle Photographer
A course by Liz Seabrook, Portrait and Lifestyle Photographer
Learn an intuitive method to plan, shoot, and edit natural and relaxed portrait images which capture the story of your subject and their passions.
With environmental photography, you can tell the story behind your subject and capture the things they’re most passionate about in a single shot. Portrait and lifestyle photographer Liz Seabrook specializes in taking natural images that do just that. She has worked with clients including Apple, adidas, The Guardian, Soho House, and Patagonia, and has published a book, The Female Chef.
In this online course, Liz teaches you how to capture people in their own space, doing what they love. Learn to take and edit a variety of different images that convey a sense of place and passion in an effortless style. Make real connections with your subjects and create honest images.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 15 downloads
The Equipment
5 minutes, 13 seconds
Planning the Photo Session
11 minutes, 1 second
Working with a Subject
6 minutes, 30 seconds
Action Portrait
7 minutes, 1 second
The Portrait
8 minutes, 21 seconds
Sense of Place
5 minutes, 13 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know portrait and lifestyle photographer Liz Seabrook. Discover how she turned her love for photography into a career along with the influences that inspire her.
Learn how to tell stories through imagery before diving into the equipment needed for the course. Liz then talks about how she found her creative style through lighting and editing, and how to plan a photoshoot.
Time to take your photos! Start by learning how to effectively communicate with your subject. Then take your action shots followed by the portraits and finally, your third image that should evoke a sense of place.
Choose and edit your favorites using Capture One. Then see how to narrow all of your shots down to just three. To wrap up the course, Liz shows you how to neaten up your images in Photoshop and shares her advice for anyone interested in becoming a professional photographer.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Plan, shoot, and edit three narrative images: a portrait, a still life, and a detail.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in capturing natural portrait photos that tell stories about their subjects.
Requirements and materials
You’ll need to be comfortable with a camera to take this course.
In terms of equipment, Liz uses an SLR but you can use the camera of your choice. You’ll also need access to editing software like Capture One and Adobe Photoshop.
Reviews
- 3 days ago
Consiglio!
- 1 year ago
excelente curso, me ha encantado
- 2 years ago
Liz hat eine angenehme Art, von ihrer Arbeit zu berichten. Es macht Spaß, ihr zuzusehen.
- 2 years ago
Eu adorei o curso! Me trouxe inspirações e, sem dúvida, ajudou na minha trajetória como fotógrafa.
- 2 years ago
Thank you! <3
Since then, Liz has worked with clients including Apple, adidas, The Guardian, Soho House, and Patagonia—helping to capture striking images that tell stories and evoke emotions. She has also published a book, The Female Chef.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Exploring Styles and Planning the Photoshoot
- Telling Stories with Images
- The Equipment
- Finding a Style
- Planning the Photo Session
- U3
The Photoshoot Day
- Working with a Subject
- Action Portrait
- The Portrait
- Sense of Place
- U4
Image Editing and a Few Tips
- The Style: Choosing and Editing
- Choosing the Set of Images 1
- Choosing the Set of Images 2
- Basic Skin and Environmental Retouch 1
- Basic Skin and Environmental Retouch 2
- Additional Tips
- FP
Final project
- Environmental Portraiture: Capture People in Their Own Space
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate photographers who already have basic camera skills and want to advance their portrait and lifestyle photography techniques.
You will need a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a selection of lenses, and access to basic lighting gear. The course also covers how to use reflectors, disposable cameras, and renting equipment if needed.
You'll learn natural light portrait techniques, environmental portraiture, storytelling with images, retouching, portfolio building, and how to plan and execute professional photo sessions.
Basic familiarity with your camera and editing software is helpful, but the course provides step-by-step guidance on natural, continuous, and flash lighting, as well as retouching techniques.
Topics include daylight portrait photography, environmental portraits, magazine cover shoots, lens selection, client briefs, subject communication, location scouting, and digital editing workflows.
Yes, the course includes strategies for building a diverse photography portfolio, gaining experience, and showcasing your unique style to attract clients.
Yes, you'll learn techniques for both natural daylight and studio environments, including how to balance ambient and artificial light for authentic portraits.