JAY CASSARIO

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Environmental Portraits - SLR Lounge Collab

It’s always an honor to be part of the SLR Lounge collaborations and extremely inspiring getting to see the incredible photos from the other photographers. This was one that I was especially happy to be part of since it has to do with environmental portraits.

Environmental portraits are something that I’ve become well known for over the years. I love using them to help create and piece together the story I’m trying to tell. I personally have a certain process that I use when taking them and look for certain elements that need to be included. They’re much more than just tiny people in a photograph.

If you’re a fan of environmental portraits, the photos in this article from the other photographers are nothing short of inspiring and you’ll be blown away by the artistry a lot of them have. The photo of mine that’s included was shot out in Red Rock Canyon while attending WPPI a couple of years ago.

If you’re interested in reading more about my environmental portraits or seeing more examples, I included another article and a gallery below. These specific type of portraits were the topic of one of my Rangefinder articles (sponsored by Leica Camera USA). Click on the link below to read the whole thing.

Excerpt from SLR Lounge Article

While there is no Webster’s ‘environmental portrait photography’ definition it can be assumed from the grouping of words that an environmental portrait is distinguished by featuring a portrait subject while still showcasing a large portion of the environment in its surroundings. Often times we’ve seen that in our communities there are some skeptical photographers that don’t quite see the purpose of creating images like this when the subject(s) is such a small feature of the photograph, however, they obviously chose this location for their shoot for a reason, right? It would only be apt to feature it for a couple of shots to really develop the story/scene. Although there are some that classify themselves as environmental portrait photographers, many use the technique as one part of their storytelling method – pulling out wide to see the entire scene and then slowly working their way closer and closer to the subject.

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It’s taken many years for New Jersey-based wedding photographer Jay Cassario to train his eye into seeing the potential for stunning portraiture in almost any setting. Over time, he’s learned that the best way to capture the beauty and spontaneity of a wedding day is to simply work with the scene you’re given. “Don’t be afraid to use what’s in front of you,” he advises.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he clicks away at random. On the contrary, his approach begins as soon as he gets to the shoot, giving him time to mentally transform any setting into a special memory for his clients. “A lot of it comes down to looking at the environment from the moment I get to the wedding,” he explains. “I’m looking at everything around me rather than just focusing on the venue or where the ceremony will be. It’s about opening up my vision and seeing more of the scene.”

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Gallery of Environmental Portraits