no more boring portraits
have you noticed that almost all portraits are boring? i think photographers, in their studios where they took biometric passport photos, also took a quick portrait while they were at it.
not happy with the portrait
it doesn't matter if i look at company websites or profile pictures of well-known influencers. most of the time, they’re either dull selfies or those monotonous studio shots.
to be clear, i’m not talking about the few portrait or headshot photographers who create beautiful, creative work in their studios with both artificial and natural light. but they seem to be in the minority.
no studio, no magic
in a studio, it’s relatively easy to set up controlled lighting where a creative mind can produce fantastic and unique images. but what about photographers who don’t have a studio?
lara, mercedes studio munich, 2024
of course, one option is to rent a studio. or use a public space like the mercedes studio in munich. but i’d rather step outside. chase the light. and discover something new.
searching for light
photography is actually about capturing the gradations of light. we trap light on digital sensors and use it to stage our subject. in other words: we model our portrait with light. so we have to find the right light.
where can i go?
i like to shoot with soft but directional light. for example, i’ve taken some portraits in the old stock exchange of palma (la lonja).
robinson, la lonja, 2025
the large gothic windows, surrounding the open space like those in a church, offer endless possibilities to play with light of every intensity and direction.
vanessa, la lonja, 2025
i photographed jan hofer, the most famous former news anchorman, in la lonja. if you’re curious about the spot, there’s more about it on my blog.
jan hofer, la lonja, 2025
other options include stairwells of parking garages or, when it gets darker, illuminated shop windows. my friend daniel mittermeier once said: “shop windows are just big softboxes.” and he’s absolutely right.
jennifer, low light portrait, 2025
get creative
staten island ferry, 2024
i photographed this man on the lower deck of the staten island ferry. the background is the opening of the ramp. the lights create a perfect frame, drawing the eye to him like two leading lines.
dennis, parc del mar parking, 2025
even in parking garages, you can find great light. often from above. this usually works only if your subject is looking up. sometimes enhanced by leading lines from the small lights indicating whether a parking spot is occupied or not.
sr. domingo, bar cristal, 2024
i've taken quite a lot shots in cafés. sometimes it's because i want to give my subject a break during a shoot but continue snapping pictures myself. other times, i'm out on a photo walk, decide to pause, and end up spotting someone interesting in the café.
gio, café bar el záguan (indoors), 2024
jean-jacques, le clemenceau (st. tropez), 2024
if you don’t live in the city, or if you’re after particularly diffuse light with a few bokeh highlights in the background, try shooting near trees or bushes. you’ll get fantastic depth, and if you use a wide open, you’ll still capture beautiful details and great light. don’t be afraid to experiment with backlighting—shooting against the - partially covered - sun can yield stunning results!
lara, prinzregentenplatz, 2024
just go exploring. grab a good and patient friend. take them out. photograph them. observe how light affects their face. think about the composition. the framing. what you want to highlight, what you’d rather hide.
dennis, entrance of parking garage, 2025
it takes time
an outdoor shoot takes longer. but for my personal style of portraiture, i need that time. i want to get to know my subject (and i hate that word). i want to figure out how to portray them, to find their most interesting side. and i usually start with a coffee. just shooting away, which eases the atmosphere. then we go for a walk. and hunt for light.
