A good portrait does not start with a smile, but with a choice: where do you shoot it? The location says something about you, about the atmosphere you want to set, and about the story you want to tell with your portrait. As a photographer, I see every day how much influence a location has on the final result. Sometimes it is a quiet environment where someone feels safe. Sometimes it is a lively place that gives energy. And sometimes it is simply practical, and yet surprisingly powerful.
In this blog, I share 12 places I regularly use (or would like to use) for portrait photography. Whether you need a portrait yourself, or are a photographer looking for inspiration: be sure to read on. Maybe your next location will be among them.
12 places to take a powerful portrait
1. In my studio in Nijmegen
In my studio at the NYMA Makersplaats in Nijmegen, I control everything myself: the light, the background, the quiet. That makes it an ideal place for people who are not used to being photographed - or who want something very specific in terms of atmosphere or look. You sit there warm, dry and undisturbed. Moreover, I have different lighting setups and backgrounds at my disposal there, so we can really play with contrast, texture and atmosphere. From classic fine-art to fresh and modern.
→ Studio Michiel Heijmans Photography
→ NYMA grounds - creative hotspot in Nijmegen
→ The Crossing - impressive bridge and iconic lines
2. Outside in the city
The city is alive - and you can feel it in the photos. Think of a portrait against a weathered wall, a reflection in a shop window or a silhouette under a viaduct. In cities like Nijmegen, Arnhem, Utrecht or Amsterdam, I like to work with the light, lines and rhythm of the surroundings. Sometimes we find an unexpected angle, an alley where the light falls just right, or a graffiti wall that gives just that little extra. Urban portraits are perfect for those looking for something more robust, or for those who feel at home in that lively chaos.
→ Lower town - old alleys and St. Stephen's church
→ Kronenburgerpark - classic city setting with greenery and wall
3. An external daylight studio
There are places - like daylight studios - where the light comes in so beautifully that you hardly need anything else. No flash, no reflectors: just you, the window light and silence. These spaces often have high ceilings, bright walls and an atmosphere of tranquillity. Ideal for those who love minimalism, simplicity and naturalness. There are some very fine studios in Amsterdam and Utrecht, but daylight locations can also be rented in smaller cities. For a soft, pure portrait, this is perhaps my favourite setting.
→ Boutique Studio Lux in Grave - classic daylight 30m²
→ Studio Laurant by Juliette in Arnhem - stylish 100m²
4. At your home
Nothing is more personal than a portrait in your own home. Your favourite chair, a pile of books on the table, an old floor or that one window that always provides the most beautiful light - it all contributes to a photo that is truly yours. People often automatically feel more at ease in their own surroundings, and it shows. This is also a fine option for parents with young children, or for people who want to show themselves as they really live. Not polished, but honest.
5. In nature
Nature works almost therapeutically during a shoot. A forest, the dunes, a field or a meandering river provide peace and quiet. I love to portray someone against a background of tall grasses or bare trees - especially in black-and-white, this often produces special images. But the changing seasons also play a role: autumn colours, misty mornings or the soft light of spring. Outside, everything is in motion, which makes each portrait unique.
→ Hatertse Vennen - mystical moorland landscape with water
→ Ooijpolder - open landscape with dikes and distant views
6. At your workplace
Whether you are an artist, coach, baker or CEO: your workplace says something about who you are. A portrait on location gives context and character. A musical instrument in the background, a wall full of post-its, a workbench or an open laptop - it tells something. Especially for entrepreneurs or speakers who want to position themselves, this is often a very logical choice. And you don't have to dress up for it; it's the details that make it human.
7. In a café or coffee shop
An intimate table by the window, a cup of coffee in your hand, warm wooden tones and soft backlighting. Pubs can be wonderful places for portraits with a personal, approachable atmosphere. They work well for people who like to mimic conversation, or who don't want to show themselves too seriously. In consultation, we will of course find a quiet place - preferably with fine acoustics and no bright artificial light - so that you can relax and we can work in peace.
→ Power in Lent - old Water Pumping Station
→ Het Veerhuis in Oeffelt - old inn in the Oeffelter Meent
8. In a car park or industrial building
For those with a little nerve: raw concrete, hard lines and dark light give a portrait a completely different atmosphere. Think fashion photography, film scenes, contrast and tension. Places like this are perfect for people with a distinct style or branding. We can really play with shadow, geometry and shape here. And believe me: even a simple outfit suddenly pops when you put it against a metal staircase or a weathered wall.
→ Paper mill Nijmegen - Superb industrial spaces from 1,350m²
→ Mariënburg car park - concrete lines and lots of light
9. During a walk
Movement brings relaxation. Sometimes the most beautiful portrait is created precisely not while posing, but between moments. During a walk in the city, along the river Waal, through the forest or even through a residential area, we can stop several times along the way to take photos. Such a setting feels airy and relaxed. Perfect for people who don't like to sit still or who just like to be outside. And who knows: something unexpected happens along the way that makes the photo special.
→ Valkhofpark + surroundings - stairs, views and history
→ Waalkade - long line along the water with city backdrop
10. In an empty building
Sometimes portraits come about in places you wouldn't expect: old factories, abandoned schools, empty churches. These locations have an air of transience, but also a power that you won't find anywhere else. Not suitable for every portrait, but that is precisely why they are so unique. As a human being, you literally stand in contrast with the emptiness - and that produces images with a certain tension, melancholy or strength.
11. At sunrise or sunset
The light of the 'golden hour' is legendary - and rightly so. The softness of the morning or the warm backlight of the evening makes even a simple location special. A city square, a beach, a meadow: suddenly the light seems magical. This does require some planning (and getting up early), but the result is worth it. We often shoot several images during such a session, where the light changes slowly and you are literally in the moment.
→ Stadswaard in Nijmegen - right next to the city centre, in the middle of nature
→ Waalhaven in Nijmegen - sunset with terraces
12. In a place that is meaningful to you
Sometimes the best location is simply... the place where your story begins. It could be a birthplace, a studio, your grandfather's garden, a place in Zeeland where you always unwind. No need to explain - the place carries meaning. And you can feel it reflected in the image. As a photographer, it is an honour for me to be there with you and capture that story visually. Especially when it is small and quiet.
Choose the place that suits you
What all these places have in common? They are more than background. They help you show who you are. So the best location is not the most photogenic one, but the one where you come into your own. Where you dare to sink into your own story, and I as a photographer get the space to capture that.
Whether you come into my studio, go into town with me, or have your own location in mind - I like to think with you. Every portrait starts with a good conversation. And ends with an image that's right.
Ready to look together at the perfect spot for your portrait? Please contact me, or send me a message with your idea. You can also read more about my working methods on the page about portrait photography.
Disclaimer, small but: All sample locations mentioned are suggestions. Of course, all depend on budget, availability and local opportunities.