Where do you make the best portrait? 12 places worth thinking about
A good portrait does not start with a smile, but with a choice: where do you make 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 daily how much influence a place has on the result. Sometimes that is a quiet setting where someone feels safe. Sometimes it is a lively place that gives energy. And sometimes it is simply practical, and surprisingly strong all the same.
In this piece I share 12 places I regularly use (or would like to use) for portrait photography. Whether you need a portrait yourself, or you are a photographer looking for inspiration: do read on. Your next location may well be among them.
12 places where you can make a strong portrait
1. In my studio in Wijchen
In my studio on Bijsterhuizen in Wijchen I have everything in hand myself: the light, the background, the calm. That makes it an ideal place for people who are not used to being photographed, or who want something very specific in atmosphere or feel. You sit there warm, dry and undisturbed. I also have various lighting set-ups and backgrounds available, so we can really play with contrast, texture and mood. From classic fine art to fresh and modern. This is my treehouse.
Also in my studio: one to one portrait photography workshops and mentoring sessions.
2. Outside in the city
The city is alive, and you feel that 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 such as Nijmegen, Arnhem, Utrecht or Amsterdam I like working with the light, the lines and the rhythm of the surroundings. Sometimes we find an unexpected corner, an alley where the light falls exactly right, or a graffiti wall that gives just that bit extra. City portraits are perfect for anyone after something more robust, or for anyone who feels at home in that lively chaos.
→ Benedenstad, old alleys and the Stevenskerk
→ Kronenburgerpark, a classic city setting with greenery and a wall
3. An external daylight studio
There are places, daylight studios, where the light falls so beautifully that you hardly need anything else. No flashes, no reflectors: just you, the window light and the quiet. These spaces often have high ceilings, light walls and a calm atmosphere. Ideal for anyone who likes minimalism, simplicity and naturalness. There are a few very nice studios in Amsterdam and Utrecht, but daylight locations can be hired in smaller towns as well. For a soft, pure portrait this may be 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 as personal as a portrait in your own house. Your favourite chair, a pile of books on the table, an old floor or that one window the finest light always comes through: it all contributes to a photo that is really yours. People often feel more at ease of their own accord in their own surroundings, and you can see it. This is also a good option for parents with young children, or for people who want to be seen the way they really live. Not polished, but honest.
5. In nature
Nature works almost therapeutically during a shoot. A wood, the dunes, a field or a meandering stream bring calm and space. I find it wonderful to portray someone against a background of tall grasses or bare trees; in black and white that often gives remarkable images. The changing seasons play their part as well: autumn colours, misty mornings or the raking light of spring. Outside, everything is in motion, and that makes every portrait unique.
→ Hatertse Vennen, a mysterious heath landscape with water
→ Ooijpolder, open landscape with dykes and long views
6. At your workplace
Whether you are an artist, a coach, a baker or a chief executive: 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 sticky notes, a workbench or an open laptop: it all tells you something. Certainly for entrepreneurs or speakers who want to position themselves, this is often a very logical choice. And you do not have to dress up for it; it is the details that make it human.
7. In a café
An intimate table by the window, a cup of coffee in your hand, warm wooden tones and soft backlight. Cafés can be lovely places for portraits with a personal, approachable atmosphere. They work well for people who like the idea of a conversation, or who do not want to take themselves too seriously. We will of course look for a quiet spot together, preferably with good acoustics and without harsh artificial light, so that you can relax and we can work in peace.
→ Stroom in Lent, an old pumping station
→ Het Veerhuis in Oeffelt, an old inn in the Oeffelter Meent
8. In a car park or an industrial building
For anyone with a bit of nerve: raw concrete, hard lines and dim light give a portrait a completely different atmosphere. Think of fashion photography, of film scenes, of contrast and tension. Places like this are perfect for people with a pronounced style or brand. Here we can really play with shadow, geometry and form. And believe me: even a simple outfit suddenly sings when you put it against a metal staircase or a weathered wall.
→ Papierfabriek Nijmegen, splendid industrial spaces from 1,350m²
→ Mariënburg car park, concrete lines and plenty of light
9. During a walk
Movement brings relaxation. Sometimes the finest portrait comes about not while posing but in between the moments. During a walk in the city, along the Waal, through the woods or even through a residential area, we can stop several times along the way to make photos. A setting like that feels light and relaxed. Perfect for people who do not like sitting still or who simply like being outside. And who knows: something unexpected may happen on the way that makes the photo special.
→ Valkhofpark and surroundings, steps, views and history
→ Waalkade, a long line along the water with the city behind
10. In an empty building
Sometimes portraits come about in places you would not expect: old factories, abandoned schools, empty churches. These locations have an atmosphere of transience, but also a strength you find nowhere else. Not suitable for every portrait, and that is exactly what makes them unique. As a person you stand literally in contrast with the emptiness, and that produces images with a certain tension, melancholy or force.
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 take some planning (and getting up early), but the result is worth it. During such a session we often make several images, with the light slowly changing and you literally in the moment.
→ Stadswaard in Nijmegen, right beside the centre and in the middle of nature
→ Waalhaven in Nijmegen, sunset with terraces
12. Somewhere that means something to you
Sometimes the best location is simply the place where your story starts. That could be the house you were born in, a studio, your grandfather’s garden, a spot in Zeeland where you always find calm. You do not have to explain it; the place carries the meaning. And you feel that in the image. As a photographer it is an honour to be there with you and to capture that story. Especially when it is small and quiet.
Choose the place that suits you
What do all these places have in common? They are more than a 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 settle into your own story, and where I as the photographer get the room to record it.
Whether you come to my studio, head into the city with me, or have a location of your own in mind, I am happy to think it through with you. Every portrait begins with a good conversation. And ends with an image that is right.
Ready to work out together what the perfect place is for your portrait? Get in touch, or send me a message with your idea. You can also read more about how I work on the page about portrait photography.
A small disclaimer: all the example locations are suggestions. Naturally a lot depends on budget, availability and local possibilities.