Life of a runner involves time in some random Flagstaff, AZ kitchen like Allie Kieffer for altitude training camp.
Life of a runner involves time in some random Flagstaff, AZ kitchen like Allie Kieffer for altitude training camp.

Front and Center Environmental Portraits

Photography // Portrait
Not the Studio

Person, place, and … thing. An emotional connection made with a single photo that captures all three, and one of my favourite ways to do just that is a center aligned subject cropped to a 16×9 letterbox.

Whatever your thing is, wherever it may be, an environmental portrait is a great way to tell your story.

An environmental portrait for any activity.

Whether taking a winter long run to a peak in the mountains around Jasper & Banff, or yoga in Kelowna, an environmental portrait captures any activity in the natural moment while still providing you a chance to quickly check your hair and look your best.

Allison up on the peak overlooking Lake Minnewonka on a winter run in the mountains.
Allison up on the peak overlooking Lake Minnewonka on a winter run in the mountains.
Lululemon Humpday
Rooftop yoga in the bright sun from Lululemon Humpday in Kelowna, BC.
A man stands on tree stumps providing a path over a small brush lined stream, with pine trees and mountains in the distant background.
Didier with that post-hike glow up at camp on the Berg Lake Trail.

Retail content for brand storytelling.

For more than just shoe stores — life of a run photographer — this simple technique places an employee right in the middle of the showroom, backroom, or in-between. Providing an opportunity to tell your business’ complete story including the people at the heart of it — in a very personal and connecting way.

A portrait of Felix in his natural habitat, SNEAKERSnSTUFF in Manhattan, NYC.
A portrait of Felix in his natural habitat, SNEAKERSnSTUFF in Manhattan, NYC.
A man stands beside a canoe on a stand in a camping store, looking like he is in the canoe paddling at Campers Village Edmonton West.
Playing with staff & toys at Breathe Outdoors for marketing content in Edmonton, AB.
Walk, Run & More in Grand Prairie
Stock room portraits from Walk, Run & More for Saucony Canada in Grand Prairie, AB.
Date Night content for The Cage at Allsports & Cycle in Edmonton, AB.
Date Night content for The Cage at Allsports & Cycle in Edmonton, AB.
Kendall Barber at in the Poppy Barley Showroom
Kendall Barder for Lululemon YEG at Poppy Barley on Whyte Ave. in Edmonton, AB.
Director of Marketing — James — hanging out in a tent for a marketing recruitment post at Breathe Outdoors.
Director of Marketing James hanging out in a tent for a recruitment post at Breathe Outdoors.

Environmental portraits are great at events.

The majority of focus is on people with event photography, but the place plays an important role as well. This center aligned composition of a single person seperated from an active or passive background works great to capture guest speakers and guests alike — in the moment — to tell the story of the event.

Custom Performance Fresh Legs Kickoff Party
Matt Meyer at the Custom Performance, Run Rabbit, & Roll Recovery Fresh Legs party in Boston, MA.
Aaron Paquette is front and center of the Bent Arrow Gym after his talk.
Aaron Paquette is front and center of the Bent Arrow gym during an Indigenous Youth Conference.
Des Linden stands in front of the room of folks attending the chat at Custom Performance during the 2018 NYC Marathon week of events.
Des Linden inspires & entertains at Custom Performance during marathon week in NYC, NY.

Portraits on the go in photo journalism and content creation.

I have captured endless setups of this portrait style for journalism assignments, brands, and adventure albums with my camera:

  • On multiple cross country fixed gear bicycle tours
  • Covering 2:19:02 point to point marathons
  • Documenting 48 hour 340 mile running races from Los Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NV
  • Chasing October baseball stories from Boston > Toronto > LA
  • Running the Jasper Skyline Trail
  • Winter camping in the Rockies showshoeing the Berg Lake Trail
  • Your next adventure or content shoot!

Yeah, I am that style of photographer.

Day or weekend trips for documenting — with more than a phone — personal adventures start at $500. The Berg Lake Trail, Jasper Skyline, Rockwall, or countless other incredible rides, hikes, and/or runs in the Alberta Rockies are a road trip away — my Ortlieb panniers, 12L Salomon vest, and 50L Deuter pack are always ready for four seasons.

Reach Out
A quick portrait while filtering water running the Jasper Skyline Trail.Photo of Sheh throwing her head back and arms out while winter hiking up the Berg Lake Trail in a absolute dumping winter snow globe with Shehzadi in Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC CAN.
Winter camping with Sheh hiking up the Berg Lake Trail.
Rob Watson poses for a portrait, ice cream cone in hand, an hour after winning the 2018 BMO Marathon, wedding shoe shopping with his bride to be. Legend status achieved.
BMO Marathon champ Rob Watson, post-race shoe shopping with his bride to be in Vancouver, BC.
A quick portrait while filtering water running the Jasper Skyline Trail.
A quick portrait while filtering water running the Jasper Skyline Trail.
Francisco takes time between legs to pose in the middle of nowhere Death Valley, NV.
Francisco takes time between legs to pose in the middle of nowhere Death Valley, NV.
Mario Fraioli in the starting corral of CIM 42.2 kms from downtown Sacramento, CA.
Mario Fraioli in the starting corral of CIM 42.2 kms from downtown Sacramento, CA.
Clint outside Fenway Park; ready to experience the magic contained within these brick walls.
Clint outside Fenway Park; ready to experience the magic contained within these brick walls.

Strava Sessions include stops for environmental portraits too.

As the goal of every Strava Session is to capture the story of your run, training session, or race, a few environmental portraits are ideal to tell your full run story.

Out on a Run Session with Andrea pausing for the good backlight in Edmonton, AB.
Out on a Strava Session with Andrea pausing for the good backlight in Edmonton, AB.
Bernie getting the Waffle House ready for a pre Olympic trials spectator shakeout run in Atlanta, GA.
Bernie getting the Waffle House ready for a pre Olympic trials spectator shakeout run in Atlanta, GA.
Noel up on Echo Mountain with the Guapos Boys overlooking Los Angeles, CA.
Noel up on Echo Mountain with the Guapos Boys overlooking Los Angeles, CA.
Matt Meyer quickly pausing for traffic with Streets 101 in Manhattan, NY.
Matt Meyer quickly pausing for traffic with Streets 101 in Manhattan, NY.
Out for a great Run Session with Wendy in the lush summer river valley of Edmonton, AB.
A great Strava Session with Wendy in the lush summer river valley of Edmonton, AB.
Dylan Wykes standing in front of snow covered trees with hand on hip looking into the camera.
Dylan Wykes mid M2M snowday run on the Arbutus Greenway in Vancouver, BC.

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