Urban Portrait Photoshoot

Urban photography is trending and you don’t need to be a professional model in designer clothes to embrace it. An urban photoshoot can be used for engagements, headshots, celebrating milestones, social media, dating site profiles and so much more. This form of photography is a representation of the shapes and lights you would find in a city. From street lights and neon signs to architectural structures, urban photography offers unique backgrounds that will add interest and depth to your portrait photography.

I put together some tips on how to make your urban photo shoot successful. Whether you are using high quality equipment or carrying around your smartphone these tips can help you achieve a great urban shoot.

Tip 1.

Where?

Planning an urban photoshoot is key to its success. You will need to scope out where you want to start and end your photoshoot. Keep in mind the walking distance. Ideally, you will want to find an area that offers at least two or three different backgrounds for your photoshoot. Plan your starting point and estimate how much time it will take to get to your endpoint. Photoshoots should take about 60 minutes or 90 minutes. Anything more and you risk wearing out your model. Make sure you ask your model about what shoes they are wearing and if they feel comfortable walking the planned distance. You can always have your model bring comfortable shoes to walk in and switch to their photoshoot shoes once you start shooting.

When?

Ideally, photoshoots should be taken at “golden hour” which is an hour and a half before sunset or an hour after sunrise. Take note of the available sunlight you have. Tall buildings can block the sun so adjust your time by starting earlier in the evening if you notice this. If you are planning a night shoot then I recommend having an external lighting source; such as using a flash or carrying some sort of light. Make sure the light that is available is strong enough to capture a quality photo. Too little light and you’re left with a blurry or grainy photograph.

Tip 2. Finding Backgrounds

Try to find interesting elements to photograph your model in. Urban photography can add geometric structures and interesting lights that can complement the model. This photography can display the surroundings as a statement in addition to focusing on the person behind the lens. Below I will list the different backgrounds I used in my photoshoot.

Stairs

Plant Wall

Classic Street Shot

Interesting Business Fronts

Bench

Bridge

Walls with Writing or Murals

You can also find other places to use in your photoshoot like rooftops or alleyways and much more. You can be as creative as you want in finding city structures to take photos of. Sometimes it is as simple as using the refection in the glassed building or finding the right curb for your model to sit on that can give you a great urban portrait.

Tip 3. Different angles and Perspectives

Create variety in your photographs by shooting from different angles and perspectives. Always do the classic portraits which include full body and close up. After which add a different element to your photography by placing the camera at various positions.

The model is in place and you take a couple of photographs as you normally would. Then stop shooting and determine what other angles might look good as well. Start moving around to get more interesting views of your subject. Have your camera at a low angle, the lower the more dramatic it will be. For example, I like to put my camera on the ground and point up at my model. Another angle I like using is the higher angle. Get above your model and point the camera downwards towards their face. This works well if your model is sitting or if you can get to a higher ground above your model.

Low Angle

High angle

Another perspective to do is to use a leading line to create depth. If I place my camera on an object pointing/leading in the direction of my subject then I will create a blurred front ground which becomes more in focus leading to the subject. Thus, creating depth in my photo. An example of this is using the bridge railing and carefully placing my camera on it while focusing on my subject and having some of the railing in my shot. Another example is when I placed my camera on a plant box and aimed it at my model.

Tip 4. Determine the Feel of this Urban Photoshoot

This is more of a general tip for all your photoshoots but is so important when getting that awesome urban portrait. Know what kind of feel you and the model are wanting to create and have your model pose in accordance to this feel. Are you going for a more edgy look? Are you going for a sophisticated feel? Or perhaps a sexier vibe? If you are working with a nonprofessional model then research poses that communicate the intended vibe you wish to photograph. Save them to your phone so you can show them how you would like the model to pose.

For this photoshoot, my model wanted some photos with a flirtatious vibe and some photos with a confident feel.

In conclusion, these tips will help you create a successful urban portrait photoshoot. One that is well-planned with a starting point and an ending destination. That contains multiple backgrounds for your model to pose in front of. These photographs will have various angles and perspectives, all in keeping in mind the feel you are wanting to create.

*I used my Canon EOS R5 with Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L prime lens to take these photos and was incredibly pleased with the outcome. I could take pictures in relatively low light because of this camera and lens.