Frequently asked questions

What is an environmental portrait?

An environmental portrait is a photograph that shows a person in their natural surroundings, with the location playing a key role in telling a story about their life, personality, or occupation. Unlike a traditional headshot, it uses the background to provide context and depth, portraying the subject within a broader narrative. For example, a chef is photographed in a kitchen, or an artist in their studio. The setting is chosen to enhance and reveal information about the subject, making the environment a "second character" in the photo. It focuses on more than just the individual; it includes their work, interests, and the spaces they inhabit. And it is a form of visual storytelling where authenticity is an essential feature.

Since this is a project about artists and entrepreneurs, the preferred environment for the photo is where the subject creates their art or conducts their business. Yet the end result is very much a portrait, not a photo of someone actively engaged in their craft.

Why artists and entrepreneurs?

Because in the Venn diagram between those two groups of people, there is considerable overlapping space. Most artists I know are also entrepreneurs of a sort, having to market themselves and sell their art, and deal with all of the business aspects that go along with that. Conversely, many small business owners are engaged in a craft that can rightfully be considered art. Whether you’re a pastry chef or a shop owner, whether you run a food truck or provide a unique financial service, the line between your special talent and that of a traditional artist (such as a painter or a poet) is quite blurry. And why draw that line at all? The purpose of this project is to celebrate creativity in its varied forms, and specifically how that creativity manifests itself in ways that improve the life of both the individual and the community.

Who is eligible to participate?

Any individual artist or small business owner who lives and/or works in or near Sioux Falls, South Dakota is eligible to participate in this art project.

• If you’re an artist, you do not have to be an artist full-time or to rely on your art to make a living. You do not have to be well-known, or even consider yourself a professional artist. All that’s required is that you create art for the love of art itself. You can be a painter, illustrator, sculptor, photographer, writer, woodworker, fiber artist, musician, dancer, actor—any visual, literary or performing art can be represented in this project.

• If you’re an entrepreneur—separately from any art you might be engaged in—the only requirement is that you’re an independent local business owner (not a franchisee), and that there is a physical space (either fixed or mobile) in which you conduct that business that can form the backdrop of your environmental portrait. You do not have to have an official place of business, or employ others; it’s fine if you’re a sole proprietor running your business from home.

What do you need from the participant?

All I ask for is a couple of hours of your undivided time and access to your studio, place of work, or wherever you engage in your art or profession. For example, if you're a writer and you do most of your writing in your home study, that's where the photo shoot would take place. If you're a baker, we might use your bakery's kitchen, or alternatively ithe storefront where your bread is displayed. If you’re an artist, we will shoot in your studio or workshop.

You will need to sign a model release that allows me to exhibit and publish your likeness, and possibly a property release for any recognizable private property that would appear in the photo.

What’s involved in taking an environmental portrait?

In order to build a level of comfort, which is conducive to an authentic portrait, I like to first spend a half hour or so chatting with my subject to get to know each other. I'm happy to tell you anything about myself that you wish to know, but I would love to hear your story—where you came from, how you came to do what you do, and what inspires and motivates you in your daily work as an artist or entrepreneur. This will also form the basis of a brief (one paragraph) biography that will accompany the photo in a possible future exhibition or photo book.

Based on that conversation, we will decide how to arrange the space around you (the environment part of the environmental portrait), and where to place you in that environment for the portrait. This takes perhaps another 15 to 30 minutes.

Next is ensuring proper lighting. Because I value authenticity and spontaneity over style in this type of photography, my lighting setup is very simple—rarely more complicated than a single on-camera flash. I try to keep everything looking natural, and my camera operates very well in low light. That means limiting myself to available light whenever possible, and using flash only to fill in shadows where necessary. The overall light conditions, as well as the colors, texture and tonality of the immediate environment will determine whether the photo will be shot in color or black & white. This part of the preparation may take 15 to 30 minutes.

Finally we will do the shoot itself. I always like to keep a relaxed conversation going while we do this, taking a photo here and there, trying a few different angles or poses, so we don't feel rushed and the portrait comes out natural. I like to reserve at least a half hour for this part.

All this adds up to between 1½ to 2 hours of session time.

Will this cost me anything?

It will cost you nothing except a couple of hours of your time at most. This is a personal art project that I'm spearheading, and I'm solely responsible for the time, energy and resources required to bring it to fruition.

Will I get paid anything?

Unfortunately, no. You will not be remunerated for the session time, nor will you receive any residuals from the sale of prints or photo books, or any other income that may be generated from this project in the future. However, you will receive a gift of a beautiful 12" x 18" fine art print of your final portrait as thanks for your participation.

Will my name be mentioned in any publications?

I would love to mention your name and contact information in any public display or publication that arises from this project. In fact, I intend to have every photo accompanied by a brief biography of the featured individual(s). However, if you'd prefer to remain anonymous, please let me know and I'll gladly honor your request.

How long will this project be open?

I plan to collect environmental portraits through June 2026, to ensure that seasonal arts and businesses are included.

Am I guaranteed a spot in your project?

At the time of this writing it’s too early to tell how many people will sign up for this project. My sincere hope is that I can do a portrait of everyone who does, but there is a limit to my available time, and I want to represent a balance of different disciplines and fields as well as a diversity of stories and backgrounds. For this reason I cannot guarantee that every respondent will be selected for this project. And if I do take your portrait, I cannot guarantee that it will end up as part of an exhibition or photo book, as this would depend on many factors, some of which will be out of my control.

What happens after I sign up?

Soon after you submit the participation form, I will reach out to you to schedule your portrait session; or if you have a question, I will reply to you with an answer first. I will be scheduling portrait sessions into summer, so even if your art or business is seasonal, or you’re just too busy right now, we can schedule it for a date and time that’s optimal for you.