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# Street Style Portraits Offer a Story
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/street-style-portraits-offer-a-story/
- Published: 2018-04-18T21:42:54.000Z
- Updated: 2018-04-19T23:43:33.000Z
- Author: Capitol Communicator
- Tags: Communications, Design, Insights, #Import 2026-10-08 18:49

**By Geoff Livingston**

**Headshots and business portraits are a necessary evil**. When I shoot portraits, I try to steer people towards street scenes.

Most portraits I see are studio or indoor-based shots. You can tell a story with a well-crafted indoor portrait. In some cases that can be pretty amazing.

It takes creativity, make-up, hair styling (in most cases), and wardrobe. Many portrait photographers will use a backdrop or a set to help tell that story. This is not something done on the cheap like most corporate portraits are.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Natalia-480_preview.jpeg)

Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of portraits offer a cafeteria-style headshot. As a photographer, I feel that such shots haven’t fulfilled the medium’s potential.

As a marketing executive, I get it. Budgets are budgets.

**Affordable Storytelling with Street Shots**

That’s why if budget is dictating the shots, I prefer doing a series of portraits outdoors in a scene.

Why shoot headshots outdoors in specific locations. This preference may have as much to do with my natural inclination towards street photography as it does the technical functionality of a good well-lit headshot.

Street shots tell a story, with the background providing a part of the narrative. Whether it’s skyscrapers, or bridges, or townhomes, or simply a mural behind someone, the portrait offers context.

That story can be professional.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Jimmy-Fox-480_preview.jpeg)

***Jimmy Fox***

Or personal.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Crister-480_preview.jpeg)

*Crister DelaCruz*

Or somewhere in between.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Jenn-480-second-version.jpg)

*Jenn Sherman*

**Choose Your Setting Wisely**

Choosing your setting goes a long way to providing the right story. The setting provides the foundation for the photograph’s story. If you want to tell a federal story, go beyond a monument and find a building or a scene that communicates specifically your type of government business.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Maria-Perez-480_preview.jpeg)

Consider your brand. If it was in a movie, how would the opening scene start? Where would it be? That’s why a street portrait can make a huge impact for your brand. You’re literally telling the story. 

The below shot of my friend Shai was taken last fall. It intentionally told a bit of a forest fairytale. I scoped the site our shoot — Difficult Run — a week in advance.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Shai-480_preview.jpeg)

You can also see her wardrobe and hairstyle helped communicate the feel. None of this cost extra money, it was all shot with her existing clothes. With a good scene shot combined with a smart wardrobe choice and a well communicated intent, you can produce a smart visual story.

Don’t you want your paid photography to tell a story for your brand? If you can’t pay big bucks for professional studio shots, then let the street help you.

*You can learn more about Geoff Livingston’s photography* [*here*](http://geofflivingston.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*. Join Geoff for a street photography workshop on Saturday, May 19\. Check out the details* [*here*](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/washington-dc-street-photography-workshop-tickets-44950460036?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*.*