Creating Better Corporate & Environmental Portraits

Creating Better Corporate & Environmental Portraits

Author: Steve Brazill August 11, 2022 Duration: 49:58

Corporate portraits can be challenging. Everything from tight spaces and limited time, to a mix of personalities and desired goals, the photographer has to become the fixer. Adding to that, telling the story of what someone does in a single photo might be one of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to do.

When it comes to these types of commercial shoots, there are many possible directions you can go. Some people opt for the traditional portrait, the ones against a backdrop. Others try to embrace the story of the subject with an environmental portrait, by placing the subject in a scene designed to help the story. This is where today’s guest excels.

Spokane, WA based Zack Berlat is a commercial and editorial photographer that specializes in creative portraits, combining bold colors, dynamic compositions, and authentic emotion. Looking through his portfolio is like looking at a book full of inspiration. Photo after photo that uses space and the subject’s environment in some of the most wonderfully creative ways.

Zack’s work has taken him everywhere from a 6×12 jail cell to a 14th-century monastery in the Italian countryside, and his approach to portraiture is clear… he brings a refreshing curiosity about what makes his subjects who they are.

With clients ranging from Gonzaga and Regis Universities to Providence Hospitals and the Spokane Symphony, Zack has mastered the art of placing a person in a scene in a way that immediately tells the viewer what they are looking at.

Join commercial and editorial photographer Zack Berlat and me as we take a look at how to create better corporate and environmental portraits, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Connect with Zack

Personal: zackberlat.com
Instagram: @zackberlat

Zack’s Photographer Pick

Steve Korn: stevekornphoto.com


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 51:16
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Artistic Macros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:22
One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is that I get to discover and meet some amazing photographers, and L.A. based Nikon Ambassador Joey Terrill is a perfect example. We’ve all joked about a photographer we kno…
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Duration: 1:04:44
I find guests for Behind the Shot in a number of ways. Sometimes it’s a referral from a friend, sometimes it’s a cold email I send after seeing an image I just need to know more about, and now and then it’s through a pho…
Portrait Composites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:53
One look at the client list at the bottom of Paul Mobley’s About page and it’s quickly apparent that he’s one of the best commercial, advertising, and editorial portrait photographers working today. It’s a list of A leve…
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Duration: 1:01:51
Zoe Rain is one of those photographers in the rare group of artists that was born to do what she does. Some people can learn to become amazing artists, while others, people like Zoe, seem to have a natural gift for seein…