How to photograph Bar Staff

This is the ultimate guide on how to photograph professionals and Bar Staff. As always, when taking pictures of people there are things to think about and below you will also find both camera and lens recommendations.

When trying to capture certain professionals you want the picture and the surroundings to say something, showing the audience that this is a Bar Staff and not something completely different. Perhaps the Bar Staff has an enviroment that you can clearly connect to their profession. A baker has his bakery, a pilot his cockpit and so on.

A professional portrait does not have to be a direct portrait, and if you are photographing the Bar Staff - just let him or her work as usual and you will try to capture them in their everyday life as Bar Staff? Of course, you can combine the editorial pictures with more portrait like pictures to get a complete coverage of the Bar Staff.

When taking editorial pictures it is really nice to have either a wide angle (such as 14-24 or 16-35mm) or a standard zoom lens (24-70mm etc). That will give you a lot of coverage in most situations and enviroments.

Moving on to the portraits it is really nice to use lenses with a maximum aperture value around f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2. When using lenses like this you can really make the eyes or details to pop out and be sharp and crisp while the rest of the image can be a bit blurry. And this can both be standard prime lenses (as 35mm/f1.4, 50mm/f1.8 etc) as well as telephoto prime lenses (such as 85/f1.8, 105/f2.8 etc).

And remember, it is always worth getting a bit uncomfortable in order to get the best picture of the Bar Staff. Ask the Bar Staff if you can join them for a working day, no matter where and in what surroundings. Dare to get a bit dirty and your clients will definately appreciate the effort afterwards.

Best cameras for photographing Bar Staff

Perhaps you already have a camera but here are some popular camera alternatives that might be suitable for photographing professionals and Bar Staff.

Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2019
Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C (1.6x)


Canon EOS Rebel T7i Canon EOS Rebel T7i
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2017
Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C (1.6x)


Fujifilm X-T1 IR Fujifilm X-T1 IR
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2015
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C (1.5x)


Canon EOS M6 Mark II Canon EOS M6 Mark II
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2019
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C (1.6x)


Fujifilm GFX 100 Fujifilm GFX 100
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2019
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Medium Format (0.79x)


Best lenses for photographing Bar Staff

Here are some popular lenses that might suit your needs when photographing professionals and Bar Staff. You can also view all of our lenses or start by selecting your camera and then see which lenses that are compatible.

Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2022
Telephoto Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 135 mm


Nikon AF-S DX 35mm F1.8 G Nikon AF-S DX 35mm F1.8 G
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2009
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 35 mm


Canon EF 28mm F1.8 USM Canon EF 28mm F1.8 USM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 1995
Wide Angle Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 28 mm


Nikon AF-S 28mm F1.8 G Nikon AF-S 28mm F1.8 G
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2012
Wide Angle Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 28 mm


Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA Distagon T Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA Distagon T
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2015
Wide Angle Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,4
Focal Length: 35 mm


Images of other professionals

Here are a few images of professionals that might inspire you. Perhaps these can give you ideas on how to best photograph your Bar Staff? Click on the image you want to know more about. Each image has information with which camera and lens they were shot and with which settings.

Tattoo Artist is working in his studio See camera and lens details
1/125s  50mm  f/2,8

Carpenter is using a grinder to cut some metal See camera and lens details
1/100s  20mm  f/5,6

A fisherman is heading out in the morning and laying out his nets See camera and lens details
1/400s  220mm  f/11

Portrait of a female CEO See camera and lens details
1/160s  105mm  f/9

Hotel Receptionist is answering the phone See camera and lens details
1/80s  48mm  f/2,8

Canon photographer with his Canon EF 400mm f/2,8 IS USM telephoto lens See camera and lens details
1/320s  135mm  f/5,6

Computer Specialist is inserting a new graphic card into his computer See camera and lens details
1/100s  50mm  f/4,5

A female model and brunette with curly hair See camera and lens details
1/80s  85mm  f/5,6

Architects are reviewing their project See camera and lens details
1/250s  24mm  f/2,8

A trader at a desk with three monitors and a laptop See camera and lens details
1/80s  35mm  f/4

Chef in his workspace - the restaurant kitchen See camera and lens details
1/20s  24mm  f/4

Teaching in front of her class and students are raising their hands See camera and lens details
1/125s  70mm  f/3,2

A dentist is examing a male patient See camera and lens details
1/60s  56mm  f/4,5

Computer specialist at his repair studio See camera and lens details
1/160s  105mm  f/9

DJ with a tattoo on his forearm at his Pioneer mixer table See camera and lens details
1/25s  35mm  f/1,4