How to photograph Handyman

This is the ultimate guide on how to photograph professionals and Handyman. 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 Handyman and not something completely different. Perhaps the Handyman 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 Handyman - just let him or her work as usual and you will try to capture them in their everyday life as Handyman? Of course, you can combine the editorial pictures with more portrait like pictures to get a complete coverage of the Handyman.

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 Handyman. Ask the Handyman 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 Handyman

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

Canon EOS 6D Mark II Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2017
Type: DSLR
Sensor: Full frame


Sony ZV-E1 Sony ZV-E1
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2023
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame


Canon EOS M50 Canon EOS M50
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2018
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C (1.6x)


Canon EOS 5DS Canon EOS 5DS
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2015
Type: DSLR
Sensor: Full frame


Canon EOS Rebel T7 Canon EOS Rebel T7
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2018
Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C (1.6x)


Best lenses for photographing Handyman

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

Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2012
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,4
Focal Length: 35 mm


Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2021
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,2
Focal Length: 50 mm


Canon EF 85mm F1.4 L IS USM Canon EF 85mm F1.4 L IS USM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2017
Telephoto Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,4
Focal Length: 85 mm


Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Sony FE 50mm F1.8
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2016
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 50 mm


Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.4 G Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.4 G
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2010
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 Handyman? 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.

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

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

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

Painter is painting outside a store See camera and lens details
1/250s  50mm  f/7,1

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

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

Surgeon and Surgery Nurses working together See camera and lens details
1/100s  15mm  f/5,6

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

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

Airline Pilot is approaching New York in his simulator See camera and lens details
1/60s  26mm  f/3,5

An asian teacher is educating her students in the forest See camera and lens details
1/200s  150mm  f/4,5

Pastor is reading the Bible See camera and lens details
1/400s  238mm  f/6,3

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

Dough and flour on table See camera and lens details
1/50s  50mm  f/3,5