Rooted in Story: Photographing Regina of Arboreal Solutions
Regina Costa, owner of Arboreal Solutions, photographed in the place she feels most at home, caring for Rhode Island’s trees with expertise and heart.
Every once in a while, a portrait session reminds me exactly why I love what I do. This project with Regina Costa, owner of Arboreal Solutions, was one of those moments.
I first met Regina at a local farmer’s market. She had a small booth, a warm smile, and a passion for tree care that was contagious. We talked for a long time about my own twelve acres of woods, her approach to arboriculture, and her mission to care for trees in a way that lets them thrive for generations. I instantly knew she was someone I wanted to photograph. She is the kind of small business owner you root for, deeply knowledgeable, community minded, and genuinely in love with her work.
When the opportunity came to create a portrait for her business, I knew exactly what direction to take: an environmental portrait that shows the heart of her work, the people, the equipment, the land, while keeping Regina authentically front and center.
A Simple, Intentional Production
This wasn’t a staged, all day production. Regina and her team were on a working job site in Rhode Island, removing a few trees and managing the day’s workflow. My goal was not to disrupt their operations, but to blend into the environment. I wanted to observe, find the moments, and create something meaningful without slowing anyone down.
A quick selfie with Regina on site. I used a single softbox to add flattering light and kept the session moving so she could stay present with her team.
I kept the setup simple:
A single softbox to gently lift the light on her face
Balanced natural sunlight to maintain a real, grounded look
A fast, focused workflow so Regina could stay present both as a subject and as a leader on the job
I wanted the portrait to communicate two things at once:
Her expertise and leadership, with her team and heavy equipment working behind her.
Her approachability and love for nature, the qualities that make her business stand out.
Regina stepped aside just long enough for me to capture a connected, confident portrait. She was still fully in team leader mode, which I loved. It kept her expression real. No performance. No overthinking. Just Regina, the arborist, the scientist, and the caretaker of Rhode Island’s trees.
Regina on site with her team, balancing expertise, safety, and real-time decision making. These authentic moments are at the heart of environmental portrait work.
Why I Love Environmental Portraits
Environmental portraiture has always been one of my favorite forms of storytelling. Indoors or outdoors, it allows me to combine a person with the place that defines them.
Many people credit the grandfather of environmental portraiture as Arnold Newman, and I had the privilege of spending a week with him and his wife in Santa Fe years ago. It was one of the highlights of my career to learn directly from someone whose work shaped how I think about portraits in relation to environment. His philosophy resonates with me daily.
““The surroundings had to add to the composition and the understanding of the person.””
That is exactly what I aim for, especially in sessions like this one. With Regina, her surroundings weren’t just a backdrop. They were part of her story. Without the rumble of equipment, the sawdust in the air, and her team working behind her, a key part of her identity would be missing.
Environmental portraiture is about the connection between a person and the world they move through. When those elements come together, the photograph becomes more than a portrait. It becomes a visual narrative.
A Small Business Rooted in Passion
What drew me to Regina isn’t just her knowledge. It is her spirit, her dedication, and her genuine love of trees and land. Her philosophy comes through in her tagline:
“Professional tree care services in Rhode Island to keep your beloved trees healthy and full of life!”
And her bio says it all, a licensed ISA certified arborist with a background in engineering, blending science and care into a business that supports local ecosystems.
Her LinkedIn posts reflect this too, thoughtful, educational content about caring for trees, root systems, soil health, pruning, and environmental longevity. It shows how much she wants to teach and uplift others, not just provide a service.
More Than a Portrait, It Is a Story About Rhode Island Small Business
As someone who works with many small and midsized businesses across Rhode Island and Boston, this session reinforced something I think marketers, founders, and communications teams understand well:
A portrait isn’t just a headshot.
It is an introduction.
It is a representation of values.
It is a chance to show what is unique and human about a business.
Photographing Regina reminded me that when you combine real environments with real people, the story becomes something people feel, not just see.
What Marketers Might Want to Know for Their Own Sessions
If you are planning portraits or visual storytelling projects for your business, here are a few things I always consider:
What story do we want to tell beyond the portrait
Should we incorporate team energy or company operations in the background
How can we keep production simple while maintaining professional polish
What part of this person’s personality or expertise do we want to highlight
What environment best represents who they are and what they do
These are the elements that shape a portrait into something meaningful, something that connects with clients, customers, and your community.