INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS THAT LOOK LIKE YOU ON YOUR BEST DAY

Sometimes the photos are just for you. Maybe you need a headshot that doesn't feel stiff and corporate, maybe you're building a personal brand, maybe you just want some good photos of yourself for once. Whatever the reason, the goal is the same. You should look like you, not a dressed-up version of someone else.

I know being in front of the camera on your own can feel like a lot. There's no group to hide in, no kids to look at instead of the lens. But that's exactly why I keep these sessions easy and low-pressure. We'll talk, I'll guide you, and little by little you'll forget to be nervous. The photos that come out of that are the ones that actually look like you. 

What are individual portrait sessions good for?

All kinds of things. Personal branding and headshots that don't feel stiff or corporate, creative portraits where you bring what makes you you, occasion portraits before a big event, or just-for-you photos because you want good pictures of yourself for once. You don't need a reason — wanting them is reason enough.

A few of the most common ones:

• Personal branding & headshots — for your website, LinkedIn, or your own business, without the flat, fluorescent-office look

• Creative & personal portraits — bring what makes you you; an instrument, your work, something that tells your story

• Event & occasion portraits — heading somewhere special and want photos before you go? I recently shot a set of mini-sessions for individuals getting ready for a ball at the Palace of Fine Arts, and those dressed-up, in-the-moment portraits were some of my favorites. See gallery here

• Just-for-you portraits — you don't need a reason. Wanting good photos of yourself is reason enough

Where do you shoot individual sessions?

I photograph individual sessions across San Francisco and the Peninsula, at spots like the Palace of Fine Arts, the Dutch Windmills in Golden Gate Park, Filoli in Woodside, and Half Moon Bay, plus the greater Bay Area. If there's a setting that feels like you, we can shoot there.

The right setting makes everything easier, and gives you somewhere to wander and ease into the session. A few of my favorite spots for portraits:

• Palace of Fine Arts (San Francisco) — striking architecture and soft, flattering light; a favorite of mine for portraits.

• Dutch Windmills, Golden Gate Park (San Francisco) — tulips in spring, green and quiet the rest of the year

• Filoli Historic House & Garden (Woodside) — elegant gardens and beautiful golden light

• Half Moon Bay — coastal and open, lovely toward the end of the day

I also shoot across the bay and further south when it suits the look you're going for, including Vasona Lake (Los Gatos), the San Jose Rose Garden, and Roberts Regional Recreation Area (Oakland). And if there's a spot that fits your style or your story, let's use it — the session should feel like you from the location on out.

What does a session actually feel like?

Easy and unhurried. We'll talk as much as we shoot, and I'll guide you the whole way through so you're never left standing there wondering what to do — real expressions over posed ones, with a mix of close, clean frames and some wider shots with room to breathe. You'll leave with photos that look like the best, most natural version of you.

Not a stranger in your clothes — actually you, on a good day.

Ready When You Are

Let's make some portraits you actually feel good about. I'd love to hear what you're looking for.  Contact Me