Personal portraits for individuals
I think of personal portraits as an exploration between the photographer and the subject, where we start with a general idea of the look or feeling we’re going for, and then we play, to capture some authentic expressions of your personality. I enjoy working with people who are not that comfortable in front of the camera, not models, and helping them have a stress-free experience and then be surprised at how great they look in the photos! I create classic images that are worthy of becoming framed prints that make you happy when you see them in your home.
Personal portraits for families, kids, couples
For portraits of kids, couples and different family groupings, it’s everything I said above, plus showing the bonds between people. I look for emotion shown through interactions, to capture relationships in a genuine, non-cheesy way. I have shot these kinds of portraits in my studio, outdoors in nature, and in the clients’ home.
Business/professional headshots in my studio or on location. Group discounts available.
For executive/ professional headshots, my goal is to help you present yourself in the best way for your purpose, whether you are an interior designer, engineer, performer, attorney, blogger, etc. I also want to let your personality shine through, and give you some variety to choose from. I always look to use angles and lighting to catch your best look, so that the photos are flattering but natural. My general philosophy of retouching is just to soften “flaws” that I wouldn’t really notice if I were talking to you in person, so the photo just reflects your best you.
Promotional photos for performers and other creative professionals.
I will help you capture the memorably dramatic or creative look that you want to project to your audience.
What is the difference between a personal portrait and a business/professional headshot?
A business headshot has a well-defined purpose: to show the subject looking confident and professional, in business apparel. It should have a clean, contemporary look with even, flattering lighting and angles. It will make you look good on Linkedin, your business website, and wherever you need to present your professional face.
A personal portrait, on the other hand, has no rules. It might have dramatic, shadowy lighting and a mysterious vibe, it may show a huge laugh or a serious look, it can look artistic or “fashion editorial.” There is no marketing purpose; it’s just to have fun, to capture your look at this moment, to make you happy.
A hybrid of those two styles of photo is: promotional shots for people in creative arts. These are photos that may be dramatic, personal and expressive, but they have a marketing purpose, so they need to be created with an eye toward the intended audience and usage.
Portraits for online dating profiles
Portraits with a candid, non-studio look, but with nice lighting!
Candid on-location photography in business, non-profit organization, and education settings
Personalize your website or printed communications with custom photography that tells the story of your school, studio, clinic or other place of business. Help your potential clients understand what you do and feel like they already know you. For instance, I spent a few hours at Village Montessori School in Montgomery Village, Maryland, shooting photos of the classrooms, kids, staff, and playground, so that when parents see the home page slides on the VMS website, or take the virtual tour, they get a great idea of the school environment and feel encouraged to take the next step of visiting in person.
© Copyright 2017 Axie Breen
