My sessions are relaxed and straightforward. If you have something specific in mind, we can talk through it briefly at the start. Otherwise, we’ll begin by setting up the lighting and taking a few test shots to get comfortable.
I’ll give you as much or as little direction as you want. Most people don’t love being in front of the camera, so the goal is to keep things easy and natural. Time tends to go quickly once we get going.
I’ll also pause occasionally to show you what we’re getting, so we can adjust and make sure we’re on the right track.
If you’d like, you can play music during the session—I have speakers you can connect to—and I’ll have something to drink and a few snacks available.
Toward the end, once we know we have what you need, we can experiment a bit more—different lighting setups, maybe some color or more dramatic looks. Some of the most interesting images often come out of that part of the session.
Kay during a potrait session
My approach
01.
Make you say "wow".
I want to capture at least a few images that make you say "wow!". That is my goal for each portrait session. I want to please you beyond your expectations. This really is my goal because when you say "wow" it makes my day!
02.
I want my work to be different.
Yes, the name of my site is Different Portraits and that is intentional, not a marketing trick. I want my images to look different from what you can get at other places. That is my goal for each session. The best way to describe it would me like this. Imagine you are having a great time out with friends or alone and someone shoots a candid photo of you that you love; it's your favorite picture of you. Unfortunately it was shot in poor lighting, framed badly and it's low resolution. I want to shoot that photo and capture that expression but with the experience of a professional photographer: excellent lighting, framed perfectly, hi-res, well exposed photo.
Can I bring a friend?
Sure, no problem. I will even take a few photos of you with your friend if you like.
What should I wear?
We will talk about this before you come to the session. It all depends on your needs.
How many pictures will I receive?
You will see all of the images we have taken. There are different packages for hi-res image purchase.
Do you travel to location shoots?
Yes, I do! We have portable lighting and reflectors that we use on location.
Do you do Weddings?
I do but not in a traditional way. I like shooting weddings with a 'fly on the wall' mentality. I wander around and shoot what I think is interesting and represents the event.
What makes you different from the other photographers?
I’m not trying to create a certain “look” or follow trends. My goal is to make something that feels natural and specific to you.
Most people I photograph aren’t used to being in front of a camera, so the session is relaxed and guided without being over-directed. The focus is on getting something that feels honest and comfortable, rather than overly styled or forced.
If you need a straightforward headshot for LinkedIn or social media, we’ll absolutely get that. But we’ll also take the time to make sure it feels like you on your best day—not a generic version of it.