Arresting photography,
made with care
headshots and portraits for people who want more than just a photo
Photography of consequence
Fast, competent, forgettable - that's one kind of photography. This is another.
I work slowly and with intention, treating each shoot as the making of something with real aesthetic and practical significance.
The standard is not whether the image is flattering or functional, it's whether it matters.
“One of the things that I like about your work is that I can see the academic background. I see the careful and delicate positioning of of the person. I can sense an Avedon-esque direction you give your client.
You want them to be in the moment and to think about something in their lives. But I also see a level of exploration, both with you and your client. You love having the camera in your hand and you love the connection with your subject.”
Hi, I’m Chris
The best portraits are made when you are no longer thinking about the camera. So I focus on creating a calm, intentional session into which you can settle and feel at ease. The photography flows from there.
This philosophy comes, in part from my anauralia; because I have no internal monologue, I don’t come with preconceived notions of who you are or what to expect. My creative process involves creating with you a welcoming and thought-provoking environment and, within it, developing through discussion and experimentation a resonance that translates into photographs. Photoshoots with me are collaborative by design, shaped through conversation and your contribution.
I've been creating portraits professionally since 2020 and, before photography, I was an award-winning lecturer in political philosophy. That experience now informs how I structure and direct sessions, helping you articulate what you want from your images and guiding you carefully towards it.
If this way of working appeals to you, you can learn more about me below.
The Photoshoot Process
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I think that excellent photography really makes a difference in people’s lives, and to get there I go about things a bit differently from other photographers.
My Signature sessions are designed to make sure you get a beautiful set of photographs that help you achieve your ambitions and, to do so, we take our time. Signature session have no limits on duration, outfits, or backdrops – we’ll take as long as we need to make sure you’re delighted with a set of photos that work for you as hard as you do.
Some people however just want the one photo for something like a LinkedIn update. This is no less important, and it’s important that this is done right. I’ve designed the the Essential session for just this. Fill in the pre-shoot questionnaire so I can tailor a 30 minute session just for you, then pop into the studio during a lunch break to get the one ideal shot for you. A meaningful photo that you’ll be proud to show off, and you’ll be back doing what you do best in no time.
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Daunted by the prospect of lights and cameras pointing at them with a relative stranger taking photos of them? You’re in good company: 9 out of 10 clients tell me something like this, and that they think they look awful on camera.
I get it! Fortunately, this way of thinking is almost always due to bad experiences in the past: let’s change all that, shall we?
During my Signature session, which has no time limit (though commonly lasts around three hours), the first thing we will do when you come in will be to sit down over a cuppa, get comfortable and have a chat. I’ll get to know you, your ambitions and how you intend to use your photos, and give you some initial tips on how to look fantastic on camera – these really do work, even out of the studio!
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Regardless of which shoot you go for, I will provide as much or as little guidance as needed for you to get the images you want. Some clients love being in front of the camera, some are nervous but warm up as the shoot goes on, whilst others are doing it purely out of necessity!
I’ll adapt throughout the shoot to ensure you feel supported and stimulated enough to create stunning images regardless of your level of confidence. In addition, I’ll suggest lighting and backdrop changes to complement your wardrobe and the look you wish to portray.
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… will go through the longlist of photos we have been building up throughout the photo shoot. If we’re doing an Essential session we’ll do this quickly so you can go back to doing what you do best. During the Signature session, we can take our time over another cuppa, or perhaps a glass of prosecco. This is the really difficult bit: narrowing down the list of photos into the ones you really want!
Most clients buy between five and 10 images, recognising the importance of a variety of high-quality photos in their portfolio, but I will never upsell anything: my reputation matches my commitment that clients take home only images they genuinely love and are confident showing off. I don’t sell packages for this very reason; I would hate to force clients to spend money on photos that were not going to be shown off.
Most clients are happy choosing from the shots we take before putting the camera down. However, if we don’t quite have what you’re looking for and as there really is no time limit, we can always turn the lights back on and get a few more shots!
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… I will apply some light retouching and my signature colour grading. I don’t go for heavily edited, porcelain skin: my retouching will make you look like the best version of you within a hypothetical two week period, and I’ll remove any skin issues that wouldn’t typically be there.
I’ll have the results ready for you within two weeks (turnaround time can be shorter and I can do rush jobs, but please let me know in advance and this will incur a £50 charge).
Actor Duncan Woodruff on his experience at Chris Henry Photography
Featured Posts
Inspired to make something lasting?
If you like my work and are ready to work together, let’s chat.
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