PORTRAITS · NEW YORK CITY

Portraits that look like you on a good day.

Family, maternity, senior, actor, or just you. Studio, your place, or somewhere in the city that means something. Directed properly so nobody has to figure out what to do with their hands.

Portrait from the Stolen Heart Media portfolio
STARTING PRICE

Portrait sessions from $550.

One hour at one location with guided direction, 15 fully retouched images, a 48-hour preview and print rights. Larger groups and multiple locations receive a flat quote.

DIRECTION

"Just be natural" is terrible direction.

Nobody knows how to be natural while a stranger points a camera at them. Being told to relax makes it worse. That's why so many portrait sessions produce stiff photos of people who are perfectly relaxed in real life.

We direct with tasks, not adjectives. Walk toward me and stop when I say. Whisper something to him. Look at her, not at me. The photo gets taken during the doing, not during the posing. That's the entire trick, and it's why kids and camera-shy adults come out of these sessions surprised.

One practical thing: book the hour before sunset. New York's midday sun carves shadows under everyone's eyes. Golden hour costs nothing and does more for a portrait than any amount of retouching.

Portrait from the Stolen Heart Media portfolio
SESSIONS

Portraits we shoot

01

Family portraits

On location or in your home. Up to about 12 people. The annual one your parents keep asking for, done properly this time.

02

Maternity

Usually 30–36 weeks. Studio, golden hour outdoors, or at home. Warm, simple and not overwrought.

03

Newborn & milestone

Lifestyle sessions in your home in the first weeks. Real light, real room, no props or baskets.

04

Senior portraits

Graduation year, shot around the city instead of against a school backdrop. Multiple looks in one session.

05

Actor headshots

Commercial and theatrical looks, industry-standard framing, shot for casting directors rather than for a feed.

06

Individual portraits

Dating profiles, a birthday, a new chapter, or no reason at all. Sometimes you just want a good photo of yourself.

LOCATIONS

Where we shoot around the city

Pick the vibe and we will suggest the spot, including the permits and the timing that make it work.

Parks & green

Central Park, Prospect Park, Fort Tryon, the Bronx Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic.

Skyline & water

DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Gantry Plaza, Governors Island, the Highline.

Streets & texture

West Village, SoHo, Bushwick, Harlem brownstones, the Lower East Side.

Indoors

Our studio, your apartment, your office, or a rented space we scout for you.

FAQ

Portrait session questions

How is my final price confirmed?

General photography projects start at $200 per hour. Corporate event photography starts at $275 per hour. Wedding photography starts at $1,200 for four hours; six-hour photography and video starts at $2,350. Your proposal confirms coverage, crew, deliverables, travel and payment terms before booking.

Where do you shoot portraits in New York?

Studio, your home, or on location across the city. Central Park, Prospect Park, DUMBO, the Brooklyn Bridge, Fort Tryon, the West Village and the Bronx Botanical Garden are all regulars. We will suggest locations based on the look you want.

What time of day is best for outdoor portraits?

The hour after sunrise or the 90 minutes before sunset. Midday sun puts hard shadows under everyone's eyes. If midday is your only option we shoot in open shade and bring light, but golden hour is genuinely better and it is free.

Do you shoot maternity and newborn portraits?

Maternity yes, typically between 30 and 36 weeks. For newborns we shoot lifestyle sessions in your home in the first few weeks rather than posed studio newborn work.

How many people can be in a family portrait session?

Up to about 12 in a standard session. Beyond that, extended-family and reunion sessions need a longer block so we can shoot every combination without rushing.

How long until we get the photos?

A preview set within 48 hours and the full retouched gallery within 14 days, with print rights and an easy print ordering option for relatives.

NEXT STEP

Good photos of you shouldn't be rare.

Tell us who's in it, roughly when, and what it's for. We'll suggest a location and send times.