Portraiture

Process

Before your session, we'll review your intended use, professional requirements and the impression you'd like your photographs to communicate.

Your session is planned around these priorities, whether you're updating acting headshots, professional profiles, casting materials or personal branding imagery.

The experience

A focused 30-minute studio session with individual guidance in posing, expression and presentation. Choose from 10 backdrop colours, with lighting and photographic direction tailored to your features, personal style and intended use.

Deliverables

• 3 client-selected, professionally retouched headshots.
• Curated proof gallery with Photographer's Selects to assist your selection.
• Optional Agent Review Sheet upon request.
• High-resolution and web-ready versions of each final image.
• Delivery within 5 business days of receiving your selections.
• Additional final images, priority delivery and Actor Casting Slate available as upgrades.

Pricing

From £150 for a 30-minute session, including 3 professionally retouched photographs. Optional upgrades are priced separately.

Availability

Available on selected session dates at Backstairs Studio, London. Advance booking and completion of a short intake form are required.

See this work in the portfolio →

Process

Your session begins with a short intake form covering your modelling experience, intended use and any agency requirements. We'll use this information to prioritise the photographs you need, whether for agency submissions, castings, portfolio updates or direct bookings.

The experience

A focused 30-minute studio session prioritising clean lighting, natural presentation and accurate professional coverage. You'll receive guidance in posing, expression and stance throughout, with an emphasis on capturing your appearance clearly rather than creating heavily styled or editorial imagery.

Deliverables

• 12 photographer-curated final digitals.
• Essential close-up, profile, three-quarter, mid-length and full-length views.
• Natural colour, exposure and consistency corrections only, without appearance-altering retouching.
• Photographer's Selects identifying particularly strong images.
• Optional Agency Review Sheet upon request.
• Digital gallery delivered within 72 hours, with 24-hour priority delivery available as an upgrade.

Pricing

From £150 for a 30-minute session. Optional upgrades are available during booking.

Availability

Available on selected session dates at Backstairs Studio, London. Booking and completion of a short intake form are required in advance.

See this work in the portfolio →

Process

Your session is developed around your personal style, creative ideas and intended use. A pre-session questionnaire helps establish the visual direction, with an optional short consultation where scheduling permits. You can bring your own references and ideas or leave the creative direction to Backstairs Studio.

The experience

A 60-minute, concept-led studio session featuring two looks and up to two backdrop colours. We'll explore lighting, composition, expression and styling to create a distinctive body of imagery, with creative direction and guided posing throughout.

Suitable for artists, creatives, personal portfolios, press imagery, promotional materials and individual creative projects.

Deliverables

• 12 client-selected final photographs, each delivered in colour and black & white.
• High-end retouching on 3 selected images.
• Curated proof gallery for image selection.
• Additional images and high-end retouching available for purchase.
• Completed gallery delivered within 10 business days of receiving your selections.
• High-resolution digital photographs suitable for portfolio and promotional use.

Pricing

From £300 for a 60-minute session, including two looks, 12 final photographs and 3 high-end retouched selections. Additional images and retouching are available separately.

Availability

Available on selected session dates at Backstairs Studio, London. Advance booking and completion of a short intake form are required.

See this work in the portfolio →

Process

Your session begins with a creative questionnaire exploring your performance identity, costume, props, visual references and promotional needs. We'll develop a photographic direction around your act, with an optional short consultation where scheduling allows.

The experience

A 60-minute, concept-led studio session focused on one primary performance look or character. Lighting, composition, movement and art direction are tailored to your stage persona, with opportunities for variation through accessories, props, styling adjustments and up to two backdrop colours.

Designed for drag artists, cabaret performers, burlesque artists, musicians and other performance-based creatives seeking distinctive promotional imagery.

Deliverables

• 12 client-selected final photographs, each delivered in colour and black & white.
• High-end retouching on 3 selected photographs.
• Curated proof gallery for final image selection.
• Additional images and retouching available for purchase.
• Completed gallery delivered within 10 business days of receiving your selections.
• Digital images suitable for press, posters, websites, portfolios and performer promotion.

Pricing

From £300 for a 60-minute session, including one primary performance look, 12 final photographs and 3 high-end retouched selections. Additional images and retouching are available separately.

Availability

Available on selected session dates at Backstairs Studio, London. Costume and prop requirements must be provided in advance, and certain performance elements require studio approval.

See this work in the portfolio →

Process

A photographer-led approach to strengthening your modelling portfolio. Before your session, we'll review your existing work, professional goals and any agency guidance to identify opportunities for development. Your booking includes a separate pre-session consultation, during which we'll establish two differentiated photographic approaches to add useful range to your portfolio.

New models without existing portfolios are equally welcome.

The experience

A 60-minute studio test featuring two self-styled looks, with active photographic direction throughout. Lighting, composition, backdrop treatment, expression and movement are developed around your portfolio needs rather than a predetermined aesthetic.

The focus is on creating versatile, professionally useful photographs that complement your existing book or establish a considered starting point.

Deliverables

• 8 client-selected final photographs, each delivered in colour and black & white.
• High-end retouching on 2 selected images.
• High-resolution and web-ready versions of all final photographs.
• Curated proof gallery with Photographer's Portfolio Selects.
• Personalised Backstairs Portfolio Notes highlighting strengths, useful additions to your book and future areas for development.
• Completed gallery delivered within 7 business days of receiving your selections.

Pricing

From £260 for a 60-minute studio session, including pre-session portfolio review and consultation, two looks, 8 final photographs and 2 high-end retouched selections.

Availability

Available on selected session dates at Backstairs Studio, London. Advance booking is required to allow sufficient time for portfolio review and consultation.

Bookings made less than 48 hours in advance may require consultation by email instead of a call.