London has no shortage of photographers offering portrait sessions, which makes the choice harder, not easier. The portfolio is the obvious starting point, but it’s rarely the whole story.
Look for consistency across a photographer’s recent work, not just their best three images. Anyone can produce a handful of standout shots; the useful signal is whether every session in their portfolio holds up, because that’s the version of quality you’re actually booking.
Just as important is how a photographer talks about your portrait session before it happens; a short call or a few email exchanges should tell you whether they’ve listened to what you actually need, rather than offering the same package to everyone regardless of the brief. What happens after the shoot matters too. Ask about proofing timing, retouching, delivery. Get it in writing if it matters.
See also: How to get the most from your portrait session, start to finish.
Pricing, process and everything else sits on the Portraits page, and a direct message gets a straight answer faster than a search ever will, so get in touch if in doubt.
FAQs
Some quick answers here.
I hate having my photo taken. Will this work?
That is the rule, not the exception. Sessions are directed from start to finish, so nobody stands there wondering what to do with their hands. Most people relax inside ten minutes.
Where do portrait sessions happen?
Most sessions run at LemonShark Studio, 769 Fulham Road SW6, five minutes from Parsons Green. On request sessions run on location anywhere in London: an office, a street, a park that means something.
Further reading
Related reading below.
- Booking a portrait session for the festive season
- Hidden costs to ask about before booking a portrait session
- What's different about a portrait session for creatives
- The best time of year to book a portrait session in London
- What's actually included in the price of a portrait session?
The steps
Broken down, it looks like this.
- Check the portfolio for consistency. Every session should hold up on its own, not just the best three images.
- Have a conversation before booking. A short call or a few emails should show whether they've actually listened to the brief, rather than offering the same fixed package to every client regardless of what they came in asking for.
- Ask what happens after the shoot. Proofing timing, retouching, delivery. Get it in writing.