A good professional portrait doesn’t invent a character. It shows who you are, at your best — no stiffness, none of the glazed look of someone told to “smile for the camera.” What interests me is the second when a person breathes in, relaxes their shoulders and remembers who they are in real life, away from the lens. That’s the second when the portrait gains its strength.

I’ve been photographing weddings with a documentary approach for 15 years. This is the same eye applied to corporate portraits: considered light, discreet direction, and the intent to show the real person behind the CV. I work at my Estúdio 266, in Vila Nova de Gaia, 10 minutes from the centre of Porto — or at your office, depending on the context and scale of the project.

Who this portrait is for

A professional portrait serves different intentions. Any of them is welcome at the studio, but the final result changes depending on the goal — that’s what we’ll start by aligning in our initial conversation.

Executives and independent professionals

Those who need an updated image for LinkedIn, the company website or the “About” page. Lawyers, doctors, consultants, architects, managers. Here the goal is to convey competence without stiffness — whoever looks at the photograph should feel they’re seeing a person, not reading a corporate pamphlet. I deliver framings designed specifically for the LinkedIn circular crop and variants with more space for other contexts.

Teams and companies

When a company needs consistent headshots for the whole team, I run the session at the studio or travel to your offices. On site, I set up with the same light, the same framing and the same post-production treatment — so the whole team has a coherent visual language on the website, reports and presentations. This service often integrates into broader corporate photography and video projects.

Personal branding and creators

For those who have built a brand under their own name — coaches, trainers, content creators, therapists, authors — the portrait is part of the product. It needs to convey personality, not just function. In these cases we make more variations: the more serious portrait for when authority is needed, the closer one for social media, the contextual one for when the space tells part of the story.

Personal portrait

The portrait that isn’t for work. A moment when you want a photograph of yourself that you’ll still enjoy looking at ten years from now. I do it with the same technical care as corporate sessions, with enough time for you to relax and appear in the frame without feeling you’re posing.

What the session looks like

The process is designed so you arrive at the studio without anxiety and leave with photographs you use without hesitation.

Before the session — briefing

We talk by video call or email about where the image will be used: LinkedIn, website, press kit, book, advertising. Each use has its ideal framing — LinkedIn is a circular crop, the “About” page allows for more negative space, press asks for specific formats. Based on that conversation, I advise on wardrobe: two or three simple pieces, well-fitted, without shiny fabrics or busy patterns. If you wear glasses, I set up the light to avoid reflections — anti-reflective coating helps but isn’t required.

At the studio

We start by reviewing wardrobe options and adjusting details — collar, lapel, drape, discreet accessories. During the session, I guide posture: relaxed shoulders, natural chin position, calm breathing. We review the results on screen as we shoot, adjusting until we reach an image in which you recognise yourself without it feeling forced. If it’s for LinkedIn, I compose with the circular crop in mind. If it’s for “About” or corporate material, I create variations with different backgrounds and proportions to give you versatility in use.

After

Editing preserves the natural texture of the skin — no plastic softening that makes you unrecognisable at your own office. Colour, light and contrast adjusted with balance, photo by photo. Delivery is via private online gallery, in high resolution, with files ready to use. Typical turnaround: 5 to 7 working days.

Estúdio 266 — Vila Nova de Gaia

I work at Estúdio 266, in Vila Nova de Gaia, 10 minutes from the centre of Porto. It’s a space with generous natural light and a full setup of continuous light and studio flash — designed for sessions where technical quality can’t be a variable, it needs to be a given. Neutral backgrounds, white, textured, and lifestyle options when the setting needs to tell part of the story.

For companies that prefer to shoot in their own space, I travel with a complete mobile studio kit and guarantee the same technical conditions. It’s not “office photography with whatever light is there”: it’s the studio coming to the company.

Pricing and options

Individual sessions have prices designed for independent professionals, and there are specific packages for teams and companies. Current prices, what’s included in each option, and the delivery formats are on the dedicated page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to pose for a professional portrait?

No. My job is to guide you during the session — posture, chin, gaze, breathing — and show you the results on screen as we shoot, so you see immediately when an image works. You don’t need to train anything beforehand.

What should I wear?

Simple pieces, well-fitted, without shiny fabrics or bold patterns. Two or three options within your style are enough. For LinkedIn or corporate websites, we favour neutral colours. In the briefing before the session, I advise based on the final use.

Can I come to the studio or would you rather come to our offices?

Both options are available. Individual sessions typically take place at Estúdio 266 in Vila Nova de Gaia. For teams of 5-6 or more people, running the session at the company location is usually more efficient — I travel with complete equipment and guarantee the same technical conditions.

How long does the session take?

An individual session with 2 to 3 look or background variants typically takes 45 to 90 minutes. For teams, I allow about 10 to 15 minutes per person. I always schedule with enough buffer so no one feels rushed.

When do I receive the photos?

Typical turnaround is 5 to 7 working days after the session. Delivery is via private online gallery, in high resolution, with files ready to use on LinkedIn, websites, presentations or print.

What if I wear glasses?

I adjust the light setup to avoid reflections on the lenses. If you have anti-reflective coating, even better — but it’s not required. We shoot with the glasses as you wear them day-to-day, so the portrait matches how people recognise you.

Shall we talk?

The starting point is a short conversation — 15 to 20 minutes by video call or at the studio — to understand the goal and whether it makes sense for us to work together. No commitment.