Studio Portrait Styles London
Every portrait shoot at the Camberwell studio is different. Some people arrive with a clear brief — a specific look, a lighting reference, a mood board. Others turn up with an outfit and an open mind. Both work. The galleries below show the range of what’s possible in a single session — from clean headshots on white to dramatic gel work, gobos, props, projections and everything in between. If something catches your eye, bring it to the shoot. That’s what this page is for.
Solid Colour Background
A bold background colour is one of the simplest ways to make a portrait pop. The studio has a full range of paper rolls — red, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, grey — and we can match or contrast with what you’re wearing. Colour coordination takes a minute to work out on the day and makes a huge difference to the final image.
Black & White Portraits
Black and white strips a portrait back to its essentials — shape, light, and expression. It suits almost every style of shoot and works particularly well when the lighting is more dramatic. Worth asking for even if you’re not sure — some of the best images from any session end up in mono.
Props
Props change the energy of a shoot. They give you something to do with your hands, add a story to the image, and can turn a straightforward portrait into something more editorial. The studio has a range of props available — picture frames, megaphones, a wide variety of stools and chairs — or bring something personal that means something to you.
Colour Gels
Coloured gels placed over the studio lights transform the mood of a portrait instantly. A deep blue reads cold and cinematic. Red feels intense. Split lighting with two different colours creates something you can’t replicate anywhere else. One of the most requested techniques in the studio — and one of the most fun to experiment with.
Outside The Studio
Sometimes the best backdrop is right outside the door. The yard, alleyway, and brick walls directly outside the arch give a rougher, more urban feel that contrasts well with cleaner studio work. A useful mid-shoot change of scene without going anywhere.
Classic Headshot Portraits
A clean, professional headshot on a neutral background. Simple lighting, sharp focus, no distractions. The kind of image that works for LinkedIn, a press kit, a company website, or anywhere you need to look like you mean business. Classic for a reason. Book a session here.
Sitting
Changing your position in the frame changes everything about a portrait. Seated shots tend to feel more relaxed and considered — great for business portraits, author photos, or anyone who wants something less confrontational than a straight-on standing shot.
Work The Angles
Not every great portrait is shot straight on. Low angles, high angles, shooting through things — small changes in camera position produce very different results. Worth experimenting with during the shoot, especially if you want something that feels less conventional.
Projection
A projector pointed at the subject (or the background behind them) adds texture and atmosphere to a portrait without any post-production. Patterns, shapes, abstract light — it layers a second image onto the first in-camera. Striking results with minimal effort.
Prisms & Double Exposures
Shooting through a glass prism bends and splits the light in unpredictable ways — reflections, lens flares, partial distortions. Combined with long exposures or layered shots, it produces images that feel genuinely experimental. Good if you want something that doesn’t look like anyone else’s work.
Simple On White
High-key white background, clean light, nothing to hide behind. Works brilliantly for commercial portraits, e-commerce, or anywhere the image needs to sit on a white page. Also a great palate cleanser between more dramatic setups during a longer session.
Reflections
Mirrors and reflective surfaces open up the frame — you get the subject and their reflection in the same shot, which adds depth and a slightly surreal quality. Simple technique, distinctive results.
Gobos
A gobo is a panel that blocks or shapes the light, casting patterns and shadows across the subject. Venetian blind stripes, circular shapes, geometric patterns — the light itself becomes part of the composition. One of the studio’s signature techniques.
Silhouette & Shadowplay
Backlighting, hard shadows, subjects lit from the side or behind — this is portrait photography that plays with darkness as much as light. The subject becomes a shape. Mood-heavy and cinematic.
Stage Lights
The studio has a range of RGB LED lights that add movement and atmosphere to a shoot. Used sparingly, they can feel like a concert or a club. Used heavily, they take the portrait somewhere else entirely.
Sets & Backgrounds
Beyond paper rolls, the studio has a range of painted canvas backdrops and can build simple sets using props, furniture, and lighting. If you want something more constructed than a plain background but don’t need a full location shoot, this is the middle ground.
Sunglasses
Bring a pair. Seriously. Sunglasses change a portrait completely — they add mystery, attitude, and an extra layer of character. One of the most consistently underused things people could bring to a shoot and don’t.
Book a Portrait Session
The Creative Starter is the best way to explore the range on this page in a single session. Three hours in the studio, four different lighting setups, room for outfit changes, and 30 full-size selects to keep. Designed for anyone who wants more than one look — whether you’re building a portfolio, refreshing your professional image, or just want a proper set of portraits.
Creative Starter — £390
3 hour shoot · 4 lighting setups · 4–5 outfit changes · 600 images captured · 30 full-size selects
👉 WhatsApp for a quick response
👉 Call to talk through what you want from the shoot
👉 Email for availability and to book
