Portrait photography
Portrait photographer in Baltimore & Washington, D.C.
Graduation, personal and branding portraits that look like you on your best day. Two unhurried hours, more than 100 retouched photos, in your gallery within two weeks.
Check availabilityPortraits package from $850
What's included
- A two hour portrait session, outdoors or in a rented studio
- Time for outfit changes and different looks
- Every delivered photo individually retouched
- More than 100 photos in your own online gallery
- Delivery within two weeks
For a session in a rented studio, the studio's rental fee is added and confirmed before you book.
Photographed by Jose and Karla, a husband-and-wife team with more than ten years of experience, serving the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas.
Portraits that look like you
A good portrait is not about a perfect pose. It is about the expression you make when you forget the camera is there. We give simple direction, keep the session relaxed, and photograph the moments in between.
Jose's background in design shapes the composition, color and retouching of every frame, and during the session we keep an eye on the details: hair, collars, the way a jacket sits. With more than ten years of experience and hundreds of sessions behind us, we know how to get you comfortable quickly.
Graduation, personal and branding portraits
Clients book portrait sessions for graduation photos, personal branding and milestones worth marking. Tell us what the photos are for and we will plan the looks, backdrop and framing around it. If you only need a professional headshot, the shorter Headshots session is $295.
Portrait sessions happen wherever suits the photos: outdoors, in a favorite park or on a city street in Baltimore or D.C., or in a professional studio we rent for your session. For a session in a rented studio, the studio's rental fee is added and confirmed before you book.
What clients say
“I hired Jose to take graduation photos after having a bad experience with a previous photographer, and I am very happy with the way these photos turned out. He went above and beyond to capture the occasion, and his helper made sure that everything I was wearing and my hair was in place during the photoshoot. He even captured some adorable photos of my dog. We will definitely use Chivo Photos for our next photoshoot!”
How it works
Tell us what you have in mind
Send your date, the kind of session and a few details. We reply with availability and answer any questions.
Reserve your date
A signed agreement and a retainer hold your date. We then plan the location, timing and looks with you.
Enjoy the session
We guide you with simple prompts and photograph natural expressions. No awkward poses.
Receive your gallery
Your retouched photos arrive in your own online gallery within two weeks.
Portrait photography questions
- How much does a portrait session cost?
- The Portraits package starts at $850. It includes a two hour session, retouching of every delivered photo, and more than 100 photos in your own online gallery. For a session in a rented studio, the studio's rental fee is added and confirmed before you book.
- Do you photograph headshots and graduation portraits?
- Yes. Graduation and personal portraits use the two hour Portraits package, from $850. Professional headshots have their own shorter package: up to 45 minutes, in a studio or outdoors, two looks and five retouched photos, from $295.
- Where do portrait sessions take place?
- Outdoors and on location around Baltimore and Washington, D.C., or in a professional studio we rent for your session. For a session in a rented studio, the studio's rental fee is added and confirmed before you book.
- What should I wear for my portraits?
- Solid colors that fit well and feel comfortable work best, and bold patterns can be distracting. Bring a few outfits for variety. Our guide to preparing for a portrait session covers outfits, hair, makeup and props in more detail.
- Do you have a studio?
- We do not keep a permanent studio. For studio sessions we rent a professional studio that suits you and your location, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The studio's rental fee is added to the session price, and we confirm the total before you book. Outdoor sessions have no extra fee.
- We are not comfortable in front of a camera. Is that a problem?
- Not at all. We look for natural expressions rather than stiff poses, and we guide you with simple prompts so you are never left wondering what to do.
- Can we bring our kids or pets?
- Yes. We are more than happy to include children and pets, and we have some special tips for those sessions. Just let us know in advance.
- How soon will we get our photos?
- Your finished, retouched photos are delivered to your own online gallery within two weeks.
- How do we book?
- Send us your date and a few details through the inquiry form and we will confirm availability. A signed agreement and a retainer reserve your date: 30% for weddings and elopements, 50% for portrait sessions. The balance is due two weeks before a wedding or elopement, or on the day of a session.