A confident, natural personal branding portrait in Asheville

LUSH. LUMINOUS. SOULFUL.

Asheville Portrait Photographer

Natural light portraits that feel alive, for entrepreneurs, creatives, couples, and anyone who simply wants a beautiful, true photo of themselves.

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Portraits are my bread and butter. After twenty years, I know exactly how the light falls, how to read a face, and how to get you to that moment where you stop thinking about the camera and just exist in it.

Here's what I believe after twenty years behind a camera, from New York Fashion Week to quiet mountain mornings here in Asheville: the best portraits happen when you stop performing. My job is to get you there. I'll handle the light, the locations, and the direction, and you get to be a person having a good time in a beautiful place. That's when the real photos show up.

A portrait in dappled natural light in Asheville

Light that loves you back.

I shoot exclusively in natural light because it's the most honest and flattering light there is. Soft, warm, and genuinely kind to every person who steps into it.

All natural light, all the time

The most honest and flattering light there is, for every person who steps into it.

Everyone is welcome here

All shapes, sizes, ages, and races. There's no such thing as a photogenic type.

Asheville is my studio

Biltmore gardens, mountain overlooks, brick and ivy downtown. This place never takes a bad photo.

This place never takes a bad photo.

George Vanderbilt came to these mountains to nurse his mother back to health and never left. It is easy to see why. The Southern Appalachians are a temperate rainforest, one of the most biodiverse regions in North America, and it shows. The skies are clear, the air has a quality to it, and the land is so lush it almost glows. That depth, that soul, shows up in every frame. I have been photographing people here for years and it still takes my breath away. This is what we get to make your photos in.

Relaxed personal branding portrait session with Travis in Asheville

The Experience

1

We talk first.

I'll send a short questionnaire or hop on a call with you so I understand where these images will live and what they need to say.

2

We choose your setting.

I'll recommend two or three Asheville locations based on your vision, your wardrobe, and where the light will be best at your session time.

3

We shoot, unhurried.

Sessions with me are relaxed and conversational. I'll direct you from start to finish, and most people tell me it felt more like a walk with a friend than a photo shoot.

4

You choose your favorites.

Your curated online gallery arrives within two weeks. My retouching is natural and light-handed, so you'll look like yourself on a really good day.

Book Your Session

This is for you if…

  • You have a brand or business and need images for your website and social media.

  • You are a wellness practitioner, creative, or maker whose online presence should feel as good as your work does.

  • You want a headshot with some warmth to it instead of a gray backdrop.

  • You are part of a couple or duo, from engagement photos to two friends splitting a session.

  • You simply want a beautiful, true photo of yourself.

  • You are a graduating senior who wants photos that actually capture who you are right now, not a stiff pose in front of a backdrop.

A warm, natural portrait in Asheville

Portrait session pricing.

Every session below is for one or two people. Bring your partner, your best friend, or your business partner, and if you'd like, you can even split a session with a friend and share the images between you.

01

The Headshot

15 minutes, $200

For the person saying "I don't need a whole photoshoot, I just need one good photo of myself." I hear you. In and out in fifteen minutes.

  • 15 minute session, one Asheville location
  • 1 outfit
  • 5 retouched images
  • Full online gallery to choose your favorites from
03

The Golden Hour

2 hours, $750

Two full hours of shooting across more than one backdrop, timed for the most beautiful light of the day.

  • 2 hour session, up to two locations
  • Unlimited outfit changes
  • 60 retouched images
  • Pre-session planning call
  • Full online gallery to choose your favorites from
04

The Full Story

Half day, $1,200

A complete image library for your website, your social media, and your work.

  • Half day session, multiple locations and setups
  • Unlimited outfit changes
  • 120 retouched images
  • Full online gallery to choose your favorites from

$1,200

Book now →

Not sure which one fits? Reach out and I'll help you choose.

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Emyrald
"Steph is truly the most incredible and talented photographer I've worked with in the past 10 years! She not only knows how to help you feel comfortable, but I feel like she captured my true essence in the photos. AND ... 5 years later I'm STILL using the photos for social media and website content. Don't hesitate in hiring Steph today!"
Emyrald
Dasha
"I love how Steph captures people's essence in grounded and playful way. She gives simple instructions that can help anyone tune into their inner super model! Her understanding of light, angles and postures is supported by years of experience. Highly recommend :)"
Dasha
Stuart
"Steph did a great job with my professional headshots. It was an easy process from the shoot to getting access to the photos and I'm using the photos on my website now!"
Stuart
Jacob
"This was by far the most relaxed I've ever felt in a photo shoot before. I actually had fun! Steph clearly has the eye of an artist and offered helpful, gentle direction when appropriate. Looking forward to the next shoot!"
Jacob
Josh
"I loved working with Steph! She is so fun and I enjoyed getting to spend time with her at the photoshoot. Her ease and light-heartedness made it so easy for me to relax into the photoshoot. And the results showed in my smiles that she captured."
Josh

FAQ

What should I wear?

Wear whatever makes you feel most like yourself. When you book, I'll send you a style guide with colors and textures that photograph beautifully, but honestly, the only real rule is to wear what you feel amazing in.

I'm awkward in front of a camera. Will this work?

You're my favorite kind of client. Almost everyone tells me this before their session, and almost everyone is surprised by how natural it ends up feeling. Direction is built into everything I do.

Can we shoot indoors?

Yes, I work with natural light indoors too. Your home, your workspace, or a spot with beautiful window light all work wonderfully.

How fast will I get my photos?

Usually sooner than you'd expect, but I promise two weeks so I can always keep my word. If you're on a deadline, rush delivery is available, so just mention it when you book.

Can I bring my partner or a friend?

Please do. Every session works for one or two people at the same price, whether that's a couples portrait or two friends splitting a session and sharing the images. Groups of three or more are wonderful too, and for those I'll point you to my family sessions.

Could this work as an engagement session?

Absolutely. If you want relaxed, natural engagement photos in the Asheville mountains, any of my sessions works beautifully, and yes, that includes capturing the surprise proposal itself if you're planning one. Reach out and we'll plan it together.

Do you photograph teams?

Yes. If your company needs consistent headshots for a group, reach out and I'll put together team pricing for you.

Ready when you are.

If you've been putting off getting photos you actually love, consider this your sign. Come make some with me in the mountains.

Book Your Session

Have questions first? Email me.