portraits
DFW based photographer Amber Shumake is creating artistic portraits in her Fort Worth studio.
portrait style options
THE EXPERIENCE
At $275, this is the standard, yet unique 20-minute session everyone receives. It’s an incredible opportunity to receive a variety of dynamic, artistic images that Amber creates utilizing a combination of light, color gels, textures, mirrors, and reflective tools to create the portraiture she’s become known for.
ADD LIGHT
Add a fresh and clean modern high key headshot for $75.
DO IT DARK
Add a timeless photo against a black or Amber’s trademark blue backdrop for $75.
“IN THAT CHAIR”
Solopreneurs just love to sit under the skylight in Amber’s white chair for branding sessions.
$125
LET’S MAKE IT ALL ANLAOG
With the exception of the high key headshot, all of these portrait styles can be created using medium format and/or 35 mm film. Film has a depth that digital just can’t rival, and most of the photos you’ve grown to love of Amber’s were shot on one of her several film cameras. Add $100 for the full film experience.
Amber invites you to book all of the portrait styles. Her corporate work over the past year has enabled her to work fast, and at her studio, it’s absolutely possible to create a number of looks in a short window of time.
Your session fee includes a gallery of images that are color corrected that you can download. Prints may be purchased separately.
Retouching
People generally have two distinct opinions about retouching:
“Team Photoshop”: Retouching finishes an otherwise incomplete image, making it magazine or web ready. Amber works with a trusted team of retouchers (and often retouches her own images, too) to brighten eyes, remove stray hairs, erase wrinkles in clothing, airbrush acne, whiten teeth, etc. You still look like you– the best version of you who’s just returned from vacation and drinks water and eats well.
“Anti-Editing”: Some people see a photo session as an opportunity to embrace their forehead wrinkles and the gray hairs they’ve earned. Beauty culture is for the birds, and it means they just want to keep our photos raw and real.
I respect both opinions. At $100, you can have three images from your gallery retouched.
FAQs
WHERE IS THE STUDIO?
3901 West Vickery Blvd., Suite 6
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
It is a yellow two-story cottage style building where Vickery intersects Lovell between Hulen and Montgomery. If you’re a local in Fort Worth, you’ve driven by this building and wondered “What’s in there?” Amber is. The stairwell is inside the building, and she’s located up one flight of stairs on the second floor. There is no elevator.
DO I NEED TO BE A MODEL?
Um, no. Amber photographs “ordinary” people. She doesn’t really love the term ordinary because she believes everyone is an emanation of the Divine and that we all have beauty and her job as a portrait photographer is to bring it forth. One of the things you’ll find in her portfolio is that she photographs people of all ages, skin tones, body shapes, genders, etc. If you are a model, you’re absolutely welcome, too, and these images will be excellent for your portfolio.
WHAT DO I WEAR?
This is the question Amber has lost years of her life answering. What makes you feel like you? When you cloak yourself in that garment, you feel most alive and engaged. Wear that. And, make sure it fits well. If you’ve gained or lost weight over the past 20 months, as most everyone has, buy something new that fits you superbly. If you wish to look smaller in body, don’t wear something that resembles a tent. You’ll look bigger. If you wish to look larger in body, wear something with more fabric. Choose a color that complements your skin tone and undertones. Most importantly, don’t overthink it. You could wear a white or black shirt and that would be fine because the focus is you– your eyes, your smile, your face. These images are for you, so wear what you’d like.
HOW CAN I USE THE IMAGES?
You can use them as headshots on social media, your website, and for general publicity. If you wish to use them on a book cover or album or for some additional usage, please inquire about pricing for a commercial license.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BE IN MY PHOTO?
Amber’s studio is small, and these sessions are designed for individuals. You’re welcome to bring a friend for morale support or to capture behind the scenes.
I WANT TO SIGN UP, BUT I’M…
Nervous? Overweight? Tired? Not photogenic? What is it? Everyone has a story. You’re not unique in that. Standing in front of the camera solo is vulnerable. People experience legitimate fear. Amber is a professional. She never formally studied photography (just every waking hour over the past 10 years). Her education is in counseling, and she will help you relax and feel comfortable. Why not face your fear and walk away with incredible portraits, too?