My first portrait shoot back in Sydney with Zac Lynch-Woodlock

Behind the scenes video of my shoot with Zac filmed on the 20 year old camera I brought as a prop.

Happy new year, beautiful stranger! I hope your 2025 is shaping up nicely.

Two months ago, back in November, my wife and I packed a suitcase each and crammed the rest of our belongings into a shipping container bound from Toronto to Sydney.

While 92% of my possessions — including the majority of my photography gear — bob through the Pacific Ocean, I’ve been keeping busy and just wrapped my first shoot — photographing director Zac Lynch-Woodlock around Newtown, Sydney.

Check out Zac’s work here.

Director and all ‘round great guy Zac Lynch-Woodlock.

At one point in time, before I gave Sydney two middle fingers and fucked off to Amsterdam, Zac and I worked together at the advertising agency, Ogilvy. Zac as an in-house director. Me as a copywriter.

My intention for our portrait shoot was to capture two images. 1) A tight, outdoor portrait to pair with 2) a wider environmental portrait leaning into the iconic gritty & grungy flavour of Sydney’s Inner West.

But, as per as usual, I overshot. Resulting in a few more keepers than planned. A good problem to have.

We met around 6pm at Zac’s apartment in Newtown. But as we were shooting in the Australian summer, it was going to be brighter than the sun for several more hours. Meaning we had no choice but to seek shade as my puny AD200 strobe is no match for the Aussie sun. (They did the job in Toronto, mind you.) Thankfully, Zac knows the area and did a location scout prior to our shoot and had a few shady spots in mind.

Simple portrait of Zac against a brick wall.

After shooting a few simple portraits against the wall of a sandstone church building, we headed to an interesting pedestrian tunnel going under the train tracks.

Zac told me it’s normal to see bands setup in the middle of the tunnel shooting music videos. It’s clear why. The tunnel has seedy and caged overhead fluorescent tube lights and sickly green graffitied walls. Making it an incredible location.

Zac watching the 6th food delivery rider be directed down the tunnel, only to have to turn around and find another route because they can’t carry their monstrous electric bikes up the stairs.

A location like this demands a wider lens and I got to work photographing Zac with my 35mm & 14mm; using a pop of strobe left of camera to expose Zac in a way that felt like a potentially believable source of natural light. I use *potentially* lightly here.

The Dutch Tilt never gets old.

The 14mm lens created the most fun and gritty look, giving Zac a slight unhinged look. Someone you don’t want to run into in this tunnel, that’s for damn sure. Just look at the way he’s holding that camera!

Zac looks unhinged.

At the end of the tunnel there were stairs leading back up to the street, which made for a great location for a seated portrait. I’m a sucker for a stairwell shot, and this stairwell was fantastic. Again, I tried to light the location with my single strobe and softbox in a way that felt *somewhat* natural. As if we timed our shoot perfectly, there was a beautiful shaft of light falling onto the staircase illuminating Zac.

This is a shot you could get framed for mum.

This location looks pretty deserted in the shots. But it was anything but. We had to stop shooting several times to let people pass and try to be as little of an inconvenience as possible. But nobody seemed too bothered by us. After all, it’s a popular photo spot. That or they took one look at Zac and decided not to say anything. Kidding, Zac. Kidding. (Don’t hurt me.)

I’m a big fan of how the top half of Zac’s face is in shadow.

After snapping a few hundred tunnel and stair frames, we left and shot in a few more “friendlier” looking locations. Including an “Aussie-looking” street with wheelie bins out and beautiful dappled light on the road. But after reviewing the raw files, the grittier shots felt much more interesting and suited Zac’s character.

Zac and I had the same favourite shot of the day: a frame of Zac on the stairs with his hand covering his mouth.

It’s nice when that happens.

Our favourite frame of the day and the newest addition to my portfolio.

Creating multiple looks: a portrait sitting with Dario Sidhu

Without a doubt, my favourite portrait sessions are when I’m approached because of my work. Not because of availability, location, or budget. But because someone saw my portraits and said to themselves, “that’s the style I’ve been looking for!”

That’s how my portrait session with Dario Sidhu began.

Dario reached out because he liked my style. And two portraits in particular caught his eye.

The first portrait in my portfolio that caught Dario's eye.

The second portrait that caught Dario's eye.

Notice anything similar about these two shots? That’s right — they have a almost the same lighting setup! Which immediately told me Dario had a strong sense of what he was looking for.

As I got to know Dario, I learned he’s finishing his PhD in Political Science at UCLA. Focusing on comparative politics, the political economy of development, and political behaviour.

Dario Sidhu portrait look 1/4

Dario’s one smart cookie.

So, it was no surprise to learn he needed new portraits for upcoming media appearances.

During a portrait session, I aim to create a set of images that look different from each other. This way, my clients have a suite of portraits they can use for many years and many occasions.

Dario Sidhu portrait look 2/4

This means changing outfits, backgrounds, and lighting setups to generate options. Options are great. In my mind, you can never have too many options.

It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, as they say.

Dario Sidhu portrait look 3/4

At the end of every session (if my client’s game), I like to spend 10-minutes trying a new lighting setup. Something new which I’ve never shot before. It’s 100% a fun experiment. Sometimes we don’t get anything usable, but other times we get an interesting image.

This was the case for my session with Dario.

Given Dario's many studies and talents, I thought it was be interesting and fitting to create an image lit with many coloured lights. Red, green, and blue light combine to form a kaleidoscope of colour. It's interesting and futuristic.

Dario Sidhu portrait 4/4

I had such a great time making these images with Dario that I'm already looking forward to next time. Because — let’s be real — given Dario’s current trajectory I don’t think it’ll be long because he’s worn these portraits out.

Until next time, mate!

How much do headshots cost in Toronto?

Are you a budding actor, entrepreneur, or professional looking to make a mark in Toronto's vibrant scene? Then you know the importance of a stellar headshot. Your headshot is often the first impression you make, whether it's on a casting director, a potential client, or your LinkedIn network. But how much should you budget for this crucial investment in the bustling metropolis of Toronto? Let's delve into the world of headshot pricing in the 6ix!

Understanding the factors

Headshot prices can vary widely depending on several factors:

1. Photographer's expertise: A seasoned professional with a portfolio of celebrity clients may charge more than an up-and-coming photographer building their portfolio.

2. Number of images: The final number of images supplied will impact pricing. As you’d imagine, the most images you receive, the higher the price.

3. Session length and number of looks: Longer sessions or packages that include multiple outfit changes and settings may cost more.

4. Location: Studios in prime downtown locations might charge higher rates compared to those in the suburbs.

5. Extras: Additional services like hair and makeup, retouching, or rush delivery can add to the overall cost.

Average cost range

In Toronto, the average cost for a quality headshot session typically ranges from $300 to $700. This usually includes the session itself, basic retouching, and a set number of final images. However, this is just a ballpark figure, and prices can go higher or lower based on the factors mentioned earlier.

If you’re a fan of my portfolio of work, please get in touch for my rates.

Investment worth making

While it's tempting to opt for the cheapest option available, remember that your headshot is an investment in your professional image. A high-quality headshot can open doors and set you apart from the competition. So, rather than focusing solely on the price tag, consider the value you'll get from working with a skilled photographer who understands your needs and can capture your essence effectively.

Questions to ask

When researching photographers, here are some questions to consider:

1. What's Included in the package?: Make sure you understand exactly what you're paying for, including the number of final images and any additional services.

2. Can I See examples of your work?: Reviewing the photographer's portfolio will give you an idea of their style and quality of work.

3. Do you offer retouching?: Find out if basic retouching is included or if it comes at an extra cost.

4. What's your cancellation policy?: Life happens, so make sure you understand the photographer's cancellation and rescheduling policies.

Final thoughts

When it comes to headshots, remember that you're not just paying for a photo; you're investing in your future. Take the time to research and find a photographer who aligns with your vision and budget. And once you have your stunning headshots in hand, don't forget to update your online profiles and portfolio to showcase the best version of yourself to the world.

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I’d love to help you create a professional and unique headshot that captures your personalty. So please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free 15-minute creative consultation.

How to prepare for your upcoming portrait session

Whether you have an upcoming portrait session with me in Toronto or another photographer around the world, there are a couple of things you can do to help ensure you get the best result possible.

A striking portrait requires more than technical and artistic know-how from a photographer. It requires buy-in from you in the form of comfort and confidence.

“Oh no!” I can hear you scream, “I hate being in front of the camera!” Don’t worry. I got you.

Your photographer will do everything they can to ensure you’re comfortable and give you clear easy-to-follow directions (I will at least). But there are 4 simple things you can do to put yourself in the right headspace during your session to nail a confident, carefree expression (or whatever look you’re going for).

1. Get a good night’s sleep

Not only will this help keep your face and eyes looking fresh (goodbye eye bags!), but it’ll also help reduce the nerves of standing in front of a camera. Which, unless you're a professional actor or model, is something we all suffer from.

2. Arrive early

When you’re in a rush, the universe conspires against you to make you late. Your train’s delayed. You can’t find parking. It happens. Give yourself some wiggle room for the unexpected. This way you’re not stressed and flustered when you arrive. And you’ll have the entire session and plenty of time to nail your portrait.

3. Don’t get a haircut the day before

If you’re planning on getting a haircut before your shoot, it’s best to come straight from the hairdresser/barber with your hair styled by a professional or wait a few days. This way you’ll be comfortable with your new haircut and know how to style it properly. Plus, a haircut that’s a couple of days fresh looks more natural and better on camera (in my opinion).

4. Wear your usual clothes

It’s tempting to try a new look on a photo shoot. And, I’ll admit, it can result in incredible shots. But it comes at a risk. You might look back on your outfit choice and think “What was I thinking!?” You can buy new clothes to look fresh. But they should be something that reflects your personality/style and you're comfortable wearing. Something that wouldn’t be out of place in your wardrobe. This will give you a lot more confidence.

5. Bring outfit options

Photographers love options. So if possible, bring a few different outfits to your portrait session. This way, you’ll be able to capture a couple of different looks and make your images look more varied. Plus, you’re photographer will have more room to match your outfit to the lighting, location, and background.

If in doubt of anything or you have any questions, just ask your photographer. They want to help you and make sure you’re 100% on board with the process. After all, they have the same goal as you — to capture the best portrait possible!

I’ve been taking Instagram way too seriously

This sometimes had surprising results when an image I loved barely got a like. Or when an image I didn’t think much of at the time received a tonne of love. I quickly learned my tastes weren’t universal.

Nevertheless, Instagram was a place I could share work with no expectations or fears of how it would be received. After all, when I started regularly posting my photography, I was working in advertising as a copywriter. So there was no risk in sharing work that might “bomb” or wasn’t aligned with the style of work people expected from my portfolio.

Since becoming a professional photographer and relying on my image-making skills for a living, I’ve found myself treating my Instagram account like a portfolio — instead of the experimental playground it once was. It’s become a sacred place where the only images I’m comfortable sharing are the kinds of images I’m hired to produce. Leading my Instagram account and portfolio to be almost indistinguishable from one another, made up of bold & dramatic portraits.

This sounds ridiculous to say (ok, type) out loud, but posting on Instagram has become something I’ve started to dread. Each time I consider sharing an image I interrogate myself. Is it good enough? Does it align with my style? Would someone hire me to recreate this image? How many likes will it get? This fear and self-censorship is taking the joy out of photography.

While I genuinely love all the images I’ve posted, there’s plenty of work I’ve been afraid to share. And that’s no fun.

This all clicked last week when photographing Toronto-based photographer & filmmaker Justin Poulsen. At the end of every portrait session, I like to try something new. Sometimes this results in a great picture. Sometimes not. But I always learn something. During Justin’s shoot, the sunset started blasting through the studio windows and instead of closing the curtains and continuing our session, I decided to work with it and experiment with long-exposure portraits. The sunlight exposed the image for a quarter of a second while my strobe froze the final moment instantly.

The results were a weird and interesting “stretched” image. Like something you could imagine seeing on a movie poster about time travel. Looking at the back of the camera, Justin and I were both pretty stoked and excited about the results. But after the initial excitement wore off, I became bummed because given how I’ve been treating Instagram, I didn’t know what to do with these portraits. They’re too “arty” too “experimental” too “trendy” too “weird”. It doesn’t fit with the rest of my work.

I got all up in my head.

But that’s when I had the revelation that I’ve been taking Instagram way too seriously and my self-inflicted censorship is taking the fun out of photography. A tad dramatic. But fun is the whole reason I got into this craft in the first place. It’s the way I approached landscape photography in the beginning, then street photography, and now portraiture. It’s what kept me going through early mornings and late nights — the fun of chasing that next amazing image.

Because nothing beats the feeling of surprise and awe when you realise you’ve captured something interesting. N-O-T-H-I-N-G. And these are the images I want to share. Whether they fit into the little niche I’ve carved out for myself or not.

This is all a long-winded way of saying that I’m about to start sharing a broader range of experimental and less-polished work on my Instagram. And once again treat the platform like a playground for sharing work that interests me and to see what resonates.

If an image makes me go “Oh neat!” then it’s going I’m throwing it on my Instagram. Like spaghetti on a digital wall.

9 things I’ve learned after my first 3 paid portrait shoots

A few weeks ago, I had my first paid portrait shoot since announcing to everyone I know that I was giving full-time portrait photography a go. Naturally, it was a big moment. I also learned a few things which I was excited to reflect on and share.

But before I got around to sitting down and writing this blog post, I landed another paid job. No biggie, I figured. I’d just write about everything I’ve learned after I’d finished my 2nd job. After all, two shoots worth of learning and experience would be better than one. 

But before I could sit down to write after finishing that job, I booked another. 

And now between booking, shooting, retouching, and delivering the portraits for my 3rd paid job… I’ve had several more bookings. 

Which is great for my slowly growing photography business. But I’ve come to the — perhaps overly optimistic — realization that there’s probably never going to be a perfect time, when I have absolutely nothing on my plate, to share my journey and write these blog posts and make YouTube videos. 

So, I’m just going to have to make the time. 

Now, in the spirit of 100% transparency and honesty, I’m figuring everything out as I go. Besides knowing how to take great portraits, I have no idea what I’m doing. And with only 3 paid shoots under my belt, I’ve got a long, long way to go before I know what I’m doing and can reasonably offer a portrait photographer any sort of advice or guidance. 

But I have learned a few things. Things which would have been handy to know before I began this journey a few months ago. So I guess this blog post is really for me from a few months ago. (Or anyone who’s just starting their portrait photography journey.) 

So let’s get into it. 

1. Getting paid to do something you’d do for free is an incredible feeling

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but if for some reason you’re wondering how it feels to turn a long-time hobby into a profession and essentially get paid to do something you love… it feels awesome! 

It’s kind of like being paid to eat ice cream, as silly as that might sound. Picture this: you’re going to eat an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s regardless. But if someone was to pay you to do it, how much sweeter would it taste?

2. Some people won’t value your work. But some people will.

It’s tough putting yourself and your work out there day after day. You’re going to meet people who won’t value your work and won’t be prepared to pay your rate.

There are going to be people who will lowball you, people who will try to negotiate a package deal to give themselves a handsome discount, and others who will straight up tell you that they thought you’d be cheaper because you’re just “starting out at photography”. And this — unfortunately — is just the tip of the iceberg.

But this is 100% part of the process of putting your work out there. And that’s ok. Because while it stings a bit each time someone chooses not to book you, you’re also going to meet loads of people who will value your work, see your style as interesting and unique, and make the decision to work with you.

So it’s best not to try and convince someone who doesn’t value your work that you’re work actually has value. Instead,  move on and spend that same energy trying to meet people who may value the work that you love doing. Because they are 100% out there and 1000% more fun to work with. 

3. People care more about looking good than being in a good photo

This is probably the most interesting thing I’ve learned so far. 

For the personal branding portraits I’ve been shooting, the most important thing for my clients isn’t that the portrait is good (which, of course, is my number one goal). It’s that they look good in the portrait. 

Think about it. Regular people (i.e. non photographers) don’t really care about things like composition, lighting ratios, highlight falloff, colour theory, leading lines, depth of field, and bokeh (to name a few). 

This is why you’ll see people using low-quality, sometimes even out-of-focus and poorly composed, profile pictures. Because photo aesthetics aside, they look great! Even if the photo overall doesn’t.

It’s also why when you’re photographed in a group photo, the first thing you do is find yourself and see how you look. (You know you do.) Because you’re more concerned with how you look than the overall image. 

This was super important to realise. Because I, of course, want to make sure my clients are happy with their final portrait(s). For that to happen, I need to align my goals with their goals and spend more time making sure they’re happy with how they look and how they’re portrayed.

Because the more you care about how your subject looks in the portrait, the better the experience will be, and the happier your clients are going to be with the final result. 

4. Everything takes longer than you expect

I’m an impatient person. When I decide to do something, I want it done as fast as possible and with as few delays as possible. Preferably no delays at all! I hate having to wait and I especially hate being made to wait because of factors outside of my control. 

This is something I’m working on and I’m slowly coming to terms with it. Because the timelines of initial portrait shoots have been very uncertain and have all taken longer than I initially expected.

People take longer to email back than I expect. People aren’t available until much later in the year than I expect. People take longer to book a haircut before they can book a portrait than I expect. 

Everything. Single. Things. Takes. Time. But it will happen. So just be patient.

5. You need lots and lots of leads

This leads me to my next point. Pun 100% intended. 

It can take a long time for someone to go from a lead to a client. So if you want to be constantly working, you need a lot of leads. 

So far, each of my paid clients has come from a different source. The first came from a Reddit post I made looking for people interested in a free portrait. My second client was a friend of someone I photographed from that initial Reddit post, which has since evolved into the Face of Toronto series. And the third came straight from Instagram. 

It’s still very early days, but so far I haven’t figured out a single source of finding work. Maybe I never will. But it goes to show how important it is to put yourself out there in different ways to meet new people. Because you never know who your work will resonate with.

6. You might be a little nervous about taking the portrait, but your clients might be nervous about having their portrait taken. 

You want everything to go perfectly. You want to make sure you get the perfect shot with perfect lighting the perfect pose and the perfect expression. You want the client to be happy. There’s a lot on your mind and it’s totally normal to be feeling the pressure and perhaps be a little nervous about the shoot. After all, nerves are good. They show you care.

But it’s also important to realise that the person you’re photographing might also be nervous. Maybe, like most people, they don’t have their photo taken very often — if ever by a professional. 

(I’m still getting used to calling myself that.) 

Also, people can be a little self-conscious about having their portrait taken. They don’t want to look bad and they’re going to be sharing this portrait with everyone they know and all of their own future clients. 

Of course, you want them to look their best too! So it's important to make your clients feel as comfortable as possible and ensure they know you’re doing everything you can so they look their best.

This is why it’s so important to build some rapport at the beginning of the session and take the time to have a bit of a chat beforehand. If someone is nervous, you’re going to see it in the portrait. They’re going to be guarded and look stern. But once they’re relaxed and the nerves have gone away, they’re going to look confident.

7. Lots of people have had bad experiences with photographers 

This one has come as bit of a shock to me. But it turns out a lot of people I’ve met and worked with have had a terrible experience with a professional photographer in the past. 

While surprising, it highlights the importance of communicating your ideas and process to set expectations. You want everyone to be on the same page and for there to be no surprises or misunderstandings. 

Proper communication is over-communication, as they say.

8. I (probably) spend too long retouching

I don’t think my portraits look overly retouched. And I’m very happy with the final result. But given that I’m starting to be paid for my work, I’ve become very conscious of wanting to deliver the best possible portraits and not let down my client. 

So I’m doing my absolute best to over-deliver.

This has resulted in spending a lot more time retouching than I usually would. While my clients are happy, this extra time has meant I’m left with less time to work on other things, like editing the Face of Toronto series, which is starting to pile up! 

I don’t really have a solution to this yet. Right now, I’m hoping that as my retouching skills improve I’ll become more efficient and learn faster techniques. 

9. I need a better way for clients to select their favourite portraits 

Right now, I’m sharing low-resolution previews via Google Drive and asking my clients to share the filename of their favourite image(s). The system works, but there are a lot of steps in the process which makes it error-prone for myself and my clients.

On my first shoot, I made a mistake and marked the wrong image in Lightroom. Thankfully, it was brought to my attention before I spent several hours retouching. But it could have been an even more awkward scenario.

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And that’s it. Thanks for reading this far. 

To be honest, this probably should and could have been 9 different blog posts. And perhaps these are topics I’ll dive into and explore in the future as my understanding and skills improve. 

The Face of Toronto portrait series

This short video was shot & edited by Markus Mendes who earns bonus points for turning my incoherent ramblings into a neat little story 👌

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When I moved to Toronto at the end of 2022, I had no plans to become a portrait photographer. Funnily enough, despite being a photography enthusiast for over two decades, the idea of making a living taking photos had — surprisingly — never crossed my mind.

I’d just stopped working on my startup Troopl and I was in a bit of a creative slump. Having nowhere to direct my creative energy and not knowing anyone in Toronto, I did what any sane, rational creative type would do… offer to shoot free portraits of strangers on the internet.

The response was insane. But that’s not what this blog post is about.

This is about what happened after I started doing the work.

To be completely honest, in the beginning, I was a little worried about who would show up at my apartment. After all, these were strangers from the Internet I was inviting into my home. But these concerns quickly melted away because the people I met turned out to be the kindest bunch of Internet strangers ever.

Turning the portraits I was making into a series was never my intention (story of my life, right). But the more people I met, the more apparent it became just how diverse the individuals I was meeting were.

So my spontaneous request for portrait subjects morphed into an ongoing series shining a light on the people who call Toronto home.

Quite literally.

Beyond the artistic pursuit of creating an interesting and interconnected body of work, there are also a few perks to photographing so many people.

1. It’s really fun & interesting to meet so many people. Everyone has a different background, job, and interests. It’s a great way to get a glimpse into the makeup of the city I now call home.
   

2. Recommendations. Everyone has their favourite diner, bar, restaurant, or cafe, and I’m trying them all. Google Maps is pretty hit-and-miss in Toronto, but these personal recommendations have been bang on.
   

3. I get to try new lighting techniques. Everyone I’ve met so far as part of the series has been up for me to try something new. It doesn’t always work out as planned. But even if the results don’t make the edit, I’m learning a tonne experimenting with my gear. And getting to do this without the pressure of a paid shoot is a really nice way to learn.

My goal is to get to 100. As I write this I’m at 30 portraits shot with a backlog of editing to complete. And as I start getting more and more paid work, I’m finding I have less and less time to work on this series.

So I guess I’m going to have to find time by cutting less important things from my life…

Like sleep 😅

Click here to view the series ✌️

How I accidentally became a professional portrait photographer

TLDR: watch this 4-minute video instead 😅

This is the story of how I accidentally became a professional portrait photographer. 

At the end of last year, I left Amsterdam and moved to Toronto with my wife Michelle. My plan was to rejoin the world of advertising after spending a few years working in tech. First, for a Dutch startup as a full-stack developer, before I co-founded Troopl.

Now, I’m no stranger to Advertising. I have several years of experience as a copywriter & creative director, a handful of awards, and an award-winning (and somewhat reasonable) portfolio of work.

So, I naively arrived in a new city, with no contacts, and not enough winter clothing thinking to myself: “It shouldn’t be too hard to get a job, right?”

Oh, how wrong I was.

Because I spent my first few months in Toronto being rejected and ghosted by almost every agency in town.

By this point…I’m starting to get a little bummed. I start questioning what I’m doing with my life. Whether I’ve completely ruined my career by leaving advertising in the first place. Whether I should become an Uber driver. Whether Uber would even hire me!?

On top of all this, I haven’t been creating. I haven’t been coding… I haven’t been writing... I haven’t even been shooting.

All I’ve been doing is working full-time at having (metaphorical) doors slammed in my face.

So I decided to try to get myself out of my funk by shooting some portraits — which are one of my favourite things to shoot.

For years, I’ve shot family, friends, colleagues, and pretty much anyone I can get in front of my camera for a few minutes. See above.

But I’m new to Toronto and I don’t really anyone. Which means I don’t have anyone to shoot a portrait of. (Because there are only so many portraits my wife can endure!!)

So around 1 am on a whim, after re-working my portfolio and resume for the 100th time, I fire up Reddit and post that I’m shooting free portraits in Toronto for anyone who wants one and I share a link to a few of my favourites, including the above.

Then I went to bed, hoping — best case scenario— maybe one or two people might be interested. 

Maybe.

The next morning I fired up Reddit while having my morning coffee and was blown away by what I saw.

Already, I’d received about 50 DMs from people requesting a free portrait. Plus, countless more comments on the post. And this number would continue to climb into the hundreds over the course of the next couple of days.

I was completely overwhelmed by the response. And completely humbled that so many people liked my work enough to want their own portrait.

My funk was starting to subside!

Now, I’m aware that the internet loves free stuff. And this was on my mind as an entirely rational explanation for the outrageous number of responses.

But as I started going through the messages and comments and organising shoot times, something interesting happened. 

Among the hundreds of requests for a free portrait, there were real paid job offers. 

Production companies, businesses, startup founders, and a bunch of strangers from Reddit reached out asking for my rate and availability. This confused me. Because I not only didn’t have a rate… but I’d literally just offered to shoot for free. I really wanted to practice shooting portraits but — mostly — I just wanted to start creating something — anything — again.

But here I am with a handful of paid job offers to do something that I legitimately love doing yet have somehow never considered doing professionally. Which is strange, because much to my parent’s dismay, I’ve had quite a few careers over the years. (But that’s a story for another time.)

Now, as I’ve started shooting the free Reddit portraits, something else interesting has happened. People have started to pay me small amounts for shooting their portraits.

A few of the things I’ve received so far:

• A shelf

• 6 bottles of wine

• A giant bag of Lindt chocolate

• Chocolate

• Special Maggi noodle flavour

• Several tips of various amounts

• Coffee

• Thank you card containing cold, hard cash

• Dinner offer

Now I’m still not 100% sure if this is because my work is good, or it’s just that Canadians are the nicest people ever, but it’s inspired me to give shooting portraits professionally in 2023 a go. 

Because if I can get paid a little bit by putting myself out there for free work. Maybe — just maybe — I can get paid enough not to starve to death by putting myself out there for actual paid work. 

So I’ve just launched my new portrait portfolio (which you’re reading this blog on) and I’m going to keep documenting this journey and see what happens. 

I am 100% not prepared for this. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from trying to build a startup is that the best way to start anything is to just launch too soon and then figure it out as you go. 

But my startup didn’t really work out… so perhaps that isn’t the best advice. 

Well…wish me luck!