Alternative Portraits
Let’s explore the full range of possibilities.
Oh, wait. You can’t. There are endless possibilities.
Let me help you find yours.
(We want your weird ideas.)
About alternative portrait sessions
Some portraits are supposed to look polished.
Some are supposed to look like they came from another world.
Some are supposed to look like they were taken at a mall portrait studio in 1987.
Alternative portraiture is where we get to stop worrying quite so much about what a portrait is supposed to be and start figuring out what it could become.
Dark and atmospheric. Ridiculous and nostalgic. Medieval. Surreal. Cinematic. Beautiful. Bizarre. Elaborately planned or something that started with, “This might sound weird, but...”
Those are usually the fun ones.
Maybe you've got a very specific vision, an elaborate costume, a character, a mood board, a location, or an outfit you've been waiting for an excuse to wear.
Maybe you just know you want photographs that don't look like everybody else's.
Bring the idea.
We'll figure out the rest.
Alternative Portrait Session
Starting at $300+
THEMES & POSSIBILITIES
There Isn't Really a Complete List
That's kind of the point.
DARK & ATMOSPHERIC
Gothic, moody, eerie, dramatic, occult-inspired, horror-adjacent, or simply something with a little more darkness around the edges.
FANTASY & OTHER WORLDS
Medieval portraits, armor, swords, folklore, fantasy characters, historical-inspired wardrobe, strange creatures, and places that don't necessarily exist.
RETRO & CAMP
Awkward 80s portraits, vintage concepts, deliberately cheesy studio photography, nostalgia, holiday weirdness, and ideas that take themselves exactly as seriously as they should.
SURREAL & EXPERIMENTAL
Aliens, unusual compositions, strange concepts, double exposures, shutter drag, experimental lighting, dreamlike imagery, and ideas that are difficult to explain without making the photograph.
CINEMATIC & EDITORIAL
Fashion-inspired portraits, dramatic environments, carefully constructed imagery, conceptual work, and photographs where creating the image itself is the point.
CHARACTER & COSTUME
Cosplay, theatrical portraits, elaborate wardrobe, fictional characters, makeup, props, and transforming yourself into somebody or something else for a while.
FINE-ART & NUDE
Portraiture focused on the human form, light, shadow, shape, vulnerability, atmosphere, and the photograph as a piece of art itself. Fine-art nude work is kept in a separate collection for appropriate viewing.
These aren't packages or rules.
They're starting points.
Featured Alternative Portraits.
18+ or supervision required to view Nude
Nude portraits are beyond this portal.
Though artful, some viewers may construe content to be offensive or inappropriate.
Highlighted Testimonials
“I had the pleasure of working with both Michael and Rose, and was beyond impressed with not only the professionalism, but also the passion and wonderful imagination both of them possess. Michael is a phenomenal photographer, with visions and ideas that are anything but ordinary. Rose is his stunning and creative partner, and one of my all time favorite models. During our shoot, Michael was kind, respectful, adventurous, and a joy to work with. In his bio, he writes, “complacency is the death of mastery”, and nothing could be more encapsulating of the art he creates and his devotion to it. Both he and Rose gave me the best experience imaginable, and I will absolutely be shooting with them again!”
-Eden
“The best experiences I've had at photo shoots. Michael is so kind and down to earth. He makes it easy to feel comfortable in front of the camera (coming from a shy human !). He gives the right amount of direction while allowing you to express your truest self. The completed photo sets always come out better than I could imagine and make me feel confident and fancyy. Michael's creative visions are incredibly unique and perfectly embody the crisp, moody, natural beauty you are looking for in photography! I highly recommend working with him :)”
-Golnar
A Few Things Worth Mentioning
The weird idea is usually worth bringing up.
You don't have to make your idea sound normal before you tell me about it. Medieval warrior? Alien? Haunted Victorian ghost? Something from a dream you can't quite explain?
Let's hear it.
You can bring a fully formed concept, or barely one at all.
We can work from a complete mood board, a costume, a location, a reference image, or simply a general feeling you want the photographs to have.
Cobalt Studios is available.
Our professional Southeast Portland studio gives us controlled lighting, privacy, creative sets, and room to experiment without worrying about the weather.
The finished photograph can be polished without being sterile.
I care about technical quality, but technical perfection isn't the whole point. Sometimes the most interesting photograph is the one with a little movement, grit, atmosphere, or controlled chaos.
You are allowed to look like yourself.
Alternative doesn't have to mean dressing like somebody else. Sometimes it simply means photographing the part of yourself that doesn't fit into a conventional portrait.
Print your photographs.
You'll receive full-resolution images with printing rights because photographs deserve to exist somewhere besides your phone.
Alternative Specific FAQ
What makes a portrait "alternative"?
There's no single definition.
Alternative portraiture generally means we're moving beyond a conventional portrait and putting more emphasis on concept, atmosphere, styling, character, environment, experimentation, or artistic direction.
That could mean something gothic and dark, medieval and fantastical, surreal and strange, cinematic and editorial, or simply different from a standard portrait session.
Do I need to have a concept already?
No.
Bring a complete concept if you have one, but you can also come with an outfit, an inspiration image, a mood, a character, or just an idea you can't quite explain yet.
Part of my job is helping turn that starting point into an actual photograph.
Can you help with creative direction?
Absolutely.
Creative direction is a major part of this kind of work. We can discuss wardrobe, location, lighting, props, mood, posing, composition, and overall visual direction before and during the session.
Can you photograph cosplay or characters?
Yes.
Character photography, cosplay, fantasy, historical-inspired styling, and heavily conceptual portraits can all fall comfortably within alternative portraiture.
If you're bringing armor, elaborate wardrobe, props, makeup, or other specialty elements, let us know during planning so we can build the session around them.
Can we shoot somewhere other than the studio?
Yes.
Cobalt Studios is a great option for controlled lighting and more elaborate setups, but alternative portraits can also happen outdoors or on location.
Portland and the greater Pacific Northwest offer plenty of interesting environments, from urban locations to forests, coastlines, and dramatic landscapes.
What if I want something really strange?
Excellent.
Tell me what you're thinking. No need to be shy. I've yet to bat an eye at some wildly-outlandish requests and doubt to do so anytime soon.
Do I need modeling experience?
Not at all.
I'll provide direction throughout the session. You don't need to know how to pose or perform for the camera before you arrive.
Do you photograph nude portraits?
Yes, for appropriate artistic projects.
Fine-art nude work is handled separately from the general portfolio and is approached with professionalism, consent, privacy, and an artistic focus.
The vision
They dreamt they could hold a memory in the palm of their hands. A fantasy, even.
They sought to immortalize a moment and the moments in between moments.
To steal it from thin air or build it from imagination.
So do I.