What I do
A portrait that says something
before you say a word.
Most portraits look like portraits. Posed, flat, forgettable. They document a person without revealing anything about them.
Every session starts with a conversation — about your work, your audience, and what you want people to understand about you before they've read a single word of your bio. Then we build an image around that. Bold, cinematic, human.
The result is a portrait that doesn't just represent you. It works for you.
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Why it works
What makes every
session different.
It starts with a conversation, not a camera
Before anything is shot, we talk. About your work, your audience, the feeling you want these images to create. That conversation is where the portrait actually begins — and it's what separates something distinctive from something generic.
Built for creatives and entrepreneurs who have a lot to say
Actors, musicians, visual artists, writers, entrepreneurs — if your image needs to carry the weight of your work, I know how to build it. I'm not flattening your identity into a professional headshot. I'm making something that reflects who you actually are.
You'll feel more comfortable than you expect
Most people come in thinking they're not photogenic. They leave with images they're genuinely proud of. The directing, the pacing, the conversation — all of it is designed to get you out of your head and into something real.
17 years. Award-winning. Still curious.
New York Photography Awards. PX3 Gold Prize Paris. City of Ottawa Permanent Collection. The experience shows — not in a polished, corporate way, but in knowing exactly when to push and when to wait for something real to happen.
What people say
Five-star reviews on Google
Shawn was wonderful to work with. I usually feel a bit awkward in front of the camera, but he made the process comfortable. His pose suggestions were really helpful. The photos turned out better than expected — they captured the vibe I was hoping for and they made me feel confident and pretty. I'd definitely recommend him to anyone considering a shoot.— Sarah T.
The Experience
What the price actually covers.
More than a longer session.
A Portrait/Branding session starts with a conversation about what these images need to say about you and your work, not a checklist. From there, I guide you through every step personally, from booking through to delivery, so the whole process feels handled rather than transactional. In the room, my job is to keep you comfortable and give you real direction: how to move, where to look, when to just be yourself for a second. Most people come in thinking they’re not photogenic and leave with images that say otherwise.
Sessions can be shot in-studio or on location, whichever fits the story you’re telling. If it’s in-studio, I’ll help you choose from several professional studios based on the mood and range you’re after, not just whatever’s available. Every image in your gallery is retouched by me personally afterward, treated as its own piece of work rather than run through a preset. That approach is backed by seventeen years behind the camera, a New York Photography Award, a PX3 Gold Prize in Paris, and work in the City of Ottawa’s permanent collection.
You’re paying for more than images. You’re paying for a premium experience, portraits built to carry the weight of what you actually do, and a process that makes getting there feel easy.
Pricing & Information
Everything you need
to know before we shoot.
Every session starts with a free consultation — a conversation about your work, your goals, and what you want these images to do for you. No commitment, no pressure. We figure out the right package together.
Every Portrait/Branding session includes five retouched images, so you walk away with a finished set no matter what. Studio time is built into your session fee, and if you'd rather shoot on location instead, that's available too, at the same price. Longer sessions mean more looks, more variety, and more to choose from, most clients extend their gallery once they see everything we shot together. Additional images and full galleries start at $225 for a 10-image collection.
Session
- 2 hours (in studio or on-location)
- Studio rental included
- 5 retouched images
- Royalty-free license — personal & commercial use
- Option to purchase additional images
Two hours is enough time for a full change of look: a different outfit, backdrop, or energy, so you leave with more than one story to tell. It suits a founder building out a personal brand library, a musician who needs press photos, or an actor rounding out a portfolio.
Book this sessionSession
- 3 hours (in studio or on-location)
- Studio rental included
- 5 retouched images
- Royalty-free license — personal & commercial use
- Option to purchase additional images
An extra hour buys more variety: additional looks, more time to settle in front of the camera, and coverage across the different ways you show up. On your website. On stage. In your press kit.
Book this sessionSession
- 4 hours (in studio or on-location)
- Studio rental included
- 5 retouched images
- Royalty-free license — personal & commercial use
- Option to purchase additional images
Built for a full shoot list. Multiple looks, settings, and contexts in one session. Ideal for a brand refresh, an EPK, a body of portfolio work, or a founder who wants a year's worth of content from one day.
Book this sessionJust need a professional headshot? If straightforward and polished is the goal, see the Signature Headshot Session →
Studio rental is built into every Portrait/Branding session. I work from several professional studios around Ottawa, each suited to a different look and energy — we'll talk through your vision at your consultation and choose the space that fits it. Prefer to shoot on location instead? That works too, at the same price.
Every image you choose — included or added afterward — comes with a royalty-free license for personal and commercial use. · Travel fees apply beyond 50km.
Common Questions
Portrait sessions in
Ottawa & Gatineau.
If you're thinking about booking, you probably have a few questions about how it all works — studio or location, what to wear, turnaround time. Here are the ones I hear most often.
There's no price difference either way, it's the same session fee. If a studio suits your vision best, rental is included in that fee, no separate line item. If you'd rather shoot on location, whether that's a spot with personal meaning or a specific look you have in mind, I'm happy to come to you instead. We'll settle on what fits together at your consultation.
Your session includes 5 retouched images, chosen together with you. Want more from the shoot? You can add extra images or a full collection afterward, with collections starting at $225 for 10 images.
Choose outfits that reflect your actual style, not your "photo day" style. If you're building out brand or marketing images, bring pieces that match how you want to be perceived professionally. Solid colours and simple textures photograph best. Bring 2 to 3 options and we'll decide together. See my full session prep guide for more detail.
Typically within two weeks of your session, up to four weeks during busier periods. Need it sooner? Rush turnaround is available for a fee if you have a launch, submission, or deadline to hit, just let me know when we book and we'll sort out timing together.
Ottawa weather is what it is. If we've planned an on-location shoot, I monitor forecasts closely and we'll be in touch beforehand. If conditions aren't workable, we can reschedule or shift to a studio instead. Flexibility is built into how I work.
Absolutely. Items that represent your work or personality can add a lot to a session, an instrument, a tool of your trade, just let me know in advance so I can plan for it properly.
Yes. Every image comes with a royalty-free license covering both personal and commercial use, which includes paid advertising and marketing campaigns, not just organic use on your website or social profiles.
Reach out through the contact page or email contact@shawnmoreton.com. Once we confirm a date, I'll send a booking form and a session guide to help you prepare. The first step is just saying hello.
Let's make something
Ready for a portrait that
actually looks like you?
Stand out from the crowd.
Every session starts with a conversation. Reach out and let's figure out exactly what that looks like, together.
Book a Session