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2024

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Best Portrait Photographers in St. Louis, MO

Our Recommended Top 17

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored St. Louis Portrait Photographers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

133Reviewed

86Curated

17Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

221 Joy Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63119

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (124)
Facebook
5.0 (11)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Randall Kahn Photography is a studio in St. Louis Missouri operating since 2009. The studio specializes in headshot photography, providing services to business professionals, actors, and corporations. In addition, the studio's portfolio includes portrait work, couples, and wedding photography. Randall Kahn has been recognized as an Associate Photographer, a prestigious title awarded to only 30 headshot photographers worldwide. His varied client list includes fortune-100 companies, actors, students, law firms, entrepreneurs, and models.

St. Louis, MO 63109

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Zoe Life Photography is a natural portrait and wedding photography studio. Her images have been described as romantic and airy, emotional and candid, capturing the emotions of your wedding day. She loves making real connections with her couples and bringing out their personalities in my portraits. She will create images that tell the story of your wedding day in the best way possible. She has won The Knot's Best of Wedding every year since 2017, and is a member of the Knot's Hall of Fame.She have also been published in numerous wedding blogs, including Southern Bride, Joy Wed, The Knot, Wedding Wire, Modern Weddings, Nashville Bride Guide, and St. Louis Magazine among others. She photographs families and weddings all over the country.

St. Louis, MO 63116

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Aurora Photography and Design is run by a husband-and-wife team of wedding photographers based in St. Louis. All wedding photography packages are inclusive of an engagement session, six to ten hours of wedding day coverage with two photographers, and credit that can be used at the clients' ordering session. Lead photographer Jennifer has a photography degree and describes her style as bright and airy. Second shooter Aaron holds a master's degree in astrophysics and is an image scientist by day.

St. Louis, MO 63108

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (21)
Yelp
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Jennifer Korman Photography is a St. Louis portrait photographer. Clients hire the studio for photos that perfectly show people's energy and personality and have access to wedding photography, family and lifestyle sessions, and business needs from headshots to galas. The owner also started Headshots 4 Hunger, which helps provide essential vitamins and minerals to women and children via pop-up headshot studios at colleges and corporate events.

Belleville, IL 62220

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (80)

Why choose this provider?

For The Moment Photography has been providing portrait photography for five years in Belleville. The husband-wife team aims to capture those special life moments to be remembered forever and offers sessions for local as well as destination engagements and weddings, senior portraits, maternity and babies, and children and families. For The Moment was featured on The Black Bride and Melissa Hearts Weddings and won a WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award in 2015.

6120 Shoger Drive, Suite D, Edwardsville, IL 62025

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Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Willow & Mohr Photography is a photo studio serving the people in and around St. Louis. The studio offers indoor and outdoor portrait-style sessions to capture genuine photos of pregnant mothers and their significant others, newborn babies, and young children. Founder and owner Nichole holds a certification in safety from APNPI, and her work has been featured in various publications, including Shutter Scene and The Milky Way Newborn Posing Guide.

Wildwood, MO 63040

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (52)
Google
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Cindy Lee Photography is a Wildwood portrait photographer. The photographer seeks to betray real life in her work and offers engagement and wedding photography, family, child, and baby sessions, and senior portraits. Cindy Lee's work has been seen on Green Wedding Shoes and in Saint Louis Bride Magazine and has won Pick for The Knot Best of Weddings twice.

834 Berkshire Blvd, East Alton, IL 62024

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (143)
Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Lee Barrow Photography takes individuals' portraits in St. Louis. One of its portrait photography packages for children involves a one-hour outdoor or in-studio session, 20 images, and an online gallery. The business also provides photography services including newborn, engagement, family, maternity, and wedding photography. Its newborn, milestone, and children packages come with a print credit, and the family, maternity, and senior packages come with print release. Its principal photographer, Lee Barrow, has been professionally taking photos for more than 10 years.

St. Louis, MO 63118

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (17)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Laura Ann Miller Photography photographs portraits in St. Louis. The photographer is known for her artistic vision, timeless photos, and for getting to know her clients so that they are comfortable in front of the camera. Services include wedding, maternity, newborn, family, children’s and senior portrait sessions, and clients can also order a bevy of products including fine art prints, coffee table books, canvas gallery wraps, framed prints, greeting cards, and birth announcements.

St Charles, MO 63301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Lance Tilford Photography is a St Charles portrait photographer. The group is known for its creativity and marketing experience and provides headshots for professional talent, lifestyle photos, kids, and other portraits, as well as corporate, commercial, and fashion and photography. Clients also get access to professional makeup services from a makeup artist, actress, and model of 30 years. The owner wrote The Art of the Headshot and has worked with the likes of MTV and Fox2.

Edwardsville, IL 62025

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.4 (47)
Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Visions by Carol Photography has been handling portrait photography in Edwardsville since 2004. Clients can request shoots for birth and family to weddings and pets at the company's 2,000 square foot facility or at a location of their choosing. The owner is a certified Master of Photography by the Professional Photographers of America, is on the board of directors for American Professional Photographers of Illinois, and has received 12 awards from the Southern Illinois Art League.

St. Louis, MO

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (7)
Google
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

High school senior photos are the specialty of portrait photographer Laura Tucker, whose business, Laura Tucker Photography, caters to residents of St. Louis. Besides the typical lifestyle photoshoots, she offers a cap-and-gown session where seniors can show off their medals and awards or sports or musical gear. Holding an art and graphic design degree, Tucker describes photography as her true passion and has been practicing her craft for around 20 years. She also photographs families, engagements, and weddings.

OFallon, IL 62269

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (223)
Google
4.7 (17)

Why choose this provider?

Salvatore Cincotta Photography is a portrait photographer serving the O'Fallon area. The studio handles weddings, engagements, and senior portraits and has a reputation for documenting life with dramatic shots and artistic flair with commissions from President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, sports celebrities, and other personalities as well. The photographer has been published around the world, is Master of WPPI and a PPA Photographic Craftsman, and has won numerous awards as well as worked for corporate giants.

Ballwin, MO 63021

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
3.5 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Joel Marion Photography has been photographing portraits for clients throughout Ballwin for over 15 years. The company uses a team approach in their work to deliver the best service as well as memories, and the photographer uses a photojournalistic method to get the right shot the first time without any staging. The owner served in the U.S. Air Force and handles engagement and wedding shoots, bar and bat mitzvah photos, senior portraits, real estate, dance, and corporate headshots.

Brentwood, MO 63376

Why choose this provider?

Kairos Photography handles portrait photography for the Brentwood community. The husband-wife team uses photography to stop time, tell a story, and create heirloom pieces to cherish forever and photographs weddings, engagements, seniors, and families. Videography is also available, and collection and portrait details can be found online. Kairos has been featured on numerous sites, was a 2016 Pick for The Knot Best of Weddings, and won a WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award in 2016.

1120 South 6th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Aim with Mia Photography LLC is a photography company based in St. Louis. Mia is a professional photographer who specializes in portrait photography for different types of subjects. She covers maternity and newborn shoots, family and children sessions, senior shoots, engagements and weddings, and special occasions. Mia's style of photography ranges from playful colors and bright backgrounds to moody, muted backdrops and intimate settings. Clients may avail themselves of collection and mini-collection photoshoots lasting for 20 minutes to an hour and a half, as well as in-studio and on-location sessions. The 2020 Two Bright Lights Editors' Choice Awards winner is a registered member of Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International, keeping her up-to-date with the best practices in newborn photography, and a certified special education teacher. Mia is also a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography.

9400 Sonora Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63144

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Since 2015, Henry David Photography has been helping individuals transform their visual branding, paving the way for new professional and business opportunities. The St. Louis-based portrait photography studio conducts sessions in its 1,000-square-foot facility or at the client's chosen location. Its packages are ideal for company owners requiring team headshots, models working on a portfolio, and seniors celebrating their milestones. Henry David's clients include Centene Corporation, Novo Nordisk, and Chime. Before moving to St. Louis, he collaborated with actors, models, and musicians in Los Angeles.

  • Senior Portraits
  • Head shots
  • Beauty Headshots

Compare our Top Portrait Photographers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Randall Kahn Photography
221 Joy Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63119
Zoe Life Photography
St. Louis, MO 63109
Aurora Photography and Design
St. Louis, MO 63116
Jennifer Korman Photography
St. Louis, MO 63108
For The Moment Photography
Belleville, IL 62220
Willow & Mohr Photography
6120 Shoger Drive, Suite D, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Cindy Lee Photography
Wildwood, MO 63040
Lee Barrow Photography
834 Berkshire Blvd, East Alton, IL 62024
Laura Ann Miller Photography
St. Louis, MO 63118
Lance Tilford Photography
St Charles, MO 63301
Visions by Carol Photography
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Laura Tucker Photography
St. Louis, MO
Salvatore Cincotta Photography
OFallon, IL 62269
Joel Marion Photography
Ballwin, MO 63021
Kairos Photography
Brentwood, MO 63376
Aim with Mia Photography LLC
1120 South 6th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104
Henry David Photography
9400 Sonora Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63144

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Portrait photography can be the perfect way to capture special moments for adults, children, couples, and families. It's a popular option for occasions, such as graduations, weddings, birthdays, and various milestones reached throughout childhood. However, you don't need a special reason to get a portrait professionally done, as there are many photographers eager to work with new clients at a reasonable rate.

    Professional portrait photography takes years of practice, and the right photographer can achieve results that go far beyond the typical selfie. A magnificent portrait can bring out the subject's inner qualities, allowing their unique personality to shine through for generations to cherish.
  • What is portrait photography?

    Portrait photography is the art of capturing a sitter's likeness with a camera. While this may sound as simple as snapping a quick shot with your mobile phone, the truth is that a truly good portrait photo is difficult to achieve. The goal of a high-quality photo is to capture the personality and emotions behind the subject.

  • What is the history of portrait photography?

    Since the invention of the first camera in 1839, portraits have been one of the most popular kinds of photos. However, way back when, photos needed an exposure time of 20 minutes or more, meaning you would need to sit completely still for that time or else end up with a blurry image.

  • Where can you learn portrait photography?

    Many art schools across the country offer degrees in photography, and some even have specialized classes in portraiture. This can be a good option for young photographers who want a well-rounded skill set. However, many dedicated portrait photographers are self-taught and rely on their portfolios to serve as their credentials.

  • How do you start a portrait photography business?

    Before starting a portrait studio, it's best to gain experience shooting your friends and family so you have a strong portfolio to show clients. Once you're confident in your work, try making a website where you can direct new businesses interested in having their pictures taken.

  • How to eliminate shadows in portrait photography?

    The secret behind many photographers' success is that photography is 50% editing. If you're working digitally, you can open up your pictures in editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop, and use its digital tools to manipulate shadows and highlights. If you prefer to work analog, the best way to mitigate shadows is proper lighting.

  • What are the four categories of portrait photography?

    The four categories of portrait photography are constructionist, candid, environmental, and creative.

    1. Constructionist photographs involve working with a photographer who will sit you in different poses and lighting to create the perfect shot from the ground up.
    2. Candid photos are taken with minimal setup, trying to capture their subject in the moment.
    3. Environmental photos try to capture subjects in their natural environment.
    4. Creative photography uses a variety of experimental techniques and elements to create an original image.