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2024

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Best Portrait Photographers in Arlington, VA

Our Recommended Top 9

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

81Reviewed

52Curated

9Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

2016 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (78)
Yelp
5.0 (4)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Portraits by Jared Wolfe is a fine art photography studio based in Alexandria. Visual artist Jared Wolfe is passionate about portrait photography and is experienced in taking solo, baby, maternity, bridal, and family portraits. The exclusive boutique studio is also equipped to produce headshots for business professionals, models, and actors working in and around the Arlington area. During a headshot photography session, Wolfe gives his clients coaching on their expressions and provides instant viewing and quick turnaround of the photos.

311 N Washington St, 200L, Alexandria, VA 22314

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (20)
Facebook
5.0 (13)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Lisa Damico Portraits is a professional photography studio located in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. On-location shoots are also available. Lisa specializes in classic headshots, beauty portraits, and online dating portfolios. All sessions include a consultation, professional hair and makeup styling, retouched images, and assistance uploading photos to social media profiles. Lisa also specializes in personal branding, so she understands how to make clients feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera. She believes everyone is photogenic with the right techniques and photographer. Professionals and daters alike feel comfortable recommending Lisa Damico Portraits due to Lisa's attentiveness and encouraging attitude.

514 24th Street South, Arlington, VA 22202

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (21)
Facebook
5.0 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Capitol Hill Photo specializes in capturing the best angles of clients in Arlington and the rest of the Washington DC area. Established in 2016, the company aims to make individuals and brands more marketable by taking portrait photos that showcase relatable and compelling images. Event, product, and brand marketing photography services are also offered. Owner and photographer Anthony Bolognese sits on the Marketing Committee for the NVAA and is an active leader and advocate for independent contractors on the Leadership Team for Freelance DC.

5404 16th Street North, Arlington, VA 22205

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (55)
Yelp
5.0 (19)
Facebook
5.0 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Oxana Ware Photography offers portrait photography services for residents of Arlington. The photographer, Oxana, shoots family portraits that may involve pets. She also documents children's milestones such as birthdays. Furthermore, Oxana specializes in newborn photography and prepares the setup herself, from knitting blankets and crocheting bonnets and hats to making unique hairbands from scratch. She holds both studio and outdoor portrait sessions and is open to trying out new ideas involving new venues and poses.

Fairfax, VA 22031

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (31)

Why choose this provider?

Tim Coburn Photography is a full-service photography studio in Fairfax, VA. Photographer and owner Tim Coburn specializes in headshot services for executives, actors, and entertainers. His services include professional hair and makeup, professional retouching, and clothing styling. He strives to capture headshots which are captivating, expressive, and personalized. Past clients have been Navy Federal, Dell, Target, Facebook, Washington Nationals, Chanel, NPR, Clear Channel, J.P. Morgan, and the Olympics. An online photography portfolio and price list are available on his website for clients to review. Tim Coburn Photography currently holds a five-star rating on Google with over 70 reviews where clients speak highly of Tim’s creative style, friendly approach, and outstanding results.

4646 13th Street North, Arlington, VA 22207

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (2)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Serving Arlington, Nadya Lutz Photography specializes in portrait, family, newborn, and child photography. Photographer Nadya offers various portrait packages, including full executive, mini executive, corporate, publicity, and mini portrait photo shoots for individuals. Weekday family, full family, and maternity portrait sessions are also available. She is open to travel for shoots outside Northern Virginia. Nadya is a member of the Professional Photographers of America. Her photos have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Wedding Wire.

Springfield, VA 22153

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Dimples & Dandelion Photography is based in Northern Virginia and specializes in portrait and engagement photography. Dimples & Dandelion Photography can also photograph couples, children, and families. All photo sessions include a complimentary wardrobe consultation. Pricing for each service is listed on the company’s website. Imtiaz, the owner, and photographer for Dimples & Dandelion Photography, first started her photography career when she first snapped photos of her daughter. After seeing her daughter’s smile in a photo, she took, her love for photography was sparked. Imatz loves to use natural light and uses it in her photos whenever she can.

5040 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (28)
Yelp
4.5 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Photo Scope Studios is a full-service photography business that serves Arlington. Its photography services include studio portraits, weddings, and events. It also provides magnetic tape to DVD conversion, digital scanning, photo restoration and alteration, custom framing, and film developing. The company also offers corporate headshot photography for LinkedIn profiles. Photo Scope Studios has been in business for more than 25 years. It caters to metros in Washington, DC, and the surrounding suburbs.

Reston, VA 20191

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.6 (25)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Jacqui DePas Photography is a professional boutique photography business that serves clients in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area as well as in New York City. The company has been in operation since its founding in 2004 and specializes in portraiture work. Services provided by Jacqui DePas Photography include food photography, professional headshots, lifestyle portraiture, and boudoir photo shoots. Owner and lead photographer Jacqui DePas also has a special event and wedding photography business with her father, called The Photo Gallery DC by Len Jacqui DePas. Jacqui DePas Photography can be contacted for bookings by phone or email.

Compare our Top Portrait Photographers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Portraits by Jared Wolfe
2016 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Lisa Damico Portraits
311 N Washington St, 200L, Alexandria, VA 22314
Capitol Hill Photo
514 24th Street South, Arlington, VA 22202
Oxana Ware Photography
5404 16th Street North, Arlington, VA 22205
Tim Coburn Photography
Fairfax, VA 22031
Nadya Lutz Photography
4646 13th Street North, Arlington, VA 22207
Dimples & Dandelion Photography
Springfield, VA 22153
Photo Scope Studios
5040 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207
Jacqui DePas Photography
Reston, VA 20191

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.