Bridget Corke Photography
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Johannesburg Portrait Photographer | Studio Photography

Capturing High-Quality Studio Portraits for Discerning Clients since 2005

Expert Portraits Tailored to Your Professional and Personal Needs

Portrait Photography Style for Branding

Selecting the Ideal Branding Photographer in Johannesburg:

It's vital to choose a photographer whose style aligns with your vision. My approach is contemporary and clean, emphasising timeless elegance over fleeting trends to ensure your branding portraits stand the test of time. Explore my portfolio to witness the professional quality and unique style that distinguish my work. Discover why I am the photographer who can accurately bring your brand's vision to life.

Portrait Pricing

Tailored Portrait Packages for Every Need:

I offer three distinct packages crafted to cater to the varied requirements of my private clients. Choose and pay for your preferred package, and once booked, we'll schedule a comprehensive telephone consultation. This will cover your wardrobe, posing ideas, backdrops, and lighting styles. Together, we'll create something truly exceptional!

The Value of Professional Photography

Investing in a professional photographer is essential for capturing quality images that stand the test of time. Like any premium product or service, exceptional photography comes at a cost due to the extensive resources involved in creating lasting images. If the results are unsatisfactory, re-shooting might not be feasible due to budget or time constraints. Choosing the right photographer from the start is more economical and effective. Make a wise choice and ensure your investment in memories endures a lifetime.

Portrait Photography: Personalise and Professional

Experience the Difference in My Johannesburg Studio:

As your dedicated professional portrait photographer, you get my exclusive expertise—no stand-ins or substitutes. Photography isn't just my profession; it's my superpower. I ensure you look relaxed and natural, never stiff or awkward. In my studio, you will showcase:

  • Approachable smiles
  • Honest laughter
  • Interesting looks
  • Natural poses
  • Professional stares

Step into a space where your personality shines through every photo captured by a photographer specialising in bringing out your best.

Portrait Clients

Discover Your Perfect Portrait Category:

Whether you want to enhance your professional presence or capture your essence, I offer specialised portrait sessions tailored to various clients. You are my ideal client if you are looking for:

Professional & Business:

  • Business Portraits
  • Corporate Portraits
  • Executive Portraits
  • Group Portraits
  • Staff Portraits

Specialised Professions:

  • Actor Portraits
  • Accountant Portraits
  • Advocate Portraits
  • Artist Portraits
  • Attorney Portraits
  • Author Portraits
  • Banker Portraits
  • Board Member Portraits
  • Doctor Portraits
  • Educator Portraits
  • Engineer Portraits
  • Journalist Portraits
  • Lawyer Portraits
  • Physician Portraits
  • Politician Portraits
  • Real Estate Portraits
  • Reporter Portraits
  • Researcher Portraits
  • Speaker Portraits
  • Surgeon Portraits
  • Teacher Portraits
  • Therapist Portraits
  • Veterinarian Portraits

Personal Interest & Lifestyle:

  • Online Dating Portraits
  • Athlete Portraits
  • Sportswomen Portraits
  • Student Portraits
  • Victim Portraits
  • Writer Portraits

Step into my Johannesburg studio for a portrait session reflecting your profession and personality. Let's create images that speak volumes about who you are and what you represent.

Portrait Posing Expertise

Leave the Posing to the Professional:

You don't need to be an expert in posing—that's where I excel. I'll guide and direct you throughout your session, paying close attention to every detail to ensure we capture your best look. Here's how I apply the seven key rules of posing to enhance your portraits:

  • Chin: Positioned to project confidence.
  • Shoulders: Adjusted to create a poised and elegant appearance.
  • Hands: Styled to add a touch of natural grace.
  • Hourglass: Shaped to accentuate form.
  • Body Language: Modulated to convey the right attitude and tone.
  • Asymmetry: Utilised to introduce dynamic interest.
  • Connection: Established to capture and reflect genuine interactions.

I begin by ensuring you feel comfortable and relaxed, experimenting with different angles to discover the most flattering perspectives. My approach not only elicits genuine expressions but also captures deep-seated emotions. My portrait portfolio is a testament to my "posing superpower," ensuring each client receives the perfect shot. Explore my portfolio to witness the precision and care I bring to every session.

Attention to Detail in Every Portrait

It's All in the Details:

I devote meticulous attention to the smallest elements that significantly enhance your portraits. From perfecting the placement of your hair to ensuring ties are straight and removing any lint, no detail is overlooked. Have minor imperfections marred your previous portraits? Let's ensure they don't this time. With my expert eye, every aspect of your appearance is refined to perfection, ensuring your portraits stand out for all the right reasons.

Natural Retouching for Authentic Portraits

True to You:

I am dedicated to preserving your authentic appearance through subtle yet impactful retouching. Your portraits must reflect the real you, not just a polished façade. My editing goes beyond simple corrections; it enhances your natural features without altering your essence. This meticulous approach to retouching isn't merely a skill—it's one of my superpowers, representing a genuine value exchange. Invest in truly worthwhile portraits where you look unmistakably like your best self.

Headshot Wardrobe Guidelines

Planning Your Look

  • Prepare in Advance: Ensure your wardrobe is ready well before your session to avoid last-minute issues.
  • Transport Smartly: Bring your outfits on hangers to keep them crisp and crease-free—don't wear them to the session.
  • Wardrobe Changes: Feel free to change outfits during the session, time permitting.

General Wardrobe Recommendations

  • Colour Choices: Opt for solid colours that are safe, practical, and timeless. Fresh white or checked collared shirts paired with a black, charcoal, or dark navy suit work well with dark and light backgrounds.
  • Fit and Form: Dark colours offer a slimming effect. Ensure collared shirts fit properly, neither too loose nor too tight.
  • Layers and Textures: Layering adds interest. For women, flowing chiffon blouses are particularly flattering.
  • Patterns: Prints and florals can be effective but should be chosen carefully.
  • Arm Coverage: If you prefer not to show your arms, opt for garments that cover them.

Specific Considerations

  • Maintenance: Ensure garments are clean and well-ironed. Consider dry cleaning if necessary.
  • Accessories: Keep jewellery minimal to maintain the focus on you. If you wear glasses, opt for anti-reflective lenses to reduce glare.
  • Timelessness: Avoid wearing smartwatches as they may date your photos.
  • Online Dating Portraits: Bring attire you would wear on a first date to reflect your genuine style.

Still Unsure?

  • Bring Options: If in doubt, bring a variety of clothing. I am here to help you select the best options to ensure your headshots project professionalism, competence, and approachability.

These guidelines will help you prepare effectively, ensuring you look and feel confident in front of the camera. Let's make your professional presence shine!

Preparing Your Look for Your Portrait Session

Hair

  • Timing Your Haircut: Visit your hairdresser about a week before your shoot. This allows the haircut to settle and look more natural as it grows slightly.

Hands and Nails

  • Don't Forget the Details: Your hands and nails are vital to your overall presentation. Ensure your hands are well-moisturised and your nails are neatly trimmed. Use neutral or clear nail polish for a professional appearance.

Make-up

  • Professional Make-Up Available: For an additional fee, I offer professional make-up services to enhance your natural beauty. Alternatively, the subtle make-up you might wear for a nice dinner—enhancing rather than transforming—is also perfect for your headshot.
  • Keep it Natural: I recommend natural make-up styling over dramatic looks to ensure you appear like your best self without seeming overdone.

These simple yet effective preparations can significantly enhance the quality of your headshots, ensuring you appear polished and professional. They help you make a great first impression. If you have any questions or need further guidance, I'm here to assist you every step of the way.

Portrait Applications for Diverse Needs

I specialise in crafting eye-catching headshots and portraits tailored for a wide range of applications, including:

  • Corporate Use: Enhance your annual reports and marketing materials with professional portraits that convey competence and confidence.
  • Personal Branding: Elevate your professional image across all fronts with custom portraits that reflect your unique brand.
  • Social Media Engagement: Stand out on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with portraits designed to catch the eye and engage viewers.
  • Entertainment Industry: Create compelling Z-cards for acting and modelling pursuits that capture attention and showcase your versatility.
  • Online Dating: Make a memorable first impression on platforms like Tinder with a striking headshot that sets you apart from the crowd.

These targeted portrait services are designed to meet the specific needs of diverse clients, ensuring that whatever your requirements, you have a portrait that makes a strong impact.

Optimised for Online Platforms

Much of our networking and professional interactions occur online in today's digital age. I meticulously prepare your portraits to meet the specific requirements of various social media platforms, ensuring optimal presentation and impact. Whether LinkedIn for professional networking, Facebook and Instagram for broader social engagement, or Tinder for personal connections, your portraits are crafted to make the right impression. Each photo is optimised to stand out, helping you connect effectively and leave a lasting impact on every platform.

Book Your Professional Portrait Photoshoot in Johannesburg

Please plan to schedule your professional portrait session at least two weeks in advance to secure your preferred date. If your schedule conflicts with our initial timing, don't worry—I'm flexible and happy to accommodate a time that works best for you.

Step into my Johannesburg studio and experience the magic of capturing the best portraits you've ever seen. Capturing your unique essence is not just my job—it's my superpower, and it brings me immense joy to reveal the best version of yourself. Are you ready to see the incredible? Book your session today, and let's create something extraordinary together!

Personal Branding Photo Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to my most frequently asked questions as a professional headshot photographer.

A headshot is a head-and-shoulder photo that shows what you look like. While headshots are pretty straightforward, portraits are less formal and more enlightening. A portrait allows for artistic license, i.e., using dramatic light or props to tell a story about yourself. A portrait can be head-and-shoulders, from the waist up, or show the complete figure. Read more about headshots vs portraits.
No, because I can pose you to flatter your body and remove a kilogram or two in editing if you wish—both are my superpowers.
Yes. I will edit your images. It is another one of my superpowers.
I focus on a natural look with subtle adjustments and enhancements to keep you recognisable.
Absolutely. We will discuss examples that you are drawn to in our pre-shoot consultation. I will ask you to send me examples of poses, backgrounds, and lighting styles so I can create something similar.
Read my client reviews and be assured being made to feel comfortable is another one of my superpowers.

It is just you and me, no onlookers. I don't rush shoots. I try different poses, some with posing props, to gradually relax and build confidence in front of the camera. In the end, you only buy the photos that you love.
My studio has an inverter to take care of blackouts.
Time permitting, we will go through your shoot immediately or arrange a convenient time for you to come back to view them. I will guide you in selecting the very best.
It typically takes up to ten days to edit portraits.
I have been a dedicated portrait photographer since 2005.
I have an international Master's in portrait photography, one of only two in Africa, from The Portrait Masters and have garnered multiple portrait awards from my industry peers.

I also have a degree in the humanities from Wits University.
EXPERIENCE
I have been a dedicated portrait photographer since 2005. My genuine interest in people's emotions, recognition of the power of photos to tell a story, and sharp eye make me a natural portrait photographer.

PRICE
My pricing is simple and a value-for-value exchange. Getting it right the first time is often less expensive.

REPUTATION
Each time I take photos of people, my reputation is at stake. With every aspect of customer service visible online, I am deeply committed to delivering outstanding work and capturing the best photo you've ever seen of yourself. You can find a quick link to my reviews and compliments accessible through a Google search.

QUALITY
I work from my dedicated studio and use professional equipment. My photos are properly exposed, sharp, and well-framed. My portfolio is extensive and speaks for itself.

STYLE
My unique style is contemporary and clean. It has remained the same since 2005. It is never trendy and will provide a return on your investment for years.
Good portrait photography is an investment. Like any quality product or service, running a professional photography studio that produces high-quality images is not cheap. Cameras, lighting, studio and computer equipment are expensive. Software to edit and process files, plus archiving, is paid monthly in US dollars. And the never-ending challenge of your computer being too old for firmware updates.

Lousy photography is even more expensive. If you don't like your photos, you will have wasted your money; if a re-shoot is possible, you will have to spend more. It is better to get it right the first time.
Fantastic. Contact me. Let's secure your session date and set up a pre-shoot telephonic consultation.

JOHANNESBURG PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

© 2005 -2025 Bridget Corke Photography

Blairgowrie, 2194, SOUTH AFRICA

International Master's in portrait photography from The Portrait Masters, one of only two in Africa.

bridget@bridgetcorke.co.za +27828814044