Portrait Photography Work

Please find here a selection of the portraits I’ve made in New Zealand and London. As you’ll see, the portraits are taken in a variety of locations, from the street to people’s homes. If you’re here looking for portrait inspiration, I hope you leave with something to go on.

To make an enquiry about booking me, please send me a message using the form on this page or head to my personal photoshoot page and I’ll get back to you promptly. I am currently available for portrait bookings in Tauranga and the nearby Western Bay of Plenty.

Best wishes, David Dunham.

Close-up of a young woman with blue eyes, freckles, dark eyebrows, and hair pulled back, wearing a navy blue top.
A portrait of a young woman with her chin against her shoulder
A portrait of a young woman with her hair laid out and holding her collar
A woman with red hair and freckles looking over her shoulder on a beach with overcast sky.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a black top, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression, resting her hand near her face.
A black and white photo of a man with a beard and mustache, smoking a cigarette, wearing a button-up shirt and a vest, with a serious expression, in a crowded indoor setting.
Black and white portrait of a young woman with long, dark hair, sitting outdoors with mountain scenery in the background, looking directly at the camera.
A woman with blue eyes and brown hair lying on hay.
A woman with black hair sitting against a weathered wall outdoors, wearing a patterned blouse and dark pants, looking at the camera.
Black and white portrait of a woman with light, wavy hair, wearing a dark coat with her hand near her face, standing against a textured brick wall.
A woman with dark hair sitting in a chair looking out through a window
A young woman in a ball gown stands by a window as light comes through
Black and white portrait of a woman with long wavy hair standing against a brick wall, looking into the camera.
A woman sitting on stairs outside, illuminated from behind, with sunlight creating a lens flare and backlighting her face in black and white.
A woman with dark hair sitting by a window, staring into the distance
A close up portrait of a young woman holding her jacket collar
Close-up of a woman's face with closed eyes, freckles, and wavy hair surrounding her head, black and white photograph.
Black and white side profile of a woman with long hair, looking down, against a dark background.

Book a portrait session.

To make an enquiry about a non-studio portrait photography session in Tauranga (inc Mount Maunganui and Papamoa), simply send me a message via the form below and I’ll get right back to you. A session costs $475 from which you receive 50 digital images curated and edited by me. Please see the portrait photo session page for further details.

Further Portrait Photography

As with the portraits above, the majority of the pictures below were made in New Zealand, with a few in London. The locations in New Zealand were Auckland and Tauranga.

A woman with blonde hair looks to the side as she stands in a street
A close up portrait of a woman with dark hair looking down
A black and white image of a woman with dark hair styled back, looking confidently at the camera with her hands behind her head, in a dark setting.
A woman with dark hair and light skin wearing a white blouse standing outdoors in a dark, natural environment, looking at the camera.
Close-up black and white photo of a woman's face taken from above, with intense gaze and well-defined features.
A black and white photo of a young woman sitting on a wooden bridge, with one hand on her head and the other resting on her knee. She is wearing a long coat and looking at the camera.
A woman with long blonde hair stands in a field as the sun shines behind her
Black and white close-up portrait of a woman with short hair leaning against a brick wall, looking at the camera.
A black and white photograph of a woman with long, wavy hair and a serious expression, standing outdoors with blurred houses and trees in the background.
Black and white photo of a young woman with dark hair, looking over her shoulder at the camera, sitting against a dark background.
A woman with long hair and standing in front of brick wall raises her arm to her head
A woman with long hair twisting to the side and wearing a hat stares back to the camera
Black and white portrait of a young man with curly hair and a serious expression, sitting against a wall with a chain-link fence in the background.
Close-up black and white photo of a young woman with long, wavy hair partially covering her face, looking directly at the camera with an intense expression.
Black and white close-up photo of a woman with long hair blowing across her face, with a serene expression and her eyes slightly closed.
Black and white photo of a young woman with shoulder-length hair and a choker, sitting indoors next to a window with blinds, with natural light creating shadows on her face and background.
A woman wearing a t shirt and jeans sits on the ground with her back to a wall
A woman in a dark room with light on her face rests her chin on her hands
Black and white portrait of a woman with short dark hair and light eyes, wearing a striped top.
A black and white close-up portrait of a woman with dark, wavy hair, wearing a knitted sweater, leaning against a brick wall and gazing at the camera.
A woman with dark hair and wearing a t shirt sits under a bridge
A black and white portrait of a young woman with long hair, resting her chin on her hand, looking at the camera with a thoughtful expression.
A young woman with curly hair looking downwards against a black background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with long, wavy blonde hair, a nose ring, and a calm expression.

Notes on my portrait work

There’s only one studio portrait on this page. I have nothing against working in a studio, it’s always fun, but I prefer to work in environments that have a little more character. This can be a subject’s kitchen, their garden, a side street, pub, under a bridge and so on. What matters is there is some non-harsh light, the setting is atmospheric and the person feels comfortable. Also, though the pictures on this page are black and white portraits (with a couple of exceptions) I make colour portraits too. They can be just as powerful and engaging as a B&W portrait. Sometimes, even more so.

Thank you to the people who have asked me to take their portrait. It’s a privilege to work with you all.

Portrait sessions: how to book

If my style of black and white portrait photography is your cup of tea, and either yourself of a friend or a family member would be interested in a portrait, simply send me a message using the form on this page and we’ll take it from there. My sessions are in Tauranga and cost $475. They last an hour-1.5, from which you’ll receive 40-65 digital images curated and edited by me. The images are sent as small files (easier for social media and sharing) and as large files. Whilst I work mainly in black and white portraits, I also make colour ones too.

Sessions are open to anyone. I don’t use a studio and typically work outside, though can work in an indoor environment that you are more comfortable in should you wish. Kindly note that any additional fees such as location hiring are to be covered by the client. Typically, I work outside (e.g the beach) so no fees are applicable. Sessions in Auckland cost $595.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

David

My take on portrait photography

Whilst my portrait work has changed over the years, my thoughts on the essence of a portrait has not. If I look at a portrait I’ve made and I don’t think anything of it, then to me, it’s not a portrait, even if the subject loves it. Their appreciation of it far outweighs the importance I might find in it. Nevertheless, I’m disappointed in myself if I haven’t worked hard enough to produce something that doesn’t fall into the ‘who cares’ category when you look at.

In summary: A portrait, to me, is not a portrait unless you look at it and have no issue with spending a tidy sum on getting it printed, and putting it on the wall. When it is on the wall, or in a book, it becomes a portrait.

If you’re keen to hang around for a little longer, I’ve expanded my portrait thoughts below.

What is the main purpose of portrait photography?

Portrait photography is a genre of photography in which a subject is captured in the controlled lighting environment of a studio or in a setting the subject is connected to, or, provides visual texture. The purpose of portrait photography is to make a picture that will engage the viewer, and include some essence of the subject. A portrait will, ideally, have a compelling element, either in the subject, or the context. My portrait work in New Zealand is non-studio.

Are black and white portraits better than portraits in colour?

Whether you prefer a black and white portrait, or a colour portrait, is dependent upon factors that include your own personal tastes and whether the picture setting, lighting, and context were fitting for either colour or black and white. Making a portrait in black and white will not rescue a poorly executed portrait, and neither will making it in colour. What matters is the composition, the timing, the lighting, the mood, and the ability of the photographer to make subtle adjustments on set or on site. An example would be, someone sitting on a bed. Placing someone on the far end will create a subtle difference to the mood than placing someone in the middle of the bed. I love colour portraits just as much as black and white, and like to provide both to clients.

Is it easier to make a black and white portrait than a colour one?

Don’t get bogged down by whether a portrait should be in colour or black and white. Yes, it can matter, but what matters is the portrait.

Should portraits be shot in film or digital?

It would be easy to say ‘it doesn’t matter’. To me, it doesn’t matter. For some, it might actually matter. For example, they may have a particular love for film. If it is for a commercial client with a rapid turn around then digital is the logical option. For me, I shoot both. The outcome of whether a strong picture is made is not dependent though on whether it is film or digital. It is dependent on light, timing, composition, and many other factors. These can include whether the photographer is someone the subject wants to work with. If the photographer is being a jerk, or vain, or annoying, or wastes people’s time by not doing their prep work, then it might be reflected in the pictures. The practice that some famous photographers (from the past) followed of deliberately angering their client makes no sense to me. If they’re not an angry person, why try and fabricate a way of being for them? Be human. Talk. Offer a cup of tea. Take an actual interest in them. Do your scouting work beforehand and find all the potential hazards, and know where the nearest toilets are. Basic things matter.

Can anyone have their portrait made?

Yes, they can. The people I work with are occupied across a broad range of professions and are at a range of life stages. The work on this page is just a sample of my work.

Can friends and family attend a portrait session?

Of course, not a problem at all.

What are the rules of portrait photography for photographers?

There are common practices for portrait photographers to follow. They include:

  • Be professional, arrive ahead of time, be courteous, polite, and always be calm.

  • Deliver to the client what you said you would deliver. Be clear before a shoot what you will provide and keep to this unless circumstances beyond your control interfere. That said, always try and make contingency plans. So, if the weather suddenly turns horrible and you are outside, the photographer will have a plan for what to do.

  • If shooting on location, always scout the location beforehand. The portrait subject should be left in doubt you know exactly where you are going. Explain before shooting where the pictures will be made, and if they need to be aware of any potential hazards. For example, if near water, to be mindful of this and to take care. Also, find out where the nearest bathroom is in case the client needs to use it. Try and give guidance on where to park, and what to bring. Think about all the elements that may cause someone to worry and then work to remove them.

  • Don’t mimic another photographer’s style. You have been hired for your style. Don’t copy another photographer’s set up. Strive to be creative in your planning.

  • Be present. The portrait subject is the only one that matters during the making of the picture. Don’t, of course, ignore others who happen to be there, but they can wait till later if they want to chat with you. Your focus is on the person you’re making a portrait of. They need to know that you are only interested at that time in making a darn good portrait.

  • Be nice. Be human. Be interested. Don’t arrive and ask the person lots of questions that sound as though you are working through a list. It won’t help to do so. Instead, aim to have a conversation. If you know something about them, for example, they’re in a band, then listen to the music first. Understand it the best you can. Don’t ever turn up and say, ‘What do you do?’ as your first or early question. Ask, with sincerity, how their day is going. You’ll be able to judge their temperature and mood for conversation from this. If you can’t read people, then you need to learn as reading people is an essential skill in being a photographer.

  • Have a contingency plan for camera bodies not working, lenses smashing, batteries draining, film getting torn, delays from traffic, horrible weather, and so on. Your job is to get the portrait.

Let’s work together.

To make a portrait photography booking enquiry, simply send me a message via the form below and I’ll get right back to you. I’m based near Tauranga and work in Auckland too.