Lafayette Portrait & Headshot Photographer

Old Town Lafayette has the kind of character that makes portrait photography easy. The brick buildings along Public Road and East Simpson Street have been here for over a century, and they give photos a warmth and texture that you cannot fake. I do all my Lafayette portrait and headshot work in natural light, using the town itself as my backdrop.

Portraits in Old Town Lafayette

I started shooting portraits in Old Town Lafayette because a client asked me to, and I have been going back ever since. The Public Road corridor has this stretch of old brick buildings, painted murals, and narrow sidewalks that give every photo depth and personality. It is not polished like Pearl Street in Boulder. It is a little rougher around the edges, and that is exactly what makes it work.

For headshots specifically, Old Town Lafayette gives me clean, warm backgrounds without the distractions you get in busier locations. I can position someone against a brick wall on East Simpson Street and get a headshot that has texture and color without competing with the subject. The afternoon light comes through between the buildings at sharp angles, creating natural fill that looks like I set up studio lighting. I did not. That is just how the town is built.

Where I Shoot Portraits in Lafayette

The Public Road corridor between Baseline Road and South Boulder Road is my primary portrait zone in Lafayette. Within that stretch, I have about a dozen specific spots I use depending on the time of day and what the client needs. Some walls photograph warm in the afternoon. Others catch reflected light in the morning. I have learned these spots through repetition, and I can pick the right one for any session.

East Simpson Street has a different feel. It is quieter, slightly more residential, with older trees and a mix of commercial and historic buildings. I use it for portraits that need a softer backdrop or when someone wants a more relaxed setting than the Public Road restaurants and shops.

For portraits that need more of a natural setting, I head to Waneka Lake. The cottonwood groves along the lake give me natural frames and dappled light, and the lake itself works as a background for three-quarter and full-length portraits. It is a completely different look from Old Town, which is why I like having both options in one town.

Headshots That Actually Work

I shoot a lot of headshots, and my approach is simple: I want the photo to look like you on a good day. Not a glamour shot, not an over-retouched version of you, not someone posing stiffly in a suit they never wear. I want the photo that makes people say "that looks exactly like you."

That means natural light, natural expressions, and a location that fits who you are. If you are a creative professional, maybe the murals on Public Road work. If you are a lawyer or financial advisor, the clean brick on East Simpson gives a more understated look. If you are an outdoor brand or fitness professional, we head to the trails. The location is part of the story.

I typically shoot headshots in 30 to 45 minutes. We start with a conversation. I get you talking about something you care about, and I start shooting while you are engaged and animated. The best headshots come from those moments between poses when your face is doing something real. I watch for those and grab them.

Senior Portraits and Creative Work

Lafayette is also a great spot for senior portraits. High school seniors want something with personality, and Old Town delivers. I have shot seniors leaning against the vintage storefronts, walking down the brick sidewalks, and sitting on the steps of old buildings with the afternoon light streaming through. The town has enough variety that every senior gets a unique set of images.

For creative portraits, actors, musicians, artists, anyone who needs images that tell a story, Lafayette gives me a canvas that is not trying too hard. The imperfections in the buildings and sidewalks add character. The peeling paint, the hand-lettered signs, the cracks in the concrete. That stuff makes photos interesting in a way that a studio backdrop never will.

What to Expect

Portrait sessions in Lafayette typically run 45 to 60 minutes. Headshot sessions are 30 to 45 minutes. I meet you at the location, and we walk and shoot. I handle all the technical details (light, angles, background) while you focus on being comfortable and present. I give some direction for posing but keep it minimal. Most of my best portraits happen in the moments between directed poses.

Learn more about my portrait & headshot photography services