Many of my new private clients first reach out with the same question: “How much does one hour of shooting with you cost?” My answer is always the same. A photo shoot with me isn’t measured in minutes or hours, and it’s not just about the final images you receive. It’s a full, holistic experience, with connection, trust, beauty, and joy along the way. The photographs matter, of course, and so does the experience of creating them together.
Working with me is a creative collaboration. It’s a chance to express yourself, see yourself in a new light, and try something a little bolder or more stylish. Every shoot is like a mini life. On that day, your ideas and my vision meet to create something that will never happen again. A session can mark your new chapter, become a turning point or a beautiful memory.
I’m a fashion photographer based in Miami, Florida, and I love discovering the person in front of the camera. I notice your energy, expression, movement, and the small things that make you yourself. My years of photographing people in Portugal are part of that experience. My love of fashion and beauty, and my curiosity about your world, help me create personal stories with style and emotion. That’s what a private photo shoot with me is about.
Who comes to me for a photo shoot and why?
I work with personalities. My clients are people of all ages and backgrounds, often with one shared wish: to see themselves in photographs that feel personal and expressive. I’m now based in Miami and plan projects in South Florida. Travel elsewhere in the United States or worldwide can be discussed for an individual project.
Some want to try the role of a fashion model. Some want to feel beautiful. Others choose a photo shoot at a turning point in life, or afterward, to capture a renewed sense of themselves. Some want to explore their personal style. Some enjoy the idea of thoughtful clothing, makeup, and a photographer’s direction. And some come simply for the pleasure of the process. You do not need a dramatic reason to make photographs of yourself.
From our first conversation, we explore your ideas and what you would like the photographs to say. Often, that conversation opens a direction neither of us expected. I want the experience to feel creative and supportive, with room for you to tell me what feels right and what does not.
By the way, I show you photographs on the camera during the shoot. Seeing a frame you love can change the whole mood. That shared excitement often gives me the next idea.
How do we get the “perfect” shot?
Honestly? I am much more interested in an expressive photograph than a flawless one. I want to see a real person: a look, a gesture, a little movement, an emotion that feels alive. You do not have to become a polished doll for the camera. That kind of heavily altered photography is not my style.
I love images with energy, the kind that make you pause and look again. Sometimes that comes from a strong gaze; sometimes from laughter or the way a dress moves. Finding that expression is one of the things I enjoy most in portrait and lifestyle photography.
How do we prepare for a photo shoot?
Every strong image begins with preparation. We get to know each other, discuss the idea and the scope of the session, agree on the date and price, and secure the booking with the agreed retainer payment. Then we work through the location, clothing, references, and the mood of the photographs. Makeup, hairstyling, and video can be part of the project when we have discussed and included them in advance. You will know what we are planning before the shoot.
Getting to know each other
Every project begins with a message, whether by email, Instagram, WhatsApp, or the contact form on my website. We discuss your idea, what the images are for, possible dates, and pricing. I also like to suggest a video call. A live conversation helps us understand each other in a way that messages alone sometimes cannot.
Choosing a photographer is about more than liking a portfolio. I want you to feel comfortable with the person behind the camera. On the call, I get to know you and what you’re imagining. You’ll get to know me, too: my energy, my way of seeing people, and my love for this work. Photography is part of my everyday life and my daily joy. If you’re planning a personal photo shoot in Miami, this conversation is a lovely place to begin.
And yes, there is always room for something unexpected, beautiful, or funny. Laughter is part of my working process, but that can be our little secret!
Choosing the location
City streets and the beach are two settings I love, and they bring very different moods. A city shoot can feel dynamic and stylish, with architecture, rhythm, and a strong outfit. The beach can feel softer, more relaxed, or more sensual, with space for natural movement. I work a great deal with natural light, but an interior or studio can also be the right choice. We choose the setting around your idea, comfort, and the light we need, rather than treating one type of location as a rule.
For a Miami session, I look for a setting that suits your idea and plan access, privacy, changing clothes, and any permissions in advance.
Clothing and accessories
Next, we think about clothing, shoes, and accessories. Sometimes we build the looks from pieces you already own. Sometimes a stylist is a useful addition, and we can discuss finding the right person for the project. I have worked with both approaches. What matters is that the clothes support the idea and that you can move and feel like yourself in them. A carefully chosen detail can change an image more than a whole new wardrobe.
Makeup and hair
I also work as a makeup artist and hairstylist, and I can include that part of my work in your session by arrangement. I’ll discuss the look, where to get ready, and the time needed. Small changes to makeup or hair can give each outfit a different mood. And if you don’t tell your friends these photographs came from one session, they might never guess!
Our visual references
A moodboard helps us see whether we are imagining the same thing. I usually suggest a small selection of photographs to show a mood, an angle, a color, or a way of moving. You can tell me what you like, what you would change, and bring your own references. We are not trying to copy someone else’s picture exactly. We use the examples to shape a direction that belongs to you.
The day of the shoot
Every shoot is different, and the weather sometimes has its own ideas. For an outdoor session in South Florida, I plan around the forecast, heat, humidity, wind, and possible rain or thunderstorms. Shade, water, breaks, and somewhere practical to get ready all matter. I’ll discuss a suitable backup with you in advance, whether that’s an indoor option, a different time, or another day.
Your energy matters. My job is to notice how you feel, give you direction, and help you settle into the process. We can begin with something simple and find our rhythm. Tell me if a pose feels uncomfortable or a suggestion does not feel like you. The photograph becomes stronger when there is real communication between us.
Depending on the session we have planned, our time together may include getting ready, a coffee, outfit changes, moving between locations, and the shoot itself. We agree on the schedule beforehand. I want there to be room for the experience, not only a rush from one photograph to the next. The small moments between the frames are often part of what you remember afterward.
Miami is my base now, and a new location gives us a new setting for your own story. If your idea involves travel beyond South Florida, we can discuss what it would take to make it work.
Photo selection and editing
In most cases, I make the selection myself. You chose me because something in my work spoke to you, and the selection is part of that vision. I’ll explain the process for your project beforehand. My photographs have appeared in magazines and on covers around the world. I believe in natural beauty, so I don’t dramatically change faces or bodies. I want you to love seeing yourself in the photographs.
Every image I deliver is chosen and edited with love and pride. My greatest joy is when both you and I are happy with the result.
You are at the heart of the photograph
The real you is always the heart of the photograph. Your character, style, depth, and energy are what I became a photographer to explore. I’d love to create a beautiful experience with you, your own mini life on camera. If you’re thinking about a private photo shoot in Miami, tell me a little about yourself and what you’re imagining. Let’s begin with a conversation. 💛
Author: Julia Yatel
