Sophie Ransome is a Cleckheaton-based portrait specialist capturing natural, authentic portraits and professional headshots. Her relaxed, lifestyle-led studio sessions put camera-shy clients at ease.
I specialise in portrait photography from my base in Cleckheaton, helping people feel seen and confident in front of the camera. Photography has been my passion since I was 12 — a night class in black-and-white film set me on this path — and today I bring that same love of light, tone and relaxed storytelling to every portrait session. My approach is rooted in lifestyle portraiture: I look for the small, honest moments that reveal who you really are rather than forcing stiff poses. Whether you need a professional headshot for LinkedIn, a personal portrait to celebrate a milestone, or a studio image that feels true to you, I aim to create images that feel natural, timeless and usable across personal and business contexts. Clients tell me they forget the camera is there; that relaxed atmosphere makes for true-to-life expressions and portraits with personality. I work in a mixture of studio and on-location settings across West Yorkshire, choosing the light and backdrop that best suit the mood you want. My sessions are conversational and unhurried: we chat about what you want to achieve, I guide you gently through simple directions, and I shoot in a way that keeps things feeling comfortable and authentic. For business portraits and professional headshots I balance approachability with polish so you get images that read well online and in print. As someone who began photographing family life long before turning it into a career, I also offer family and maternity sessions as part of my core work. While portraiture remains my specialism, those family-centred sessions inform the warm, documentary-led style I bring to individual portraits. Occasionally I run styled model evenings and workshops — a chance to explore creative portrait techniques and help other photographers develop their eye — but my focus is always on making the people I photograph look and feel like themselves. If you want professional portraits that are relaxed, characterful and truly you, I’ll bring patience, a friendly approach and a lifetime of love for the craft. Based in Cleckheaton, I welcome enquiries from across West Yorkshire for studio and location portrait sessions.