Sam Oakes Photography

I specialise in portrait photography from my base in Harrogate, helping businesses and individuals make the best possible first impression. With over 20 years' experience working across Harrogate and North Yorkshire, I focus on professional headshots and business portraits — from single executive head shots to staff profiles — always aiming to capture the personality behind the face. My approach is straightforward and client-centred. I believe the strongest portraits come from relaxed, conversational shoots that allow people to be themselves. Whether someone is camera-shy or used to the spotlight, I work to put them at ease with clear direction, gentle prompting and a calm atmosphere so natural expressions and authentic moments shine through. The result is professional imagery that feels honest, confident and appropriate for LinkedIn, websites, press or internal communications. What makes my work different is a combination of commercial experience and a creative outlook. Having photographed people for editorial, PR and business use, I understand how portrait images need to perform: they must look professional, reflect the subject’s character and fit the tone of the brand they represent. I use lighting, composition and simple posing to create clean, flattering portraits that stand up in print and online. How I work: we start with a short conversation about your brief and the image you want to project. On the day I keep things relaxed and efficient — guiding poses, finding flattering light and taking a variety of options so you can choose the shots that work best. After the shoot I carefully process each selected image to deliver polished, print- and web-ready JPEGs that you can use across your marketing and profiles. If you’re a business looking for consistent staff portraits or an individual wanting a professional LinkedIn headshot, I offer tailored sessions that respect your time and objectives. Based in Harrogate, I regularly work with local companies and professionals across North Yorkshire, combining technical skill with a personable approach to create portraits that do your reputation justice. If you’d like to discuss a portrait session or arrange a time, I’m happy to talk through ideas and requirements to make sure your portraits reflect who you are and what you stand for.