Charles Sturge Photography

Charles Sturge is a London-based portrait specialist with nearly three decades of experience creating professional portraits that help people and organisations be seen with clarity and intent. Recognised five times as Corporate Photographer of the Year, Charles approaches portraiture as a strategic, human-centred craft: images are not just flattering—they are designed to communicate character, role and brand values. Specialist focus Charles’s primary work centres on portrait photography for business: executive and leadership portraits, corporate headshots, environmental portraits shot in real working spaces, and LinkedIn and professional profile images. He deliberately positions himself as a portrait expert—bringing editorial sensibility, lighting precision and a quiet, unflappable manner that puts subjects at ease, whether they’re board-level or new to being photographed. How he works Preparation and listening are central to Charles’s process. He begins by understanding the purpose of the images—where they will be used, who will see them and what tone is needed—then tailors lighting, location and direction to match. On shoot days he is calm and efficient, guiding poses and expression without fuss, so subjects remain relaxed and authentic. For larger headshot programmes he uses his SmartShoot.logistics system to streamline scheduling, real-time image access and centralised delivery, reducing admin for comms and HR teams while maintaining consistent quality across a project. Style and craft Charles favours imagery that feels editorial yet natural: considered framing, subtle lighting and environmental context where appropriate. Environmental portraits are used to add narrative—an office, studio or workplace detail that supports the subject’s role—while studio-style headshots focus on presence, clarity and versatility for web, print and social. All retouching is hand-finished in-house to preserve personality while delivering polished, brand-ready files. Why choose him Clients choose Charles because he combines technical excellence with empathy and strategic insight. He understands how portraits sit inside a wider communications programme—annual reports, websites, press materials and recruitment campaigns—and delivers images that work across those uses. Based in London, he regularly shoots across the City, West End and beyond for firms large and small throughout the UK and Europe. If you need professional portraits that speak with authenticity and purpose, Charles Sturge offers a thoughtful, experienced partnership to make the process easy and the results lasting.