Image 1st is a London portrait studio creating authentic professional portraits and headshots. Specialist in author, LinkedIn and corporate portraits that elevate your personal brand.
Image 1st is a specialist portrait studio in London with a singular focus: creating professional portraits that tell your story and strengthen your brand. Founded in 2002 by Doren Gabriel, the studio grew from a humble mobile setup into one of the city's most trusted names for author headshots, corporate portraits and professional headshot photography. That history informs everything we do — a commitment to craft, consistency and making every subject look their best. Why choose Image 1st? We position ourselves as portrait specialists. Years of experience shooting for entrepreneurs, authors and corporate teams has honed a reliable, efficient approach that still feels personal. Our portraits are built to perform across business uses — from LinkedIn profiles and press materials to executive pages and author jackets — with an emphasis on authenticity, polish and a clear visual message that represents you or your brand. Our approach is collaborative and client-centred. Before each session we take time to understand your objectives and the context in which your images will be used, so composition, lighting and styling all work toward a single outcome. On the shoot day, our photographers create a relaxed, confident atmosphere that helps even camera‑shy clients relax. The result is natural, engaging portraits that capture personality while maintaining professional impact. We combine technical excellence with thoughtful retouching to deliver high-impact final images. While our core expertise is portrait photography, we provide careful editing to ensure consistency and presentation-ready files that meet editorial and commercial standards. Throughout the process we keep clients involved and informed, ensuring the final images match the brief and elevate your visual identity. Image 1st brings warmth and professionalism to every portrait session. Our team-led studio culture — from Doren’s production oversight to the studio manager’s creative input — means each shoot benefits from experienced direction and a friendly, efficient workflow. If you want a portrait that looks right for business, book, or online presence, choose a London studio that specialises in making people look remarkable. Contact Image 1st to discuss a portrait session tailored to your needs and discover how our focused portrait expertise can bring your professional image to life.