Soho-based people and portrait photographer Simon Turtle creates professional portraits and headshots for actors, musicians and creatives. Characterful, campaign-ready images with over 20 years' experience.
Simon Turtle is a Soho-based people and portrait photographer with more than 20 years' experience creating professional portraits and campaign imagery. Specialising in actors, musicians, comedians and well-known faces, Simon brings a theatre-savvy eye to every session — an approach informed by extensive work for magazines, theatres and poster campaigns from the West End to Broadway. Why choose Simon for your portrait photography? His work balances character and clarity: portraits that reveal personality while remaining impeccably composed for use in publicity, press and professional profiles. Clients come to him when they need images that read confidently at any scale — from headshots and LinkedIn photos to key art for posters and campaigns — because Simon understands how a single portrait can carry a story or sell a role. What makes his approach special is a blend of technical control and human connection. Whether crafting crisp professional headshots or more expressive editorial portraits, Simon uses considered lighting and composition to create strong, flattering images while keeping the session relaxed and collaborative. He is practiced at guiding subjects of all experience levels — directing performers and putting camera-shy clients at ease so authentic expressions emerge naturally. How he works: every commission starts with a conversation about intent and usage — from business portraits and headshots to theatre advertising needs — so the shoot is tailored to the image’s final purpose. Sessions are run with efficiency and attention to detail, focusing on mood, wardrobe, and gesture to ensure each frame serves the brief. After the shoot, Simon delivers carefully edited images ready for press, web or print, with an emphasis on colour, tone and retouching that preserves a natural, honest likeness. Rooted in Soho but with a portfolio that spans stages and publications worldwide, Simon Turtle remains passionate about photographing people. If you need a portrait that communicates professionalism, character and impact — whether for a corporate profile, casting submission or promotional campaign — Simon offers the expertise and creative sensitivity to make it happen.