Award-winning Stamford Hill portrait studio by Antonia Penia. Specialist in authentic, film-shot professional portraits and business headshots with a calm, collaborative approach.
I am Antonia Penia, an award-winning London-based visual artist and portrait photographer working from Stamford Hill. Portraiture is my core practice: I specialise in creating professional portraits, headshots and business portraits that reveal character and confidence. My approach is both cinematic and intimate — I work with film and largely without retouching to preserve honest, textured images that feel lived-in and true. Clients choose me because my work sits at the intersection of art and portraiture. I bring an art‑maker’s eye informed by exhibitions, awards and teaching: my project "From War to the Wardrobe" won Portrait of Britain 2022 and I teach photography at institutions including the National Portrait Gallery. That experience means I know how to craft a visual story for individuals, creatives and professionals who need portraits that stand out in portfolios, LinkedIn profiles and company leadership pages. My process is calm, collaborative and rooted in conversation. Sessions begin with a gentle briefing — we talk about how you want to be seen, what you want to communicate and any practical needs for business or personal portraits. In-studio, I create a relaxed atmosphere so even camera-shy clients feel at ease; many people tell me they leave feeling more confident than when they arrived. I favour natural expression over forced poses and encourage subtle gestures that communicate authenticity and presence. Technically, my portrait practice is film-forward and deliberate. Shooting on film keeps the process considered and rewards real moments with depth and tonal quality rarely matched by digital retouching. For clients who require business portraits and professional headshots, I balance polished presentation with the honest texture of analogue capture — portraits that read well online and in print. While portraiture is my primary focus, I also bring experience from fashion commissions and occasional workshops that blend well‑being and photography. If you are looking for a portrait photographer in Stamford Hill who combines art-led vision, professional discipline and a compassionate studio manner, I would love to discuss how we can create images that genuinely represent you.