- Once a year I plan a portrait session purely for myself, with no brief or expectations
- Personal projects help me reconnect with why I love being a creative portrait photographer
- This year’s shoot featured musician Finn Forster, ahead of his headline tour in 2026
- The challenge was to create a small set of strong studio portraits in just one hour
- The session was a reminder that freedom and trust are often where the best work lives
As a professional creative portrait photographer, it’s surprisingly easy to slip into making a living mode. Client work, deadlines, admin, repeat. I’m genuinely grateful for every commission that comes through my studio, but once a year I make a point of organising a portrait session purely for myself.
These sessions are a reset. They remind me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. There’s something quietly liberating about creating without a brief, without expectations, and without a clock ticking in the background.
Personal Projects Matter
Working on personal portrait projects gives me space to experiment. I can follow an idea, take a risk, or change direction halfway through. That freedom feeds straight back into my commissioned work, whether that’s creative portrait photography or studio portrait sessions.
This year’s personal shoot brought someone familiar back into my studio.
Introducing Finn Forster
Finn Forster is a grounded, talented musician who’s very much on the rise. He’s just wrapped up an arena tour supporting The Stereophonics and is heading into his own headline tour in 2026.
During our chat, Finn reminded me that I’d photographed him years ago as a youngster out and about in Norton. Somewhere in my archive is a black and white portrait of him, taken against a flaky painted door near Norton Fisheries. I’ll have to dig that one out.
It felt right to invite him back, this time to my Norton High Street photography studio, for a fresh set of portraits.
A One Hour Creative Challenge
I set myself a simple challenge. Create a small collection of strong, creative portraits in just one hour.
I gave Finn a loose idea of what to bring, nothing overthought, and asked him to bring a guitar. That was it. No mood boards. No detailed plan. Just a starting point.
Sixty minutes later, we wrapped the session. A handshake, a genuine thank you, and best wishes to Finn and his family for Christmas and the New Year.
Breaking My Own Rules
I broke my own golden rule by editing the portraits straight away. Normally I leave work for a couple of days to let the creative dust settle. This time, I trusted the instinct.
I sent Finn a link to his gallery and his reply landed straight back.
“Thanks for these Gary, I absolutely love them, you’ve done an amazing job.”
No brief. No deadline. No expectations.
That’s when you remember why this job still matters.
Why I Still Love Being a Portrait Photographer
Sessions like this reconnect me with the heart of my work. Honest portraits, real people, and a relaxed studio environment. It’s the same approach I bring to every shoot, whether it’s musician portraits, personal branding photography or private commissions.
Your Portrait Invitation
If this kind of work resonates with you, you’re welcome to take a look through my portrait photography or drop me a message. Whether it’s a personal project, a musician portrait, or something you’re still figuring out, I’m always happy to talk ideas through…