The sunset studios effect...
Rewind back to March 2021 and it was the first time I stepped into Sunset Studios. It had been on my mind for a while and I’d wanted to collaborate there for a while and the perfect opportunity appeared. It was my first editorial with a team, urged by International Women’s Day to create some important unspoken stories. You can read more about that project here.
Sunset studios is an evocative location. It’s set in the Bussey Building (an old industrial sporting factory turned artist studios) and the tones are soft and textured. The huge crittal window panes are large and open - it feels like an artist studio with it’s raw industrial feel. It’s not a white room and the natural light is a beautiful character to play with.
I’ve shot editorials with a team in Studio 1, personal branding shoot for a skincare expert in Studio 3 and lots of Power Portraits in Studio 2. The latter is what I want to tell you more about…
What’s a power portrait?
Everyone loves a Power Portrait! In fact I think everyone needs a Power Portrait. Having a photo of yourself that you love and is taken in a way that you want to be seen (not how you think you should be seen) is powerful. It helps you speak out and make the change in the world that you want to see. This is not how portraits or ‘headshots’ have always been thought about though through the male gaze. But being seen through the female gaze makes the sitter powerful, not the viewer or photographer. (A favour topic of mine that you can read about here).
A power portrait doesn't mean standing with your hand on your hip. It doesn't mean smiling or being emotionless. It doesn’t mean being wild and loud if that’s not you! It means letting a part of yourself that you might not have met before come out and having just enough courage to show it to the world. To express yourself in the way you want to. And it may be a part of you you’ve never met before. You get to choose how people see you. The way you want to be seen!
“It’s always been inside you you!”
This process is really unique person for each person I work with. Although my kit and prep guides stay the same, the energy required from me differs depending who is in front of me and what they need from me. Personally I love capturing feminine joy but I always have to remind myself that this is only one facet of what it means to be human at this point of time in history. There is so much to capture…
Power Portraits are the most booked of all my services and I must have shot at least 100 people in these empowering one hour sessions. I’ve been doing them for a few years now and they work because of the prep work we do toether, how we utilise the time and most importantly the atmosphere that is created to make you feel safe.
“Donna is amazing at portraits, capturing the essence of a founder and so passionate about what she does, she’s a gem!”
Here’s why they work
They started on the streets of London about 5 years ago in a few particular areas that I got to know really well - the Southbank and Kings X. (Now there are more locations which you can read about here.) I have my favourite brick walls and spots where nice natural light dominates at certain points of the day. Although you might think that being on front of others would increase your nerves and feel uncomfortable, in London no one really stops and stares and surprisingly, the general feedback was how relaxing the whole experience was. The walking between backdrops helped work off all the nervous energy of the day and people would remark on how at ease they felt and how much fun they had. There is lots going on - lots to look at and take in from the environment. An hour might sound like a long time but once we start chatting the time flies in. I show you the images as we go too and I have lost count how many people are completely baffled as to how the experience was nothing like they expected or experienced before and how much we have connected with each other through shared stories.
There are three mantras that I consciously say to myself that set up the energy for the experience. These centre me and remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing, which in turn helps me to show up in the way I need to to help bring out your true self and hidden depths…
I heal myself and others through my creativity
The portrait happens on either side of the camera….
My message is greater than my fear!
“Donna’s photography is a celebration of her vibrant spirit, mirroring the uninhibited joy of a child creating purely for the sake of it. Each photo is not only a snapshot in time but a piece of her heart, making her work truly stand out.
Despite my initial nerves, Donna’s expert guidance and reassuring presence transformed the shoot into a safe and comfortable space. It didn’t take long for the whole experience to become not just tolerable, but genuinely fun and exciting.
More than just a photoshoot, the session turned into a personal milestone. It gave me the courage to advance my career and embrace the spotlight with newfound confidence. Donna’s work goes beyond photography—it’s about empowerment. So, if you’re seeking an experience that’s as enriching as it is memorable, look no further. Thank you, Donna, for your enthusiasm and genuine warmth.”
What is special about these INDOOR POWER PORTRAITS…
Being in a studio is a really different experience to being out on the street. Some people really revel in the calm quiet atmosphere. We can play whatever music you want (or enjoy the peacefulness) and stop for a cuppa if we fancy. It’s super easy to have multiple outfit changes and we can be really intentional with lighting and our focus. We can have props (records, material, art equipment, beauty products, musical instruments etc.) and even coloured backdrops too. It’s a complete dream for artists or someone with a product as we can showcase them in various ways. I used to only ever use the studios for half day or full day shoots (which is also possible) but about a year ago I realised that to bring the one hour sessions here were really valuable and that lots of people want to have indoor shots alongside previous outdoor/street images to build a rounded set of images for their storytelling.
Regardless of the location though, my approach is the same. Creating a safe space for you is the most important thing to establish as quickly as possible to maximise our time together and create as many set-ups as we can. Because a portrait really does happen on either side of the camera…
So what is the deal Donna!
You’re in luck! On Tuesday 6th May, I am back at Sunset Studios (2 mins from Peckham Rye Station) for my final Power Portraits for this year. You can book your hour slot now - 9 am, 10am or 1pm. Because we are sharing the cost of the hire and I am throwing in 7 final images, I can keep the cost at a super affordable £295. You have the options to have the coloured backdrops for no extra charge and parking is available is required (just let me know in advance). If this date doesn't suit then remember it’s available to book for a full or half day for editorial or brand shoots on a day that suits you and your busy schedule. Let’s book a chat to plan it this week…
And if you want a mini-brand shoot you can book 2 hours together like Liz did. Here’s the breadth of what we were able to capture in two hours in the studio together…
Here’s what people have said:
I contacted Jaz about our session and she had lots to say about the space…
“After some outdoor shoots with Donna I wanted to be even more intentional with my brand and knew I wanted a studio environment but one that wasn’t too obvious or lacking personality. The versatility of the backdrops and the space itself meant we could curate a really unique set of photos. In some ways the different tones and textures brought out different sides of my personality - when I looked at the final photos I could see different vibes in different spaces. From demure/relaxed to more expressive and fun using props and even jumping shots! It was nice to have some relaxed and cosy sitting on the ground shots too which you can’t do when out and about. It was like inviting my coaching clients into my soft space where they actually do their sessions with me. The potential is endless in sunset studios…
“I’m always excited to see what we’ve created and know I’ll find it hard to choose as each image tells a story which is what makes them so irresistible. When we’re shooting though, it’s just you capturing me-being-me.”
Katrina choose this space over the street portraits because she wanted something that felt more intimate where she could settle in and feel more comfortable. Also she loved that it felt like a proper photo shoot with the equipment and lights! 🤩
“I absolutely loved Sunset Studios. The lighting is just gorgeous!
Everything about the shoot was so easy and simple. Usually, I’m pretty camera-shy and have always found ‘posing’ for photos really awkward but from the get-go, Donna was a whizz at making me feel comfortable and at ease. The hour flew by and we had such a hoot chatting away that I almost forgot that the camera was even there! I’m delighted with the results and can’t wait to start using these fantastic new pictures everywhere. I feel so much more professional whilst also still being totally myself.”
And as a cheeky surprise…
There is amazing outdoor locations from textured walls to alleyways to colourful backdrops, literally a 30 second walk from the studio and this can really add another dimension to the shots and storytelling.
What you’ll see when you enter the studio…
After the two flights of stairs (!) you’ll see the studio. There is also lots of plants and plinths to play with and a little kitchen/changing room with tea and coffee. And homemade cake if you’re lucky!
I hope you’ve enjoyed the read! I love shooting here. It’s pure joy and it feels great to have ownership of the space and to have the amazing support of the studio team if we have any technical requirements. Reach out if you have any questions and let me know any crazy creative ideas you want to create here - I’m all ears!
And if you think one hour is a short time to shoot then check out my recent personal project where I shot some stranger portraits in 3 minutes! Find out more about my stranger project here. And if you’re curious about a on-location editorial? Find out more about why Lost Daughter was a project so close to my heart.
P.S. We will have fun!
And sometimes I bring my analogue film cameras as an extra for you!
NOTE: Every image on this page is from sunset studios.
