Portrait Photography
The same craft that goes into every wedding commission — applied to the moments and people that define your everyday life.
Portrait Photography St. Louis & Metro East Illinois
The same craft, the same standard, the same calm direction that goes into every MDKauffmann wedding commission — applied to the people and moments that define your life outside the wedding day.
Portrait sessions are available for families, senior portraits, individuals, couples, and anyone who wants photographs worth keeping. Studio or location. Same-day reveal. CPP-certified. 25 years of experience.
Every portrait commission starts with a conversation — not a form. We talk about what you want to see, how you want to feel in the photographs, and what actually matters to you about the session.
What Kind of Portrait Session Are You Looking For?
Family Portraits — Multigenerational and extended family sessions, studio or location. The big ones, the loud ones, the ones that require logistics to get everyone in the same zip code. Same-day reveal so you leave knowing what you have.
Senior Portraits — More than a yearbook photo. A senior portrait session should reflect who your student actually is — their personality, their interests, the moment before everything changes. Studio and location options available.
Headshots — Professional headshots for executives, realtors, creatives, attorneys, and speakers. Clean lighting, natural direction, same-day delivery. Starting at $350.
Individual & Couples Portraits — Solo portraits, anniversary sessions, milestone portraits, and anything that doesn’t fit a neat category. If you want photographs of yourself or someone you love, this is where that conversation starts.
You Don’t Wait Weeks to Find Out
Every MDKauffmann portrait commission includes same-day reveal — you view your finished images before you leave the session. You select what becomes artwork while the day is still fresh, while you still remember how it felt.
Most photographers make you wait. A gallery link arrives a week or two later, you scroll through it alone, and the emotional context of the session has already faded.
The same-day reveal changes that. You’re still in the room. The images are right in front of you. You know immediately whether we made something worth keeping — and we don’t wrap until we have.
Investment
Portrait commissions follow a simple, transparent structure:
Essential — $350 / 1 finished image / 1 location / 1 outfit
Simple — $900 / 5 finished images / 1 location / 1 outfit
Classic — $1,400 / 10 finished images / 2 locations / 2 outfits (most popular)
Signature — $2,400 / 20 finished images / unlimited locations & outfits / Deluxe Photo Book
Heirloom wall art starts at $1,500. Albums, prints, and digital files available with any commission. Full pricing details on the investment page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of portrait sessions do you offer? Family portraits, senior portraits, headshots, individual and couples portraits, milestone sessions, and anniversary portraits. If you’re not sure which category fits what you have in mind, reach out — we’ll figure it out together.
Where are portrait sessions held? Studio sessions are available at the MDKauffmann studio in Metro East Illinois, convenient to St. Louis. Location sessions can be held anywhere meaningful to you — your home, a family property, a St. Louis park or landmark, or anywhere else that adds something to the photographs.
What is same-day reveal? At the end of your session, you view your finished images before you leave. You select your artwork while the day is still fresh — not weeks later through a gallery link. It’s standard on every MDKauffmann portrait commission.
How much does a portrait session cost? Portrait commissions start at $350 for an Essential Commission — one location, one outfit, one finished image. The most popular option is the Classic Commission at $1,400, which includes ten finished images, two locations, and two outfits. Full pricing is on the investment page.
How long does a portrait session take? Most portrait sessions run one to two hours depending on commission level and session type. Senior and family sessions with larger groups may run slightly longer. The pace is yours — we don’t rush.
Do I need to know what I want before I reach out? No. The consultation is exactly the right place to figure that out. Tell me what you’re thinking, who’s involved, and what matters to you about the session — we’ll build the right commission from there.
Ready for portraits that actually look like you?
No awkward posing. No stiff smiles. Just calm direction and finished photographs you’ll be proud to display.
Today an Event. Tomorrow a Memory. Forever an Heirloom.
Still thinking? That's what the consultation is for.
Every MDKauffmann commission starts with a conversation — not a sales pitch. We talk about your day, your priorities, and what "forever" looks like for your family. If we're the right fit, you'll know. If we're not, I'll tell you honestly.
Start the Conversation →Dates book fast — especially May through October.