Confident, Modern Portrait Sessions for Women in Silver Spring, MD & the DC Area
You’ve built a life.
A career. A family. A calendar that doesn’t quit.
And somewhere along the way, you stopped seeing yourself the way everyone else does.
Power Portraits are editorial-style portrait sessions designed for women in Silver Spring, Washington, DC, and throughout the DMV who are ready to reconnect with their strength; without pretending to be someone they’re not.
This isn’t about glam.
This isn’t about costumes.
This isn’t about becoming someone new.
This is about showing up as the woman you already are.
This experience is for women who have built full lives, careers, families, and identities, yet rarely give themselves space to step in front of the camera just for themselves.
This is not about pretending to be someone new.
It’s about showing up as you already are, with support, direction, and care.
Based in Silver Spring, Maryland, this portrait experience serves women throughout Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia who want images that feel strong, grounded, and unmistakably them.
What Is a Power Portrait?
A Power Portrait is a modern, editorial-inspired portrait session focused on confidence, body language, and subtle direction that helps you feel powerful in your own skin.
Research shows that posture and body positioning directly affect how we feel. When we stand taller, breathe deeper, and occupy space intentionally, our internal dialogue shifts. Confidence isn’t fixed — it’s something we practice.
That philosophy deeply informs how I guide these sessions.
This isn’t about exaggerated “power poses.”
It’s about subtle adjustments.
Micro-shifts.
Relaxed strength.
The Power Portrait Experience
Your session is thoughtfully paced so you never feel rushed.
A real conversation first
Before you ever step into the studio, we figure out how to make this session work for you.
You’ll complete a thoughtful pre-session guide where we dig into:
How you want to feel in these images
What parts of yourself you love
What makes you hesitate in photos
Clarity builds confidence before you even arrive.
wardrobe guidance
You’ll receive support choosing outfits that photograph beautifully and align with how you want to feel in your images.
Professional Hair and Makeup
You’ll begin with a full professional hair and makeup session with Valerie Hammer Makeup Artistry, designed specifically for this type of photography.
Professional makeup isn’t about changing how you look. It’s about enhancing what’s already there so you can relax and not think about it.
Sessions take place in my Silver Spring, MD studio with a calm, private environment where you can settle in.
No rush.
No chaos.
No audience.
Guided, Natural Direction
You don’t need to know how to pose. That’s my job.
We work slowly. Deliberately. and have fun in the process!
Feeling nervous and want to bring an emotional support friend? Please! They are welcome. We get how having a trusted cheerleader can make all the difference!
Thoughtful Preparation, Before You Ever Step Into the Studio
A successful editorial portrait session does not begin on the shoot day. It begins with alignment.
As part of the Power Portrait Process, every client completes a detailed pre-session questionnaire designed to understand the tone, energy, and visual direction you are drawn to. This allows us to move beyond surface-level preferences and ensure the session reflects how you want to be seen.
This is not about trends or copying specific images. It is about clarity.
The questionnaire covers elements such as:
The overall mood and presence you want the images to convey
Whether the imagery should feel powerful, understated, soft, or direct
How polished or relaxed you want the final images to read
Any visual references that resonate with you
This information allows the session to feel intentional from the start, rather than exploratory or reactive.
Your Personal Session Guide
After reviewing your questionnaire, you will receive a curated personal session guide outlining how we will approach your shoot.
This guide is designed to make the experience feel clear, calm, and efficient. It walks through:
The overall visual direction for your session
How we will approach posing and movement
Wardrobe guidance tailored to your goals and the editorial style of the shoot
What to expect on the day so nothing feels uncertain or rushed
For women who spend most of their time planning for others, this process removes decision fatigue and ensures we are fully aligned before the camera comes out.
Why Power Portraits Feels Different then a Headshot
Headshots are about approachability and professionalism.
Power Portraits are about identity.
These are images that say:
I am grounded.
I know who I am.
I am not shrinking.
Many women choose this session during:
A career pivot
A milestone birthday
After raising young kids
During a personal transition
Or simply because they’re ready
You don’t need a reason.
Wanting to see yourself clearly is enough.
SHARE THE EXPERIENCE
If the idea of doing this alongside someone you trust sounds even better, you can.
Choose to share this journey with a close friend, sister, or partner. Each of you will have your own individual portraits — with an optional few together — in a session intentionally designed to let your connection shine without distraction.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Power Portraits include elements often associated with glam photography, but the approach is more editorial and restrained. The focus is polish and presence, not excess.
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The first five minutes? Maybe. After that? Not at all. Most women say it becomes surprisingly freeing.
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No. This experience isn’t tied to a milestone or a life event. Many clients book simply because they’re ready to do something for themselves. That’s more than enough reason.
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Once you book, you’ll receive wardrobe guidance to help you choose outfits that photograph beautifully and feel like you. Most clients bring two outfit options. Think polished, comfortable, and true to your style rather than trendy or overly formal.
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Yes. The goal is not to create a version of you that feels unfamiliar. Hair, makeup, lighting, and direction are all designed to enhance what’s already there. Clients often say the images feel like themselves on a really good day.
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No. Direction is built into the experience. You are guided throughout in a way that feels calm and efficient.
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Yes. This experience can be booked as a shared session for two women who want to do it together. You’ll each have your own individual portraits, with the option to include a few images together. Shared sessions are limited and scheduled intentionally.
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Sessions take place in my studio in Silver Spring, Maryland, easily accessible from Washington, DC, Bethesda, Kensington, Rockville, Potomac and Northern Virginia.
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This experience is offered on weekdays only. That keeps the process unhurried and allows for the full hair, makeup, and portrait flow without feeling rushed.ption
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Hair and makeup takes about 2 hours and the portrait session is about 45 min - 1 hour. Everything is at 1 location.
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Both. Clients use these images for personal milestones, branding, and moments where they want to be represented at a high level.
Location Details
Sessions take place in Silver Spring, MD, conveniently located near Washington, DC, Bethesda, Kensington, Rockville, Potomac and Northern Virginia, with easy access from I-495 and the ICC.
Hair, makeup and the photoshoot are all at one location, so you just need to show up!
This experience is offered on weekdays only to keep it intentional and unrushed.
Investment
This is a premium, all-inclusive portrait experience that combines professional makeup artistry and private studio photography.
Includes full hair and makeup (~2 hrs per person) and Val stays onsite for touchups along the way (and doubles as the best hype woman)
Up to 1 hour studio photo session with option to bring 2 outfits
Full gallery of images, you pick your 7 digital downloads (option to purchase more after the session)
LIMITED TIME PROMOTION RATE:
1 person $1245
2 people $1575
Ready to Step In Front of the Camera?
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this is it.
Not because everything is perfect.
But because you are.
Reach out to reserve your session or ask questions. I’m happy to walk you through what to expect and help you decide if this experience is the right fit.