Jon Wagstaff Photography creates portrait photography for families, professionals, sporting teams and individuals across Essex and the South East. Based in Dunmow, Essex, Jon photographs on location at venues of your choice, along the Essex coast, in the surrounding countryside, or in a controlled studio environment when the brief demands it.
The aim of every session is the same, to capture you, your family or your team looking and feeling like yourselves rather than a stiff, posed catalogue. Jon's background in sports and event photography means he is quick, comfortable with movement, and good at putting people at ease, especially the ones who claim they hate having their photo taken.
Family Portrait Photography
Family sessions are relaxed and unhurried. Children rarely behave on a tight schedule, so the session is built around real interaction rather than forced poses, the result is portraits your family will actually want on the wall. Multi-generational shoots, milestone celebrations such as a parent's 60th, christening keepsakes and pet-inclusive family portraits are all welcomed.
Popular Essex locations for family portraits include Belfairs Wood and Hadleigh Castle for natural woodland and parkland settings, the seafront at Southend-on-Sea and Thorpe Bay for coastal light, and the Chelmer Valley for open countryside. Jon will recommend a location that suits your group, the time of year and the light.
Corporate Headshots and Personal Branding
Polished, professional headshots for LinkedIn, company websites, press releases and personal brand imagery. On-location at your office across Essex and Greater London, or in a temporary studio set-up if you prefer a clean white or grey background. Team sessions are run as a rolling slot so individuals are only away from their desk for ten to fifteen minutes each.
Headshots are delivered fully retouched within a week, often within 48 hours when there's a press deadline to meet. Usage rights for company websites and professional profiles are included.
Sporting Team Profiles and Modelling Portfolios
Drawing on more than twenty years as Official Club Photographer for Southend Rugby Football Club, Jon produces consistent, on-brand team portraits and player profile imagery for clubs across Essex. He also shoots first portfolios for actors and models looking to put together a strong showreel of headshots and full-length images, including comp cards.
Where I photograph portraits
Jon is based in Dunmow and photographs portrait sessions across Essex, Suffolk, Greater London and the South East of England. He has mobile studio lighting and can shoot outside on location. Travel further afield is welcomed for the right commission.
Sample Portrait Work
What clients say
We booked Jon to take some family photos to mark my 60th birthday. We wanted a group picture of the whole family as well as more informal photos as we enjoyed our weekend together. We were delighted with the photos. Jon sent us over 100 photos on a data stick and we were able to choose our favourites to order posters, prints and books for ourselves. We thought his fee was very reasonable and Jon took some fantastic photos to help us remember a very special weekend. Thank you!
Jon is a very professional photographer. I always enjoy looking at his shots and his photographs work really well for our ranges. He's friendly and enthusiastic to work with and I hope to do more business with him in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you photograph portrait sessions?
Sessions take place at a location of your choice across Essex, Suffolk and Greater London, or in a studio environment when controlled lighting is needed. Outdoor locations along the Essex coast, in Belfairs Woods, Hadleigh Castle and the Chelmer countryside all work very well for natural-light family portraits.
How much do portraits cost?
Portrait packages start from £125. The final fee depends on duration, location, number of subjects and how many edited images you need. Corporate headshot sessions for teams are quoted per head. Get in touch with details of what you are looking for and I will put a price together for you.
How many edited images do I get?
A typical family or portrait session delivers between 25 and 60 fully edited high-resolution images, supplied via an online gallery and on a USB stick. Corporate sessions deliver one polished headshot per person, with retouching included.
How long until I receive the photos?
Edited galleries are usually delivered within one to two weeks. Headshots needed urgently for a deadline can often be turned around within 48 hours, just let me know when booking.
What should we wear?
For family portraits, keep colours simple and avoid busy patterns or large logos. Mid-tones photograph well outdoors and complementary (not matching) outfits help the group hold together visually. For corporate headshots, dress as you would for an important meeting in your industry.
Indoor or outdoor, and what if it rains?
Both work. Outdoor portraits in soft, overcast light are some of the most flattering. If the weather turns, we either reschedule, move under cover, or shoot indoors with off-camera flash. Heavy rain on the shoot date is the only reason I would reschedule, and there is no charge for doing so.