Persona Sessions
“I walked in unsure of how I wanted to be seen. I walked out with clarity, not just in the images but in myself.”
— Phil Hendricks
I recently looked up the origin of the word “person” and discovered it comes from persona, a combination of per (meaning “through”) and sonare (meaning “to sound”). A person, then, isn’t defined solely by how they appear or what they do, but by what resonates through them—their soul, their energy, and the stories they carry as they move through the world.
I bring developmental coaching into my portrait sessions to help you bring out what wants to sound through you and capture it as you step into your next chapter or project.
Here’s what that looks like:
Reflecting: We start with prompts to help you reflect and process this season in your life and what transitions or projects are ahead for you.
Uncovering: A 50 minute developmental coaching session before the photoshoot to uncover what wants to “sound through” you—your innate wisdom, genius, and wholeness. From here, we’ll create a creative direction and plan for the portrait session.
Capturing: A 2 hour portrait session depending on what unfolds from our session.
Integrating: A 50 minute call after the portrait session integrate the entire experience.
Lola, Facilitator at Reforesters and Othership
“Minnow’s portrait session was one of the best photography experiences I’ve ever had. From the intentional pre-session conversation to the effortless flow of the shoot, he created a space of comfort, playfulness, and depth that allowed me to fully express myself. His continuous encouragement, creative ideas, and quick adjustments made the entire process flow beautifully.
It felt like more than a photoshoot—it was a deep dive into creativity, self-expression, and embodiment. I walked away not only with an incredible collection of photos but also with a clearer sense of myself. I’d recommend this to anyone, especially those navigating a transition or wanting to step into a new version of themselves.”
Jay, Author, Speaker, Showrunner
“Minnow does two critical things exceptionally well: he takes an unnatural thing (you being photographed) and makes you feel natural doing it, and he matches the settings and shots with who you genuinely are.”
Erin, Writer and Community Manager at Readwise
“I worked with Minnow shortly after breaking up with my partner of four years. I spent most of that relationship believing that anxiety and grief were the most prominent parts of my personality. When the relationship ended, my self-esteem was very low.
I was so moved seeing the portraits Minnow took of me, I cried. I've never liked looking at photos of myself, but these were different.
I could see—almost in real time—the unfurling of my spirit: from self-conscious and guarded, to grounded and joyful. These portraits helped me see the beauty in all of those versions of myself.
Minnow has a rare gift of helping you see beyond yourself and reflecting that back to you in your portraits. It is so special to have this era of my life documented, and it is so surreal to look back at these photos and see myself in a more loving light.
If you’re in a similar place in your life, I hope you will give yourself this gift.”
Vicky, Writer, Strategist, Editor
“Minnow is great at cultivating a relaxed, fun atmosphere for shoots, especially if you don’t consider yourself a natural at posing. From prep to post, he took care with each step in the process.”
Amanda, Digital Health Strategist, Yoga Teacher, Writer
“My Persona Session with Minnow was a unique experience. We began with a deep conversation about my vision and where I’m headed, which helped me feel grounded and ready for the shoot. Minnow guided me through everything—colors, outfits, and styles that truly represented me—and even gave me journaling prompts that helped me reflect.
I’ve never felt myself in front of a camera and the idea of having portraits taken of myself felt vain and self-obsessed. Minnow coached me in uncovering the root of those feelings and then taught me how to engage, breathe, and take breaks. Now I feel comfortable and confident —it was an unlock. Now, I use these photos on LinkedIn, Substack, for speaking engagements, and my facilitation work.”
Phil, Marketer, Writer
“Minnow’s persona session was more than just a photoshoot—it was a deeply intentional process that helped me clarify how I want to represent myself moving forward. The coaching beforehand added a unique depth, making the session feel like a blend of self-discovery and creative expression.
Minnow’s ability to guide me into poses and settings that truly reflected my intentions was incredible. It was both playful and serious, like capturing a journey in real-time, even if the destination isn’t fully known. I’ll be using these photos for LinkedIn, Slack, and likely a personal website in the future.
After our time together, you’ll walk away with more than just great photos of yourself.
You’ll have clarity for the next chapter of your business, project, or career.
You’ll feel more comfortable in your own skin.
You’ll see yourself in new ways.
You’ll have a gallery of images you can use for your profile photo, marketing material, book cover, dating profile, or anywhere else you need to make a great first impression.
These photos will be reminders of what really matters to you, who you really are, and how you want to show up in the world.
Nhain, Founder of Boquet
"Minnow helped me get over my self-consciousness in a way I didn’t think was possible. When I see pictures of myself that I like, it usually feels like it’s just a lucky angle—but in all of Minnow’s photos, I look like myself. He helped me embrace my features, my age, and truly own it.
I honestly can’t believe it’s me in those photos—they’re so beautiful! They’ve boosted my confidence in ways I never expected."
Britt, Behavioral Scientist
"I felt more comfortable in front of the camera than ever before. Minnow had an incredible sense of the look I wanted and expertly guided me through the entire process, so I never felt awkward.
It’s more than just photos—it’s self-exploration. Minnow blends his understanding of photography and human development to create images that capture who you’re becoming, not just who you’ve been.
I’ve used the photos everywhere: LinkedIn, a course website, and even my WhatsApp profile!”
YJ, Actor, Software Developer, Entrepreneur
“The portrait session was a unique and introspective experience, unlike anything I’ve done before. The blend of photography and coaching made it deeply personal, capturing more than just an image—it reflected who I am on a deeper level.”
