Portraits That Work
When your image is part of the jobPortraits for actors, speakers, and professionals – from clean casting shots to high-end editorial
Takes a minute. Callback within 24 hrs (Mo-Fr)
Portraits That Last.
Portraits for actors, creatives, and professionals.
With almost 25 years in international portrait and fashion photography, I’ve learned that the best pictures happen when you forget the camera is there — when it turns into play between the person in front of the lens and the one behind it.
My process is simple. We start with a coffee (or any cold or hot beverage of your choosing) and take a minute to get to know each other. Maybe we don’t part as friends — but certainly not as strangers.
The studio is ready for us, and we approach it like kids on a playground. Let’s try this, try that. Oh, the light over there looks amazing — let’s go check it out. I work untethered, no leash for me, no hiding behind a monitor. But you get to see where we are as we go.
I won’t stop until the images excite me — so they can excite you too.
It’s worked with Alicia Keys, Monica Bellucci and Michael Fassbender — now let’s see if it works for you.
And always: nothing in this world is set in stone. We adapt to what you need.
From planning and location ideas to timing and editing — I take care of the process with care and attention to detail, so you can just enjoy the moment.
A few details help me prepare · Callback guaranteed
People, Projects, Magazines
What we offer
Every person is different. My process adapts to you.
Studio Sessions
Clean background, controlled light, casting-ready.
A calm, simple setup — we build a real range of looks without you ever having to over-pose.
Wardrobe guidance comes with it; hair & make-up can be added.
On-Location Portrait Sessions
For portraits with a bit more air around them — at home, outdoors, or wherever in Berlin feels like you.
Daylight, shaped studio light, or both: light is the part of the craft I’ve spent decades on, and I bring whatever the space needs.
The Process
We start by talking — what the portraits are for, and just as importantly, what you want to avoid.
No rushing. There’s time to arrive, warm up, and land somewhere that actually looks like you.
Small cues along the way, nothing staged.
Your Images
You get a private gallery to pick your favorites.
Final shots come in high resolution plus web-ready versions for profiles and casting.
Retouching stays natural — I clean up, I don’t repaint.
Base rate from €850 · 60–90 min studio session window (incl. arrival, warm-up & short breaks).
8 professionally retouched images · A curated final set — with personal selection guidance.
Two set-ups included — Casting Clean and Editorial. A clean, low-shadow setup for casting and setcards, plus a higher-end editorial look with more drama. You decide how the set splits between them.
Bring as many outfits as you like — we’ll work in as many as we practically can. Just bring them clean and well-pressed: the less time we spend on wrinkles in retouching, the more goes into the images themselves.
Additional images, extended time, and hair & make-up / wardrobe assistance available on request.
Before We Start
Tell me a bit about yourself before we meet: what the portraits are for, where they’ll be used, what you want them to communicate. The more I know in advance, the better I can prepare — and the less time we waste figuring it out on the day.
Takes a minute. Callback within 24 hrs (Mo-Fr).
Hi, I’m Bernd — and here’s a little about me and my work.
After early academic detours into physics, mathematics, and psychology, I eventually gave in to my lifelong passion and committed fully to photography in the 1990s. I studied photo design, earned a scholarship to New York, and began assisting on international photo and film productions. From there, my freelance career took me through London, Los Angeles, Paris, Stockholm, Cape Town, Mumbai, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Iceland, Kenya—and more—photographing for magazines, fashion, beauty, and portrait commissions.
Portraiture has always been at the heart of what I do. I published All The People (Kerber Verlag) and the Berlin project NoShowBerlin, and have worked on editorials and personal projects across continents—often with artists, performers, and people whose presence matters as much as their look.
Since 2015, Berlin has been my home. Today I focus on portraits here—working with actors, creatives, and professionals, as well as private clients who want images that feel honest and timeless.
My portraits follow the same principles that define all my work: authenticity, sensitivity, and respect. They’re not about staging perfection, but about finding personality—the quiet, unmistakable spark that makes someone recognizably themselves.
Get in touch to plan your session or ask me any questions you might have
Session Details
A calm, friendly portrait experience
Portrait sessions are designed to feel relaxed and focused — not like a performance. We work with time to arrive, warm up, and build a small, usable range of expressions and presence. The goal is a curated set of honest portraits that look like you — and work for casting, agencies, LinkedIn, press, or personal branding.
Base Rate
Base rate from €850
A focused studio session, usually around 60–90 minutes, depending on your needs, the purpose of the portraits, and the flow of the session
Additional retouched images: €50 each
Bundle: 3 additional images for €125
Extended session time available on request.
What's included
- Two lighting set-ups in one session — Casting Clean (low-shadow, setcard-ready) and Editorial (more drama and depth). You decide how the set splits between them.
- As many outfit changes as we can practically fit — bring them clean and well-pressed, so we spend the time on you, not on wrinkles in retouching.
- Calm, precise direction — natural, not over-posed
- Guidance before the session (timing, wardrobe, simple prep)
- A curated online gallery for selection
- Professional retouching with a natural, timeless finish
- High-resolution digital files, plus web-ready versions for profiles and casting
- Delivery in 7–14 days
Optional add-ons: hair & make-up and/or wardrobe assistance can be booked.
How it works
1) Inquiry
Send a short inquiry via the form (only the red fields are required). If you have a preferred call time window, include it.
2) Personal callback
Callback guaranteed. We’ll clarify purpose (casting/agency/business/private), styling, timing, and whether studio or on-location makes more sense.
3) Booking confirmation
Once we’ve agreed on the session plan, your date is secured with a €250 deposit. You’ll receive a clear confirmation with timing, location, and next steps.
4) The session
Calm and efficient. We do both set-ups — the clean casting look and the editorial one — and just keep going until it's there. No performing required.
5) Gallery & selection
After the session, you’ll receive a private online gallery where you can select your favorite images for retouching.
6) Final delivery
Your selected images are retouched and delivered as high-resolution downloads (plus web-ready versions).
Location
Berlin studio: standard
On-location sessions are possible outdoors or indoors (home/office), depending on the look you want.
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Studio in Berlin: included (if you want a specific external studio, rental fees apply)
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Within Berlin S-Bahn Ring: included
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Outside the ring: travel fee applies (based on distance/time)
Images & retouching
What “carefully retouched” means
Natural skin tones, gentle cleanup, and a refined finish — without over-smoothing. Skin texture stays. Character stays.
Want more than 8 images?
Additional professionally retouched images can be added after your selection.
€50 per extra image
3 extra images for €125
Booking
To reserve a date, please use the inquiry form. After our call, you’ll receive a clear confirmation of the session plan, including timing, location, and next steps.
A €250 deposit is required to secure the session.
Callback guaranteed — a preferred time window is always welcome.
Policies
If you’re unwell
No stress — we’ll reschedule. Good portraits need you at your best, not “pushing through.”
Weather (for outdoor sessions)
If conditions don’t make sense, we’ll adapt: reschedule, switch to a sheltered spot, or move indoors/studio if that fits the look.
Timing
Sessions are planned as a 60–90 minute window, including arrival, warm-up and short breaks. If we need extra time, we’ll decide together in a sensible way (and agree any additional fee in advance).
Usage
Images are delivered for personal and professional self-promotion use (e.g., casting profiles, agency submissions, website, social media, press kit). Any third-party commercial use (advertising, product/brand campaigns, resale, extensive licensing) is available by separate agreement.
FAQ
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How long does a session take?
Sessions are planned as a 60–90 minute window, including arrival, warm-up and short breaks.
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Is this suitable for actors (casting/agency)?
Yes. We create clean, natural portraits that read fast and work for casting profiles and agency submissions—plus a bit of range without over-posing.
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Where do sessions take place?
Studio in Berlin is standard. On-location sessions (outdoor or indoor/home/office) are possible depending on the look you want.
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What should I wear?
Simple, timeless pieces work best. Avoid large logos and very busy patterns. I’ll send guidance in advance and help you choose what works for your purpose.
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Do you provide hair & make-up or wardrobe help?
Yes—professional hair & make-up and/or wardrobe assistance can be booked as add-ons.
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How do we choose images?
You’ll receive a private online gallery. I’m happy to give personal selection guidance and recommendations.
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When will I receive the final images?
Delivery is typically 7–14 days. If you have a deadline, tell me in advance and we’ll see what’s possible.
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Can I add more images?
Yes, additional retouched images are available on request.
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Do you offer prints or albums?
No—delivery is digital (high-resolution files, plus web-ready versions for profiles and casting).
Berlinale Portrait Day — Special (Berlin · Mon 09 Feb)
Fast-turnaround actor portraits with a premium look — when “good enough” isn’t enough.
Only 5 slots total · Runs with minimum 3 participants
What you get
• 60 min studio slot
• 4 final retouched portraits (natural, casting-ready finish)
• Two looks included: Casting Clean + Editorial
• If you prefer: all 4 finals from one look
• Gallery next day · Finals within 48h after selection
Price (incl. VAT)
• €399 per person
• Payment: €150 deposit at booking (Stripe) · remainder on the day / invoice in advance
Policies
• Please arrive on time — slots are strict
• Cancel/reschedule up to 48h before (within 48h deposit retained)
• If minimum isn’t reached: reschedule or full refund
example for casting clean look
example for editorial look
