Whatever.Photo Pay What You Can website header.

By Whatever.Photo — for whatever reason.

This isn’t about the money.

It’s about the moment.

What you can afford shouldn’t define how you’re remembered.

For the first time, I’m opening up Pay What You Can portrait sessions — not as a promo, not as a sale, but as a philosophy.

This is for the people who thought good photos were out of reach.
This is for the people tired of pixelated selfies and awkward school headshots.
This is for anyone finally growing into themselves — and wanting proof.
This is for the people reclaiming how they’re seen.
This is for anyone who wants to remember who they were right now.
This is for the queens, kings, and creatures who built themselves from scratch.
This is for the weirdos who found their weirdo.
This is for those who’ve thought “I wish I had photos like that.”

This is for You.

No catch. No pressure. Just a $30 booking fee to hold your spot. The rest? Up to you.
We do our shoot. You leave with photos you actually like. Maybe even love.

That’s it. Let’s make something you’re proud to look back on!

What it is:

I’m not here to gatekeep memories. I’m here to help make them.

These shoots are simple: I set up time blocks in a spot with good light and let people sign up. You pay a small booking fee to lock your time in. After that, what you pay is up to you — no weird upsells, no guilt.

Not everyone can afford traditional pricing. But if you’ve got a vision, an idea, or a reason — I want to make it happen with you.


When it happens:

Pay-What-You-Can sessions are my way of opening the door to professional photography for anyone who values it — no matter their financial situation. Everyone deserves to be seen and remembered with the same care I give my commercial and editorial clients.

Right now, PWYC shoots are offered on specific dates and locations I set aside just for this project. They aren’t always available, and that’s intentional — I balance this work alongside my regular paid bookings and event coverage. My goal is to eventually make PWYC a permanent, always-available option, but until then, it happens when I’m able to dedicate the time and space.

If you don’t see an open slot today, don’t worry — more are coming. Join the list to get first dibs when new sessions drop.


What you get:

Expect Your Session to last about about 45 minutes, depending on the light, the vibe, and how the shoot flows. I’m not staring at a stopwatch — the goal is to make something we both feel good about, not to rush the moment.

  • Your personal gallery and download link delivered

  • Five high-resolution photos of your choice

  • All social-sized photos (watermarked) for sharing

  • Option to buy more high-res or prints later if you want

  • I shoot with intention, and most of what I capture is solid. Expect a lot of great photo options.


What it costs:

$30 booking fee (non-refundable) to reserve your slot

  • After the shoot, you’ll get a chance to contribute whatever you can.

  • When your gallery is ready, you’ll get a link to view the photos and make your payment

  • Pay anything from $1 to $100,000

  • No pressure. Just appreciation.

No price tag, just a hope: that enough people will give what they can. If they do, I can keep doing what I’m built to do — take photos that matter, and take care of the people I love.

How Payment Works

This runs on trust — and I’m trusting that if you book a shoot, you value the work, the time, and the experience.

Here’s the deal:

  • After your shoot, when the photos are ready, you’ll get a link to your personal gallery.

  • I ask that you pay what you can within 48 hours — whatever the experience and photos felt worth to you.

  • If you loved the photos more than expected (that’s what I strive for), you’re always welcome to contribute more later.

  • If things are tight right now, I get it. Just know this is how I keep things going.

My only ask?
Be honest. Be real. And if you loved it — help keep it sustainable for the next person who needs it too.


Why I'm doing it:

I didn’t grow up with money. Professional photos were a luxury I couldn’t dream of affording — which means a lot of my own milestones went undocumented. I taught myself photography because I wanted to capture the moments I knew I’d regret losing.

Even now, I struggle to charge rates that reflect my skill and experience, let alone what most photographers are charging — my rates are already much lower than many, and I keep them that way on purpose. past-me could never have afforded current-me. And I know there are people out there who feel the same way.

Life doesn’t wait for “when I can afford it.” The moments pass. The memories fade. The guilt of not having photos sticks around way longer than you think — until one day you realize you can’t even remember the details you wish you’d saved.

PWYC is my way of making sure more people get those moments documented. Because no one should have to choose between paying rent and keeping the proof they lived.

Life is worth capturing and I want people to have the chance to capture it, for any reason.

  • Your grandma’s in town and you want one solid photo that isn’t a screenshot of a screenshot

  • You just finished an amazing costume build and need it documented before it’s destroyed while wearing it

  • Your new band exists now and you want the world to know

  • You finally feel good in your skin and want to cherish that

  • Your dog learned a new trick (tell your dog I say hi!)

  • You have a crazy idea and want it to be visualized

  • You really need some new headshots

  • Your new fit is fire and you need to flaunt it

  • You need an awesome gift for someone

  • Just because!

This is about keeping that door open.


Where it happens:

Sessions will take place in and around Portland —
Farms, parks, venues, businesses, or places offered up by rad people who want to host something cool.

UPCOMING LOCATIONS

Rossi Farms — NE Portland

Rossi Farms is letting me use their space for these shoots, which is kind of a big deal! It’s got that beautiful natural light in the large barn windows (Great for all weather), open fields, rows of grapevines, and a seasonal gardens that’s actually full of flowers right now. There’s also an incredible ghost town setup in the back — legit Old West buildings — let your imagination run wild with that!

There’s parking, restrooms, and plenty of room to shoot without feeling weird or rushed. It’s an extremely chill spot that makes people look good without trying too hard.

They’re amazing people who are collaborating with me on this to help more people get access to quality photos.

 

If you’ve got a space (bar, backyard, rooftop, warehouse, haunted mansion, etc.) and want to host a shoot day, hit me up!


FINAL DETAILS:

A Note on Booking Etiquette

These sessions are designed to make high-quality photography more accessible — especially for folks who might not normally get the chance. To keep things fair, please only book one PWYC session per day.

If you’ve already booked a recent session, consider waiting a round before signing up again so others can jump in. That said, if a date still has open slots and no one else claims them — grab it. I’d rather shoot than sit around.

For ongoing or frequent shoots, my standard sessions are always available, with full flexibility in scheduling, location, and time.

Thanks for keeping it community-minded and cool!

Why Book a Standard Shoot??

Pay-What-You-Can is an amazing way to make photography accessible, but it’s not meant to replace my regular sessions. If you want the full experience — more time, more flexibility, and the chance to fully shape the shoot around your vision — a standard session is the way to go.

With a regular booking, you choose the date, time, and location that works for you. I recommend at least a 2-hour shoot to get the best results, especially for creative concepts or variety in looks. You’ll also have priority in my editing queue, faster turnaround, and the ability to dive deeper into planning, customization, and location.

Full-rate sessions help make it possible for me to keep offering PWYC opportunities to the community. Both are important — but if you want guaranteed time, maximum flexibility, and the best possible range of photos, book a standard shoot.


Quick Reference Notes

  • Availability: PWYC is offered on select dates and locations I set aside specifically for this project. Slots open when my schedule allows — join the list to get notified first. Sign up to be notified when the next PWYC sessions are available

  • Booking Fee: $30 flat. Paid when you book. Covers your spot and holds your time.

  • PWYC (Pay What You Can): After your shoot, when the photos are ready, you’ll get your gallery. Pay whatever the experience and photos felt worth to you — whether that’s $1 or $1 million.

  • You can always tip later if you loved the photos more than expected. This keeps it sustainable for others and helps me keep doing this.

  • All shoots get my full editing and energy. No corners cut, no rushed work. PWYC doesn’t mean lower quality — just a more accessible way to get amazing photos.

  • Location matters. Some days and spots will be geared toward specific shoot styles (like outdoor portraits vs. studio-style headshots). I’ll always do my best to choose locations that will make all options work — but I’ll let you know if a request might not fit the space.

  • Pre-shoot emails will have details like parking info, restroom access, how to find me, and what kind of shoot vibe/location to expect.

  • Want something specific? Fill out this form and let me know! This will also allow me to let you know when PWYC sessions are available.

  • Galleries delivered via SmugMug, typically within 7–14 days, depending on my queue.

  • Accepted payment methods: Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Zelle, Square — I’ll include them in the gallery delivery email too.

Book a Session

Book a Session ☆

Get in Touch

Ready to book or have questions? Reach out via the contact page, phone, or email.

Let’s make some memories together!