The 9 Best Portrait Photographers in Lexington, KY

While Lexington takes second place to Louisville in terms of size, it certainly does not when it comes to creative potential! We were amazed by the quality of work to be found here in the Horse Capital of the World, with photographers expressing their vision of the world through all sorts of approaches. They inspired us at Peerspace to review their work in order to put together this list of the top Lexington portrait photographers of 2022 to partner up with!

1. Walden’s Photography

When looking for a Lexington portrait photographer it really pays to be sure about the style that you prefer. While some people like the outdoor natural light approach, there are many of us that enjoy a refined studio approach, complete with Rembrandt lighting and subtle color grading.

Walden’s Photography is just such a studio, operating as a husband and wife creative team that have honed their distinctive fine art method together! Families and children are their specialties, using classic poses and lighting that brings out subtle skin tones and eye catchlights to great effect.

2. Brett Barnett

Freelance work and film photography was the foundations of Brett Barnett’s visual arts journey! After seeing his work published in a local newspaper he then began apprenticing with his uncle, learning the wedding photography trade with a professional.

Brett eventually founded his own brand of art, focused on events and weddings. He now shoots heartfelt portraits for couples that are full of rich environmental details! Rather than relying on shallow depth of field Brett brings the background into sharp focus in order to tell romantic lifestyle stories about his portrait subjects.

3. Photography by Hunter Drake

Portraits are the specialty of Hunter Mitchell! However, he is also a talented wedding, sports, event, and real estate photographer with years of experience working with Lexington brands and people. What started as a fun weekend hobby evolved into a business that has grown tremendously over the years.

Hunter’s portraiture is captured in the classic outdoor tradition, with carefully guided poses and outdoor settings that are often recognizable to local viewers. And we especially love how often we see dogs getting to be a part of family and individual photoshoots with him.

4. Megan Sweeting of Bourbon and Brides

“Photography with personality” is the maxim that Megan Sweeting of Bourbon and Brides works from! We see this time and time again in her portfolio; Megan has an eye for dynamic scenes that suggest far deeper narratives than you initially see.

After all, those in-between moments of documentary fine art that make up a wedding day can convey so much more to viewers than the posed moments of perfection. Megan’s photography is rich in contrast and cheerful, with peak emotions always being the foremost element.

5. Emily Coomes

High school senior graduations, weddings, and family images are what Emily Coomes, one of the top Lexington portrait photographers, has to share with us today! As a lover of life milestones, her photography has a vibrant and celebratory character to it; the colors are as bright as the mood.

And many of Emily’s images also have a slightly soft character that takes the bite out of the clinical, too-sharp rendering that modern lenses create. Emily’s approach is gentle on the skin while still showing background details in a true-to-life fashion. Best of all, the poses she suggests feel well matched to the character of her subjects.

6. Jennifer Chang

If you are looking for a Lexington portrait photographer that perfectly balances the artistic and authentic, look no further than Jennifer Chang! As she says, “​​You’re here because you want photography that captures your truth in its entirety- leaving your story as a visual legacy for you and your loved ones.”

We also love her adventurous way of telling stories about her subjects. The settings Jennifer favors include the many scenic outdoor spots around Lexington, where her couples photography can take on an adventure elopement quality! With each image you get a distinct sense of the lifestyle of her subjects as well as the unique aspects of their relationship.

7. Emily C. Rice

Few portrait photographers have the attention to props and backgrounds that Emily C. Rice does! Her portraits are more like masterfully composed lifestyle narratives, using blankets, pillows, poses, and apparel that all add to the story she and her subjects are sharing with us.

Emily’s style includes fashion, lifestyle, and modeling influences in a way that we rarely see so artfully done! Her love for natural Golden Hour tones is also evident, giving her work a signature warmth that is nostalgic for good reason!

8. Bethany Stacy

Bethany Stacey’s approach is one that nicely blends the photojournalistic documentary approach with poses that reflect classic themes in portraiture! We love her use of the term “guided suggestion,” helping her subjects find that same fine line where they don’t feel like they have no direction yet aren’t being forced into anything, either. This gives Bethany’s photography a spontaneous, playful quality that comes across in the ways her subjects relate to one another.

While political science was her major in college, Bethany eventually found that the arts were more to her liking! What was once a hobby eventually evolved into a full-time Lexington brand! As she shares with us: “It led to some paid shoots here and there, and I thought, “I’ll just keep this up until I have to get a ‘real’ job.” Now nearly four years later, it is my real job and I couldn’t be happier!”

9. Stephanie Hardwick

Travel is a big part of what makes Stephanie Hardwick’s photography so compelling! Utah, Kentucky, California, and Arkansas are just a few of the scenic backdrops you will see in her portraits. Unsurprising, given her focus on destination wedding and portrait photography.

What’s more, her love for warm tones and shadow allows us to appreciate the dynamic natural lighting that she often works with. The passion and love that Stephanie has for celebrating people’s lives in the scenic outdoors are readily apparent in how captivating her images are to viewers!

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