Moments That Matter
What's Your Why?
Our 'Short & Sweet Sessions' - A little taste of the Musselwhite Experience
20 minutes. One finished print. £45.
Not sure you're ready for a full shoot? Start here.
Maybe you want an updated portrait before Christmas. Maybe you're trying to persuade someone to finally have a proper shoot. Or maybe you've never been in front of our camera and simply want to see what it's all about without committing to a full session.
Short & Sweet is exactly that.
A quick visit to the studio, a chance to have some fun and see what we can create together — without the time or commitment of a full Showcase shoot.
And who knows? You might discover you'd quite like to do the whole thing...
Just pick, book and come along.
Special Shoot Sessions
View our current Special Shoots
Our Short & Sweet sessions change throughout the year, giving you different reasons to pop into the studio and try something a little different.
From portraits of the people you love to the four-legged members of the family, there's usually something new to discover.
Take a look at the Special Shoots currently available below.
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Portraits With A Purpose
Helping us raise funds for Leukemia Care
For: For Small Family & Friend Groups
When: Oct 10th & 11th
A little taste of our dedicated showcase shoots.
For: Individual Superstars
When: October Half Term
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A little Christmas magic, without the faff.
For: Small Family & Friend Groups
When: Various Dates Before Xmas
Short & Sweet
Portrait Sessions
There are photographs we take because we have to.
And then there are the ones we take because we don't want to forget this bit.
The slightly wild hair. The missing teeth. The faces they pull. The family you are right now — before another birthday, another school year or another Christmas changes things again.
That's what these Short & Sweet sessions are for.
20 MINUTES · PRINTED PORTRAIT · DIGITAL COPY · PRIVATE GALLERY
A quick visit to the studio with James to create something beautiful and honest — without needing to spend hours in front of the camera.
And because these sessions are part of James' fundraising for Leukaemia Care, your £45 booking also helps us raise money for an important cause.
Come for the photograph. Leave with a little bit of this moment to keep.
October 10th & 11th
Positive Ripples
This ones isn't just about photographs.
This October, James is taking on the Great South Run to raise money for Leukaemia Care.
So we thought we'd combine two things we love: creating photographs and doing something useful with them.
A portion of every Short & Sweet session fee will go towards James' fundraising, and we're hoping to raise as much as we can.
Every booking helps.
Thank you for helping us make these sessions do a little more good.
Simple Showcase
A Showcase Taster Session
A chance to have a session that's all about them — their personality, their passions and the things that make them who they are.
Music? Dance? Fashion? Sport? Something completely different?
Bring it. We'll shoot it.
These are fast-paced, creative sessions where we can pack a lot into 20 minutes. Dramatic lighting, movement, colour, smoke, wind... whatever helps us create something that feels like them.
And if they've ever wondered what it would be like to have a proper Showcase shoot, this is a great place to start.
This October Half Term Break
Tues 27th & Weds 28th
These sessions are for individuals. If you'd like siblings or friends to take part, simply book sessions back-to-back so we can create something for each of them.
20 minutes · £45 · Printed portrait to take home
A little taste of the full Showcase experience — without the commitment of a two-hour shoot.
Paws Portrait
For Waggy Tails & Big Personalities
We’re lucky to have welcomed plenty of your beloved furry family members through our doors over the years.
And no, we don't mean Grandad...
This one is for the doggies. 🐾
There's time for a good roam around the studio, a sniff of all the new smells and a little exploration before we start shooting. Once those tails are wagging and everyone is settled, we'll get to work creating some lovely portraits of your best mate.
And the beauty of a Short & Sweet? It doesn't need to take over your day.
Working from home? Perfect. Take a proper break, bring your dog along and make the most of a little paws-and-portraits time together.
20 minutes · £45 · Printed portrait to take home
A little Short & Sweet for the dog who deserves their own place on the wall.
Don't forget the treats!
Secret Santa
The Best Gift.
Our signature Short & Sweet shoots — this time with a little festive sparkle, and the perfect excuse to get those smiles captured in time for Christmas.
A portrait for the folks, perhaps? Or celebrating your first Christmas together as a couple?
Maybe it’s the family’s yearly update on just how much the kids have grown — but this time with a little extra pizazz.
Or perhaps it’s simply two besties in Christmas jumpers in front of the camera.
Whatever your reason, The Secret Santa is a great excuse to get booked, pop into the studio and create something lovely to share this Christmas.
20 minutes · £45 · Printed portrait to take home
Looking for something a little different?
Perhaps you're looking for a gift for someone who'd love a fully immersive portrait experience or a full shoot for yourself and the gift is a book of personal portraits?
Explore our Showcase sessions for something bigger, more creative and completely bespoke.
Or why not give someone something to look forward to in the New Year with a Short & Sweet Gift Experience.
For £144, they'll receive their choice of Short & Sweet Session, their print & their first three additional digital portraits — all ready to redeem against a Short & Sweet session in January, February or March.
A fully gifted experience. Nothing extra to pay.
Lets Get Into The Nitty Gritty...
So...How do the Sessions Work?
Your Shoot is just 20 minutes, but appointments are booked in 30-minute slots, with a little buffer between bookings to keep everything running smoothly.
Choose your date and time, enjoy your session, and we'll take care of the rest. Check below if you'd like to read more
Printed In Person
£45 includes your session and a beautiful mounted portrait to take home.
An Extra 'Special' Feature For You
Pick Your Portrait
We Print for you to take home
We wanted to make this as easy as possible.
Your photography takes around 20 minutes, and we'll then sit down together to choose your favourite portrait.
Your included portrait is created in black & white — a signature Musselwhite style. We'll print and mount it there and then, ready to frame, so you can take it home with you on the day.
Please allow around 30–40 minutes overall for your booking to give us time for the photography, choosing your portrait and getting your print ready.
Your £45 includes:
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Around 20 minutes of professional photography
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Your Private Online Gallery
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A mounted black & white Musselwhite portrait
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Your print, ready to frame and take home on the day
Love More Than One
When It's too tricky to Pick Just One
Additional portraits can be added before your session or afterwards via your private online gallery.
1 — £45 | 3 — £99 | 5 — £145 | 10 — £240
Additional portraits can be ordered in colour or black & white.
The mounted print included with your £45 session will be printed in black & white.
Making selections from the comfort of home online, no pitch, no pressure.
What To Expect
These are deliberately short, relaxed and straightforward sessions.
You'll arrive at the studio, we'll get you settled and your shoot with James will get to work. There's no need to spend ages posing or wondering what to do — he'll guide you through it.
We'll photograph a handful of different expressions and combinations during your 20 minutes, then you'll choose your favourite from our live screen.
We'll prepare your print while you're here, so you leave with it in your hands.
A quick note about group size
Because the photography is deliberately short, sessions are tailored to ensure everything runs smoothly. Some 'special sessions days' are suitable for small groups and couples whilst others may be just for individuals.
Just check the detail on your pick to be sure its the one you need.
These shorter sessions aren't suitable for large multi-generation or merged family groups, where we'd need more time manage the group & ages.
If that's what you're looking for, we'd be very happy to recommend one of our longer dedicated family sessions instead.
Finding Us
Musselwhite Photography
17 Fairway Business Centre
Portsmouth
PO3 5NU
Driving to us?
We're just off the main 'Eastern Road' in a small set of semi industrial units next to the golf course, With convenient parking available right outside the studio.
Coming via train?
Hilsea station is around a 15-minute walk away, and Fratton station is around a 10–15 minute taxi journey.
Arriving via Bus?
A Short walk from the 21 route drop offs at Morrisons ( & the 19, not available on Sundays) .
We're placed conveniently for families travelling in from across Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and beyond.
Please note that the studio is booking-only, so there isn't a waiting area for early arrivals.