Photography, Built Around People.
At Image 1st, we believe the best photographs begin with genuine connections. Our friendly team creates a relaxed, enjoyable experience, helping individuals and businesses feel confident in front of the camera while producing authentic photography that reflects who they are.
Creative Team
Image 1st brings together experienced photographers, creative professionals and client support specialists who work together to deliver a relaxed, enjoyable photography experience from your first enquiry through to your final images.
DOREN GABRIEL
Founder & Creative Director
Doren founded Image 1st in 2002 with a simple goal: to create photography that feels authentic, approachable and genuinely reflects the people behind every business. Today, he works closely with clients, shaping creative concepts and ensuring every project delivers outstanding results.
FREYJA
Client Experience Manager
Freyja is the friendly face behind every smooth-running project. From your first enquiry through to the final delivery of your photographs, she coordinates bookings, manages schedules and ensures every client enjoys a seamless, stress-free experience.
EDDY G.
Head of Happiness
Eddy is responsible for welcoming visitors, boosting morale and making sure every photoshoot starts with a smile. Between greeting clients and supervising the studio, he's always on hand for cuddles, treats and the occasional quality-control inspection. Just be warned—if he likes you, personal space is no longer an option.
Built From Passion
Every Great Business Starts Somewhere
Back in 2002, Image 1st began with a camera, a vision and a well-used white van. Long before dedicated studios and established clients, we were travelling across London, building relationships one photoshoot at a time.
More than two decades later, our commitment hasn't changed. We still believe the best photography comes from taking the time to understand people, making them feel comfortable and creating images that genuinely reflect who they are. While our equipment, studio and experience have grown, the passion that started the journey remains exactly the same.
Recognised by Leading Publications
Trusted by clients across London & featured in the Financial Times & Evening Standard
"Image 1st made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. The team instantly put us at ease, understood exactly what we were trying to achieve, and delivered beautiful photography that perfectly captured our brand."
Trusted by Global Brands
Let's Talk About Your Photography Project
Fast response • No obligation • Trusted by Major London firms
Meet the Team Behind Image 1st
Great photography is never the work of just one person. Behind every successful photoshoot is a team of creative professionals who are passionate about helping people and businesses present themselves at their very best.
Since 2002, Image 1st has built a reputation for creating modern, authentic photography for professionals, entrepreneurs and businesses across London. While every member of our team brings their own personality and creative style, we all share the same goal—to make every client feel comfortable, confident and proud of the final images.
Whether you're visiting us for a personal branding session, arranging photography for your business or organising an event, you'll be working with people who genuinely care about delivering an outstanding experience from start to finish.
Photography Should Feel Relaxed
One of the biggest concerns people have before a photoshoot is feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera. The good news is that most of our clients tell us exactly the same thing before we begin.
That's why our photographers focus on creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience rather than rushing through a list of poses. We guide you throughout the session, helping with expressions, posture, positioning and confidence so your photographs feel natural and authentic.
The result is photography that looks professional without feeling forced, allowing your personality to shine through.
A Team That Works Together
Every project benefits from the experience of our wider creative team. From your initial enquiry through to the final delivery of your photographs, we work together to ensure every stage of the process runs smoothly.
Our photographers, retouchers and client support team collaborate closely, ensuring every client receives the same high standard of service regardless of the size of the project.
Whether we're photographing one entrepreneur, an entire leadership team or covering a large business event, our approach remains the same: professional, organised and friendly.
Experience Across Every Industry
Over the years we've photographed professionals from almost every sector, including finance, technology, legal, healthcare, property, recruitment, hospitality, retail, education and creative industries.
We've worked with start-ups launching their first business, established organisations refreshing their marketing, consultants building their personal brand and companies looking to strengthen their online presence.
Every industry has its own personality, and we tailor our photography accordingly, creating imagery that reflects your business rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
More Than Just Photographers
Our role extends beyond simply taking photographs.
We help businesses build image libraries for websites, recruitment campaigns and marketing. We work with professionals developing their personal brand, support entrepreneurs launching new ventures and help organisations create a consistent visual identity across their teams.
By understanding your goals before the camera comes out, we're able to create photography that continues to deliver value long after the session has finished.
Quality Without Compromise
At Image 1st, we believe great photography starts in camera rather than relying on excessive editing afterwards.
Every image is professionally captured using high-quality equipment, carefully lit and individually reviewed before delivery. Selected images are hand-retouched to ensure they look polished while still remaining natural and true to the person in front of the camera.
Our aim has always been simple: produce photography that people are proud to use on their website, LinkedIn profile, marketing materials and social media for years to come.
Building Long-Term Relationships
Many of our clients return to us again and again as their careers and businesses evolve. Individuals come back to refresh their personal branding, while businesses return whenever their teams grow, leadership changes or marketing needs updating.
We see every project as the beginning of a long-term relationship rather than a one-off photoshoot. By getting to know our clients and understanding their brand, we're able to create photography that remains consistent and relevant as they continue to grow.
We'd Love to Meet You
Whether you're looking for personal branding photography, business photography, workplace photography, professional headshots, team portraits or event photography, our team is here to help.
If you're not sure exactly what you need, that's perfectly fine. Get in touch, tell us about your project and we'll guide you through the options. We'll recommend the best approach, answer your questions and create a photography experience that's enjoyable from the moment you arrive to the final delivery of your images.
At Image 1st, we're proud to have helped thousands of professionals and businesses tell their story through authentic, modern photography—and we'd love the opportunity to help tell yours.