SEATTLE — Need a new headshot but don’t have time to schedule a professional photography session?
Head to Say Cheese, Seattle’s first self-portrait studio.
"You just come in, take your own portrait, resulting in high quality professional photos,” said owner Rina Kang.
She opened the studio within her primary small business, Say Woof – a dog portrait studio. She loves shooting with four-legged models but said people aren't comfortable having their pictures taken.
"I get really awkward in front of the camera, so it starts with me,” she laughed.
Selfie studios originated in Korea, and during a trip Kang discovered the fun of posing with friends and family.
She created a similar experience in South Lake Union, where people can sit or stand against a colored backdrop in a professionally-lit room and remotely snap their own pictures using a professional camera on a tripod.
Kang waits in another room until they're finished and said the no-pressure experience allows people to relax and lose their inhibitions.
"It's more candid, super chill, and it's real smiles,” she said.
Kang said the selfie studio draws everyone from couples on maternity shoots to professionals in need of new LinkedIn photos.
Darius Francis and Evan Carlyle booked a session just for fun.
"I love to take photos, I'm always taking photos,” Francis said. “I have like 80,000 photos on my phone."
Carlyle is a bit more reserved and found comfort in doing the shoot without a third person in the room.
"I think being here and going through what I feel like is really the best position instead of following what someone else thinks helps me lower that guard down and actually have a good time,” he said.
Each session lasts for 15 minutes, which is enough time to take 150-200 shots. After guests select their top two choices, Kang immediately re-touches and prints them.
"I love letting people have their own time in my space,” she said. "I think that's very special for me."
A session costs $95 and includes two digital images and two 5x7 mounted prints. Add-on options include different colored backgrounds and digital copies of all the session photos.
Francis said the experience was about more than getting a quality photo.
"This sort of provided a private space where you could authentically be yourself,” he said.
Say Cheese is located at 2215 8th Avenue in Seattle. Weekend bookings fill up quickly so Kang recommends finding a weekday slot. Reservations can be made online.
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