Known as "Boston's literary photographer," Sharona shoots editorial, commercial, and commissioned portraits and headshots of authors, academics, and innovators living in New England and beyond. Based out of Arlington, Massachusetts, Sharona's imagery treads the line between the commercial, editorial, and fine art worlds. Her portraits have appeared in The New York Times, People Magazine, Wired, Salon, NPR.org, The Chicago Tribune, The Boston Globe, Bitch Magazine, and many other respected publications. A gallery of her large-scale author portraits, collectively called "The Boston Authors Project," were on exhibit from 2014-2020 at GrubStreet, one of the nation's leading creative writing centers, and the founder of Boston's Literary District.
Frequently Asked Questions, answered by Sharona Jacobs
What types of portraits do you shoot?
Not just authors! Though, much to my pleasure, I do work with many, as well as those who have overlap with our incredible academic institutions and startups in New England including Harvard University, Tufts University, Boston College, and MIT. I also work with publications, ad agencies, and commercial clients as well as on individually commissioned work. My work has been published everywhere from magazines, to book jackets, galleries, and on LinkedIn, Amazon author pages, and individual websites.
I'm not photogenic and a bit of an introvert. You may have a tough time working with me.
I doubt it! Most people aren't used to being in front of the camera, and because of that feel awkward. I often tell my clients that unless you're a professional model or actor, there's absolutely no reason why it should feel natural to be in front of a camera; that's why it is my job to make you comfortable! Heck, even some of the professional performers I’ve photographed can find it harder to be themselves than a character they play. That’s is why it is my job, as your portrait photographer, to make you feel relaxed, and most importantly, yourself - all you need to do is show up and let me know how you are feeling throughout the process so you are supported and captured to the best advantage. I always build in time to get to know you and your professional needs, and figure out the things that crack you up or make you think to grab those moments that are truly you. And then all that gets captured. Not the awkward bits, I promise.
Where do you photograph?
I'm located just outside Boston in Arlington, MA which is adjacent to Somerville, Cambridge, Lexington, Winchester, and Medford. Many of my clients hail from Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Lexington, Lincoln, Newton, Brookline, Wayland, Winchester, and Weston, MA. I do travel, particularly on the East Coast. I shoot on location and also in my studio in Arlington, MA conveniently located just over the Cambridge line and MBTA accessible. Whenever I go on location, I do bring my lighting set-up with me so that you'll get a clean, beautifully lit image wherever we go.
Do you have your own team of makeup artists, stylists, and assistants you recommend?
Absolutely - all tried, trusted, and true. The folks I work with have particular experience working with the writers, professors, psychologists and the like whom I photograph so often. The colleagues I work with all have a light, discerning hand coupled with quick wits, and are fantastic at making sure my clients look like themselves - just their best selves.
Do you handle postproduction work at your studio?
Yes, all pricing includes subtle and tasteful postproduction work including: touching up stray hair, softening shadows and lines, and color balancing.
Do you teach or coach?
Yes, I've been a speaker and a mentor at the Inspire Photo Retreats, and coach individual photographer clients by combining my graduate training in counseling psychology and career counseling with real-world experience in creative strategy, branding, and portfolio development.
Why should I choose Sharona as my portrait photographer?
Seeing within. You're looking for a photographer who captures the wonderful complexity of charisma, intelligence, and soul that makes up a human being. Someone who can reveal the life that dwells both in front and behind the eyes. Perhaps you are an author or an art director, professor or psychologist, technology innovator or artist; all people who work with complex thoughts and concepts. You want to find a portrait photographer who is part artist, part psychologist, with the kind of personality, curiosity, and skill that can bring out a person's best self with kindness, good humor, and consummate professionalism.
I create thoughtful character-driven portraits and photograph many of the authors, creative professionals, innovators and educators that make up the eclectic culture of Boston, New England, and beyond. Boston has some of the biggest thinkers on a global scale here in our little city, and I'm proud to have the honor of photographing some of our best and brightest.
As both a trained psychotherapist and photographer, I work with each person I'm photographing through a careful, consultative collaboration to visually bring out their personality and warmth, and I make sure the process is fun and enjoyable as well. Whether a client is coming to me directly for a commissioned portrait or headshot, a magazine is looking for a portrait for a feature, or a company is looking for corporate artwork, what you'll get is an image that immediately portrays the humanity and character of that individual while considering their commercial audience.
It's also important to me that each image be beautifully lit as well as composed. In addition to training at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Maine Media Workshops + College, and my first working years at the George Eastman House, I've also studied with some of the finest portrait photographers out there, including Gregory Heisler, Charlee Brodsky, and Rick Friedman, so you can be sure that your image will not only convey your character but be technically solid and beautiful, to boot.
When choosing a photographer, aside from ability and technique, the most important ingredient is the relationship, the match, between the photographer and photographed. The people who enjoy working with me value culture and technology, have a fine arts sensibility, and enjoy life with a large dollop of humor.
What is the difference between an editorial portrait and a commercial portrait?
Simply put, the difference is intent: a portrait is photograph of a person that tells a visual story through creative expression, and a headshot is a photograph of a person with a fairly straightforward marketing or business goal in mind. Both portraits and headshots are the media version of a first impression to your potential readers or clients, which is why it's so important for that first impression to be of incredible quality, unique as the person pictured. First impressions can either give or deny entry, which is why it is vital that they represent your true self and creative or business vision.
Sometimes I joke that the difference is between the two is expression - a smile (headshots), or a more multi-layered expression (portraits), but the true answer is that there can be a lot of overlap, especially in my work. The headshots I shoot involve complexity and expression while still keeping my client's business goals in mind.
What was your favorite client compliment?
I’m torn between, “You truly captured that person’s spirit/essence/personality,” “You are the Terry Gross of portrait photographers (high praise!),” and, “I’d generally rather get a root canal than have my picture taken, but not only is your portrait the only picture taken of myself that I have ever loved, I actually had a great time!”