After more than twenty years of photographing people—from Grammy-winners, entertainers and celebrity chefs to entrepreneurs, professionals, and colorful characters from all walks of life—I've learned that we photograph best when we're at ease in familiar surroundings.

That's why I'm bringing the studio to you, where we'll have the time and privacy to make portraits that feel personal and unmistakably you.

THE APPROACh
My approach to portraiture is conversational, collaborative, and fun—we'll talk, experiment, and see where the session takes us.

BEFORE OUR SHOOT

We'll discuss what you're hoping to create, where we'll photograph, wardrobe ideas and anything else worth considering beforehand so you'll know what to expect when I arrive.

The Location

Your commission takes place wherever you're most comfortable—at home, at work, or another meaningful location, keeping the session private, convenient and entirely your own..

duRING the shoot

Portrait sessions typically include around two hours of photography. I'll arrive with everything needed to create a temporary studio. We'll explore different looks, expressions, lighting and compositions until we know we've made something worth keeping.

AFTER the shoot
I'll carefully review and edit the photographs, selecting the strongest images and individually finishing each one to create your final collection.

THE FINISHED WORK

Every private commission includes 25 edited and individually finished portraits presented in two formats:

The Portrait Book

Your finished portraits are presented in a beautifully made album designed to be lived with, shared and kept—not simply stored away on a screen.

private Digital Gallery

Your complete collection of 25 finished portraits, delivered in a private online gallery for downloading, sharing and safekeeping.

WHO IT'S FOR

Private commissions are particularly well suited to:

Individuals

A portrait of yourself that actually feels like you.

Couples & Families

A more personal, artful take on traditional family portraiture.

Artists & Creatives

Portraits with as much personality as the work you make.

Professionals

Portraits that reflect the person behind the work.

Milestones

A birthday, anniversary, new chapter—or simply a time in your life worth marking.

Or perhaps you don't need a reason at all!

Your private commission
$3,250

Each commission includes approximately two hours of photography at your home, business, or chosen location.

I bring the lighting, backdrops, and equipment needed to create the studio on location. You'll receive a carefully edited collection of 25 portraits, presented in a custom portrait book and private digital gallery.

Travel anywhere in North or South Carolina is included.

Sandlin Gaither is an Asheville-based portrait photographer whose work spans more than two decades of editorial, music and commissioned photography. His portraits have appeared in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Garden & Gun and publications around the world, with subjects ranging from Steve Martin and Anthony Bourdain to artists, musicians, and people from all corners of southern life.

After more than twenty years behind the camera, he remains most interested in the same thing: what happens when someone stops posing and starts being themselves.