Business Details
Luxury Portrait & Headshot Studio in New Haven, CT
Karissa Van Tassel Photography is a boutique studio dedicated to creating refined portraits and headshots that capture life's most meaningful moments. With over 15 years of experience, we specialize in luxury photography sessions tailored to individual clients, including professionals, students, and women seeking empowering portraits. Our New Haven, Connecticut studio offers a comprehensive experience featuring professional hair and makeup styling, personalized consultations, and guided posing to ensure every client feels confident and comfortable.We prioritize attention to detail, combining technical expertise with a warm, client-centric approach to deliver timeless images that transcend mere photographs. Our services extend beyond Connecticut to New York, Paris, and select locations nationwide, serving clients from diverse industries including academia, law, entertainment, and business.
Services
Professional Headshots
Women's Portraits
Student Photography
Personal Branding
Group Headshots
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of professional photography expertise with personalized sessions
- Our studio includes professional hair & makeup styling for photo-ready results
- Guided posing techniques ensure natural, confident portraits for camera-shy clients
- Customized sessions for professionals, students, and women's empowerment photography
- Available for travel sessions in New York, Paris, and Connecticut locations
Associations and certifications
- The Portrait Masters
What people say
Supportive photographer
Professional styling
Confidence transformation
Beautiful photographs
Comfortable experience
Services
Professional Headshots
Our headshot sessions create professional images that showcase your personality and expertise. Clients receive personalized guidance through poses and expressions, with options for studio or on-location shoots. The session includes hair and makeup styling, multiple background choices, and professional retouching to ensure polished results that work across all professional platforms.
Women's Portraits
Custom portrait sessions designed to celebrate women's strength and beauty. These sessions include wardrobe consultation from our studio collection, professional styling, and a focus on creating images that reflect each client's unique story. The experience emphasizes comfort and confidence-building through expert posing guidance and personalized attention to detail.
Student Photography
Specialized sessions for high school seniors and college students that capture this transitional life stage. Available in studio or on-campus locations, these portraits emphasize timeless styling and natural posing. The session includes consultation to plan wardrobe and location choices that reflect the graduate's personal achievements and future aspirations.
Personal Branding
Comprehensive branding sessions that create cohesive visual content for professional use. Combines marketing expertise with portrait photography to develop images suitable for websites, social media, and professional materials. Includes strategic consultation to align visual content with brand messaging across multiple platforms and marketing channels.
Group Headshots
Professional headshot services for businesses and organizations. Customizable packages accommodate teams of three or more with options for on-site studio setup or location shooting. Sessions maintain consistent styling and background elements while highlighting individual professionalism, ideal for company websites and marketing materials.
People
Karissa Van Tassel
Lead Photographer & Creative Director
With 15+ years of photography experience, Karissa specializes in creating timeless portraits that capture personal stories. She combines technical expertise with a focus on client comfort to deliver professional images for individuals and businesses.
Tricia Caliolo
Makeup Artist
A 20-year beauty industry veteran, Tricia brings expertise from MAC Cosmetics and ESPN to our studio. She specializes in camera-ready makeup application and offers personalized lessons to complement photography sessions.
Questions
What photography services do you specialize in?
We specialize in professional headshots, women's portraits, student photography, and personal branding sessions. Our services also include group headshots for businesses and organizations.
Where is your studio located?
Our primary studio is located at 319 Peck Street, New Haven, CT 06513, with easy access from I-91. We also offer on-location shoots in Connecticut, New York, and Paris.
How far in advance should I book a session?
We recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance for most sessions. Special projects and travel sessions may require additional lead time to ensure availability.
What if I'm uncomfortable being photographed?
80% of our clients initially feel camera-shy. Our professional team uses guided posing and a supportive approach to help you relax and achieve natural, confident portraits.
Do you provide hair and makeup styling?
Yes, all full sessions include professional hair and makeup styling by artists with at least 15 years of experience in camera-ready beauty preparation.
What's included in a photography session?
Every session includes a pre-shoot consultation, professional styling, the photography session with guided posing, and a reveal session to select and order your favorite images.
