Behind the Scenes: Photographing ‘Ninety Four’ – A Theatrical Portrait Session
Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph the cast of Ninety Four, a powerful theatrical production set to hit the stage in Toronto. The goal for this shoot was clear: capture each actor’s personality in a clean, studio setting that allowed their energy and character to shine—while leaving space for the graphic designer to later build out the promotional posters with backgrounds and text.
This wasn’t just a portrait session. It was a chance to visually introduce the cast to the world.
Creative Process & Direction
Before the shoot, I met with the creative team to discuss their vision. They wanted each character to be photographed against a plain backdrop with strong lighting that allowed their presence to come through clearly. Since the final images would be used for posters and promotional materials, I kept the compositions intentional and expressive, focusing on poses and facial expressions that embodied each role.
I also chose to shoot tethered for this session—this allowed the actors, directors, and team to see the images in real-time as we captured them. It was a collaborative process, and seeing the cast light up when they recognized themselves in character was one of the most rewarding parts of the day.
Challenges During the Shoot
No shoot ever goes perfectly—and this one had its share of curveballs.
About halfway through, my main light suddenly stopped working. Rather than panic, I called a short break and took a moment to troubleshoot the issue. Thankfully, it was a quick fix, and we were back on track in no time. But it was a reminder of how important it is to stay calm under pressure and have backup options (or at least, a backup plan).
The studio space itself also came with a few challenges. It was a hot day, and the temperature inside made things physically uncomfortable at times. There were also multiple flights of stairs, which made loading gear in and out more difficult. And of course…parking in Toronto is always a fun adventure.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned: arriving early to set up is non-negotiable. Giving yourself buffer time before talent arrives can help minimize stress when surprises pop up.
Final Thoughts
Working with actors always brings a unique kind of energy to a shoot. They understand expression, character, and storytelling in such a deep way, and it’s my job to translate that visually. This session was a creative collaboration from start to finish—and I’m excited to see how the final poster designs bring these portraits to life.
'Niney Four' Directed & written by
@yoursheronna @troycrossfield
Costume design by @yoursheronna
Cast @jaidenlewisofficial @_lys1x @carlosmorganmusic @yoursheronna @troycrossfield
Photography and design team @tashabrownportraits and @jamesstamler