Worrillow Woodworking
Small Business Portrait Photography for Worrillow Woodworking
This small business portrait photography project was created for Ursinus College Magazine, featuring Worrillow Woodworking, a family-owned business founded by Ursinus alumni. The assignment focused on capturing both a strong portrait and a sense of place within their workshop in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
For this feature, I worked closely with the magazine’s art director to define the visual goals. These included natural-looking light, a clear sense of environment, and a portrait that felt authentic to the subjects.
Because the story was part of the magazine’s “Office Space” series, the images needed to show both the individuals and the space where their work takes place. As a result, the environment played a central role in the composition.
Photographing a Small Business on Location
The shoot took place inside the Worrillows’ woodshop, where tools, textures, and materials helped shape the visual story. Although the weather was rainy, I used off-camera flash combined with available light to create a bright, soft look that still felt natural.
At the same time, the setup remained simple and efficient. This allowed the subjects to continue working while I captured images that felt genuine and unforced.
Small Business Portrait Photography for Editorial Use
Working within a one-hour timeframe required focus and flexibility. However, that limitation also helped preserve a sense of spontaneity in the images.
In total, I delivered approximately 50 images for the magazine’s design team. Ultimately, this small business portrait photography project highlights both the craftsmanship of the Worrillows and the character of their workspace.
