Portfolio Collaboration:
Nakya Michelle Photography is creating a small, intentional body of work centered on editorial portraiture and storytelling.
This portfolio collaboration series will include five editorial portraits, each built around contrast, narrative, and identity.
This project is limited to the state of Illinois and only five participants will be selected for the year.
2026
portfolio themes
MARCH | APRIL
Soft/Rugged
MAY | June
Urban/Rural
JuLY | AUGUST
Bright/Dark
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER
High/Low
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
Wildcard
Seasonal availability is subject to change according to the story and subject
01.
What Is This Project?
This is a year-long editorial portrait series focused on telling five distinct visual stories.
Each collaboration is:
- Complimentary (the editorial shoot itself is free)
- Photographer-led and narrative-driven
- Designed to explore contrast through concept, setting, light, and subject
- Created intentionally over time — not rushed or mass-produced
Each selected participant will receive:
- A curated set of professionally edited editorial portraits
- A 15% discount toward one future paid photoshoot with Nakya Michelle Photography
02.
Who Can Apply?
This project is open to:
- Adults (college-age and older)
- Individuals interested in editorial portrait photography
- People open to collaboration and creative direction
- Participants based in Illinois and able to shoot within the state
- This is not a volume portrait session or traditional headshot experience.
No prior modeling experience is required — posing and direction are provided throughout the session.
03.
Location Information
Nakya Michelle Photography does not operate from a permanent studio. Photoshoot locations are selected based on safety, creative fit, and story alignment.
Approved locations may include:
- Outdoor public locations in Illinois
- Rented photography studios (Peerspace or similar)
- Approved indoor locations (cafés, lobbies, galleries, etc.)
- Client-provided locations (upon discussion)
Private in-home photography sessions are limited and not guaranteed.
All shoot locations are confirmed after selection.
Portfolio Collaboration Terms & Expectations
To ensure a positive experience for everyone:
- Submitting an application does not guarantee selection
- Portfolio collaborations are photographer-led
- Final creative direction, image selection, and editing are at the photographer’s discretion
- Raw images are not provided
- Additional edited images may be purchased at $10 per image
- A signed model release is required
- Sessions are scheduled collaboratively based on seasonal alignment and availability
- One reschedule may be permitted with advance notice
- Collaboration spots are non-transferable
- Professional and respectful behavior is required at all times
Nakya Michelle Photography reserves the right to end a session if any of the above terms are violated.
Discount Terms
Participants selected for a portfolio collaboration receive:
- 15% off one future paid photography session
Important discount details:
- The discount applies to paid sessions only
- Discounts do not stack or combine
- Discounts are non-transferable
- Discount usage will be confirmed at booking
(Participating in multiple collaborations does not increase the discount percentage.)