What makes Angela Gartner's Portrait Studio a sophisticated, unique experience?

Capture the feel of a villa on the Amalphi Coast in your portraits at our oasis on Wilde Lake. A private escape landscaped specifically to enhance the ease of your portrait experience, the our studio is conveniently situated on Wilde Lake, surrounded by nature and beautiful gardens to relieve you of the inconvenience that comes with common portrait session issues such as location and permit procurement.
Whether you choose to have your session outside and inside, our comfortable air conditioned studio will ensure wardrobe changes plus hair and makeup are a seamless experience.

When should I book my session?

Creating your exceptional portraits takes planning. From scheduling your hair & makeup artist to gathering wardrobe and accessories to ordering products. Post session time is taken to craft your images with retouching to ordering your artwork which is hand crafted in Italy. We recommend having your session scheduled at least one to two months in advance to have your artwork in time for special occasions and holidays.


Do you require a deposit to book a session?

Yes. The total amount of your non-refundable session fee will be due at the time of booking in order to secure your date and professional hair & makeup artist. You may purchase your package/artwork at this time or separately at The Reveal.

When do sessions take place?

Sessions are held Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Do you take bookings on Saturdays?

Saturdays are reserved for clients for an additional $250 and pre-payment of one of our Packages or equivalent dollar amount in artwork.

I/We are considering a dream destination for our photo session. Do you travel for sessions?

Yes, Angela can be booked for private senior portrait sessions, engagements, elopements and other beauty sessions in other domestic and international destinations. Travel and accommodation fees will be added on top of your session fee and pre-purchase of our largest premium artwork package.

Where will my session be?

Your session will take place at the Angela Gartner's Portrait Studio located in the heart of Columbia, MD, unless contractually agreed to otherwise. At the studio, you will be able to lavish in the splendors of having access to both a private indoor set or access to gardens around the beautiful and serene Wilde Lake.

How long do sessions take?

While sessions involving hair and makeup are typically 3-4 hours in length, standard sessions without hair and makeup can wrap up in 1-2 hours.
However, what makes Angela's studio experience unique is our devotion to creating the perfect artwork and making sure you are at ease and do not feel rushed. Please also keep in mind that following your photo session, we will go into The Reveal to review and select the photos you love, and then place your order for your artwork and products (this can take up to an additional 60-90 minutes).

Can I share an entire session with a friend?

Detailed attention to your unique experience is paramount. To ensure you acquire the incredible artwork you deserve, we can only accommodate one session at a time which may involve multiple members.

Are parents or friends allowed to stay and watch at my session?

Having one-on-one time to explore a collaborative, on-set creative energy is what allows Angela Gartner to create heirlooms the family will be glad to look back on. Parents and friends are welcome at the beginning of the session to help get settled and then again at the end of the session to share in some of the excitement and sneak peaks.

Can I have a pet in some of my pictures?

Pets are a welcome addition to your session. During your consultation with Monica Lau, you will have the opportunity to discuss options and the unique logistics involved.

Can I have friends or family members in some of my pictures?

Your portrait session is a time for you to express your creative vision however you see fit. It is suggested that additional guests join only towards the end of a session so that Angela may give you the time and attention you deserve during your session.

Can I repost or share my images on social media?

We encourage you to share images of your legacy artwork with your friends and family in any way you desire. Should you post to social media, we’d love for you to tag us @angelagartner.photography on Instagram.

This is probably the largest area that we will spend time collaborating on. Wardrobe choices are essential for the vision you are wanting to portray in your portraits, be it a professional/business look, to casual, to boudoir or beautifully tulle gowns used for tossing. We will take into account what you already have in your closet as well as possible purchases for the photo shoot you may wish to consider. Angela also provides clients with exclusive access to her studio's vintage closet which has a variety of Hollywood evening wear and tulle gowns fitting a variety of sizes, so if you see something you love, let us know so that we can reserve it for your shoot. Rest assured, we will coach you on wardrobe do's and do not's - we also encourage clients to always bring in at least 3-5 wardrobe changes so we have a nice selection of options available throughout the shoot.