Official Portrait of Charlotte Baker Board of Trustees
Assignment Details
Client: University of Tampa
Assignment: Official Portrait of Charlotte Baker, Board of Trustees at the University of Tampa
Location: University of Tampa / Our Hyde Park Studio
Date: Nov. 2024
Assignment Highlights
It was a prestigious honor to be commissioned as the official portrait photographer for Charlotte Baker, a distinguished member of the Board of Trustees at the University of Tampa.
Capturing the essence of a university leader in a portrait meant to be displayed for generations is no small task. It’s not just about a great photo but also about telling their story—leadership, legacy, and personality.
Assignment Challenges
Background Selection
The process of finding the perfect background for Mrs. Baker’s portrait began months before the session, with a thorough scouting of the campus to capture its most iconic and meaningful locations.
Scheduling
As a highly accomplished executive, Charlotte Baker’s schedule was understandably packed. A co-founder of Digital Hands—a globally recognized, award-winning cybersecurity service provider—she also served as the former Chair of the Board of Directors at TSIA and Tampa Bay Wave. Balancing her demanding commitments with the added challenges of back-to-back hurricanes, we decided to hold the photo session in my studio using a green-screened background.
Professional Presence
The goal was to reflect her confidence, leadership, and professionalism through every detail—her expressions, posture, and overall demeanor.
Dynamic Portraits
Every pose and setting was carefully tailored to highlight her pivotal role in education and leadership, reflecting the immense contributions she’s made to the university.
Tampa’s Charm
To honor Mrs. Baker’s connection to both the university and the local community, we incorporated a vibrant Tampa backdrop that celebrated the city’s character and charm.
Authenticity
Throughout the process, it was essential to capture her approachable and genuine personality while emphasizing her remarkable achievements and leadership qualities. The result is a portrait that not only represents her professionally but also tells the story of her incredible legacy.
Our Solution
Photo-Session:
Initially, the plan was to photograph Mrs. Baker at carefully selected locations across campus. However, due to scheduling conflicts, we decided to conduct the session at my Hyde Park studio. Charlotte and I worked closely together, experimenting with various poses and expressions until we achieved the perfect look—one that beautifully captured her professionalism and approachability.
Post-Production:
The next step was retouching, background removal, and a background swap. During my earlier location scouting, I had captured stunning images of the university, which I presented to Charlotte as background options. Together, we selected the ideal backdrop that complemented her portrait.
Printing the 20x24 Portrait:
Once the background was finalized, it was time to bring the portrait to life. I chose a fine art canvas with a brush-stroked gel coating, adding a timeless, "old-school" elegance to the finished piece.
Framing:
Finding the right frame was a critical step to ensure the portrait blended seamlessly with the existing 33 framed portraits hanging at the university. Frame styles change over time and often become discontinued, so I enlisted the help of Master Art & Frame to source a moulding that closely matched the others.
Delivery:
With the framing complete, I delivered the finished portrait to the university just one day before Tampa’s Gasparilla celebration.
Outcome:
The response was overwhelmingly positive—Mrs. Baker and her staff were thrilled with the final result! I was even given the incredible honor of being named "the official photographer for the University of Tampa." I’m truly grateful and humbled by this opportunity to contribute to the university’s legacy.