What’s Your Why? Discover the Power of Portraits with Milwaukee Portrait Photographer Charlie James Photo

People often ask me about the new direction of Charlie James Photo.

“Why are you focusing so much on studio portraits?”
“Why are you offering sessions at a lower price?”
“Why are you doing this now?”

The answer isn’t just about photography—it’s about life, love, and capturing moments that truly matter. 

Let me take you on a journey to explain my “why.”

At the start of 2024, life took an unexpected turn for my family. We’d just returned from a cozy cabin trip near the Wisconsin Dells, a getaway that was missing someone: my mother-in-law. She hadn’t been feeling well and decided to skip the trip, which was unusual for her. Shortly after we got home, I started feeling unwell—sneezing, coughing, fatigue—the typical signs of a winter cold. But it wasn’t just a cold. A COVID test confirmed what I feared. My health spiraled, my wife and son also got sick, and all while this was happening, my mother-in-law was hospitalized. Tragically, she passed away shortly after. Because we were all sick with covid we couldn’t visit her while she was in the hospital, We couldn’t say our proper goodbyes in person, and still to this day I feel a tremendous amount of guilt about it. There’s no way to tell if I brought the virus into our house, but I was the first one in our family to have it. I still feel like I kept my family from having that final moment together.  

This year has been a journey of grief, healing, and reflection for my family. My wife lost her mom, my son lost his best friend, and I carry the weight of guilt—even though I know there’s no way to truly know how the virus came into our home. Amid this, I’ve had to ask myself some hard questions:

• What is truly important?

• How do we ensure that the people we love—and ourselves—are seen, celebrated, and remembered?

That’s when I found my “why.”

A Good Portrait Can Change Your Life

I don’t want anyone to live with regret or unanswered questions. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to create portraits that empower, inspire, and remind you of who you are. Imagine seeing yourself in a way you’ve always dreamed of: confident, bold, and unapologetically you.
Imagine capturing a moment in time that celebrates your strength, your resilience, and your story. These aren’t just photos—they’re a way to turn the page, start fresh, and embrace your next chapter.

Let’s Create Something You’ll Treasure Forever

My goal isn’t just to take pictures. It’s to collaborate with you to craft timeless portraits that you’ll cherish for years to come. Portraits that reflect the beauty and strength you might not always see in yourself.

So, what’s your “why”?
Why do you want to mark this moment in your life?
Why do you want to create images that tell your story?

Let’s work together to capture it. Book your portrait session today and let’s create something extraordinary—because you deserve to see just how amazing you are.