Free for active-duty military and veterans

Headshots for Heroes: Free Studio Portraits for Veterans in Ybor City

Five minutes in front of the camera. Review every shot on a big screen, and get your images the same day.

Wednesday, November 11
9 AM to 1 PM
Historic Ybor City

It takes about 30 seconds. Walk-ins are welcome as time allows.

Veterans photographed at the Headshots for Heroes studio in Ybor City

Around 100 veterans
photographed so far

What to expect

On Veterans Day, I'm opening my Ybor City studio from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to photograph active-duty military and veterans for free. You'll spend about five to seven minutes in front of the camera and leave with a professional headshot for LinkedIn, your resume, or a company website.

I've photographed around 100 veterans, and I guide every shot. You do not need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. That's my job.

Watch it come together

Your images appear on a 55-inch screen the moment I take them. If an expression is a little off, I coach a quick adjustment and shoot again, so you leave with the one that looks like you.

Same-day delivery

No waiting around for weeks. Your images are delivered the same day.

Walk-ins are welcome as time allows, but signing up helps me plan the morning and keeps your wait short.

How it works

1
Sign up
Let me know you're coming and which hour works best for you. It takes about 30 seconds.
2
Call or text when you arrive
Text or call me at 813-625-8168. I'll come downstairs to meet you and guide you up to Suite 237.
3
Get your headshot
I'll coach you through every shot while your images show up on a 55-inch screen. You get your images the same day, and I'll retouch the one you pick.

This is how I work. I guide every shot, so you don't have to know how to pose.

Why I'm doing this

For the people who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom

My father is a Vietnam veteran, and both of my grandfathers served in World War II. I did not serve, but I feel indebted to the people who made the choice to protect the citizens of this country.

Day in and day out, they put their lives on the line in the name of freedom. These men and women are heroes in the truest sense, and I am grateful for them.

Thank you to everyone who has served and everyone who is serving today.

The studio. The 55-inch screen on the right is where you will see each shot as I take it.

Finding the Studio

My studio is inside the Historic Kress Contemporary building, right next door to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.

Studio address1624 E. 7th Ave., Suite 237, Tampa, FL 33605

Parking options

Centro Ybor Garage1500 E 5th Ave
0.1 mi, 3 min walk
Ybor Lot 52 hours free1812 N 19th St
0.2 mi, 4 min walk
Ybor Lot 32 hours free1701 N 19th St
0.2 mi, 6 min walk
Street parkingMetered on 7th Ave and the surrounding streets. There is plenty of it, though it tends to cost a bit more.

When you arrive, call or text me at 813-625-8168. I'll come downstairs to meet you and guide you up to Suite 237.

The Professional Standard for Florida’s Best

From global firms to local industry leaders, I provide the high-end look that modern brands demand. On November 11, veterans get that same enterprise-level lighting and direction at no cost.

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
James Connell is the best. He turned a process that I'd been dreading (getting my headshot photos) into the high point of my week. He was a perfect combination of professional and warm and knowledgeable and fun. The photos turned out great - same-day service - and I'll return next time I need professional pics. You are in good hands with James Connell

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
James did an amazing job taking the headshots of the seniors of the Cast of The Addams Family at Newsome High School. He was able to capture the personality of each of the students. The pictures were stunning!! Thank you for making our event extra special!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recently booked a headshot session with James and couldn’t be happier. He followed up right away, explained the process clearly, and offered flexible location options—we shot in my home. I loved being able to see the images live as we worked through different angles. I was nervous going in, but he made me feel completely at ease, and the final shots—delivered in under 24 hours—were better than I imagined.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
James did my headshots this month and he did a fantastic job. I couldn't be more pleased. He recommended the setting and gave suggestions for different backgrounds, as well as wardrobe changes. If you're uneasy or anxious about being photographed, he really does make you feel comfortable and relaxed and provides just the right amount of guidance to get the best shots. Highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After reaching out to my trusted peers, they all came back with one person, James Connell. James is very easy to work with, let me see the status of each shot he took so that we could make adjustments and the end product was fabulous! No mater with the occasion is - aes is the only guy you want if you want high quality photos.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
James is awesome, professional and friendly! I am camera shy and he made the process easy. I had some scheduling issues and he went above and beyond to work with me on them! My headshots came out great too. Would definitely recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great work in every aspect of the job. James was very flexible with day/time and offered a variety of suggestions for us to consider. It was fast, very convenient and the final product was fantastic. Overall great job. we highly recommend.

Sign up for Headshots for Heroes

Fill this out so I know you're coming and about when to expect you. It takes about 30 seconds. Walk-ins are welcome as time allows.

Headshots for Heroes: Free Studio Portraits for Veterans in Ybor City

What to expect

Watch it come together

Same-day delivery

How it works

Sign up

Call or text when you arrive

Get your headshot