Today we’d like to introduce you to Howard Kimmel.
Hi Howard, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Absolutely! I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and spent my early years soaking up the energy and creativity of NYC. Later, I moved to the Jersey Shore for high school—yes, the same shore that Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi once called home. Art has always been a big part of my life, whether visual or musical.
I ended up pursuing both passions in college, earning degrees in chemistry and music. While I was building a career in the sciences, I was also photographing life around me—capturing the vibrant music scene along the Jersey Shore and the pulse of New York City, especially in the Garment Center, where my family had a deli. It was in the Garment Center that I started to photograph some models and was inspired by the work of Peter Lindbergh, Irving Penn, Yousuf Karsh, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
For years, I juggled science and photography. But like many others, the pandemic made me pause and reflect. I asked myself what I truly wanted to do—and the answer was simple: follow my creative passion. That’s when I launched Capture Style Photography, focusing on portraits and headshots. It was a leap, but it felt like coming home. Today, I’m grateful to do what I love and help others express their own unique style and story through photography.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road—but then again, nothing truly worth having ever comes easy. Transitioning from a career in the sciences to a full-time creative life came with its own set of challenges. For one, photography is a saturated market. Everyone has a smartphone now, and with AI becoming more prominent, the line between professional and amateur work can feel blurred. Getting my name out there and showing people the real value of what I do hasn’t always been easy.
But I believe that quality always rises to the top. I’m not a generalist—I don’t bounce between weddings, real estate, and product shoots. I’ve chosen to specialize in headshots and portraits because I believe in the power of a single image to express identity, confidence, and authenticity. I help people show up as their best selves, not just with lighting and angles, but through coaching facial expressions and body language.
One of my favorite analogies is this: if you need heart surgery, you could go to a general surgeon who technically has the skills and maybe did a few during residency—but wouldn’t you rather trust someone who performs heart surgeries every single day? Same goes for photography. Sure, any professional photographer can do a headshot or portrait. But if they don’t specialize in it—why would you want to trust them with your face, your brand, your story?
I’ve found that the struggle makes the wins even sweeter. Every time a client tells me their photo made them feel seen or confident, I’m reminded exactly why I chose this path.
As you know, we’re big fans of Capture Style Photography. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Capture Style Photography is based in downtown Cleveland, where we welcome clients to our fully equipped studio. But our work goes far beyond just one city—we regularly travel to Akron, Youngstown, Columbus, Cincinnati, and even across the country for national sales meetings, conventions, and conferences. Whether it’s a polished corporate headshot or a creative lifestyle portrait, we bring the same energy and attention to detail to every session.
We specialize in headshots and portraits, and that’s where our heart lies. While many photographers offer a bit of everything, we focus on mastering this specific niche. What sets us apart is how deeply we engage with our clients. Through expert posing and facial expression coaching, we help people feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. The result isn’t just a nice picture—it’s a portrait that captures their personality, vision, and even their soul.
Lighting is another big part of what makes our work different. We don’t use a one-size-fits-all formula. We sculpt with light to draw out emotion and give each image a sense of dimension and drama. From crisp professional headshots to dynamic lifestyle portraits taken in Las Vegas, Scottsdale, New York City, or right here in Ohio, each photograph is designed to tell a unique story.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is the trust our clients place in us to bring out their best. Whether it’s for their business, their brand, or just for themselves, we create images that empower people to see themselves in a new light.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are a few great ways to connect with me and Capture Style Photography. If you’re in need of a professional headshot, a standout lifestyle portrait, or you’re planning an event and need on-site photography—just reach out! Whether it’s at our downtown Cleveland studio or on location in another city, we make the process easy, collaborative, and enjoyable.
I also love working with other creatives, businesses, and brands—especially those who are passionate about visual storytelling. If you’re looking to partner for a project, conference, or content campaign, I’m always open to conversations about how we can bring your vision to life.
And of course, referrals and word-of-mouth support mean the world. If you’ve worked with us or love what we do, sharing our name or recommending us to a friend or colleague is one of the biggest ways you can support our work.
Let’s create something amazing together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.capturestyle.photos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturestylephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capturestylephoto
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-myles-kimmel-headshot-photographer-aa797832/
