Ty Swartz 📸
Who is Ty Swartz? 💫
Master Photographer with 40 Years of Excellence
Ty Swartz is a PPA Master Photographer and Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with over 40 years of professional photography experience. Since 1986, Ty has been dedicated to capturing the authentic essence of people at pivotal moments in their lives.
With more than 1,000 high school seniors photographed and a career spanning four decades, Ty brings unmatched expertise, artistic vision, and a passion for fine art portraiture. Every portrait tells a story—and that story deserves to be told by a true master.
FATHER • PHOTOGRAPHER • EDUCATOR • ARTIST • AUTHOR • TECHNOLOGY NERD • TRAVELER • VETERAN • STORYTELLER
The Numbers That Matter 📊
Professional Certifications & Affiliations 🎖️
Master-Level Recognitions and Professional Memberships
Adobe Certified Professional Skills 💻
Advanced Proficiency in Creative Suite & Design Tools
Military Service & Professional Training 🇺🇸
20 Years U.S. Navy Service - Advanced Training & Certifications
University Education 🎓
Advanced Degrees & Continuous Professional Development
20 Years U.S. Navy Service 🇺🇸
From Photojournalist to Master Photographer
Ty spent two decades as a U.S. Navy Photojournalist, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer and specializing in Public Relations, Mass Communication, and Journalism. This military background provided:
→Advanced training in professional photography education→Global perspective from assignments across multiple continents
→Discipline, precision, and excellence in high-pressure situations
→Deep understanding of storytelling through visual documentation
→Chief Petty Officer rank demonstrating leadership and mastery
Transition to Fine Art Senior Portraiture
After 20 years of military photojournalism, Ty brought that same storytelling expertise, technical mastery, and global perspective to fine art senior portraiture. The result is a photographer who understands:
→Light, composition, and emotion at the highest professional level→How to make people feel authentically seen and celebrated
→The importance of precision, timing, and attention to detail
→How to work under pressure while delivering excellence
→The timeless value of fine art portraiture as a legacy
What Makes Ty Different 🎯
Specialization in Fine Art Senior Portraiture
Unlike photographers who specialize in multiple genres (weddings, events, families, headshots), Ty focuses exclusively on what he's most passionate about: capturing the raw authenticity of high school seniors at this pivotal moment in their lives.
That exclusive specialization means:
→Expert knowledge of what works for your age, energy, and personality→Unique poses and styling that reflect YOUR individuality
→Lighting techniques specifically designed for young faces
→Understanding the emotions and life transitions happening at this stage
→Active engagement with social platforms to scout creative trends
→Mastery perfected through photographing 1,000+ seniors
How Swartz Portraits Stands Out 💎
School Photographers
- ✓ 100+ seniors per day
- ✓ Identical poses
- ✓ Generic backdrops
- ✓ Rushed experience
- ✓ Yearbook quality
Generic Studios
- ✓ Sales-focused approach
- ✓ One-size-fits-all
- ✓ Limited locations
- ✓ Corporate feel
- ✓ Minimal personalization
Swartz Portraits
- ✓ Only 100 sessions/year
- ✓ Custom-designed for YOU
- ✓ Up to 100 miles travel
- ✓ Artistic collaboration
- ✓ Gallery-quality fine art
The Swartz Portraits Philosophy ✨
It's Not About Perfect Poses. It's About Authenticity.
Your senior year only happens once. These portraits aren't just photos—they're proof that you showed up as yourself at this pivotal moment.
Our mission: Empower you to see your best self through the lens. Not a manufactured version. Not someone you're pretending to be. But the most confident, authentic, celebrated version of YOU that exists right now.
That's why sessions are up to 5 hours. That's why there are unlimited outfit changes. That's why we travel up to 100 miles to find locations that match your vision. Because capturing authenticity takes time, trust, and commitment.
Why Only 100 Sessions Per Year? 🌟
It's not ego. It's liberation.
This exclusivity isn't about limitation—it's about liberation. By limiting to exactly 100 sessions per year, Ty gives EACH senior the undivided creative attention, genuine artistry, and transformative experience they deserve. This isn't a marketing tactic. It's a commitment to quality.
School-contracted photographers shoot 100+ seniors in a single day. Generic studios process clients like assembly lines, maximizing volume over vision. We do the opposite:
→100 sessions/year means Ty spends nearly 60 hours per senior on average (including consultation, scouting, session, editing)→Your vision gets Ty's full creative brain, not leftover energy after 50 sessions that week
→Strategic location scouting happens thoughtfully—Ty scouts unique locations for YOUR personality, not generic cookie-cutter backdrops
→Pre-session consultation is genuine—discussing outfit ideas, location options, styling, and your authentic story (not just paperwork)
→Fine art editing takes time—custom retouching that celebrates your authentic self, not batch processing 500 images
→You're not competing for Ty's attention—you HAVE it completely during your session and beyond
This isn't artificial scarcity. It's intentional artistry. When quality is the goal, quantity becomes the enemy.
The Complete Swartz Portraits Experience 🎁
What's Included in Your Session
→2-5+ Hour Portrait Session (time to truly be yourself)→Strategic Location Scouting tailored to YOUR vision
→Unlimited Outfit Changes (show all sides of who you are)
→Pre-Session Consultation (outfit & styling guidance)
→Fine Art Editing & Professional Retouching
→Custom Designed Senior Magazine
→Gallery-Quality Prints (museum archival paper)
→Instant Digital Access (share with friends & family)
The Swartz Portraits Promise 🏆
When you choose Swartz Portraits, you're choosing a master photographer with 40 years of professional experience, PPA Master of Photography credentials, and a passion for fine art portraiture.
You'll receive:
→Direct access to Ty (not an assistant or coordinator)→Personalized creative direction from a PPA-recognized master
→Undivided attention and artistic focus during your session
→Gallery-quality results that last for generations
→An experience that celebrates who you truly are
This isn't just about photos. It's about investing in how you see yourself. 💫
Service Areas 📍
Based in Chesapeake, Virginia — Serving clients nationwide and worldwide.
Swartz Portraits specializes in fine art senior portraiture with a 100-mile travel allowance included with every session. This means sessions throughout the Hampton Roads area (Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and surrounding regions) are fully covered without additional travel fees.
National & International Service:
→Seniors travel from across the U.S. (Texas, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, California, and beyond)→We travel nationwide for portrait sessions (transportation & hotel covered by client)
→International destination shoots available with planning
→Simple pricing: session fee + transportation/hotel for travel beyond 100 miles
→Premium locations in Chesapeake, Norfolk Neon District, Virginia Beach, and beyond
No geographic limitations. Whether you're local or across the country, Ty brings the same master-level artistry, personalized attention, and gallery-quality results to every session.
Ready to Meet Ty? 🚀
Your senior year only happens once. Don't settle for generic photography. Schedule a free consultation where you'll discuss your vision, get expert advice, and learn what makes Swartz Portraits different.
No pressure. Just genuine conversation about creating something authentically YOU.