Step into your Personae: You, as an Art Piece.
A signature portrait experience designed to explore identity, express transformation and capture your most powerful self.
The Personae portrait is more than a headshot—it’s a collaborative experience where you step into a version of yourself that is bold, expressive, and beautifully seen.
We use timeless lighting, painterly backdrops, and guided direction to craft a portrait that feels cinematic and deeply personal. Inspired by the idea that identity is fluid and layered, Personae gives you space to reveal different facets of yourself—whether powerful, vulnerable, or entirely transformed.
Each portrait is created with the goal of being printed, framed, and remembered.
Hi, I’m Carlos David a photographer and multimedia artist based in New York City. For over 15 years, I’ve created portraits that explore identity, transformation and self expression–working with artist, performers and changemakers across disciplines and cultures.
Personae started as an artistic experiment—an invitation for people to step into a version of themselves they hadn’t yet seen. I asked friends, collaborators, and community members to imagine a character, an alter ego, or a fantasy version of themselves. Through this process of styling, direction, and performance, something surprising emerged: people began to show up with more freedom, playfulness, and presence.
It became clear that this wasn’t just about creating compelling images—it was about giving people permission to express themselves in new and unexpected ways.
Over time, Personae also became a space for collaboration and connection. Whether working one-on-one or with a group, I’ve seen how the experience fosters creativity, trust, and a sense of shared momentum..
