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About The Studio

What is Portland Pin-Ups?

About The Studio People sometimes wonder what exactly Portland Pin-Ups is. In business, it’s useful to have a short ‘elevator pitch’ lined up so that when you are asked what you do, you can relate it quickly and confidently. Here then, is the elevator pitch for Portland Pin-Ups… We create custom, unique and stunning artworks of people who want to own one-of-a-kind portraits of themselves to celebrate how awesome they are. Sometimes our clients come to us wanting a present for a loved one, sometimes it’s because they have lost a lot of weight, or hit a birthday milestone, or because they are newly single. Sometimes it’s just for fun. Always, they leave with artworks they cherish. Our creative team is headed by photography/artist Mike Long, and includes our amazing hair and make-up stylists, Nicky and Erienne. Portland Pin-Ups started when Mike was testing some lighting for weddings (Mike’s photography career began as a wedding photographer and he’s captured over 200 special days) and local model, Cherry Dollface came along to pose for him. After the session, Cherry suggested they do some pin-up, since that’s what she did. An hour later Mike was hooked on pin-ups and it became his obsession. As time went on the public started to become interested and requests for pin-up sessions started to rise. Over the following few years, this quickly became Mike’s speciality and he devoted all his time to creating a very unique portrait studio. Today, Portland Pin-Ups is the most sought after pin-up studio on the west coast, and Mike has carved out a brand new niche in custom portraiture. He is also the only pin-up artist to have spoken at the annual Wedding and Portrait Photographer’s Convention, in Las Vegas. You are in the safest hands when you commission Portland Pin-Ups to create your arworks. Our clients are NOT models, they are doctors, teachers, lawyers, policewomen, mothers, wives, girlfriends, engineers, FBI agents (really, not kidding) – ladies from all walks of life, of every age, shape and size. EVERY woman is beautiful, and it is our mission at Portland Pin-Ups to capture that beauty. The Portland Pin-Ups studio is located in NW Portland, and we look forward to creating beautiful artwork of you soon!

Welcome to Portland Pin-Ups, where every woman is a Bombshell—and that includes you.

In a world that constantly demands more from you—more meetings, more deadlines, more carpools, more everything—it’s easy to put yourself last. But what if, just for a moment, you stepped into the spotlight? What if you allowed yourself to be celebrated, pampered, and transformed into the timeless, confident goddess you truly are? That’s the magic we create every day at Portland Pin-Ups.

We specialize in crafting custom, one-of-a-kind luxury artworks—stunning, hand-retouched portraits inspired by classic 1950s pin-up glamour with a modern, empowering twist. These aren’t ordinary photos; they’re heirloom-quality masterpieces that capture your unique beauty, strength, and radiance in a way that feels both nostalgic and utterly personal. Think flawless hair and makeup, expert posing that flatters every curve, and meticulous artistry that turns a single session into timeless treasures you’ll cherish forever (and perhaps even pass down).

Led by acclaimed photographer and artist Mike Long, with over 25 years of experience (from capturing hundreds of weddings to pioneering this niche in custom portraiture), our intimate studio team includes the incredibly talented hair and makeup stylists Nicky and Erienne. Together, we create an atmosphere of pure luxury and warmth—relaxed, supportive, and completely judgment-free.

Our journey began serendipitously when Mike, testing wedding lighting, collaborated with local pin-up icon Cherry Dollface. One session was all it took—he was hooked, and Portland Pin-Ups was born. What started as an obsession has grown into the West Coast’s most sought-after pin-up portrait studio, recognized nationally (Mike is the only pin-up artist to have spoken at the annual Wedding and Portrait Photographers Convention in Las Vegas). We’ve built a reputation for turning “everyday” women into confident superstars.

Our clients? They’re just like you: high-powered professionals—doctors, lawyers, engineers, executives—moms, wives, and women who’ve achieved so much yet rarely pause to celebrate themselves. Some come to mark a milestone (weight loss triumph, big birthday, new chapter after divorce), others to surprise a partner, and many simply because they deserve it. No matter the reason, every woman walks away with artworks that make her heart swell—proof of how breathtaking she truly is, in every age, shape, and stage of life.

Here in our enchanting NW Portland studio, we believe every woman deserves to feel like a bombshell. We’re not about cookie-cutter sessions or quick snaps. We’re about the full, indulgent experience: the laughter, the pampering, the “wow” moment when you see yourself in a whole new light.

Ready to rediscover your spark? To create memories and art that will make you smile for decades?

Come see us. Let’s chat over coffee, explore what your perfect session could look like, and start planning the luxury experience you’ve earned.

Your bombshell moment awaits. Portland Pin-Ups – Upgrade YOUR selfie…

 

Our Creative Team

Mike Long

Mike Long

Mike. Photographer. Artist. Dogs Body. Chief Bottle Washer…

In a world where every cell phone has a better camera than most professional digital ones from only 10 years ago, it’s important to know, and trust, the photographer you choose to create portraits for you isn’t a fly-by-night cowboy who will meet you in Starbucks with the camera he got for Christmas!

Mike’s photographer career began many moons ago (in the mid 1990’s) while working as a lead retoucher for Europe’s largest publisher in London.  Retouching images from photographers from around the world, he was convinced he could “do better!” - so after a trip to the local camera store a new hobby, and a lifelong obsession began. Of course, it was nowhere near as easy as he had thought and a respect for fellow photographers soon followed.  After tagging along with the photographer at his friend’s wedding, he set off on his first professional photographer journey and has captured over 200 weddings since, as well as babies, families and motor racing.

Pin-ups have taken Mike around the world presenting workshops to photographers in Canada, Australia and on a 13 city tour around America. and also presented a platform class at the annual Wedding and Portrait Photographer’s convention in Las Vegas for 4 years running.

Mike Says:   “I have been lucky enough to have had two births – the first was in the very early 1970’s in England. I lived a very happy, if somewhat beige life, settling in London where I lived for over 10 years. I was then reborn when my wife and I moved to America where my life has taken many twists and turns, and has certainly been full of color! I’m what I consider to be a “born again” American – I chose to be here! (and yes, I’m a citizen, and very proudly so) Shortly before moving to the Pacific northwest we had our first baby, and shortly after we arrived we added another, both boys full of energy, questions and funny smells!  I stood on stage at the MGM feeling like Elvis. I’m sure at least 20% of the audience understood my accent!

I like sunlight, my son’s laugher, chocolate and am firmly stuck in the late 80’s music-wise. Bon Jovi were always my favorite band, before Jonny Boy turned them into an elevator music knockoff.

Oh, and #superman”


Nicky Porter

Nicky Porter

Hair styling, make-up artistry. Bombshell.

Nicky is one of our resident hair and make-up stylists, and is frigging awesome. She’s loud, fun and never boring. Ever. She’s like a cyclone and a hurricane all wrapped up in one Bombshelltastic bundle. Nicky’s favorite sessions are around Halloween where she often arrives at the studio covered in blood…or at least with some kind of weapon to extract blood….

Nicky says: “I’m awesome…bitches”


Erienne Paquette Minnieweather

Erienne Paquette Minnieweather

Hair styling, make-up artistry. Bombshell.

Erienne is the other half of our hair and make-up team and is our chameleon / classic pin-up girl. In all the years Erienne has been a Bombshell, her hair has never been the same twice and it’s always a surprise when she arrives! Always full of creative ideas, Erienne embodies the true 50’s pin-up, and has starred in over 180 Portraits for the studio!!

Erienne says: "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." ~ Marilyn Monroe