Clarity. Character. Creative control.

Helping  You  Stand Out

Who Are We?

Founded by photographer KJ Mandikate, M.A.P Studios (Mood, Artistry, Presence) is a new, independently owned photography studio in East London specialising in headshots, portraits, and lifestyle imagery for professionals, creatives, and individuals.

Our visual approach is clean, contemporary, and expressive — crafted to capture presence, personality, and confidence in every frame.

We believe a great headshot doesn’t just show who you are — it tells your story.

Let us help you tell yours — with presence and purpose.

In a World of Ai, Filters & Fakes… Why Choose Real?

A good headshot — or portrait — isn’t just about lighting or lenses. It’s about trust, connection, and instinct. It’s about knowing how to put someone at ease, spot the honest moment, and capture something that AI can’t imitate: you.

Tools change. But the craft of human photography — seeing, sensing, and shaping a moment with care — remains irreplaceable.

This is what I do. This is what I love.

Photography isn’t just about pressing a button.

It’s about presence. Awareness. Timing.

It’s the difference between capturing a likeness…

and revealing a truth.

If you value authenticity, you’re in the right place.

  • Man in black suit adjusting his purple patterned tie in front of gray background

    Corporate Moody - Power in Silence

    Soft gaze in controlled shadow — authority, restraint, and confidence.

    Clean, sharp, and trustworthy. These portraits are tailored for professional visibility — LinkedIn, press, and brand identity.

  • A young man in a black suit, white shirt, and patterned purple tie, standing against a dark gray background.

    Poised for the Challenge

    Forward stance and firm focus — a composed portrait of self-assurance.

    Corporate Moody

  • A man in a suit smiling, standing outdoors with a city skyline in the background.

    Modern Executive

    Tradition meets edge — today’s professional, fully present.

    Corporate Moody

  • A young man with short brown hair smiling outdoors in front of an urban cityscape with high-rise buildings and train tracks.

    Flash Photography - Electric Daylight

    Hard flash, soft smile — a spark of 90s street energy.

    Urban and unfiltered. Using direct flash in public spaces, this set captures bold presence and in-the-moment energy.

  • Young man smiling outdoors with a city skyline in the background.

    Unfiltered & Lit

    Direct flash, sharper shadows — raw and real.

    Flash Photography

  • Last Light Look

    Crash-lit at Golden hour — a retro edge in every frame.

    Flash Photography

  • Rembrandt - Lighting & Legacy

    Classic shadow triangle, timeless tension.

    A study in sculpted light — where contrast, character, and stillness meet.

  • A black and white close-up of a man wearing a winter jacket and a beanie with the words 'HOOD RICH' embroidered on it, his face partly obscured by shadows.

    Edge Divide

    Half-lit truth, half-hidden story.

    Split Light

  • Black and white photo of a man wearing sunglasses, a beanie, a necklace with a dog tag, and a black t-shirt, standing outdoors in an urban setting.

    Dockside Stance

    Urban strength, shipyard grit, lit with flash and daylight.

    Flash Photography

  • A young woman dressed in traditional Korean hanbok standing outdoors in front of a decorated building.

    Street Portraiture - Lantern Calm

    Poise, colour, and late-day hush.

    Stylised cultural portraiture. Poised and deliberate, this set celebrates traditional beauty through a modern lens.

  • Woman wearing traditional Asian attire with a purple top, cream-colored inner garment, and long black hair in an elaborate style, standing in an outdoor market.

    Between Moments

    Tradition in motion — a quiet pause, mid-step.

    Street Portraiture

  • Red Glow Reverie

    Timeless gaze in neon tones — beneath Chinatown’s glow.

    Street Portraiture

  • Older man wearing a navy blue cap, white shirt with a blue vest, and ornament, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Street Portraiture - Eyes of Experience

    Quiet presence, lens-ready gaze.

    Character-led and nostalgic. A tribute to the craft, this series tells a story of wisdom, wear, and a life spent behind the lens.

  • An elderly man standing outdoors near a colorful graffiti wall, wearing a white shirt, blue vest, and a camera around his neck, with a serious expression.

    Vest & Vision

    Hands pocketed, eyes open — a maker in his element.

    Street portraiture

  • An elderly man standing confidently on a city street, wearing a white shirt, blue vest, matching pants, and a cap, with a camera hanging around his neck. Graffiti-covered walls and a staircase are visible in the background.

    Framed on the Street

    Arms wide, camera slung — storyteller at rest.

    Street Portraiture

  • Person wearing yellow sunglasses, a black spiked cap, and a rainbow feather boa at a pride parade with rainbow balloons in the background.

    Pride Portraiture - Rainbow Grit

    Sharp stare, proud colours — fearless and seen.

    Bold, unfiltered, and fully present. This series captures Pride not just in colour, but in character — defiance, softness, confidence, and connection. These portraits honour individuality and the act of being seen.

  • Person with rainbow-colored hair, dramatic makeup, and rainbow-themed jewelry at a colorful event.

    Painted & Powerful

    Wig, warpaint, and full command — drag royalty in motion.

    Pride Portraiture

  • A person with long black hair, makeup, and lip color, dressed in a shiny, dark outfit, with a colorful carnival or fair background with balloons and streamers.

    Full Beam

    Big smile, bold lashes — loud joy, no apologies.

    Pride Portraiture.

  • Close-up of a woman with dark curly hair smiling outdoors, wearing a blue blazer and a patterned yellow and black top, with a background of trees and buildings.

    Natural Light - Blue Power

    Sharp mind, softer edges — real-world leader.

    Modern, confident, and approachable. These portraits focus on empowering professional women through clean, elegant styling.

  • Smile of a woman with curly hair, glasses, red top, and jewelry.

    Red with Intention

    Classic studio calm with self-assured presence.

    Corporate Portraiture

  • Smiling woman with curly black hair and a white and black top, standing outdoors with an urban cityscape in the background.

    Open Air, Open Role

    Light breeze, natural presence — leadership outdoors.

    Corporate Portraiture

  • Close-up black-and-white photograph of a person's face, with prominent shadows and glossy skin, focusing on the nose and part of the lips, in soft lighting.

    Noir - The Outline

    First light hits the jawline — a stranger’s profile in his own reflection. No name, just an outline.

    Dark, cinematic, and full of mood. This set explores shadow play and emotional weight through classic noir lighting.

  • Close-up black and white photo of a man's face partially obscured, wearing a hat, with visible facial stubble, and the left side of his face in shadow.

    The Resemblance

    He’d been wearing the face for years — only now did it start looking back.

    Noir

  • A man wearing a hat is looking at his reflection in an oval mirror with a decorative surrounding frame, mounted on a wall.

    The Watch

    Two men. One frame. Blood writes the script — the mirror just watched.

    Noir

  • Portrait of a middle-aged Black man with a serious expression, wearing a white collared shirt against a plain background.

    Natural Light Portraiture - Still & Seen

    Soft light, full presence — grounded and clear.

    Soft light, strong presence. These portraits lean into natural tones and grounded stillness — no flash, no façade.

  • A man wearing a brown cap and a white shirt standing against a height chart background.

    Off-Centre Focus

    Cap tipped, gaze turned — dignity in pause.

    Natural Light Portraiture

  • A man with a shaved head resting his forehead on his hand, which has a wedding ring, against a plain background.

    Withdrawn Frame

    Back to camera, hand raised — story held close.

    Natural Light Portraiture

  • Black and white photo of a person reaching toward the camera with their hand, partially obscuring their face, which is slightly blurred.

    Beyond Portraiture - SP

    Hand forward, face obscured — reaching past the frame.

    This closing trio moves beyond style — it's symbolic, intimate, and forward-looking. A visual self-portrait in transformation.

  • Editorial SP - Flashlight

    Lit without flattery, framed with intent — self without mask.

    The best is yet to come

  • Sunflower in the Shade

    Leaning to light, rooted in shadow. — Symbolic Still Life

    -Kj

Ready to make a powerful first impression?

Book a session at M.A.P Studios — a space where presence meets professionalism. We specialise in high-impact headshots and portraits that capture more than just your image — they reflect your essence.

Whether you’re an actor, creative, or corporate professional, your portrait should speak before you do. A strong image builds trust, signals intention, and opens doors.

We’ll guide you through the process so you feel confident, comfortable, and truly seen.

Schedule Your Appointment

Let’s create something exceptional — together.

Own Your Portrait

Don’t just download a file. Preserve it as art.

⸻

Transform standout shots from your headshot or portrait session into museum-grade fine art prints — crafted on luxurious baryta paper using archival pigment inks for depth, richness, and longevity.

Whether you’re preserving your image or curating your space, every print is made to be seen — and remembered.

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Also Coming Soon:

A limited-edition print series by KJ Mandikate — exclusive, signed works available in small collector’s runs. For those with an eye for story-led, meaningful imagery.

Your story. Your portrait. Your print.

Follow us on social media

Close-up of a hand holding a Canon camera lens in black and white
A man with a bald head wearing a hat and a white shirt sitting in front of a mirror with light bulbs, preparing for a performance, reflected in the mirror.
A person wearing a fedora hat and a white shirt resting his head on his arm while sitting in front of a mirror with lights, showing his reflected silhouette in black and white.

For behind-the-scenes, new work, and visual inspiration: @kjmandkate

Contact Us

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