Thor Visuals • Model & Portrait Photography in San Jose & Gothenburg

Portfolio

Moody studio portrait photography by Thor Visuals featuring woman with blue hair and beanie

Dramatic studio portrait photography with cinematic lighting featuring brunette woman with blue eyes

Dramatic environmental fashion portrait at sunset coast featuring woman in elegant black dress

High key commercial portrait photography featuring smiling blonde woman with septum piercing

Glamour boudoir portrait photography featuring blonde woman with tattoos on vintage sofa

Urban street style portrait photography with vibrant colors featuring woman with blue hair

Joyful lifestyle portrait photography featuring woman in blue dress jumping on pier

Romantic fantasy portrait photography featuring woman in vintage corset with lace and feathers

Black and white studio portrait photography featuring blonde woman on vintage chair

Moody fashion portrait photography featuring blonde woman in leather jacket against concrete wall

Dreamy natural light portrait photography featuring woman with windblown hair and closed eyes

Sessions

Whether you’re building your first portfolio, adding fresh work to an established book, or need images for an upcoming campaign, we’d love to collaborate with you. Here’s an overview of the sessions we offer:

Creative Collaborations

TFP shoots built on collaborative concept development and mutual direction. We work as partners to co‐create exceptional images for mutual benefit.

What You Get

8–12 edited digital images
Full posing & concept direction
Portfolio & social usage rights
Online gallery in 3–4 weeks

Portfolio Builds

Structured sessions designed to fill gaps in your book. We curate looks, locations, and lighting to give you a well‐rounded portfolio that gets you noticed.

What You Get

12–20 retouched digital images
Multiple looks & outfits
Online gallery in 1–2 weeks
Sneak peeks in a few days

Paid Assignments

Professional commissioned shoots for brands, agencies & individuals. Custom‐scoped to your creative brief with dedicated pre‐production, styling support & fast turnaround.

What You Get

Custom image count
Tailored commercial usage rights
Expedited priority delivery
Competitive pricing

Who We’re Looking For

Creative individuals of all experience levels
Reliable people who show up prepared and on time
A shared passion for creating striking imagery
No prior modeling experience required!

Currently Booking

🇸🇪 Gothenburg, SE — July 6–24
🇺🇸 San Jose, CA — Year‑round

Let’s Create

About Us

Thor Visuals is the creative brand of Mikael Thor, an award-winning Swedish photographer based in both San Jose, CA and Gothenburg, Sweden. With over 15 years of experience, we bring a seasoned, professional standard to every shoot.

Our philosophy is simple – a great photograph is more than just a captured moment, it’s a connection. Specializing in model and portrait photography, we are dedicated to capturing the most authentic, confident, and striking version of every person who steps in front of our lens.

Whether you’re an aspiring model building a portfolio, a professional elevating your brand, or someone celebrating their own beauty, we deliver a premium experience grounded in safety and respect. From creative collaborations to paid assignments, we’re here to create something extraordinary together with you.

“I had a great time shooting with Mikael! The setup was really nice and he was very helpful coming up with directions and encouragement. 10/10!”

“Mikael is an incredibly talented photographer with a great eye for light and composition. He knows how to direct effortlessly while making you feel comfortable, resulting in amazing photos every time. He is a true pleasure to work with!”

“I’m incredibly happy with the beautiful portraits I received from Mikael. He combines technical proficiency with a great talent for capturing his models’ personality.”

Contact

Want to create something amazing together? Have a question? We would love to hear from you!

FAQ

01. What is TFP and how does it work?
TFP stands for “Time for Photos” (or traditionally, Time for Print). It’s a collaborative exchange where we both invest our time and creativity to produce amazing work together. You bring your modeling skills, style, and energy; we bring the photography gear, lighting, and editing. No money changes hands – instead, we both receive high-quality images to upgrade our portfolios. It is a partnership of equals!

02. How do I book a shoot?
It’s easy! Just reach out to us through the contact form here on our website, email us at , or send a DM to one of our social media accounts.

03. What are your rates?
The short answer is that it depends on the project.

TFP: Free. This is a mutual exchange of time and talent for portfolios.
Paid assignments: Our rates vary depending on the scope and location (California vs. Sweden). Please contact us with your details for a custom quote.

04. I’m not a professional model. Can we still work together?
Absolutely! We love working with new faces, hobbyists, and creative individuals. You don't need agency representation or a massive following. What we look for is enthusiasm, reliability, and a shared creative vision. If you commit to a shoot, we just ask that you treat it with the same dedication as a professional job – arrive on time, prep your look, and bring your positive energy.

05. How do I know if my idea should be a paid shoot or TFP?
Think of it this way:

TFP: We build the concept together, or you help us execute a creative vision we have been wanting to try. The focus is on artistic experimentation and portfolio building for all of us.
Paid assignments: You have a specific need, a deadline, or a rigid concept (e.g., LinkedIn headshots, dating profile photos, brand lookbook). In a paid shoot, the focus is 100% on fulfilling your requirements and vision.

06. Where are you located?
We split our time between San Jose, CA, and Gothenburg, Sweden. We update our travel schedule on our social media accounts. If you’re in our current area, let’s shoot!

07. Can I bring a friend, partner, or parent to the shoot?
Yes, of course! Your safety and comfort are our top priority. You are welcome to bring a friend or partner. We just ask that they be a “silent cheerleader” – hanging out and keeping the vibe positive without directing the shoot or distracting us from our creative flow. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian is required to be present during the shoot.

08. Do you provide hair and makeup?
For TFP shoots, you are generally responsible for your own hair, makeup, and styling. We can coordinate looks via a mood board beforehand. If you know a talented MUA (Makeup Artist) who wants to join the collaboration, let us know!

09. Do we need to sign a contract?
Yes, we keep things professional with a Model Release but it’s not a scary 20-page legal document. It simply protects all parties and ensures we’re on the same page by confirming that:

I have your permission to take and use the photos.
You have permission to use the photos for your portfolio.

10. Can I have the unedited/raw files?
We don't release raw files. Part of our art is the editing process – color grading, exposure balancing, and adding our signature style. Delivering a raw file would be like a chef serving you an uncooked steak! You will receive a curated selection of the absolute best, fully edited high-resolution images in accordance with our agreement.

11. How long until I get my photos?
For paid assignments, turnaround is typically 1-2 weeks. For TFP collaborations, we aim for 3-4 weeks, as paid work sometimes has to take priority. We always try to send over a “sneak peek” or two within a few days so you have something to share right away.

12. Do you Photoshop my appearance?
Our style is natural and authentic. We may remove temporary blemishes (like a surprise pimple or a bruise), but we don't typically alter permanent features or reshape bodies. We want the photos to look like you on your best day. If you have specific insecurities, just let us know, and we can address them with lighting and posing rather than heavy retouching.

13. Who owns the photos?
Technically, as the photographer, we retain the copyright to the images (the artistic creation). However, the license (usage rights) you receive is defined by the specific contract we sign for your shoot.

TFP: You receive a license for personal promotion (portfolio, social media).
Paid assignments: Your contract will outline the specific usage rights agreed upon for your project (e.g., commercial use).
The Golden Rule: Always refer to your agreement. If you want to use a photo for something new (like selling it to a brand), just ask!

14. Will you put the photos on the Internet?
We love sharing our work! In agreement with the Model Release, we may post our favorites to our social media accounts and potentially also our website portfolio. However, we respect your privacy. If you need a shoot to remain private (e.g., it’s a surprise gift), or if there are specific photos you aren't comfortable sharing, just tell us.

Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

01. Introduction
At Thor Visuals (“we,” “us,” “our”), we want our client relationships to be built on trust and clarity, regardless of whether we are collaborating on a TFP project or you are hiring us for a paid session. These terms outline what you can expect from us, what we need from you, and how we handle the legalities of copyright and privacy. By booking a session or participating in a photoshoot with us, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to these terms.

02. Scope & Jurisdiction02.01. What We Are CreatingWe are partnering to create high-quality photographic images ("The Work").

TFP: We are exchanging our time and talent. No money is exchanged. We provide the photography and editing; you provide the modeling. The "payment" is the license to use the final images for our respective portfolios.
Paid assignments: The specific package (e.g., hours, number of edits, locations) is defined in your booking confirmation.

02.02. Where We Are (Governing Law)Because we operate internationally, the laws governing our agreement depend on where The Work is created:

Shoots in California: If our session takes place in the USA, this agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California.
Shoots in Sweden: If our session takes place in Sweden, this agreement is governed by Swedish law.

02.03. Age RequirementYou confirm that you are at least 18 years of age. If the subject is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present during the shoot and sign a Model Release on their behalf.

03. Copyright & Usage Rights03.01. Who Owns the Photos?In accordance with international copyright standards, we retain the exclusive copyright to all images created. This means we are the legal owner of the visual artwork.

03.02. Your Rights (The License)We grant you a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to use the final edited images for:

Personal use: Sharing on your personal social media (Instagram, Facebook, etc.), printing for your home, and sharing with friends/family.
Portfolio use: Displaying the work in your modeling book, on comp cards, or on professional networking sites (e.g., LinkedIn, ModelMayhem).

03.03. What Is Not Allowed (Commercial Restrictions)Unless we explicitly agree otherwise in writing:

No resale: You may not sell the photos to third parties (e.g., stock photo sites, magazines).
No third-party advertising: You may not license the photos to brands for advertising.

03.04. The "Integrity" Rule (No Filters)Our editing style is a huge part of our artistic identity. We ask that you do not apply heavy filters, alter body shapes, or drastically crop the images when posting. This protects the integrity of the artwork. If you need a specific crop for a platform, let us know!

03.05. Deliverables & DeadlinesWe do not release raw files or unedited images, as they are not a finished representation of our work. For paid assignments, you will receive your final edited photos within 1-2 weeks of our session. For TFP, you will receive your final edited photos within 3-4 weeks of our session.

04. Bookings04.01. Securing the Date (Paid Assignments)To reserve a date, a booking retainer (typically 50%) is required. This fee is non-refundable because it compensates us for reserving the calendar block and turning away other potential work for that time.

04.02. Cancellation Policy

Rescheduling: Life happens. If you need to reschedule due to illness or emergency, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance. Your retainer acts as a credit toward a new date (valid for 6 months).
Late cancellation/no-show: If you cancel with less than 48 hours notice or fail to show up, the retainer is forfeited. For TFP collaborations, a no-show without notice generally means we will not be able to collaborate again.
Weather: For outdoor sessions, if the weather is dangerous or unworkable (heavy rain, storm), we will reschedule at no extra cost.

05. Model Release & Promotion05.01. Promoting Our WorkThe right to use the images for our portfolio, website, social media, and self-promotion (e.g., business cards, price lists) is governed by a separate Model Release or explicit permission.

05.02. Commercial Use by PhotographerWe will not sell your image to third-party commercial brands (e.g., a billboard campaign) without contacting you first. Our use is primarily for promoting our photography services.

05.03. Revocation for SafetyIf you ever have a legitimate safety or privacy concern requiring an image to be taken down (e.g., stalking issues), please contact us directly. We are committed to your safety and will work with you to resolve it.

05.04. AttributionWhen sharing images on social media, proper credit is part of the exchange. Please tag us in the caption.

06. Privacy & Data Protection
We respect your privacy. All personal data collected, including your contact information and photographic images, is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By booking a session or agreeing to these terms, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and that it is incorporated into this agreement by reference.

07. Liability & Safety

07.01. ConductPhotography often happens in dynamic environments. While we take all reasonable safety precautions, you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of your personal items. We are not liable for accidental injuries (like tripping) or lost items, unless caused by our direct negligence.

07.02. Limitation of LiabilityIn the unlikely event of a technical failure (e.g., a memory card corruption) resulting in lost images, our liability is limited to a full refund of any money paid. For TFP shoots, the remedy is a free re-shoot.

07.03. Safe EnvironmentFor outdoor shoots, we will do our best to ensure a safe environment. If the weather is dangerous or unworkable (heavy rain, storm), we will reschedule at no extra cost.

08. Updates to Terms
The world changes and sometimes our practices must adapt as a result. We reserve the right to update these terms as needed.

Booked sessions: The terms in effect at the time your session was booked (when the retainer was paid or the TFP agreement was confirmed) will apply to that specific shoot.
Future use: Continued use of our services or website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms. If we make material changes that affect your existing rights (e.g., regarding portfolio usage), we will make reasonable efforts to notify you.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

01. Introduction
Thor Visuals (“we,” “us,” “our”) is dedicated to capturing your moments while respecting your privacy and protecting your personal data. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or work with us, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA).

02. Who is Responsible?
For the purposes of data protection laws, the Data Controller is Thor Visuals. We operate in both California, USA and Sweden (EU), and we are responsible for your personal data. If you have any questions, concerns, or wish to exercise your privacy rights, you can contact us directly at .

03. Data Collection
We believe in data minimization. We only collect information that is strictly necessary for our photography services, artistic portfolio, and website operation as listed below:

Contact Details such as your name, email, and phone number.
Visual Data such as photographs, videos, and visual likeness.
Transaction Data such as invoices, contracts, and payment history.
Technical Data such as your IP address, browser type, and device information.

We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

Contract Fulfillment: To take, edit, and deliver photos as contractually agreed.
Legitimate Business Interests: To archive your photos, manage our creative brand, and maintain our artistic portfolio.
Consent: We will only use your images for advertising, social media, or public portfolios if you have signed a Model Release or given us explicit permission.
Legal Compliance: To maintain records as required by California and Swedish law.

04. Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal identification information to others. We do not share your data with third parties for their direct marketing purposes. However, we may share necessary data with trusted third-party service providers (“Data Processors”) who help us run our business and are contractually bound to protect your data.

Image Galleries: We use online galleries and/or storage providers to deliver your photos.
Invoicing & Payments: For paid assignments, we use financial platforms (e.g., invoicing tools or umbrella companies) to handle payments and comply with tax laws.
Communication: We use email and other communication tool providers to manage our correspondence.

05. Biometric Data
While we may hold high-resolution images of your face, we do not use facial recognition software or process your images to uniquely identify you.

06. Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected.

Contact Details: Retained until our business is concluded, plus a reasonable period for customer service, unless you request deletion sooner.
Visual Data: Retained indefinitely as part of our artistic body of work and historical archive (Artistic Purpose).
Transaction Data: Retained for the period required to comply with applicable tax laws and legal statutes of limitation.
Technical Data: Retained only for the limited time necessary to ensure website security and proper functionality, after which it is deleted or anonymized.

07. Data Security
We take the security of your personal information seriously. To prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, we use trusted, industry-standard security measures, including Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on our accounts and HTTPS encryption on our website. We also restrict access to your data to ensure it is only used for the purposes outlined above.

08. Cookies & Tracking
We do not use tracking, analytics, or advertising cookies. Our website uses only Strictly Necessary Cookies which are essential for the site to function (e.g., security tokens, session identifiers). Because these cookies are strictly necessary for the service you requested (loading the website), they are exempt from consent requirements under GDPR and CCPA. We do not use third-party trackers like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixels.

09. International Data Transfers
Because we operate in both the United States and Sweden, your information may be transferred between and processed in both jurisdictions. By using this site or engaging our services, you acknowledge this transfer. For transfers from the EU to the US, we rely on Article 49 GDPR Derogations regarding the necessity of the transfer for the performance of a contract.

10. Your Privacy Rights
Whether you are in California or Sweden, we extend the following rights to you. To exercise these rights, simply email .

Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction: You can ask us to fix incorrect data.
Deletion: You can ask us to delete your data. Note: Deletion of images may be limited by our rights to freedom of expression (Artistic Purpose) or contractual obligations (Model Releases).
Non-Discrimination: You will not be discriminated against for exercising any of your privacy rights.
Objection: You can object to the processing of your data.
Right to Complain: If you feel we have not respected your privacy rights, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) or the Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (Integritetsskyddsmyndigheten).

11. Children's Privacy
Our website and services are not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal data without your consent, please contact us directly at to have it removed. If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign your Model Release and/or contract. We only process personal data of minors with this explicit parental consent.

12. External Links
Our website may contain links to other websites and social media platforms. Clicking these links may allow third parties to collect data about you. We do not control these third-party sites and are not responsible for their privacy statements.

13. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date. For significant changes that affect your rights, we may also notify you via email if we have your contact information on file. Your continued use of the website or our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the new policy.

Portfolio

Sessions

Creative Collaborations

What You Get

Portfolio Builds

What You Get

Paid Assignments

What You Get

Who We’re Looking For

Currently Booking

About Us

Featured In

Selected Clients

Contact

FAQ

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy