I’ve been talking about a code for a while. It’s a code that attracts the right clients to you and lets the wrong clients just kind of… fall away. It’s a filter, if you will. A way to divide your time, your resources, your skills. Sometimes I get kind of confused looks, sometimes a lightbulb … Read more
Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Dennis and Carter for their newer Lift For the 22 website. It’s a wonderful nonprofit that helps vets return to the non-military world and transition after intense experiences. They do this by gifting free gym memberships to participating gyms, giving vets a way to be in community once again. They’re picking up some great publicity and I’m thrilled they came to me for their Portland headshots before launching nationally.
Then this morning, in less then 30 minutes I took my sister’s updated headshot, downloaded the images, she picked out her favorite for an updated LinkedIn profile image, and I processed it for her.
[x_block_grid type=”two-up”][x_block_grid_item]While I certainly don’t do simple headshots very often, it is something I make available in groups. Or if you’re my sister, apparently.
If your company is looking to update team member photos at the same time, this is a great way to do so with quality![/x_block_grid_item] [x_block_grid_item][/x_block_grid_item][/x_block_grid]
It’s been a busy summer of shooting, networking, learning and workshopping. Top that all off with the new studio and it’s no surprise my blog has been on the backburner. I’m back and ready to kick off autumn with an online coach branding case study! I first met Patti over a year ago at a … Read more
The mail pile was rather larger this morning, probably because I forgot to check it this weekend. And right at the top was a shiny matte Anthropolgie catalog. Like them or hate ’em, Anthropologie produces a catalog of beautifully styled photographs and I enjoy looking through them before I toss them in the recycling bin. … Read more
I’m the kind of woman that schedules a (long overdue) hair appointment on the one day of the week with no other appointments, and yet still does her makeup the morning of that appointment. I have no where else to be today until that 4pm appointment. Today’s schedule includes online trainings, article writing, and icing my hand (which I’ve either sprained or maybe fractured – not to worry, I can hold a camera!).
Why? Why invest the time in makeup when no one will see me but my hairstylist? It’s all about self-care. Maybe a little about self-esteem, too.
You see, I’ve not once gone to a hair salon that knows how to properly light their mirrors. In fact, most of them have downright ugly lighting that sallows my skin, upgrades my under-eye circles to deep bags, and somehow at the same time volumizes not my hair but any skin imperfection. So I sit in that chair for two hours, facing a mirror that only shows the haggard version of me.
[columnize] This article brought to you by Britney – who can hold a camera but apparently takes twice as long to type ANYTHING with this annoying wrist braceDespite my pretty decent level of confidence on how I look on a regular basis, I often leave a hair salon feeling down about myself. I should be rocking a fresh new color and cut when instead, I’m obsession about Mount Vesuvius erupting on my chin. Instead of that sparkle in the eye I always see in clients as they leave my studio with hair and makeup boosting their confidence, I feel like shielding my face from passersby. That’s just wrong. Spending time getting your hair done, your nails, whatever – that’s a part of self care and should leave one feeling buoyant!
So I do my makeup. I make sure to look at myself in MY mirror before I leave the house so I know what I really look like. And when I look in the salon mirror, I spend the time looking at my perfect eyebrows. Since I put on a hint of blush, my skin doesn’t look so sallow.[/columnize]
There’s a reason I include hair and makeup in all of my services. And that reason should be abundantly obvious by this article: I want you to feel like the best version of YOU! And I like to pamper my clients a bit. I like you feeling like a celebrity for the day. I don’t want you to feel rushed to go from the makeup artist to the studio and onward. You’re taking the time to invest in yourself with a quality personal branding photoshoot – I’m upping the ante and making sure your investment is also self-care time for you.
You can see my own photos all over this site. And you can see the today-version of me (do me a solid and don’t look at my roots, mmmkay?) I like how I look in both. I’m also trying really hard not to laugh in this photo because I feel like a cross between a girl power mockup and wonder woman with my wrist brace. But at least I know that today I tried. I put forth the effort in being the best version of me, even if makeup took me twice the time it normally would. It’s just another way to invest in myself.
On a side note, the guest bathroom in the studio has fabulous lighting. In fact, the first guest to test it out walked out declaring, “I love your bathroom lighting! It’s so flattering!”
Summer is the incredibly talented designer and owner of Ayn Jewelry. We met back in July and immediately got down to business working on her brand photography – for me an easy task as she already has so much style and her jewelry carries the brand all on its own. Her handmade, slightly rough, organic designs gave me a fun playground of inspiration!
What struck me most about Summer is the incredible detail of each piece she creates. From soldering to waxing, she hammers little details I never thought possible. Just photographing her process taught me far more about her work than I knew! I love the dark and complex nature of her workshopping in the jewelry studio.
I won’t even try to make this sound less amazing than it is. This week Summer is off to Florence to study a master jewelry and up her game in setting stones. She’s already got a dreamy collection – just wait till you see what she’s got cooked up when she returns!
Picture this: the date is set, and then your client suggests bringing pies to the studio shoot… because after all, she makes a helluva good collection of pies! And then at the end of the personal brand photos session, she offers to leave some pie behind for your enjoyment. And your first thought is, “oh … Read more
I’m one of those people that usually has an annoying number of tabs open in my web browser. Confession time: right now there are fourteen open. And that’s not uncommon. Granted, my husband usually has 30 and it makes me feel clean and minimalistic just looking at his computer, but… That’s not the point of … Read more
When Erin called about a month ago with her ideas for her branded business headshots, I was so excited. She’s got the coolest business (MyPsychGeek) going in a great, targeted niche. And really, she’s just going to shine in her new business. She was kind enough to sit on the phone with me for a … Read more
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