Headshots for Veterans and Military Families.Your next chapter starts here.
Professional headshots at no cost for veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and Gold Star families across the Tri-Valley and East Bay. Apply through Portraits for Patriots, then choose your time in my Pleasanton studio.
Apply at Portraits for Patriots Already Applied? Choose Your TimeAt a glance
Veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and Gold Star families.
None. This session is my thank you for your service.
4725 1st Street, Suite 262
Pleasanton, CA 94566
30 to 60 minutes. One outfit, one focused session.
One unedited image of your choice is included. Retouching is available for an additional fee.
If nothing on the schedule works, call or text me at 203.613.8978 and I will see what I am able to arrange.
For 26 years I have photographed people at the moments their careers change. Moving from military service into a civilian career is one of the biggest of those moments. You have already done the hard part. My job is to make sure the first impression matches who you are.
From application to headshot
Four steps. Here is the shape of it so nothing catches you off guard.
Apply through Portraits for Patriots
Start at PortraitsForPatriots.org. The program pairs volunteer photographers with eligible veterans, service members, military spouses and Gold Star families.
Choose your time
Once your application is in, book your session on my calendar.
I direct your pose and expression
You follow simple cues from me, one small adjustment at a time. Your images appear on a monitor as we go, so we adjust together and land on the shot.
We choose your image together
At the end of the session we review your images and you select your included image. Retouching is available for an additional fee if you want it.
One outfit, chosen well
This is a shorter session, so we focus on a single look. Choose the outfit you would wear to the interview for the job you want next.
Arrive dressed and ready. If you are torn between two jackets or two tops, bring both and we will decide together before we start.
- A tailored, clean fit. Too snug or too loose changes the whole portrait.
- Solid colors, which photograph cleanest. When in doubt, navy.
- Long sleeves, which usually frame better than short.
- A clean solid top under any blazer.
- Freshly laundered and pressed clothing. I do not edit out stains or wrinkles.
- Whatever you feel good in. That reads in every frame.
- Soft collared polos and golf shirts
- Patterns, plaids or stripes
- Shiny fabrics such as satin
- Linen, which wrinkles quickly
- Jackets too small to button
- Pastels, white and off-white, which wash out under studio light
- Button-downs that gap or pull at the collar
- Bulky sweaters and excessive jewelry
Wear your hair the way you wear it every day. If you wear makeup, a light natural look photographs best.
- Match your base makeup to your neck. Studio light shows any difference.
- Skip sunscreen with a white cast.
- Most haircuts settle after about a week, so plan any cut or color ahead of your session.
- Tidy brows and facial hair three or more days ahead in case of any skin reaction.
If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your headshot. If you switch between glasses and contacts, bring the glasses and we will try both.
Not sure about an outfit?
Bring your options. We will look at them together in the studio and choose the one that photographs best. Any other questions before your date? Text me at 203.613.8978 or send a note.
At the studio
4725 1st Street, Suite 262
Downtown Pleasanton, CA 94566
The building is marked Civic Center Station with plenty of parking on three sides. The studio is in suite 262, accessible from inside the building. Enter on the ground floor and take the elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor.
Call or text 203.613.8978