The Family Portrait You Keep Putting Off

Most families kind of dread the “family portrait.” So they end up putting it off with lots of excuses, my kids won’t cooperate, I want to lose weight, etc.

One of my clients had an adult daughter (with a family of her own) and her Mom was getting old and not crazy about the idea of a formal portrait. But Mom was growing older and she was starting to feel uncertain that she’d every be able to get it done. So we talked it over, she booked the session and it was so special to capture the bond between three generations of women.

Here is what she shared with me after the session:

“Today, that portrait means more to me than I could have imagined. It is not just a photograph. It is a visual reminder of our family's story, our shared memories and the bond between a grandmother, mother and daughter. It has become one of my most treasured possessions.”

Why a three-generation portrait matters

A family portrait is not about a perfect pose. It is about the relationships.

My job in the studio is to capture that connection. Most people feel uncomfortable in front of a camera, and that is normal. I direct every step, I keep the room relaxed and I watch for the real moments between people rather than asking everyone to freeze and smile. In her words, the experience was effortless and meaningful, and that is exactly what I want for every family who sits for me.

The advice she wanted to pass on

When I asked if she had anything to share with other families, this is what she said.

To anyone who has been thinking about a family portrait but keeps putting it off, my advice is simple. Do not wait. There will always be reasons to postpone it, but time moves faster than we think. The memories you preserve today will only become more valuable tomorrow.

I could not say it better. The families who book the portrait rarely wish they had waited. The ones who wait sometimes lose the chance.

If three generations of your family are in one place this year, that is the moment. I would be honored to help you hold onto it.

Why does my skin color look off in photos?

Have you ever looked at a photo of yourself and thought, "That doesn't quite look like me"? Not the angle, not the expression, but something subtler. The color of your skin just feels... off.

You're not imagining it. Skin tone accuracy is one of the most overlooked, and most important, elements of professional photography. And it's something I think about deeply with every single session I shoot.

Why skin tone accuracy matters:
Your headshot is often the first impression you make. Whether it's on LinkedIn, your website, or a speaking bio, people are forming opinions about you before they ever meet you. When your skin tone looks washed out, overly warm, or strangely cool, something feels "off" to the viewer even if they can't name why.

Inaccurate color can:

• Make you look tired or unwell when you're vibrant and energetic

• Strip away the richness and depth of deeper skin tones

• Create a disconnect between your photo and your real presence

• Undermine the trust and authenticity you're working so hard to build

How to spot it yourself:
You don't need to be a photographer to notice when something's wrong. Here are a few things to look for:

• Ashiness or gray undertones: Skin looks flat, lifeless, or desaturated

• Overly orange or red tones: Common with improper white balance in warm lighting

• Blown-out highlights: Detail disappears from lighter skin areas, losing texture

• Loss of depth in darker skin: Rich melanin tones appear muddy or underexposed

• Mismatched face and neck: A telltale sign of heavy-handed retouching

What good skin tone rendering looks like:
Great color accuracy means your skin looks like you, on your best day. Warm where you're warm. Rich where you're rich. The goal is never to flatten or "fix" your skin, it's to reveal it beautifully and honestly.

This is why I invest in calibrated lighting equipment, shoot tethered to a color-accurate monitor, and retouch with intention rather than habit. Every skin tone is unique. My job is to make sure it looks like the real you.

Child Actor Headshot Tips: How to Prepare Your Young Performer

Getting ready for your child's first headshot session is part logistics, part managing a kid who has no idea why anyone would want forty pictures of their face. Both parts matter. Here's what actually helps, based on years of sessions with young performers in my Pleasanton studio.

1. Let your child pick between the outfits, not just wear what you hand them

Bring your top choices, then let your child choose between two or three of them. A kid who feels some ownership over what they're wearing settles into the session faster than one who's just been dressed and pointed at a camera.

2. Skip the sugar and the screens right before

A sugar crash or a screen-time meltdown twenty minutes before a session shows up in the photos, tired eyes, forced smiles, a kid who wants to be anywhere else. A calm morning with a real breakfast gets you further than anything I can do with lighting.

3. Book around their good hours, not your open calendar slot

If your child is sharper at 10am and running on fumes by 4pm, book the 10am slot even if it's less convenient for you. The best headshot session in the world can't out-direct a kid who's past their limit.

4. Practice a real smile at home, not the picture day smile

Most kids have one automatic "cheese" face left over from school photo day, tight, a little frozen, not what casting directors are looking for. In the days before your session, catch a few genuine laughs on your phone and show your child what that actually looks like. It gives them a reference point that isn't the forced version.

5. Bring a small comfort item if they have one

A favorite small toy, a specific hair clip, whatever helps them feel like themselves. It doesn't need to be in the photo. Sometimes just having it in the room is enough to keep a child grounded between looks.

6. Talk about it like an adventure, not a test

Kids pick up on pressure fast. Framing the session as something exciting they get to do, rather than something they need to get right, changes how they walk in the door. Save the casting stakes conversation for you and the agent, not for your six-year-old.

7. Don't over-rehearse a pose at home

A little practice helps, too much turns into a memorized expression that reads as stiff on camera. I'd rather work with a kid who's never posed before than one who's been drilling the same smile in the mirror all week. Direction happens in the room, that's my job on the day.

8. Build in downtime on both sides of the session

Avoid stacking the shoot between two other commitments. Kids do better when the session isn't sandwiched between school pickup and a soccer game. A little breathing room before and after keeps the whole day, not just the session, from feeling rushed.

9. Trust the pacing once you're in the studio

Sessions built for young performers run on breaks, not a stopwatch. If your child needs five minutes to reset between looks, that's normal, not a sign anything's going wrong. Let the photographer manage the pace.

How often should I update my headshot?

I just updated my headshot - and honestly? It was harder than you’d think.

I loved my last one. It had served me well. But here's what I've learned photographing hundreds of professionals each year:

An updated headshot isn't just about looking current. It's about staying top of mind.

Think about it: when you update your photo, it ripples across LinkedIn, your website, your email signature. People notice. "Oh, I see so-and-so updated their headshot" becomes a conversation starter. Suddenly, you're back on their radar.

It signals that you're active, evolving, invested in your professional presence. It creates a micro-moment of engagement with your network - without you having to say a word.

I watch this happen with my clients every year. They update their headshot, and suddenly:

• Old connections reach back out

• Their profile views spike

• They feel more confident hitting "send" on that email to a prospect

• People remember them when opportunities arise

Your headshot is one of the few things in your professional toolkit that works for you 24/7. When it's fresh, it works even harder.

So yes, I took my own advice. New year, new look, same commitment to helping professionals show up authentically.

When was the last time you updated yours?

What colors should I avoid for headshots?

Being prepared for your session is one of the biggest factors in how your headshot comes out. The choices you make beforehand about wardrobe, hair and makeup shape the result as much as anything that happens in the studio. Here's a compilation of tips I’ve put together over the years of figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Follow allow for some of my suggestions that I’ve created over the years of photographing hundreds of people!

First Decision: What to Wear

Solid colors are best! Solid colors almost always outperform patterns on camera. Busy prints, stripes and bold graphics draw attention away from your face and date quickly. A solid color in a flattering shade keeps the focus where it belongs.

What colors are best for headshots Navy is the most reliable choice across all skin tones, it reads as professional and photographs cleanly against most backgrounds. Other strong options include jewel tones (burgundy, forest green, sapphire, plum), charcoal, muted warm neutrals and dusty pastels.

Colors to avoid White and off-white tend to wash out against light backgrounds and create exposure challenges. Beige and tan often blend into skin tones. Neon and highly saturated colors pull attention away from your face.

Fit matters Clothing should fit well, not too tight, not too loose. Anything that bunches, pulls or gaps will show on camera.

Bring options Select 2 to 3 outfits for consideration. Different colors and necklines give you variety across your final gallery, a more formal look for your company website, a slightly more relaxed look for LinkedIn, a bolder color for a speaking bio.

A note on black Black photographs well when it's a true, deep, fresh black. Faded or washed-out black reads poorly on camera. If you're wearing black, make sure it's freshly laundered and free of lint.

If applicable: Makeup Tips for Headshots

Why headshot makeup is different The camera picks up more detail than the eye does. Makeup that looks natural in person can read as too light on camera, and makeup that looks overdone in person can look perfectly natural in photos. The goal is a polished, even look that doesn't call attention to itself.

Foundation and base Your base is the most important step. Make sure your foundation matches your natural skin tone exactly, particularly at the jaw and neck. A mismatched foundation line shows clearly in photos. Set your base with powder to reduce shine, as the studio lights pick up oil and sheen quickly.

Eyes Defined eyes read better on camera than bare ones. A neutral eyeshadow, defined lashes and a subtle liner help your eyes show up clearly without looking overdone. Avoid very dark or smoky looks unless that's genuinely part of your personal brand.

Lips A neutral to slightly deeper lip color photographs well. Very light or nude lips can disappear on camera. Avoid glossy formulas, matte or satin finishes hold up better under studio lights.

Avoid shimmer and glitter Highlighter, shimmer eyeshadow and glittery products reflect studio lighting in ways that create distracting bright spots. Stick to matte and satin finishes throughout.

Professional makeup services Professional hair and makeup is available through Nina's preferred artists, who understand what reads well on camera for a professional headshot. If you're considering it, ask when you book, it's worth the investment.

Touch-up kit Bring your makeup for touch-ups during the session. Blotting papers, powder, lip color and anything you used for your base are all worth having on hand.

Simple Hair Tips for Headshots

Keep it simple and controlled The most common hair mistake in headshots is flyaway or frizzy hair that distracts from the face. Whatever your natural style, the goal is a version of it that's clean, controlled and intentional.

Freshly washed or styled Show up with hair that's freshly washed or professionally styled. Avoid dry shampoo overload, it creates a dull, powdery texture that reads flat on camera.

Avoid major changes right before your session A new haircut or color right before your session is a risk. If something doesn't go as planned, there's no time to correct it. Schedule any significant changes at least two weeks before your session.

Longer hair If you typically wear your hair down, bring the tools to put it up as well. Having both options gives you variety in your gallery, some clients find they prefer a more polished updo for their corporate headshot and their natural style for LinkedIn.

Men's grooming Freshly groomed is the right call. A haircut and fresh shave or trim of any facial hair within a day or two of the session makes a visible difference. Avoid heavy product that makes hair look wet or overly styled.

The studio has a steamer and a dressing area If anything needs a quick refresh when you arrive, the studio is set up for it.

Quick Checklist

Before your session, run through this list:

• 2 to 3 solid color outfit options and pressed on hangers

• Lint roller in your bag

• Foundation that matches your skin tone at the neck

• Makeup touch-up kit

• Hair tools if you want an updo option

• Glasses if you typically wear them

• Any props relevant to your personal brand

  View session options and investment →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get professional hair and makeup for my headshot? It's worth considering. The camera picks up more detail than the eye does, and professional makeup artists who work with photographers know how to produce results that look natural on camera. Ask when you book.

What if I don't wear much makeup? That's completely fine. A light, even base and some definition around the eyes is enough. The goal is a polished version of how you normally look, not a transformation.

Should I get a haircut before my session? If you're planning one, schedule it at least a week before the session so it has time to settle. Last-minute cuts are a risk if the result isn't what you expected.

What if I'm not sure what to wear? A wardrobe prep guide is sent with every booking confirmation. If you'd like specific feedback on your options before the session, send photos and Nina will weigh in.

Why Your LinkedIn Photo Is Costing You Speaking Invitations

You could have years of experience, a strong reputation, and genuinely valuable things to say.

But if your LinkedIn photo is outdated, unprofessional, or disconnected from who you are today, it may be quietly working against you.

That sounds dramatic, but I see it all the time.

As a headshot and personal branding photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area, I photograph executives, entrepreneurs, doctors, attorneys, consultants, and speakers who are doing incredible work, yet their online image tells a completely different story.

And when people are deciding who to invite onto a stage, podcast, panel, advisory board, or leadership feature, your photo matters more than most people realize.

Before they read your bio. Before they visit your website. Before they look at your credentials.

They see your face.

Your Photo Is Part of Your Personal Brand

We live in a world where introductions happen online first.

A conference organizer hears your name and searches LinkedIn. A podcast host looks you up. Someone considering you for a speaking opportunity clicks your profile.

Within seconds, they are forming impressions.

Do you look approachable? Confident? Current? Professional? Like someone an audience would connect with?

Your photo is helping answer those questions instantly.

And unfortunately, a weak photo can create hesitation before you ever get the chance to speak.

The Problem With Most LinkedIn Photos

Most people are using photos that are:

• years outdated

• cropped from another image

• overly filtered

• poorly lit

• awkward or stiff

• low resolution

• too casual for the level they are operating at now

The issue is not that you need to look younger or more glamorous.

The issue is that your image should reflect the level of professionalism, confidence, and presence you already bring into a room.

A great headshot is not about vanity. It is about alignment.

People Decide Fast

Whether we like it or not, people make quick decisions visually.

If your LinkedIn photo feels polished, warm, modern, and authentic, people naturally assume you are established and credible.

If your photo feels outdated or disconnected from your brand, it creates friction.

And in competitive spaces, friction matters.

Especially when event organizers are comparing multiple potential speakers.

The Right Headshot Helps People Trust You Faster

One thing I hear constantly after clients update their headshots is:

“I finally feel like my online presence matches who I am now.”

That matters.

Because confidence shows up everywhere after that.

People start posting more. Pitching themselves more. Showing up more visibly. Submitting for speaking opportunities they had been hesitating to pursue.

A strong headshot creates momentum.

Speaking Opportunities Are About Connection

The best speaker photos today are not stiff corporate portraits.

People want authenticity. They want to feel connected before they ever meet you.

That means your photo should feel:

• confident but approachable

• polished but human

• professional without looking overly corporate

• natural and relaxed

That balance is where the magic happens.

Your Experience Deserves Better

If you are building a business, leading a company, growing your visibility, or positioning yourself as a thought leader, your image matters.

Not because appearances are everything.

But because first impressions open doors.

And your LinkedIn photo is often the very first thing people see.

You have likely spent years building your expertise. Your online presence should reflect that.

At Nina Pomeroy Photography, I create modern executive headshots and personal branding photography for professionals throughout Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Because the right photo does more than help you look good.

It helps people see you the way you deserve to be seen.