Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

How often should I update my headshot?

Loved your old headshot? Here's why updating it anyway creates social proof, boosts profile views, and keeps you memorable to your network.

Modern Female Headshot by Nina Pomeroy Pleasanton Photorapher

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, [Your Name] 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?

I Could Use a Refresh
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What To Wear For Headshots

When it comes to professional headshots, your clothing choices can make or break your photos. After years of working with clients, one principle stands above all others: simple is better. Here's everything you need to know about dressing for a successful headshot session.

The Golden Rule: Fit is Everything

Before we dive into specific clothing recommendations, remember this: the fit of your clothing is crucial. Baggy clothing will make you appear larger than you are, while excessively tight clothing will be equally unflattering. Your clothes should fit well and make you feel confident.

What to Bring

For your headshot session, plan to bring:

  • 2-3 professional tops or dresses that fit well

  • Solid colors or non-distracting patterns work best

  • One top that matches your eye color (this can really make your eyes pop!)

  • Professional jackets or blazers if that suits your brand

  • 1-2 casual layered looks like leather jackets, mock turtlenecks, or high-quality plain t-shirts

  • Full outfits if you want half or full body portraits

When in doubt, wear navy. It's universally flattering and photographs beautifully.

Clothing Do's

Colors and Fabrics

  • Choose solid colors over patterns

  • Fitted and tailored clothing works best

  • Long sleeves often photograph better than short sleeves, as bare shoulders or partial arms can be distracting

  • If wearing a blazer, pair it with a simple solid color underneath (a high-quality short-sleeved tee works great)

Before You Leave Home

  • Try on your tops in front of a mirror with bright light to check for transparency (studio lights are powerful!)

  • If applicable, try on your outfit with the undergarments you'll wear during the shoot

  • Make sure any button-down shirts fit properly with no gaps between buttons or loose collar areas

  • Bring anything that makes you feel great – confidence shows in your expression and body language

What to Avoid

Colors

  • White or off-white can wash you out

  • Pastels tend to wash out under studio lighting

  • Patterns, plaids, or stripes create visual distractions

Fabrics and Styles

  • Shiny fabrics like satin (they reflect light poorly)

  • Linen (wrinkles will be very visible)

  • Bulky sweaters

  • Loose or baggy short-sleeved tops

  • Jackets that are too small and can't be buttoned comfortably

  • Stained or wrinkled clothing (excessive retouching may incur additional charges)

Accessories: Keep It Simple

Jewelry

Keep jewelry minimal and non-distracting. Small, simple earrings work well, but avoid necklaces entirely – they can draw attention away from your face.

Glasses

If you wear glasses daily, you should definitely include them in your headshot. Bring multiple pairs if you have them, so you can try different frames. Important note: glasses without non-reflective coating may create glare issues that make them impossible to photograph.

Hair and Grooming Tips

Hair

  • Style your hair the way you normally wear it – you want to look like yourself

  • Adding some wave or curl typically photographs beautifully

  • Avoid getting a haircut within three days of your session (most cuts look better after about a week)

  • Bring all your styling products, including anything you use to tame flyaways

Grooming

  • Trim eyebrows, nose hairs, and remove facial fuzz at least 3 days before your session (to allow time for any skin reactions to heal)

  • Use hair products to control stray hairs

  • Moisturize your face and lips starting a few days before if this isn't part of your regular routine

  • Consider exfoliating 48 hours in advance or having a facial a week before

Makeup Guidance

If you wear makeup, aim for a light, natural look:

Do:

  • Ensure your foundation is properly color-matched to your neck (mismatched tones will be very noticeable under studio lights)

  • Use oil-free moisturizer and eye cream before your session

  • Keep mascara natural-looking, not clumpy

  • Consider hiring a professional makeup artist for the best results

Avoid:

  • Fake eyelashes

  • Sunscreen on the day of the shoot (especially ones with white residue)

  • Too much face powder over foundation (it will show in digital photography)

  • Sun exposure 3-4 days before your session

  • Very dry or cracked lips

Don't worry about small blemishes – they're easily retouched.

Final Thoughts

The key to great headshot clothing is choosing pieces that fit well, photograph cleanly, and most importantly, make you feel like your best self. When you feel confident in what you're wearing, it shows in your expression and body language – and that's what makes a truly great headshot.

Remember: these are guidelines, not rigid rules. Your headshot should reflect who you are professionally, so wear what makes you feel powerful, confident, and authentic.

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Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

AI Headshots vs. Professional Photography: What Your Personal Brand Is Really Saying

I get it. AI headshots are tempting. Thirty dollars, a hundred variations, and suddenly you're thinner, younger, and inexplicably aboard a yacht you don't own. It's entertainment—like those videos of photographers "racing" F1 cars or cats doing the merengue. (Baby Judge Judy, though? That one's actually genius.)

But here's what an AI headshot actually communicates: I took the shortcut.

And in a world where everyone's taking shortcuts, that's precisely the problem.

When you use a professional portrait, you're saying:

  • I invested in how I'm perceived because I know perception drives opportunity.

  • I understand that trust is built on authenticity, not approximation.

  • My business, my reputation, my career—these things warrant more than a $30 gamble.

  • I know what's stopping you. It's not the investment. It's the fear that you'll sit in front of my camera and somehow... not look like yourself. Or worse—look too much like yourself on a day when you're not feeling particularly confident.

Here's what actually happens: We talk. I learn what you need this image to do for you. We collaborate on the energy, the environment, the wardrobe. And then I spend the session making sure you feel like the most pulled-together version of yourself—because that's when the magic happens. That's when you happen.

You walk away with an image that doesn't just represent you. It elevates you.

Because your face is the first handshake. The first impression. The first reason someone decides to trust you with their business, their case, their brand.

That's not a place for an algorithm. That's a place for artistry.

Let's create something that actually reflects the caliber of work you do.

I'm Ready Let's Do This!
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Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

Corporate Headshot Pricing: San Francisco & East Bay Area (2025)

Bay Area Pricing by Region (2025)

San Francisco: $300–$800 per person
Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, Mountain View): $300–$600 per person
East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Pleasanton): $250–$500 per person
South Bay (San Jose, Sunnyvale): $275–$550 per person

What Influences Corporate Headshot Costs?

Photographer Experience

Award-winning photographers with 15+ years of experience and established corporate portfolios command premium rates. This expertise ensures you receive images that accurately represent your brand and require fewer revisions.

Session Structure

Group Bookings for Teams

Companies booking 10+ headshots often receive customized packages with consistent lighting, styling, and turnaround times—essential for maintaining brand cohesion across your team.

Professional Services Included

Premium experiences typically include:

Making the Right Investment

Your headshot appears on LinkedIn, your company website, conference materials, and client presentations. It's often the first impression potential clients, partners, and employers have of you. Quality matters.

Consider these questions:

Team Headshot Solutions

For companies needing 10-15+ headshots, look for photographers who offer:

Ready to invest in headshots that elevate your professional presence? Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and receive a customized quote.

Serving San Francisco, East Bay, Silicon Valley, and surrounding areas. Specializing in corporate headshots, executive portraits, and team photography since 2000.

Get a Custom Quote
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Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

Diwali Portraits

I absolutely loved photographing Sonia for her Diwali portraits. She arrived in the most beautiful sari—every detail was just stunning. The colors, the elegance, the way she carried herself—it all reflected the joy and meaning of the season.

There’s something magical about capturing someone who feels completely themselves. This session was more than just portraits—it was a celebration of light, culture, and confidence.

Wishing you all a bright and beautiful Diwali filled with love, laughter, and new beginnings. 🪔

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Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

You Are Worth It: Why Professional Headshots Aren't "Out of Reach"

I heard something recently that broke my heart a little.

A potential client told me my headshot services were "out of reach" for them. And here's the thing - I know they didn't just mean financially. What they really meant was: this feels like something for people who've already made it, and I'm not there yet.

If you've ever felt this way, I need you to hear something: You already are "there."

The Waiting Game We Play With Ourselves

We tell ourselves we'll invest in professional photos when:

But here's what I've learned after photographing hundreds of entrepreneurs and professionals: the headshot doesn't come after success. It's often a catalyst for it.

What Professional Headshots Really Say

When you invest in professional headshots, you're not being vain. You're not getting ahead of yourself. You're making a statement:

I take myself seriously as a professional.

I believe in the value I bring.

I'm worth seeing.

That last one is the most important. Because when you show up with imagery that reflects your professionalism and personality, you're telling potential clients, employers, and collaborators that you value yourself enough to present yourself well. And when you value yourself, others follow suit.

The Real Cost of Waiting

Every day you wait for professional photos is another day you're:

Your ideal clients aren't looking for someone who's "made it." They're looking for someone who's confident, authentic, and professional. Your headshots can communicate all of that, regardless of where you are in your journey.

You Don't Need Permission

You don't need to reach a certain income level to deserve professional photos. You don't need a certain number of followers or a fancy office or a bestselling book.

You just need to be someone who:

If that's you, you're not "not there yet." You're already there.

An Invitation, Not Pressure

I'm not here to pressure anyone into investing in something they genuinely can't afford right now. I know business finances ebb and flow, and everyone's situation is different.

But if the real hesitation isn't your bank account - if it's that voice in your head saying "people like me don't get professional photos" - I want to challenge that voice.

Because people like you? People who are building something, who care about their work, who want to connect authentically with their audience? Those are exactly the people who deserve to be seen.

Here's What I Know

In my years of photographing entrepreneurs and professionals, I've never once had someone regret investing in their headshots. Not once.

What I have seen is the shift that happens when someone sees themselves through my lens - confident, capable, professional. When they realize they don't have to wait to be "that person." They already are.

So if you've been telling yourself that professional headshots are out of reach, I want you to ask yourself: Is it really the investment, or is it the belief that you're not worth investing in?

Because you are. You absolutely are.

Ready to see yourself the way I see you? Let's talk about creating headshots that reflect the professional you already are. Book a consultation to get started.

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Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

Personal Branding Is Booming in the Bay Area

There’s a major shift happening in how professionals show up online — and it’s not just about LinkedIn updates or new headshots. It’s about how you’re seen before you ever walk into a meeting, send an email, or shake a hand.

At Nina Pomeroy Agency Inc., we’ve seen this shift firsthand. Over the past year, our studio has experienced a 40% increase in bookings for professional headshots and personal branding sessions — a sign that Bay Area professionals are rethinking what it means to be visible in a digital-first world.

“Your image is often speaking before you do — make sure it says the right thing,” says Nina Pomeroy, founder and creative director of the agency. “Today’s leaders understand that a great headshot isn’t about vanity — it’s about credibility, trust, and connection.”


Bay Area Headshots

The Rise of the “Visual First Impression”

With remote work, video calls, and online networking becoming the new norm, your digital presence often is your first impression. Studies show that LinkedIn profiles with professional photos get 21 times more views and nine times more connection requests than those without.

But it’s more than just numbers. A professional image communicates something deeper — confidence, professionalism, and approachability. It tells your story before you say a word.


Authentic Over Perfect

One of the biggest changes we’ve noticed is the shift from “perfect” to “authentic.” People no longer want overly retouched images that feel staged or artificial. They want portraits that look like them — at their best.

“The era of stiff, outdated headshots is over,” Nina says. “We’re creating portraits that feel modern, elevated, and true to who you are. Because authenticity is what people connect with most.”


A Smarter Way to Be Seen

Executives, real estate professionals, and entrepreneurs across the Tri-Valley and greater Bay Area are investing in updated portraits not just for social media, but for websites, press kits, and company branding. Teams are booking group sessions to create cohesive, on-brand imagery that aligns with their business vision.

It’s no longer just a headshot — it’s a business tool.

As the Bay Area continues to lead in innovation, its professionals are leading in presentation, too. Whether you’re building your personal brand or refreshing your company’s visual identity, investing in a headshot that feels both confident and authentic isn’t just smart — it’s essential.


Ready to Level Up?
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Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

Portraits with Purpose

Portraits with Purpose

As an 8-year breast cancer survivor, this month holds a special place in my heart. To honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, every October headshot session includes a complimentary portrait on our pink backdrop-so you can show your support in a

meaningful, visible way. In addition, a portion of every session will be donated to the charity For the Love of Cups. Together, we'll create portraits you

love and give back to a cause that's changed my life.

CELEBRATE WITH ME
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Nina Pomeroy Nina Pomeroy

Two in One – Headshots Made Easy


This October, enjoy one Signature Headshot Session for two people. Bring a friend and elevate your brand together. Images sold separately.

BOOK NOW
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