Holiday Gift Cards for Headshots and Portraits
Give the Gift of Confidence This Holiday Season
Struggling to find the perfect gift? This year, give your loved ones something meaningful: a headshot or personal branding session!
A professional portrait isn’t just a photo—it’s an investment in self-confidence and career success. Whether it’s for a fresh start, a new opportunity, or just to feel great about themselves, a personalized session is the ultimate thoughtful gift.
🎁 Why a Gift Card?
Flexible scheduling to fit their needs.
Perfect for professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives.
A chance to update their look with a modern, authentic portrait.
Show someone how much you believe in them with a gift that says, “You’re worth it.”
✨ Limited-Time Offer: Purchase your gift card by December 10th and get free overnight shipping!
Photographing someone with Dementia or Alzheimers Disease
You know how there are some people who come into your life - who just make you want to be a better person? Well I’ve been blessed by meeting many many people like that. I’ve had many sessions with many over the course of 20 years but there are a few that really stand out in my memory and that changed me.
There was one session of a woman and her mom who had the advanced stages of dementia. We had the session at the beautiful woman’s nursing home and what happened felt nothing short of a miracle. Throughout the session the Mom was very happy and we all had cheerful banter back and forth. However, she was not aware of the daughter right next to her. Until, this one flash moment, when the Mom looked over to her daughter and said - I love you. I see you. I know you daughter.
Did you just have to grab a tissue. Well let me tell you, I am a crier and I did everything I could to keep it together. Until I got back to my car. And then I fell apart. It was amazing to experience such a moment. A true gift. And yes, I captured that shot and you can see it here below.
So fast forward a few years and we were trying to schedule a personal branding headshot session for the daughter during one of my visits back to Connecticut. But thanks to COVID, that was not to be this year.
I received an email from her that said she wanted to pay it forward and wanted me to use the monies from her planned session for someone else. Again, I meet so many people so how could I decide on how to choose what to do with this woman’s precious money.
So I prayed. And I woke up one morning and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I wanted to offer up holiday family photos for the women and children at Shepherd’s Gate. And she agreed! Nothing felt so right to me once the planning began.
This past Saturday we did just that. It was a beautiful experience and I’m honored to share my gifts and my generous client’s funds to be able to give these women and children memories that they will cherish forever.
This holiday season, I ask you to listen to how you can help others with your time and your gifts. So many are struggling in many different ways. Not just money. Not just health. Not just loneliness. Everyone can do something to help someone else. And it doesn’t cost a dime.
On a side note, this woman has also created such a fun idea and activity to do with family (even on zoom!) It’s called Caring Cards. "Bridging generations through conversations" isn't just our tag line! It's our mission.
Caring Cards® help bridge generations by providing over 50 thought provoking questions that open meaningful conversations. They are comprised of a wide range of topics suitable for all ages and stages of life.
These conversation cards were carefully designed and tested to make it easy to explore memories, wisdom and personal histories with family and friends.
Although Caring Cards were originally designed to engage someone with dementia, they have quickly been embraced by anyone seeking to promote meaningful connection especially with aging loved ones.
Children and teens in particular may struggle with or avoid spending time with elders. Caring Cards help generations find common ground through the sharing of oral histories which strengthens the relationship and deepens the bond.
Caring Cards make a thoughtful and lasting gift for family and friends. Their convenient packaging is perfect for tucking into your purse, pocket or car so they're always handy!
In addition, home health care agencies, skilled nursing and assisted livings communities, youth and support groups and even financial advisors are a few of the many who offer Caring Cards to caregivers and their families as a useful and appreciated tool.
Why you need more than just a headshot.
Hopefully you love your logo, and that new website. Your logo and your website are just two parts of your visual branding package. You just might be missing a KEY element needed to communicate with that dream client.
What are Brand Photos? Brand Photos are images that you use to represent your brand and business.
Headshots are the most basic type of brand photos, at the very least, every entrepreneur or small business team, needs a great headshot to represent the “face of the company.” Good branding is going to help build trust with potential clients and a quality headshot is like a friendly “hello.”
Brand Portraits take headshots to the next level. They are more casual images that feature you in a ‘behind the scenes’ point of view.
What do you do with said Brand Photos?
So, we’ve talked about what brand photos are. Here’s how (and where) you’re actually going to use them: Definitely on your website.
This is obvious, but you should start with your website. This is very likely, one of the first places people will "see" you.
Great design, great photography will help you stand out from your competition.
Are you often unsure what to post on social media?
Wouldn’t it be great to have a library of your own branded images?
That’s what you get with brand photos.
Most selfies leave something left to be desired. Next time #fridayintroductions rolls around, you could have a full gallery of brand portraits to choose from. And you'll look like a pro. That will give you confidence and when you feel confident you can share your gifts with grace and ease.
Have a big announcement coming up? How about that blog post? Posts with images always get more traction. And if you're looking to post on Pinterest you HAVE to have a quality photo to post with the link to your site.
Visual consistency is key to a polished and professional feed. This helps followers and potential clients know what to expect from you. When expectations are met consistently, you build trust.
Here’s a short list of all the ways and places to use your Brand Photography:
Your Website
Your Facebook Page
Your Instagram Profile
Pinterest Posts
LinkedIn Profile
Pricing guide
Client welcome guide
Brand style guide
Guest blog posts
Guest post bio
Speaking engagement bio
Professional bio
Promo videos
Printed advertising
Printed marketing pieces
Facebook and Instagram Ads
So now that you know what they are and why you need them, are you ready to get started creating your own Brand Photos?
Contact me today to get more info about headshots, brand portraits, and custom styled stock photography.
Professional Ballet Portraits
I don’t think I’ve ever been the presence of such beauty and grace as they young ladies. This was an experimental photoshoot and I really enjoyed experimenting with the many lighting techniques I’ve learned over the years. These photos were taken for a special gallery showing. Here's just one of my favorites from many of the portraits.
Before you hire a photographer do this!
Brand Strategy. What is it? If you are working on your personal brand - then you need to do a little homework. In fact, before we even do your Personal Brand photoshoot, you’ll have to complete a Brand Strategy questionnaire. And unlike algebra homework, my clients tell me they loved the process. It’s is a great way to get clear on your brand and your message and THIS is how you will stand out from your competition! Here’s the key component, so let’s get started:
START WITH YOUR WHY - What’s this all about? Well, when you have a deeper sense of your purpose, your message will resonate with more people. To help you really define your why, here are some questions to think about:
What would you do even if you didn’t get paid to do it?
Who inspires you most?
If you had a year to live, what would you do?
What did you love to do when you were 10 years old?
What would you regret NOT doing in your life?
What makes you smile?
What makes you angry?
What do other people ask you for help with?
What are you naturally good at doing?
What are the challenges you’ve overcome?
What causes do you strongly believe in?
If you could get just one message across to a larger group of people, what would you say?
Before you launch that new website, print that new brochure or book a speaking gig, you want to get clear on what you want to be known for. That way, the clients you attract are strategic.
Check out my Book: OWN IT: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Your Personal Brand for some helpful tips and exercises on how to get CLEAR on your WHY.
Tri-Valley Job Fair Headshot Event
It was such a rewarding experience to provide complimentary headshots to over 75 people at the Tri-Valley Job Fair at the Tri-Valley Career Center in Pleasanton. They all left with a fresh, professional headshot to give them a head start on their job search.
This event had over 50 businesses represented and was sponsored by the Livermore Chamber of Commerce, San Ramon Chamber of Commerce, Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce and Danville Chamber of Commerce.
I’m deeply thankful to my clients, whose support allows me to give back by sharing my time and skills with those in need.And to my patient and tireless assistant that helped get everyone checked in and camera-ready!