Do I Need Hair and Makeup for My Headshot Session?
It's one of the first questions I hear from new clients, and it's a great one to ask.
The short answer: for most people, yes. Here's the longer answer.
What a professional makeup artist actually does
A camera sees light differently than the human eye. What looks natural in person can appear washed out, shiny or uneven on screen. A professional makeup artist who works regularly with photographers knows exactly how to adjust for that. They balance skin tone, minimize shine and add just enough definition to keep you looking like yourself — only cleaner and sharper.
The goal is never a dramatic transformation. It's a polished version of how you already look on your best day.
What about hair?
The same principle applies. A professional will smooth, shape and secure everything so you're not spending half the session brushing stray hairs off your face. Small details read loudly in a close-up frame.
What if I do my own makeup well?
Some clients absolutely do. If you're comfortable with camera-ready makeup and know how to work with your skin, that's a conversation we can have before your session. I'll always give you an honest answer based on your specific goals.
A tip if you're on the fence
Book the hair and makeup. You're already investing your time and money in a professional session. Arriving camera-ready means we spend the full session focused on expression and connection, not logistics. The results speak for themselves.
At my Pleasanton studio, I work with clients from across the Tri-Valley including San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Livermore and Walnut Creek. I'm happy to recommend makeup artists I trust if you'd like a referral.
How to Set Powerful Intentions for Your Business
Setting intentions in one’s business is a common theme especially this time of year. Everyone makes plans but are you one of those peopl who take action? Going into my 24th year in business I have found these steps very helpful and thought I’d share them with you.
STEP ONE: Make a commitment to reach your goal no matter what it takes
Trust me, challenges WILL come up (hello COVID?!) In life there will always be SOMETHING to distract you from your goals. So, instead of being afraid, remind yourself that they are here to make you stronger, better, and more resilient.
STEP TWO: Create a vision for your business
Why are you in business in the first place? What inspired you to create your business? What is driving you most RIGHT NOW? Who are you REALLY doing this for? What are you most looking forward to in the future? What does the distant future look like as a result of staying consistent and never giving up?
STEP THREE: Based on your vision, what does it look like one year from now?
If there were no obstacles and no limits, what would would you create in your business in one year? What are your income goals? Your impact goals?
STEP FOUR: It starts with gratitude
Choose 3-5 intentions that excite you, but aren’t so large that you have an impossible time believing it can happen. Write them in the following format: “THANK YOU FOR _________.
“Thank You” implies that you have ALREADY accomplished your desire, so the energy you are putting out into the Universe is coming from a place of already having it. If you want things to manifest faster, precede them with gratitude… and feel it.
STEP FIVE: Define the top 3 feelings you will feel once you manifest your 3-5 intentions
How will you feel when these intentions manifest? Happy? Excited? Relieved? Get clear on these feelings and really visualize the feelings. Energize your intentions through your feelings.
STEP SIX: Take the first action step
The “first step” can be just about ANYTHING you can think of that relates to your desires. It can be something like: Start sharing my story on Instagram, letting others know why I decided to create my business and what inspires me most about the future. Or look for mentors who are in a similar space and find out what made them so successful.
Looking for more thought provoking exercises on how to grow your business and your personal brand? Check out my easy to read E-BOOK titled OWN IT.
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.
