#WorldHeadshotDay

#WorldHeadshotDay is February 11th….

 #WorldHeadshotDay is an internationally celebrated occasion to highlight the importance of headshots in personal branding and professional networking. It encourages individuals to update their headshots to reflect their current image and refresh their online presence on platforms like LinkedIn and social media. 

Transform Your Love Life: The Secret Weapon Bay Area Professionals Are Using for Online Dating Success

Why Professional Photos Matter: Boosting Your Dating Success with the Right First Impression

So you’re scrolling through a dating app, swiping left and right as faces quickly appear and disappear. It’s like flipping through a book—within seconds, you decide whether or not you want to know more. Now, think about your own dating profile. What impression does your photo leave? Is it a blurry selfie or a polished image that truly showcases your best self?

In today’s digital world, where first impressions are made online, the images you choose for your dating profile can be the deciding factor between a match and a missed opportunity. The saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” might be true in many cases, but when it comes to online dating, your photo is your cover. Just as an eye-catching book cover can pull a reader in, a professional headshot can capture someone’s attention and make them want to learn more about you.

As a professional photographer, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of a great photo. I’ve worked with business professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives who understand the impact of personal branding in their careers. But what if we applied those same principles to our personal lives? In this post, we’ll explore why investing in professional headshots and branding photos for your dating profile can make all the difference. We’ll look at the psychology of first impressions, the art of personal branding, and the technical factors that set professional photos apart. Ready to put your best face forward? Here are some tips:

The Power of First Impressions

Scenario: You’re at a networking event and spot two people across the room. One is dressed well, standing tall, and engaging others with confidence. The other looks slouched, in wrinkled clothes, and seems uncomfortable. Who would you approach? The same principle applies to online dating profiles. Your photo is often the first thing potential matches see, and it shapes their first impression of you.

The Psychology of First Impressions

First impressions are formed almost instantly. Studies show it takes just a split second for someone to form an opinion based on your appearance. This snap judgment isn’t just about physical attraction; it’s about the signals your photo sends about your personality, lifestyle, and even trustworthiness. A professional headshot can convey confidence, warmth, and authenticity in a way that a casual selfie simply can’t.

The Impact of Professional Photos

I recall working with Rosemarie, a marketing manager in her early 30s, who was frustrated with her online dating experience. Despite her successful career and vibrant personality, she wasn’t getting the responses she hoped for. When she came to the studio, we completely revamped her dating profile photos. Gone were the poorly lit selfies and blurry group shots. Instead, we captured Rosemarie’s genuine smile, love for the outdoors, and her stylish yet professional look. The result? Rosemarie saw a significant increase in matches and engaging conversations, because her photos now authentically reflected who she was.

Dating Profile Photo Considerations

• How do you perceive profiles with professional photos versus casual selfies?

• Have you noticed an increase in engagement when you update your profile picture?

Building Your Personal Brand Through Photography

Personal branding is the lasting impression you leave after you’ve walked away—it’s your essence, captured in a visual form. Just like you carefully craft your LinkedIn profile to showcase your professional identity, your dating profile deserves the same level of thought and intention.

What is Personal Branding?

Personal branding is the process of marketing yourself and your career as a unique brand. It’s about communicating who you are, what you believe in, and what sets you apart. In the world of online dating, personal branding helps potential matches get to know the authentic you—beyond the digital image.

How Personal Branding Photos Reflect Your Personality, Values, and Lifestyle

Think of your dating profile as a window into your world. Professional photos allow you to express your passions, style, and personality. Are you an outdoor enthusiast? A photo of you hiking could speak to your adventurous side. A cooking lover? A candid shot in your kitchen could showcase your warmth and creativity.

Key Considerations for Your Dating Profile:

• What message do you want your dating profile to communicate?

• How do you think others perceive your current profile photo?

Do I really need pro makeup done for my photoshoot?

One of the most common questions I get asked is - do I need to have my hair and makeup done for my professional headshot session? The answer is most often YES. For a few reasons. One, you're making the investment in the session and in your time devoted to the session. When you hire an experienced professional hair and/or makeup artist, they will know what kind of makeup works best for the camera. They will take care of those stray hairs. The key words here are "experienced professoinal." But, not to worry, this is not meant to make you look COMPLETELY different. However, you do want a look that is a little elevated from your everyday look - yet natural.

If you are unsure of what direction to go in, another tip is to perhaps meet with the hair and makeup artist in advance. Perhaps have a trial-run with it all to make sure that on the day of your photoshoot it's exactly what you are expecting.

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.

5 Reasons to Prioritize Your Brand in 2025

Is branding really as important as it’s made out to be? 

As an entrepreneur juggling countless tasks, branding can feel like just another item on your never-ending to-do list. You might ask yourself – is it really worth prioritizing?

Sure, you could skip it and put out a generic, forgettable headshot and branding portraits, but what would that cost you? The truth is, branding is your hidden advantage – lean into it!

If you want to attract and connect with your ideal audience, branding isn’t optional – it’s essential. It won’t just bring more attention to your business, it will attract the right kind of attention – from people who will trust, support, and buy from you consistently.

Why Headshot and Brand Photography is Essential for Your Business

In today’s crowded digital world, strong headshot and brand photography isn’t optional – it’s a game-changer. Here’s why:

1. Stand Out in a Saturated Market - Your business isn’t the only one out there. Unique, high-quality brand photos capture attention and visually showcase what sets you apart from the competition.

2. Boost Awareness and Trust - A cohesive set of brand images tells your story and creates an emotional connection with your audience. When clients see the person behind the brand, they feel more confident working with you.

3. Attract New Clients - Polished, professional brand photos help you break into new markets and position you as an expert. Great visuals create credibility and expand your reach.

4. Increase Perceived Value - Strong imagery elevates your brand, allowing you to charge higher rates. Clients are willing to pay more when your photos reflect quality, professionalism, and attention to detail.

5. Build a Loyal Following - Branding photography helps you create a consistent, recognizable presence that resonates with your audience. When people feel connected to your visuals, they trust your brand and keep coming back.

Branding photography isn’t just about headshots – it’s about creating a visual identity that drives growth, builds trust, and keeps you top of mind.

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.

More than 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.