MY BLOG
In today's visually-driven digital landscape, a striking headshot is your calling card. Whether it's for your LinkedIn profile, your website's "About Me" section, or your social media presence, your headshot speaks volumes about who you are and what you represent.
It's your chance to make a memorable first impression in a sea of online faces. But in the quest for the perfect headshot, some are turning to AI solutions, believing them to be a quick fix for professional imagery. However, here's why investing in a professional branding photographer is a far wiser choice.
Since late 2020, we’ve been embarking on a journey across the United States in our RV. It's not just about seeing the sights; it's about immersing oneself in the diverse tapestry of landscapes, wildlife, and people that make up this vast and beautiful country. Here are six profound lessons learned while traversing the byways of America.
Are you ready to take your brand to new heights? As someone utterly obsessed with my craft, I'm thrilled to work with remarkable service-based entrepreneurs like YOU who embody creativity, ambition, and compassion. Together, we'll capture the essence of your brand and bring your vision to life through stunning photography.
Here's why investing in professional brand photography will revolutionize your business:
In the heart of Chester, Virginia, lies the headquarters of Elite Force Staffing Company—a veteran-owned construction staffing company dedicated to excellence, integrity, and unparalleled service in the industry.
Recently, Elite Force embarked on a journey to enhance their brand identity and foster greater cohesion among their team members.
Michelle Newman radiates a warmth and authenticity that instantly draws people towards her. Our paths converged when I had the privilege of being a guest on her podcast and attending her retreat, and from those serendipitous encounters, a creative collaboration was born.
In the heart of the vibrant city of Scottsdale, Arizona, amidst the backdrop of desert landscapes, lies a story of resilience, transformation, and hope. Diana Parra, M.A., a Transformational Coach and Certified Grief Educator has dedicated her life to guiding women through the depths of grief and loss toward a renewed sense of self.
Through her personalized coaching and compassionate guidance, Diana helps her clients navigate the turbulent waters of loss and emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to embrace life once again.
In today's visually-driven world, brand photography has become crucial for businesses looking to stand out and connect with their audience. High-quality, authentic imagery can enhance your brand's identity and significantly impact your business growth.
Here are ten ways brand photography can help propel your business forward:
In a world often fixated on youth and perfection, there's something genuinely inspiring about embracing our strength at any age.
Today, I want to share the remarkable story of a courageous woman who defied stereotypes and stepped into the gym for a transformative portrait session. Meet Brooke, a vibrant 60-year-old whose journey through gym portraits captured her physical strength and symbolized a more profound journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
As a traveling brand photographer, I've witnessed countless individuals step before my lens, each with their own story. But there was something uniquely special about Brooke’s session.
Nervous yet determined, she arrived at the gym, ready to embark on a new adventure. Like many, Brooke hesitated to prioritize herself in the past, but today was different – today was about celebrating her journey, resilience, and confidence.
It’s so interesting to be in a different part of the country and experience spring in a whole new way. There are poppies and lupines everywhere, but not like the poppies I experienced back in Virginia. The wildflowers are so delicate and fragile especially next to the spikey cactus.
Last summer, we signed up for another summer of Workamping in Estes Park, Colorado. It’s absolutely beautiful and right next to Rocky Mountain National Park. Workamping is when you volunteer (usually between 16-24 hours/weekly) to help the National Park, State Park, Municipal Park, or Private Park run their domain/campground efficiently in exchange for a free spot that includes water, electricity, and sewer hookups. We do this primarily to get to coveted locations in nature.
We had Workamped three summers before and had enjoyed Estes Park immensely, so we decided to go back. We contacted the manager, Zelda, and she was thrilled to have us return, especially since we were already trained and familiar with the area. We signed a contract with her, committing from May 15 to September 15.
Rachel is an RYT 200 yoga instructor and holds additional yoga certifications across Buti Yoga, Primal Flow, Deep, Sculpt, Buti Bands, and HotCore. She believes knowledge is power and continually challenges herself to advance her career and teachings through continued education courses she completes annually. Her commitment to herself and the collective is,“I will never stop learning and growing.”
I met Rachel through a mutual acquaintance who helped me find models for the Creative Weekend play I had with Laura Dillon Rogers Photography. We were looking for women who could move and felt comfortable in front of the camera.
During our time together, Holly coached Sydney on a move with one of the flags and told Sydney she just had to believe she could do it. This struck me as the best advice for life. If we ‘believe’ we can do it, then we can. Having the courage to ‘believe’ is the first step to fully believing. It’s crazy how the shift in energy makes all the difference.
Laura Dillon Rogers Photography visited me from Charlottesville, Virginia, for a creative play weekend. Laura had the brilliant idea to reach out to the Scottsdale FORD/Robert Black Modeling Agency and see if any younger models needed test images for their portfolio.
The modeling agency connected us with Elena, who was available late in the afternoon and evening on a Saturday. We got lucky to work with Elena, an Arizona State University student and a seasoned model.
Elena has been a Ford Model since she was a young girl, and her beautiful mother is also a Ford Model. Elena’s mother attended the photoshoot with her; we were happy to have her expertise.
I want to photograph interesting people I meet in my RV travels. Having a nomadic life gives me a unique opportunity to meet interesting people.
We’re volunteering for the USFS at the Tonto National Forest this winter season. We enjoy our time here and getting to know the staff. One thing that struck me was that they had several females working. I asked the women if they would allow me to photograph them and answer a few questions. Fortunately, Cassidy and Vianney agreed. We met up one Sunday morning.
We created a Mood Board with inspirational images using FreeForm (a free Apple app). We photographed in Parago Park in Phoenix, Arizona. It was the first night of the full moon, and in the distance, we could hear a new moon ceremony with the steady beat of a drum.
Lia’s branding words convey what she wanted to accomplish with her branded portraits.
Capturing Movement
Mysterious
Feminine
Powerful
Luminous
When planning a branding photoshoot, selecting the right location is crucial. The location you choose sets the tone for your photos, and it can make or break the success of your shoot. Here are some reasons why location is key for your branding photoshoot.
In today's competitive business world, making a strong first impression is essential to success.
Your headshot is your calling card, and it has the power to create new, exciting professional opportunities.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a corporate executive, a creative professional, or anyone in between, your headshot is key to making you money.
I love what I do, but at the end of last year, I decided to break out of that mold and have some fun with my photography and clients. I wanted to invite them to come and “play” during an appointment that was all about them! That’s when I started the “40 Over 40 Celebration Project.”
As women, we are often bombarded with messages about what we should be: thin, beautiful, successful, and happy. These messages come from everywhere – the media, our families, our friends, and even ourselves. And when we don't measure up to these impossible standards, it can leave us feeling like we're not good enough.
Feeling like you don't measure up is a common experience. Whether in our personal relationships, careers, or appearance, we often feel like we're falling short. But why do we feel this way? And what can we do about it?
My girlfriend shared that her 22-year-old daughter wants to be anti-wrinkling cream because she is starting to see wrinkles on her face. It starts at a really young age - this young woman is supposed to be in the prime of her life. We easily become convinced that we don’t measure up.
Scottsdale, Arizona, is known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique culture. With so much to offer, it's no wonder that photographers worldwide flock to this desert oasis to capture its beauty.
Look no further if you're looking for the best locations in Scottsdale to be photographed.
Here are the top 5 locations that will leave you with memorable branded portraits.
First impressions matter more than ever in the fast-paced, interconnected world of professional networking. In the realm of LinkedIn, your profile photo is the virtual handshake that introduces you to potential employers, clients, and collaborators. It's the visual representation of your personal brand and can significantly impact how others perceive you. So, how up-to-date and impactful is your LinkedIn profile photo?
In a world saturated with image-centric platforms and a relentless pursuit of perfection, it's easy for individuals to feel overwhelmed by societal standards of beauty. However, as a branding photographer, I believe that true beauty lies in authenticity and confidence. I’ve found that embracing one's unique self can result in compelling and authentic brand visuals.
Here are the top 3 ways I help my branding photography clients show up in the most confident and unique way:
As a 55-year-old woman, I have learned many valuable lessons throughout my life. These lessons have been hard-earned through personal experiences, trials, and tribulations.
Looking back on my life, I realize that each experience taught me something new and helped shape me into who I am today.
I’m grateful to be alive!
In this blog post, I share my top favorite lessons.
On November 3, 2020, we left most of what we knew on the Presidential Election Day to live the RV Life full-time.
We sold close to everything and ‘burned the boat’ as they say. In hindsight, we wished we would have rented our house because of the home values and the interest rates have increased substantially.
We had two RV’s before we ventured out into full-time RV Life. We knew partly what we were getting into. Truth be told, we definitely got caught up in the romanticism of the RV Life: the freedom and the ability to see the diverse beauty of our country. We thought we would jump and the net would appear.
As with everything, it’s usually harder than you think it is, AND it’s more glorious than expected.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the world's most unique and exciting events. It is the biggest Hot Air Balloon event in the world.
Thousands of people gather in New Mexico every year to watch hundreds of hot air balloons take to the skies. And while the balloons themselves are certainly a sight to behold, there is another group of individuals who are just as crucial to the success of the event: the Zebras.
12 Years Being an Entrepreneur is a bumpy road, and it is also an incredibly rewarding one.
As an entrepreneur, you have the freedom to follow your passions and create something truly unique.
However, it’s not always easy, and there are many lessons to be learned along the way. As someone who has been an entrepreneur for over 12 years, I’ve learned a lot.
Here are 12 lessons that I think every entrepreneur can keep in mind.
As a business owner, you’ve probably heard of branding and the importance of a visual identity representing your business. You’ve seen your successful entrepreneurs have multiple branded portraits. It’s time to invest in you and your business. You’re the face of your business.
Branding is more than just having a logo, colors, and fonts. It’s about creating a consistent message that resonates with your audience and sets you apart from your competitors. And that’s where brand photography comes in.
As an author, you know how important it is to have a professional headshot. Not only does it help you look your best when meeting potential readers and fans, but it also helps promote your book and brand.
A professional portrait can make all the difference in presenting yourself as a serious author who is worth reading.
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of author headshots, what makes a good author headshot, what to wear for an author headshot, and how to pose for an author headshot.
For many of us, the idea of loving our bodies seems like an impossible feat. We're bombarded with messages from society telling us what we should look like, what we should eat, and how we should exercise. It's no wonder that we often feel like we're at war with our bodies. But it doesn't have to be this way.
As someone who once struggled with self-esteem and body image issues, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to love your body. But I also know that it's possible. It all starts with a decision to nurture feelings of confidence and self-love.
Planning Your Personal Brand
Free Resource
Are your images keeping up with your current personal brand?
Not sure about where to begin? I got your back! I’ve distilled everything you need to know into one handy, SIMPLE guide. Just click the Get it Now! Button to get my free guide!
In the competitive realm of medical aesthetics, projecting trust, expertise, and approachability is paramount for success. This is particularly true for plastic surgeons, whose online presence significantly influences patient perceptions and engagement. In today's digital age, where initial impressions are frequently formed online, prioritizing exceptional branding portraits for your plastic surgeon's office is not merely advantageous—it's imperative. Here's why: