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.

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.

One of the best parts about having a professional branding photoshoot is the fact that you end up with lots of great photos of yourself. My clients may walk into their shoots with me nervous about how their photos will come out, but because of my proven process, they are always excited about the results. I do a pre-branding session so we can customize their session and get key images they know they need. We also figure out if there are any props the client wants to include to help tell their brand story. 

Lots of photographers say they can do headshots. It’s the most basic type of photo any photographer takes. So it should be easy to choose any photographer to help you create a great headshot, right?

If you’re an entrepreneur who’s still using an outdated headshot, there are probably several reasons why. It’s possible that you don’t love having your photo taken (this is most people, by the way, so you’re not alone). It could also be that you’ve changed quite a bit since your last professional photos were taken (maybe your hair is grayer or you’ve put on a few pounds). This might also be something you just haven’t invested the time or money into, feeling like your current headshots are “good enough,” or still look enough like you that they’re fine.

Whether you are a chef, photographer, real estate agent, fitness coach, or marketing manager. your personal brand and your image are more important than ever. Branded photographs that are creative, artistic, modern, and eye-catching help your business stand out by telling your brand’s story and providing an authentic experience to your ideal clients.

Chances are good you’ve spent good money with an expert who’s helped you define your business brand. If so, you know which fonts, images, and colors define for the world exactly what your business does and who you are as the “face” of that business.

Chances are good you’ve spent good money with an expert who’s helped you define your business brand. If so, you know which fonts, images, and colors define for the world exactly what your business does and who you are as the “face” of that business.

The term, “small fish in a big pond” has never been more appropriate than it is right now in the world of small business online marketing. No matter how you market online (social media, your website, a blog, your podcast), chances are good you’re swimming in a very big pond with a lot of other people who are all vying for the attention of the same people you’re hoping to reach.

Personal branding has the power to greatly augment your success. It can set you apart from your competition, it can establish your credibility in your field, and it can be what cements relationships between you and your clients. It’s everything that you say, do, post. It’s how you carry yourself, how you interact with others and the impression that you make.

I thought I had paid attention. I hadn’t paid enough attention. There I was, in my naive cocoon, not even close to recognizing the full extent of my white privilege. 2020 was my wake-up call. Girls for a Change helped me see differently and gave me the opportunity to assist in the fight for the Forgotten Women.

Most of us probably have more about ourselves that we’d like to change than things we truly love. For example, lots of people don’t like their smiles. It’s not something they dwell on, but it becomes an issue when it’s time to get a headshot or have their picture taken with their loved ones. For someone who hates their smile, being told to smile or having someone shout, “Say cheese!” instantly creates tension and elicits something more akin to a grimace than an actual, genuine smile.

I was recently working in Richmond, VA, doing what I love to do best (capturing the perfect branding photos for corporations and entrepreneurs)! I noticed that lots of the clients with whom I was working didn’t like their smile. This could have adversely affected their shoot if we hadn’t identified and handled it before they stepped in front of the camera.

So, I thought I would share my favorite tips for feeling comfortable during your next photoshoot.

My previous beloved branding clients, Tek Chix, wanted to add to the marketing assets and update their branding images. Here are some quick lessons I learned while doing my first out of my home state of Virginia branding session. You can also apply these to your branding session, wherever you are at!

Lesson 1: Always do a site location preview the day before