Let’s be honest, seeing yourself through the lens of high-resolution photography can be daunting. Many of us are accustomed to the forgiving nature of Instagram filters or Zoom enhancements, which skew our perception of reality. This shift can make viewing unretouched headshot proofs a challenge. But I assure you, you have better things to worry about. Here are a few things to keep in mind for context. Straight Out of the Camera Headshot photographers, often show proofs that are straight out of the camera, with only minor adjustments for color and contrast. The goal is to capture a great image ..read more

As a professional photographer specializing in headshots and portraits, making the switch from Nikon to Canon was a decision that significantly impacted my workflow and the quality of my work. In this detailed blog post, I share my journey and insights on why the Canon R6 Mark II has become an indispensable tool in my photography business. If you're contemplating a switch to mirrorless or considering the R6 Mark II for your photography needs, this post is for you. For a more detailed exploration, make sure to watch the accompanying video where I dive deep into the features, accessories, and re ..read more

Welcome to the dynamic world of team sports banner photography, an essential element for high school and college sports teams to show their spirit and unity. Large format banners not only serve as a powerful display of team pride at games, competitions, and fundraisers but also play a crucial role in building morale among players and fans alike. Typically showcased on stadium fences or gym walls, these banners can range from 6 to 8 feet wide, offering a grand visual statement. Crafting the Perfect Team Banner The process of creating a team banner starts with understanding the size and composit ..read more

As we step into 2024, the question of what to wear for a headshot session remains as prevalent as ever. It's a topic I discuss repeatedly, given its importance, but it's crucial to remember that while your outfit plays a significant role, it shouldn't overshadow you. After all, you're not marketing the clothes. Achieving a wardrobe baseline where your attire fits well and aligns with your professional image is key. Beyond this, the focus shifts to capturing your essence through expressions. Remember, people rarely recall the specifics of what you wore in a headshot; they remember if you looked ..read more

You wouldn’t believe the range of expectations I see when it comes to retouching and your professional headshot. Many of my Detroit area clients and I are on the same page, but some do require some coaxing back to reality. This video covers my retouching philosophy along with a practical take on what we can and can’t correct in Photoshop, after the fact. I also touch AI retouching and where it makes the most sense to use. Learn more about corporate headshot options. Got more headshot questions? Check out the headshot FAQs ..read more

The Canon RF 100-300mm f 2.8 is quite the lens. It is certainly overkill for headshots, but I’ve really been enjoying it for photographing my son’s soccer games and my daughter’s dance team half time shows. They are no longer the eager models they used to be at home. The extra 100 mm of reach makes a big difference. And the build quality and refinements are at a whole new level relative to the current 70-200 2.8. A sample from the Canon RF 100-300 2.8, under the stadium lights at a halftime show in the rain! Check out the video for all my thoughts and observations on this amazing lens. In sho ..read more

As a headshot photographer, the idea of renaming your files to match your subject name seems simple enough, right? Well, it turns out that only until recently is it pretty easy to do. HeadshotTools.com is a new service that makes it incredibly easy to rename files by your subject names. I’ve been using HeadshotTools for a few months now and wanted to make a quick video on this topic. Benefits of Headshot File Naming by Subject Name It saves a lot of time after your session sorting out who’s who. Even in a small organization, the person who hired you might not know everyone. So having the f ..read more

Much of the art in corporate headshot photography revolves around the ability to produce a solid repeatable result in any location, at any time of day. So I thought I’d share one of my most trusted light setups. Is it fancy? No. Does it require a lot of expensive gear? Nope. My trusted setup is a medium umbrella with diffuser and a V Flat or reflector for fill. That’s it. Before you go crazy on all the fancy lighting equipment, work on mastering this setup first. You’ll learn a lot about lighting which will then put you in a much better position to actually understand and use any fancier setup ..read more

Are you stressing over the perfect background for to use for your company’s headshot standard? Or are you driving yourself crazy trying to find the right headshot background for your personal brand overhaul? When it comes to the headshot backgrounds, stop stressing and keep it simple. Let me explain. Making your images on a simple background opens up a ton of flexibility after the session. Headshot Studio Background Options While the possibilities are endless when it comes to headshot and portrait backgrounds in the studio, less is usually more. If your headshot will be for personal branding ..read more

Today we're diving deep into a topic that's been on my mind: how to look more experienced (older) in your professional headshot. But first, some context for those who might be doing everything possible to hide every last gray hair and wrinkle. Think of your age as a feature Many of my clients are seasoned experts in their respective fields, with years of hard-earned wisdom etched on their faces in the form of gray hairs and wrinkles. And let me tell you, friends, that's a badge of honor, not something to hide away. I get it, we all want to hold onto that youthful appearance from our 20s or 30s ..read more