Heeeeeeey there fam! Fall is here and NO that does not mean buckets of pumpkin-spice lattes. It’s the perfect time for a family photo session. The vibrant leaves, decorative sweaters, and warm sun create a picture-perfect backdrop for capturing those special moments with your loved ones. But what to wear? Fret not! We’ve gotcha covered with some fabulous fall fashion tips that will help you look your best and make your holiday photos truly memorable. Embrace the Autumn Color Palette Fall is about rich and earthy tones. Think about those deep reds, warm oranges, rustic browns, and vibrant yell ..read more

It’s almost autumn portrait session season! To be honest, autumn photo sessions are one of my favorite types of family & couples portrait sessions! The season is pretty lengthy compared to shorter spring and summer flower seasons and the temperature is just right! I get quite a few inquires from parents hoping to have a session with their family for their holiday and new year nengajo cards. We’ll all sit together talking about where we’d do the photo session, with who, and how we can style everyone for our upcoming session. Then my ears perk when a parent warns me about their biggest co ..read more

Whether you’re a ballet, hip hop contemporary dancer, or any dancer looking to showcase your artistic athleticism, getting yourself out there to dance ensembles or tropes is imperative in growing your career. This post is here to help dancers create a list of the different types of images needed to get ahead. Naturally, having videos and copies of playbills of past and present choreographies will help directors make their selection but also having still images describing who you are and what you can do also prove very useful. Here is a list of things you can include in your very own portfolio ..read more

Last month I had such an amazing journey compiling the most common struggles I see my clients and potential clients have when putting themselves out there to their public and company-facing audiences. There were so many people I recognized from past events and even some former clients I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic. The best part of the day was knowing my good friend, Mari was there cheering me on. She was a key part of compiling a lot of my thoughts and ideas for this talk and having a person see this journey from start to finish was invigorating. My husband, Robert Millar, was also ..read more

While yes having a visual representation of yourself will absolutely take you far in becoming an actor in Japan, there’re also a few unique situations you’ll most definitely find yourself in on your quest to becoming an actor in Japan. This is especially true if you’re coming from another country or perhaps are prioritizing speaking English more so than Japanese. Let’s talk about how your actor’s headshots can play into becoming an actor here in Japan for several situations. Why You Need an Actor’s Headshot Actor’s Western-style headshot session First impressions: If you’ve had experience in ..read more

Halfway through every consultation I have with a business or corporate client for a headshot photo session, I hear the classic question, “What should I wear?” It’s not a dumb question nor an offputting one but namely an invitation to me to style my client or that the client is open to doing something outside of their comfort zone or day-to-day routine. It’s also an invitation to shop and explore, especially for clients who are moving up the corporate ladder or perhaps moving out to greener pastures. Here are a few tips I find myself sharing with both my male and female corporate and business ..read more

Cherry Blossom petals are almost in the air and it is the first time in four years Tokyo is permitting open use of parks and gardens for hanami celebrations. I’m sure a lot of you are planning a hanami picnic, a sakura photo session or BOTH! For many of us, we are in awe of the soft pink colors with the gorgeous blue skies. It would be a bit of a clash to wear something a bit out of sync with that soft ethereal backdrop. Here are some tips on how to dress for a cherry blossom photo session and hanami picnic. Choose Light & Pastel Colors Admiring the Full Bloom Spring is about pastel colors ..read more

Coming to Japan with the intent of becoming a model is a tempting journey. Especially for those who have done some previous modeling in their home countries. Being a bit of an outsider in terms of looks is absolutely an advantage. But what do you do?  Here are 5 tips for those interested in modeling in Japan Stylish hair, makeup and fashion high-end portrait session 1. Do Your Research As with anything new, it would be best to understand the market. Modeling in Japan works a bit differently than say in the US. For example, it’s normal for a model or any entertainer to have a manager sepa ..read more

Today we bring Black Breastfeeding Awareness week to a close. Thank you so much to Ritarsha Farqan and her amazing collection of black mothers who bonded over their stories of some hardships and benefits they experienced breastfeeding (and currently breastfeeding) their children. While in Japan photography has taken me on many journeys these few years. Some journeys are fun and full of laughter others can be hard and difficult to watch. Seeing 8 mothers laugh, cry and smile with each other, it was an honor to capture each new bond formed. Swimming with mermaids Just do it The joy of havin ..read more

How effective is your LinkedIn Profile Photo? Take a look at your LinkedIn profile photo. What message are you hoping to send to your audience? These audience members aren’t just your friends and family, these are potential clients, collaborators, vendors, etc. Pretty important people who will have to interact with you or interact with someone else on YOUR behalf. I don’t know about you, but in this virtual world where we’re most likely seeing each other from the chest up, I’d like to put my brand’s best foot forward when engaging with others online. Based on our experience of taking more tha ..read more