SIDEBAR

A Visual World It Is – Use it to Your Advantage!

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Jul 31 2017
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A high-quality studio portrait, or “headshot,” makes a big difference in how you and your business are being perceived. Remember – we live in a very visual world and people make up their minds about you based on a quick, visual first impression. If you create an initial, positive response from the viewer they become interested in learning more about you and your capabilities. What is a compelling professional portrait, then? It’s most effective when you look relaxed and approachable, yet professional and competent. Engaging the viewer, with a positive relaxed smile and great eye contact. It’s easier said than […]

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Business Portrait Sessions Should Be Fun

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Jul 20 2017
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While the goal with having your professional portrait or business headshot made is a serious one, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be a fun, pleasurable experience. In fact, you will simply look better – relaxed and approachable yet competent – if you feel comfortable during the shoot. And let’s face it, most people are not used to be in front of the camera, or perhaps even dread it from having their picture taken, rapid-fire-conveyor-belt-style, back in grade school, so it’s important to not rush things and take the time to do it right, in a relaxed atmosphere. So while […]

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Portraits that Tell a Story

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Feb 25 2017
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While there always will be a use for high quality studio portraits, environmental (or “on location”) portraits often can tell a more complete and compelling story about a person. Placing the person in the context of his or her work, craft, passion or aspiration tends to connect more with the viewer. Particularly for small businesses and sole proprietors, such as financial services firms, medical specialists, restaurants and bakeries, making the extra effort to create a powerful, compelling portrait on location often pays off very quickly. This portrait of stylist Emma Carter was made in her salon in downtown Raleigh, North […]

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Setting Up for a Successful Head Shot

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Feb 25 2017
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This blog post outlines some important steps for setting up and conducting a great head shot session. When photographing people who don’t stand in front of the camera for a living – like models and actors do – one of the most difficult yet important aspects of the shoot is to make the subject look and feel relaxed. Most everyone tenses up, from jawbones to shoulders all the way down to curled toes, and often it’s not even a conscious state, just something we as humans naturally tend to do when we want to “look our best.” Of course, it […]

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High-quality Environmental Portraits

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Feb 25 2017

Click! Let there be light. Not merely lots of light; more importantly the right light. High-quality environmental portrait photography depends largely on harnessing and directing light. And great portrait photography requires great light, and great command of it. That’s in my mind what Portraits with Purpose is all about – making purposeful studio and environmental portraits that in a truthful and impactful way through a single photograph communicate something meaningful and interesting about a person. In recent years I have largely focused on portrait photography. It’s been extremely rewarding for me and I’ve been very fortunate that my work also […]

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