I consider Headshots (whether for acting or for business) to be professional tools, with specific guidelines. With headshots, I opt for a clean backdrop with bright, flattering lighting, and a tight crop that frames your upper torso and face. Creative Portraits, however, are creatively free and really have no boundaries — I love shooting outdoors or using unconventional lighting setups (like spotlights or gels).

The short answer: wear whatever makes you feel good - whatever feels like you.

For Headshots, I encourage clients to bring one black top, one white top, one neutral top, and one colorful or textured top for variety.

Consider colors that match your eyes, compliment your skin tone, or contrast your hair (Keep in mind that, if you have black hair, a dark top and background will make your hair disappear. Instead, opt for lighter colors that will make your hair pop).

You can browse the gallery above for inspiration from my previous clients, and check out this Pinterest board I made for more Headshot color theory and wardrobe guidance:

https://pin.it/4ZBm09Zek

Each “look” can just be an outfit change, or it can involve a different hairdo, different makeup, and a backdrop and lighting change. The idea is that two different looks will be your calling cards for two different genres or two different characters.

Well, this calls for a bit of self-reflection. Think about the roles that you typically go out for, or the dream roles that you want to play. What would that character’s headshot look like? Each of us contains multitudes, and a single “look” is just a snapshot of one of our dominant personality traits or personas.

That said, I think a little bit goes a long way with portraits. You don’t have to wear a leather jacket to be tough. A person in a blouse can be tough, and so can a person in a tee. You also don’t have to present “tough.” I believe, if you just wear what feels natural to you and relax into yourself, the many different aspects of you will naturally surface in the photos.

All I ask is that you are present with me - the rest will follow!

This is totally a personal preference! The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and authentic, so if you hate wearing makeup, maybe just opt for a lightweight tinted moisturizer or some sheer powder to reduce shiny spots.

I like to do my own minimal makeup because I feel confident in my ability and I prefer to do it myself.

On the other hand, if you’re envisioning a specific look that you don’t feel confident achieving on your own, I think a HMUA is a really worthwhile self-investment. Check out my recs under the “Need Something Extra” block above.

The best headshots are ones that actually look and feel like you. I always remove blemishes, even-out skin tone, remove stray hairs, and brighten eyes. As a rule of thumb, anything that’s not permanent or part of your natural charm gets gently retouched.

My goal is to help you put your best foot forward, and that still means looking authentically like you.

Generally, yes! You are always welcome to bring someone that will make you feel comfortable and supported, whether that’s a friend, spouse, or parent - whoever you choose!

For headshots, however, I ask that any friends, parents, partners, or managers hang out in the living room while we shoot; this is just because my home studio is itty bitty, and I find that clients are actually more at ease without an audience.

While I’m totally down with your mom, manager, momager, or bestie snapping a few day-in-the-life shots, I ask that they stay out of the studio during the headshot session. This is just because my home studio is itty bitty, and I find that my clients have a harder time relaxing when there’s an audience.

Final edits will always be delivered in a downloadable online gallery, the link to which I’ll deliver via the email you provide. Gallery delivery time depends on the type of photoshoot, so I encourage you to refer to the details of the specific session you booked.

If you booked any kind of headshot session, yes! Because headshots are so specific, I always defer to you to narrow down your favorites. In all other sessions, however, I’ll choose the best photos for you. (This is because the galleries I deliver are so large!)

If you booked any kind of headshot session, yes! Because headshots are so specific, I want you to keep all of your unedited shots, just in case your needs change down the road - this way you can always have a different shot edited later, without having to book a whole new session.

In all other sessions, however, I’ll choose the best photos to edit for you. This is because the galleries I deliver are already so large, and editing is important. I consider it unprofessional to leave a client with anything less than a finished product, and the unedited photos do not reflect the final product.

I like to do Headshots in my tiny home studio, but Creative Portraits can really be anywhere! We could stage a shoot in the city, in nature, at your home office, or even in a studio rental of your choice. I usually host Couples and Family Photoshoots outdoors or in a studio rental of your choice, just because it’s often more meaningful to you and because my home studio is too small for groups.