Business Head Shots are a must have for professionals

How long do you have to catch a potential customer's attention?  30 seconds or is it 2 seconds?  What is your brand?  What do you want your image to convey?

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter or one of the myriad networking sites available today need to reflect your corporate aesthetic and professionalism.  Are you using just an anonymous shadow figure for your profile picture?  How can anyone start a relationship with that!  What judgement is your viewer likely to make about you and your business?

You work hard every day to generate new business, capture a piece of your market share and turn first time clients into lifelong customers.  If you present yourself in a non-professional manner (ever seen the pictures on Facebook with someone's arm around the shoulder?), how can your customer see you as a professional, especially if they are new to your business?  I have made it my business as a professional photographer to educate business owners of the importance of a professionally created business portrait, more commonly known as a "head shot".  Let me introduce you to just a few of the savvy business owners I have recently photographed for print publication, press releases, websites and social media pages.

 5 things to consider when you are planning Corporate photography and head shots.

1.  What is your goal?  Do you need head shots to create a coordinated look on your website?  Are you planning  photography for the next Annual Report or prepping for upcoming advertising campaigns?  Do you need images to feed social media?  Do you need just a quick head shot or do you need clothing changes to give you plenty of options for later use?

2. What is your timeline?  Do you need a new head shot this week or can you take time to plan a haircut (not too fresh!), gather colleagues for a head shot day at work or plan a photo shoot to fully tell the story of your company? 

 Plan appropriate amount of lead time.  Plan ahead for your project.  If you are planning photography for the next Annual Report, you may need more than a month to gather groups and plan photography at multiple locations.  If you are refreshing your new website or planning a head shot day at work, your timelines may be different.  Coordinate with your photographer!

3.  Clothing and accessories should reflect your company's goals. type of business and target demographic.   Clothing planned for a lawyer will be different than clothing worn by an artist or musician.  Your target demographic may come into the decision as well.  Do you target an older clientele or a younger market?   Don't forget jewelry!

4.  What is the photographer's style and expertise?  Can they photograph you using a backdrop as well as in the context of your business or building?  Do they use professional lighting and posing techniques to create the most flattering image?

5.  Professional retouching is not just the icing on the cake, it is necessary to realize the best representation of you and your company.  Professional retouching should include teeth whitening, some skin smoothing, removal of hair fly aways and more.  Background replacement, removal of distracting background elements may also be necessary.  Your photographer should be able to offer retouching and delivery of high resolution digital files.

Don't be a shadow figure!  Project the professional image your business deserves!

 

Find a professional on Thumbtack!

Getting seen on the internet seems like a never ending process for a busy small business owner.  I spend hours each week responding to new clients, answering questions and making sure my website and social media sites are up to date.  Sometimes I do well, other weeks (months?) can go by and I don't have enough hours in the day.

One service I recently joined has created some leads and has been useful to my business.  Thumbtack is a free service helping customers looking for a proscribed job or professional with the professionals in their area who may be able to do the job.  I have met new business head shot clients and families looking for photographers through Thumbtack.  It's not a sure-fire and sometimes the fit is not there, but it's worth a shot for the time you spend filing out the online profile. 

Check it out and let me know about your experience and any other online profiles you have found to be useful!

Images of Sommer on Thumbtack

Photo Gallery of Images of Sommer

High School Senior Portraits

High School Senior Portraits

There are times in one's life that photography marks a transition

 from one era to another.  Leaving high school for the world and a future beyond is one of those times!

I often  photograph really young children, right down to babies only a few days old, but you might not know I am just as happy to photograph high school seniors! 

 I loved my college experience at Towson University and University of Virginia and it is exciting to me to find out where my H.S. Seniors are heading!  I have photographed many of my seniors since they were babies and it has been truly an honor and a pleasure, as well as, a professional accomplishment to work with a young person that long!

 

Many high schools today permit outside photographers to submit portraits for the yearbook, often including additional casual portraits for pages in the yearbook reserved for the seniors.  

 

Here's a time line for high school seniors to consider! 

Formal Yearbook Portrait:

 Have your formal portrait taken in school generally in the spring of your junior year, with make ups often in the fall of senior year.  If you like the result, great!  If not, or if you want more personalized attention during this important session, consider scheduling your high school session during the summer and we will include the formal drape shot (black and midnight blue drapes are supplied).  Please be aware that the guys have to supply their own tux or suit.   

  

Your Portrait Session 

 

Most area schools need all photography for the yearbook in by Thanksgiving break, so you have time through out the summer and early fall for your portrait session!

  

Where?  At your home or any location in the area!  We have beautiful natural resources and cool urban settings which could make your portrait session a reflection of what you like to do and where you like to be!

Clothing?  You can choose to wear several outfits during your session.  We will discuss this during our initial consultation.

Props?  Yes!  Cars, sports gear, your guitar, etc.  We will discuss this at your initial consultation as well.

Style of Photography?  I use my artistry to reflect your personality; who the real "you" might be.  That is my goal and I work to get to know you during our time together.  I photograph in color, but often create images in black and white or use other photo art techniques in final production.

 

 

 

Liriodendrin Mansion goes Hawaiian!

On a sunny, warm summer day at Liriodendrin Mansion, Peggy and Mark brought the charm of the islands to Bel Air! This small wedding was a perfect celebration with family and friends at the palladian style mansion that was the summer home of one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Peggy's dress was handmade in Hawaii, perfect for the summertime tone of their wedding. Mark wore a beautiful Kukui Nut Lei, the first prayer beads of the Hawaiian people, and often worn during wedding ceremonies.  The bride and groom were meticulous in their planning, from the amazing flowers by Nancy Smith to the food selected and created by Dean and Brown caterers. The couple exchanged vows at the two centuries old St. Ignatius Church.  The guests were encouraged to join in with light and summery beach attire.  Mark created wonderful table cards, a lava rock display, among many other touches that brought Hawaii to Bel Air in July!

Small Weddings are Big in my book!

Danielle and Justin's Backyard wedding

I love the intimacy of a smaller wedding.  The focus is on the family and the bride and groom can spend so much more time with each of their guests.  This backyard was transformed into a beautiful venue for the perfect wedding at home with all the touches important to the couple's aesthetic style.