Headshots are out Branding is In
Over the years, I’ve gotten more headshot requests than I can count. And listen, I’ve got nothing against headshots—they’re like taxes. Annoying, but at some point, we all need ‘em. The problem? For me, headshots are where creativity goes to curl up in the fetal position and die. Honestly, I can feel my soul leaving my body the minute I think about setting up that basic gray background.
Now, here’s the kicker: headshots can bring in some serious cash. I’m talking “maybe I’ll finally pay off that credit card” money. But, no matter how many zeroes you dangle in front of me, I just can’t bring myself to do it. It’s like being offered a gourmet meal when you’ve got the flu—sure, it’s good, but you still feel kinda gross.
Then, one day a few years back, I got this random inquiry. I don’t know what possessed me—maybe sheer boredom, or maybe the universe was whispering in my ear—but I decided to respond with, “Hey, what if we made these funheadshots?” Keep in mind, back then we weren’t even calling them “branding” photos yet. Yeah, I’ve been in the game that long. I promised the basics—your standard, smile-and-wave headshot—but I convinced them to let me take a few ‘fun’ shots, too.
Spoiler alert: this story isn’t even about that session. That was like, six to eight years ago! (I swear I’m not old, but time flies when you’re not doing headshots.)
Fast forward to that session. I show up, camera in hand, ready to break the headshot mold. We start with the basics—y'know, the classic “pretend you're not uncomfortable” headshot. I’m doing my usual, polite photographer thing—“Chin down, shoulders back, perfect… try not to look like you’re being held hostage.” But the whole time, I’m waiting for the fun to kick in. So, after a few clicks of standard-issue boring shots, I hit ‘em with, “Alright, let’s mix it up. How about we get weird with it?”
And, man, let me tell you—something shifted. It was like they’d been holding their breath this whole time and suddenly realized, "Oh, I can actually be a person in front of the camera." We start playing around. They loosen up, I loosen up. I’m cracking jokes, they’re laughing, we’re getting goofy. At one point, they threw on a ridiculous hat, and next thing you know, we’re capturing personality, not just another LinkedIn headshot.
Suddenly, the whole vibe changed. It wasn’t just about capturing their "professional side"—it was about capturing them. And that’s when it hit me: this, right here, was the kind of work I wanted to do. Not just because it was fun (though it totally was), but because I could see their real selves coming through. They weren’t just trying to look "employable"; they were showing up as humans. There’s nothing like watching someone’s face light up when they realize they’re allowed to be a little silly, a little raw, a little real.
Long story short, by the end of that session, I was buzzing. I’d gone from dreading another boring shoot to walking away with something I was genuinely proud of. And more importantly, the client loved it. They got the headshots they needed—but they also got to have some fun, too. It was a win-win. That day changed my approach to photography, for sure.
Branding Now
So here I am, years later, fully immersed in creating brands for small business owners—and let me tell you, I fucking love it. Seriously, it’s like I found the sweet spot where my passion for photography and my desire to help people collide in the best way possible. There’s just something about working with these badass entrepreneurs who are out there grinding every day, trying to carve out their space in the world.
I get to help them communicate exactly who they are and what they’re all about—not just through some cookie-cutter headshot, but by capturing the essence of their brand, their energy, and their story. Sometimes, we’re in full-on brainstorm mode, and we’ll dive deep into what they want to show the world about themselves. We narrow it down, get crystal clear on their message, and that? That’s the magic. When we hit that moment where everything clicks, it feels like we’ve unlocked the door to their entire vibe, and it’s absolutely the best part of what I do.
And honestly, I think it’s because I, too, am a small business owner that I really get it. I understand the hustle, the long hours, the endless juggling of ideas and tasks. I know firsthand how much it means to have someone in your corner who gets your vision and wants to help you bring it to life. It’s not just about taking pictures; it’s about empowering them, giving them the tools and confidence to step into the world and say, "Yeah, this is me, this is my business, and I’m ready to own it."
Every time I see their faces light up when they see the final shots, or when they tell me how much more confident they feel about their brand, it’s like a little electric jolt of joy. I’m not just helping them look good on camera—I’m helping them step into their power. And honestly? There’s nothing better than that.
