Don't Hide Your Talents, Highlight Them with Photography

Highlighting Talents

Claire wanted images for her website to highlight the various aspects of her talents. At the time, she was mainly focused on her abilities as an artist and a jewelry maker. We discussed ideas, clothing choices, and potential poses. Claire had a genuine, authentic quality, which inspired me to use natural light and capture her in her own environment. She had a lovely home studio with all of her tools and equipment, so it made sense to shoot there.

Preparation and Adaptability

I consistently go into a shoot well-prepared by researching my client, having plenty of conversations with them, and having ideas for specific shots, vignettes, and backdrops, but I also leave room to let the magic happen. While shooting, I quickly adapt and let my natural instincts as a photographer kick in.

Capturing the Perfect Shot

One of my favorite shots of Claire is this one: We had been shooting for a while when I noticed the doors behind her. I asked her to open them to see what the natural light would do for us. When she opened the door, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the scene was. I’ve always been obsessed with Architectural Digest and the portraits they take of homeowners in their environments, and to me, this was exactly that. This also challenged my technical abilities because I had to figure out how to expose for the background while keeping Claire well lit from the front, all while maintaining the natural vibe I was going for.

The Magic of Photoshoots

Photoshoots are like that—you have a plan and you get those shots, but then the energy and the magic happen, and you get those surprise shots that you both love.

The Importance of Detail Shots

Something I want to mention about this series of shots is what I call the detail shots. They are not necessarily shots of the client; they are more focused on details—maybe the client's hands holding something, the tools being used, a product, or the work environment. Sometimes a client will want to focus just on the shots with them in it, but I use these shots to tell a complete story. When you begin to pepper your website, social media feeds, marketing materials, ads, and articles with more than client photos, the entire process and narrative become clearer. It’s just as important to have professional images of these things as it is of the people.

Personal Branding Photography Journey

I’ll always value this shoot and the time with Claire. I was doing Personal Branding Photography before I fully understood what it was, and even back then, I knew this fulfilled me. I take great pleasure in interacting with the client, getting to know them, understanding what they do and how they would like to be portrayed. Whether it's photographing individuals or entire teams, I make sure to research the whole project, consider the posing and backdrop, and compile the client’s story into a series of photos. It’s so satisfying for me as a photographer. It encourages me to get creative, think outside the box, and challenge my technical skills with the camera and lighting. Best of all, there is never a dull shoot—it’s always changing. Every client brings a different set of needs and ideals.

Variety in Shoots

Although this shoot is from a few years back, I wanted to share it to show the variety of the shoots I do. I enjoy onsite photography shoots as much as in-studio; it all depends on what suits the client best.

If you’re looking to capture the true essence of your brand with a professional photoshoot, whether for individuals or teams, contact me today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life.