The Power of the Author's Portrait: A Window into Literary Souls

In the world of literature, the author's portrait holds a unique significance, transcending mere aesthetics to become a powerful tool for connection and understanding. The portrait has the ability to humanize the literary figure into a tangible human presence. Well executed, it can transform the distant author into a relatable individual, fostering intimacy and empathy with readers. Through subtle expressions and contextual details, the portrait reveals essential facets of the author's identity and creative essence, enriching the reader's perception of their work. Beyond the simple dustcover portrait, in the digital landscape of today, author portraits continue to serve as digital ambassadors, enhancing visibility and branding across various platforms.

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a very close friend whose book on leadership will be her first foray into the world of writing. I was humbled that she chose me to create her author portrait and I hope you’ll find that we achieved the goals set forth above. I’d like to think this portrait truly captured her essence as a writer and as a person.

The Lecours Family's Unconventional Holiday Portrait

Valentine's Day is upon us and love is in the air! And what better way to show your love for your family than with an unconventional holiday portrait?!?!

That's exactly what the Lecours family did when they came to my portrait studio. They wanted a family portrait for their Valentine's Day card, instead of the usual Christmas or Hannukah card.

The shoot was full of surprises, especially with their 22-month-old son who was both wildly entertained and completely distracted by our 15-year-old German Shepard studio dog/photo assistant, Reno. I couldn't help but laugh as I saw the little boy's face light up with glee every time Reno came close to him. Reno, of course, can’t stand not being the center of attention, though he had to settle for being just out of frame as we shot.

To be honest, I was a bit worried that the strobe lights would be too much for the little guy, but he seemed to be quite amused by them. Maybe he thought they were a special effect for his entertainment? Who knows! In the end, the winning shot was one where he was staring straight at the huge 7’ strobe lit umbrella.

But of course, we all know that 22-month-olds have a pretty short attention span, so luckily for us, his grandmother was also on set to coax his attention away from the dog through a game of peekaboo. It worked like a charm, and we were able to get some great shots of the whole family.

It was refreshing to see a family not take themselves too seriously and try something different for their holiday card. And the result was a beautiful and fun portrait that perfectly captured their love for each other.

So if you're looking to do something different for your next holiday card, why not try an unconventional portrait? You never know, you might just end up with a photo that brings a smile to everyone's face.

At our studio, we're always happy to help you capture those special moments in a fun and creative way. Whether it's for Valentine's Day or any other holiday, we're here to make your family portraits unforgettable!

Outside the comfort zone: Putting myself in FRONT of the camera!

As a photographer, it's easy to get caught up in always being behind the camera, capturing moments and memories for others. But it's important to remember that being a model in front of the camera is just as crucial for growth and self-discovery. Here's why you should occasionally switch places and become the subject of your own lens.

1. Empathy for Your Models: When you are the model, you get a better understanding of how it feels to be in front of the camera. This can lead to greater empathy and understanding of your subjects, making it easier to guide and direct them to get the best results.

2. Improved Understanding of Light and Angles: By experiencing first-hand what it's like to be lit, positioned and angled in different ways, you can get a better sense of what works and what doesn't. This can result in more creative and effective compositions when shooting other subjects.

3. Personal Growth: Shooting self-portraits can help you explore and challenge your own insecurities and self-perceptions. This can be a liberating and empowering experience, leading to personal growth and increased self-confidence.

4. Break from Routine: Taking a break from your normal routine of always being behind the camera can be refreshing and help reignite your creativity. Experimenting with new poses, lighting, and settings can inspire you to approach your photography in new and exciting ways.

5. Building Your Portfolio: Finally, capturing images of yourself can add variety to your portfolio, showcase your creativity and skills, and provide a personal touch that clients and viewers can connect with. While I didn’t venture too far outside of my creative box for this shoot, I did find that one of my favorite portrait backdrops worked quite nicely for a business headshot. So there’s that. ;-)

In conclusion, taking the time to get in front of the camera every once in a while can have numerous benefits for photographers. It can provide new perspectives, improve technical skills, and lead to personal growth. So, don't be afraid to switch places and become the subject of your own lens.

Executive Portraits vs. Corporate Headshots: Key Differences

When it comes to professional photography for your business, you may have heard the terms "executive portrait" and "corporate headshot." While both are important for creating a professional image for your business, there are some key differences between the two.

Executive Portraits: Executive portraits are photographs that highlight the individuality of an executive or high-level manager. They are usually taken in a more formal setting, such as the executive's office or an outdoor location, and are meant to capture the personality and professional demeanor of the subject. They are clearly meant to be more individualized than a corporate headshot. These portraits are usually used on a company's website, in brochures, and in presentations to showcase the key people in the organization.

A good executive portrait photographer will strive to produce multiple looks and variations on framing and lighting to give the subject many options depending on their intended purpose. As such, these photo sessions tend to take considerably more time on location that a corporate headshot.

Executive portraits bring environmental cues to convey more about the personality and status of the subject.

Corporate Headshots: Corporate headshots, on the other hand, are photographs of all employees in a given company. These headshots strive for a consistent look, with similar lighting and background. This uniformity helps to create a cohesive and professional image for the company as a whole. Corporate headshots are typically taken in a studio or against a simple, neutral background, and are used for company websites, email signatures, and other corporate materials.

Corporate headshots are a quick and effective way to project the professional quality of a company’s workforce.

One of the key benefits of corporate headshots is that they can be easily reproduced when new employees are hired. By having a standard lighting and background setup, new headshots can be taken quickly and easily, ensuring that the look of the company remains consistent. An experienced corporate headshot photographer can produce high quality images in very little time.

Both executive portraits and corporate headshots are important for creating a professional image for your business. While executive portraits showcase the personality and individuality of key executives, corporate headshots provide a cohesive and consistent look for all employees in the company. By understanding the differences between these two types of professional photography, you can make informed decisions about how to best represent your business to the world.