Why Professional Headshots Matter More Than Ever

Hey there, rockstar! We all know you're amazing. You've got the skills, the talent, the drive to make a difference. But in today's digital world, how do you show the world that awesomeness? That's where professional headshots come in, and trust me, they're the perfect tool to unleash your inner superstar.

Paul Cleckner, passionate interim CEO of American Bible Society, dedicated to helping others engage deeply with God's word.

Think of your personal brand as your superpower – a unique force you want to unleash online with confidence. Professional headshots are more than just a fancy picture; they're a megaphone for your awesomeness, amplifying your voice and grabbing attention. Here's why having professional headshots is your secret weapon for personal branding domination:

Shine Bright, Build Trust: First impressions are your chance to sparkle! A blurry, pixelated photo might leave people scratching their heads (not in a good way!). High-quality headshots show you take pride in presenting your best self, and that translates into serious trust and credibility. Imagine you're networking online – would you be more likely to connect with someone who radiates confidence in a polished headshot, or someone whose profile picture is a grainy shot from college? Easy choice, right?

Stand Out From the Crowd: Let's face it, the online world is a bustling marketplace. But with professional headshots, you can instantly elevate your profile and become a magnet for attention. Picture this: polished visuals set you apart from the masses, making you appear approachable, professional, and ready to conquer your goals.

Boss Your Online Presence: These days, a strong online presence is your launchpad to success. Professional headshots are a must-have superpower for your website, social media channels, and even online portfolios. Consistent, high-quality visuals across your platforms create a cohesive brand identity that's impossible to forget.

Leave a Lasting Impression: Visuals are powerful storytellers. A great headshot can capture your personality, warmth, and infectious professionalism in a single glance. It's that extra something that makes people remember you long after they've seen your profile, leaving a lasting impression that screams, "This is someone I want to know!"

Build Strong Connections: Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or corporate titan, building strong relationships is your secret sauce for success. Professional headshots can help you appear more approachable and trustworthy, paving the way for positive client interactions and epic collaborations.

The Digital Age Advantage: We live in a world where attention spans are shorter than a goldfish's memory. People are bombarded with information on a daily basis. High-quality, eye-catching visuals are your superpower for grabbing attention fast and keeping people engaged with your online content. Remember, captivating visuals are like a magic trick – they make people stop, look, and want to learn more about your amazing self.

Choosing Your Perfect Partner: Ready to unleash your inner superstar with professional headshots? Here are some tips to find the photographer who'll be your sidekick:

• Experience is Your Ally: Look for a photographer with a proven track record of creating stunning personal branding visuals.

• Customization is Key: The best photographers become your personal hype squad. They'll work with you to understand your brand and tailor the shoot to capture your unique personality and style.

• Technology Matters: Don't settle for outdated equipment. Opt for a photographer who uses cutting-edge technology to ensure your headshots are modern and impactful.

• Read the Reviews: Check online reviews and testimonials to get a sense of the photographer's professionalism and their ability to make clients feel comfortable and confident.

• Invest Wisely: Yes, cost is a factor, but remember, you're investing in your personal brand superpower. Prioritize quality to ensure you get headshots that truly represent you at your best.

The Takeaway: You Are Amazing. Show the World!

Professional headshots are no longer a luxury – they're the ultimate tool to showcase your amazing self in today's digital world. By investing in quality visuals, you're taking control of your online narrative and unleashing your awesomeness on the world. So ditch the blurry selfies and outdated photos, and let your professional headshot tell your story. Remember, you deserve to make a lasting impression, and with the power of a picture, you can. Now go out there and show the world what you're made of – you are amazing!

From Layoff to Love

3 Takeaways from My Headshot Hustle

So, picture this: I had this sweet gig, doing what I loved with an awesome crew, great bosses, decent cash flow, international travel, and all the workplace perks. Life was pretty good until the dreaded pink slip came my way. Cue the sad music and a whole lot of soul-searching. But hey, in every storm cloud, there's a silver lining, right? Turns out, my time at American Bible Society wasn't just about fundraising and meetings. Nope, it's the place where my love for capturing headshots came to life. Here are three nuggets of wisdom I picked up along the way:

Awesome headshot of Rob Giorgio, my former colleague, now rocking it at The Agency Network at MJH Life Sciences! He's killing it in his new role!

1. Nailing the Tech Stuff (and the Essence)

Okay, so let's get one thing straight – taking a headshot isn't just about pointing and shooting. There's a whole bag of tricks involved. I'm talking lighting, angles, and all that jazz. During my ABS days, I dove headfirst into mastering the technical side of things. It was trial and error, my friends. But eventually, I figured out how to work that camera like a boss. Yet, here's the kicker – a good headshot isn't just a pretty picture. It's a snapshot of someone's vibe, their essence, their whole deal. So yeah, mastering the technical stuff is essential, but capturing that spark? That's where the magic happens.

2. Getting Chatty (Even if You're More of a Quiet Type)

Now, let's get real for a minute – I'm about as introverted as they come. Small talk? Not exactly my jam. But you know what? Life has this funny way of throwing you into situations that force you out of your comfort zone. For me, one of those situations was headshot photography. Suddenly, I found myself face-to-face with people I barely knew, tasked with capturing their essence in a single frame. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least. But here's the thing I discovered – connection is everything. As uncomfortable as it was at first, I realized that opening up, even just a little, could make all the difference. So, I took a deep breath, mustered up some small talk, and you know what? It wasn't so bad. In fact, it was kinda liberating. Turns out, people are pretty awesome when you give them a chance. So, to all my fellow wallflowers out there, take it from me – sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is the best thing you can do. Who knows? You might just make someone's day with a killer headshot and a killer convo.

3. Sweating the Small Stuff

Here's the deal – details matter. Like, a lot. It's the little things – fixing stray hairs, adjusting the lighting, tweaking the pose – that take a headshot from meh to marvelous. I learned to obsess over the details. I'm talking zooming in, scrutinizing every pixel kind of obsession. And you know what? It paid off big time. Because when you sweat the small stuff, you end up with headshots that turn heads. So yeah, don't skimp on the details, folks. Trust me, they're the secret sauce to killer headshots.

So, there you have it – my journey from layoff to love. Absolutely, being handed that pink slip was like a punch to the gut. But hey, sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you gotta roll with the punches. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, that curveball will lead you to your true calling. As I embark on this new chapter, I'm reminded that every setback is an opportunity in disguise. So keep hustling, keep snapping, and never underestimate the power of a killer headshot. It might just be the start of something incredible.

From darkness to the light.

How Stunning Portraits Illuminate the I WANT TO KNOW Campaign Story.

The Brief

Bible translation alliance illumiNations has a mission: reaching the more than 1 billion people alive today without a Bible in their language. It’s a mission so big that you can barely wrap your mind around it! But when illumiNations asked me to capture photographs that could tell the story of 1 billion Bibleless people, I jumped at the chance to take on this once-in-a-lifetime project.

The Process

The theme of the illumiNations campaign was “I Want to Know.” Its overall messaging was serious–after all, 1 billion people without the Bible in their language is a serious problem. But there were also elements of hope, and an opportunity for people across America to respond to this campaign by supporting Bible translation work. As the lead photographer on this project, I got to sit at the table with some of the best in the business to help shape this campaign. We had several models from language groups without the Bible lined up to work with us. Our creative partners knew they wanted powerful portraits of each person. The only question was how to create the perfect picture that could visually communicate the need for Bible translation. 

As a photographer, I was thrilled with the task of brainstorming how to take these portraits to the next level. I believe that the human face can often tell the most compelling stories. There’s nothing quite as moving as a good portrait–whether it’s in an art museum, on a billboard, or on a LinkedIn profile. And as a big fan of both photography and the Bible, I also know all about the importance of light and darkness. These ideas merged into a creative vision that shaped our approach to this campaign. 

I started with a dark, simple background, which helped our models appear as if they were emerging out of the darkness and into the light. I kept a tight focus on each model’s face, bringing the viewer up close and personal. I also spent time helping our models communicate their stories with their expressions. As a photographer, I have learned that expression coaching is a key part of any good portrait photography skill set. Many times, the slightest prompts can result in a completely different expression–and a completely different story. I helped our models communicate the weight of the need for Bible translation without accidentally expressing the wrong emotions like sadness, anger, fear, or pain. The result is a set of high-quality portraits that tug on your heartstrings as you make eye contact with each model. 

Once we had our portraits, we used my creative vision as the jumping-off point for our videographer. His video interviews with our models mirrored my portraits, expanding their stories in a new way. Together, we created all the visual assets for a clean and cohesive campaign that perfectly complemented our models’ stories.

Sample Facebook Feed ads conceptualized by Haven, the marketing agency behind Illuminations’ “I Want to Know" campaign.

The Result 

In 2021, illumiNations launched the national campaign, which was billed as the largest awareness campaign ever for Bible translation. In addition to digital and print ads and billboards, my portraits were featured on multiple news sites, shown in ads at conferences, and highlighted in major donor communications. Getting the press attention and seeing my photographs on billboards was unforgettable, but I’m more proud of the way this campaign helped people consider the needs of others through simple, powerful portraits. 

Let’s Capture Portraits That Tell Your Story! 

Behind every brand or campaign are people–even if it’s just you, promoting your own personal brand! Keeping people front and center through portrait photography can help you tell your story. Whether you need a creative vision for a multi-million dollar ad campaign, new LinkedIn headshots that can show people who you really are, or coaching on how to look your best in photos, I’m here to help tell your story.

A Door of Hope

Capturing the Essence of Your Nonprofit: A Guide to Creating Impactful Videos.

The Brief

When it came time to plan their annual fundraising banquet, pregnancy center A Door of Hope had a bold vision. They wanted a video that could introduce their donors to one of the women whose life changed through their generosity–someone who truly captures the heart of A Door of Hope’s mission. I was excited to team up with A Door of Hope and share the story of Lily, a new mom who changed her mind after taking an abortion pill and chose life instead! 

The Process

In each video I create, I help position my subjects as the heroes of their own stories. With Lily, this was easy to do! She’s an amazing woman with an incredible story to tell. My only job was using my nonprofit storytelling skills to help her feel empowered to share her story on camera. 

Creating a comfortable environment was essential to capturing Lily's authentic essence on camera.

Just like real estate, location is a key factor in nonprofit videography. My first choice is to shoot videos in my subject’s home, which often helps them feel more comfortable and adds a personal touch to the video. But when that option wasn’t available for Lily, we transformed a small conference room at A Door of Hope into a dining room, complete with warm lighting and thoughtful details. The location didn’t distract from Lily’s story. Even better, it helped her relax and set the stage for our conversation.

Being on camera doesn’t come naturally to most of us–me included! The lights, the lenses, and the teleprompters can make anyone freeze. As an expert in nonprofit videography, I know that people like Lily can tell us the stories we need to hear. That’s why I want the video process to feel as natural as possible. I prefer one-on-one interviews to teleprompters or scripts. Many times, this conversational style uncovers hidden gems that stick with your donors forever. Lily and I spent the first few minutes of our shoot making small talk. By the time the cameras started rolling, her beautiful personality and excitement to be a mom were shining through–guaranteeing that donors would not only hear about the difference they made, but actually see it written all over her face! 

Once our interview was over, we spent time recreating scenes of Lily’s first visit to A Door of Hope to show donors the kind of care their support provides. I tied Lily’s footage together with B-roll, music, and a clear call to action, making one complete story for A Door of Hope donors to enjoy.

“We love these videos! I think when people donate, they will be thinking of Lily’s pretty face. That has a huge impact.”

— Rachel Metzger, Executive Director of A Door of Hope

The Result

When Lily’s video premiered at A Door of Hope’s banquet, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. 300 donors witnessed the difference they made in one person’s life in a way they’d never experienced before. They responded by giving $80,000 to continue supporting moms like Lily, which was a 10% increase from A Door of Hope’s previous banquet! By investing in this video, A Door of Hope has a piece that can inspire their donors for years to come. 

Let’s Inspire Your Donors Together! 

One of the best ways to capture the heart of your nonprofit is to let those you serve speak for themselves. The power of a good video is that it not only tells the story, but it shows the difference your donors make. A nonprofit video can elevate your website, email campaign, or fundraising event and help donors connect with your mission in a new way. 

If you’re seeking an experienced videographer in the Greater Philadelphia area, I’d love to see what we can make together.

American History in a New Light.

Inviting Visitors into Your Space: The Art of Photography at the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center

The Brief

When award-winning design studio Local Projects began planning the $60 million Faith and Liberty Discovery Center in historic Philadelphia, they knew they wanted to document the journey. But with 40,000 square feet of gallery space, this was not your average interior photography project. I was honored to take on the challenge of bringing this new attraction to life! 

The Process

As staff photographer for American Bible Society, I was right upstairs from the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center. This gave me unique access to the space and helped me capture its entire journey from idea to reality. I was there from groundbreaking to opening day, striking a visual balance between the center’s key components of faith, American history, and cutting-edge technology.

During construction, I donned my hardhat and shot half-finished galleries with the goal of helping stakeholders feel like they were right there with me. I spent hours getting to know each high-tech gallery, including immersive listening booths and interactive theaters. Some might say I was having too much fun–and they’d be right! But I was also able to confidently coach models on how to interact with each exhibit in a way that showcased its advanced technology. As the construction crew added finishing touches to Local Projects’ stunning design, I captured the character and detail of the interior spaces, as well as the design and the historic location of the museum’s exterior. 

Throughout this whole process, I kept future visitors in mind: school groups on a field trip; grandparents on a day out with their grandkids; first-time visitors to Philadelphia. What was most important for them to see? How could I help them envision themselves in this space? And how could I get them excited about visiting this one-of-a-kind museum? These questions helped me go beyond commercial space photography and create something truly unforgettable.  

As the only person who’s photographed every square inch of the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, you can believe me when I say there’s nothing else like it. Capturing it through photography was one of the biggest projects of my career to date, but I’m happy to say that the final photos speak for themselves. 

The Result

Photo of the Welcome Gallery at the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center

By the time the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center opened to the public in 2021, I had created an extensive collection of high-quality photos that you still check out on the center's website. The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center used my photos in its initial marketing campaigns, and the folks at Local Projects were thrilled to have such a huge library of visual content that documented their project from start to finish. And when Local Projects and the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center were shortlisted for a Dezeen Award, my photos showcased the interior and exterior space. 

Let’s Invite People into Your Space! 

Real estate photography doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can tell a compelling story. Whether you’re curating a multi-million dollar museum, a corporate office space, or a cozy AirBnB, your customer should be able to picture themselves there. And as a photographer in the Greater Philadelphia area with 10 years of experience, I know we can make something unforgettable together.