Calling the Class of 2027

I can’t believe I am using the year of 2027! Isn’t it incredible how time moves so quickly? You are or you have a rising high school senior who will graduate in the spring of 2027. How amazing is that! It’s already time to start planning out your senior photo session if you want it done this summer. Slots are beginning to fill up already. [Contact Me]

Having a high school senior photo session is a rite of passage. It captures the essence of who you have grown to become and freezes it in time to be enjoyed by family and friends - and to serve as a milestone to be preserved for generations.

I say this with all concern; choose your photographer wisely. I can’t tell you how many parents I have spoken to who went with a friend or someone who does it on the side and on the cheap - and who ultimately ended up disappointed with the quality and variety of photos captured. As a profession portrait photographer, I understand the challenges and demands of photo sessions and what it takes to capture memorable portraits that deserve to be displayed - albums, wall art, prints… that are all produced with archival inks on archival papers that won’t fade or produce colors that are not true to life. There is nothing more rewarding as a photographer than delivering printed portraits that are in albums or to go on client’s walls and seeing the smiles on their faces at the moments captured. And, of course, there’s mom who cherishes that certain one with just the right [authentic] smile that captures the essence of their child.

So, if you’re ready to start planning, you can call me directly or you can submit an interest form and I will call you at your convenience. As a full service photographer, we will book a date together and then plan a home consultation with you and your senior to plan out a fabulous session. We will talk about location, outfits, logistics as well as answer all of your questions to ensure the session knocks it out of the park!

Click here to find out more and see samples of my high school senior photography in the Pittsford and greater Rochester, NY area.

Environmental Portraits: The Dental Office

Did you know that the human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, making visuals essential for storytelling, branding, and marketing? We have all experienced searching and scrolling through content only to stop in our tracks because there is a photo or image that compels us to. Strong imagery can create lasting impressions, enhance engagement, and drive decision-making by triggering emotional and psychological responses. In branding, compelling visuals help establish identity, reinforce values, and differentiate from competitors. Whether in photography, design, or video, well-crafted imagery has the ability to inform, inspire, and influence audiences on a deep, instinctual level.

Environmental branding portraits are different from regular studio portraits or headshots. They blend professional imagery with authentic workplace settings to visually communicate a brand’s identity, values, and culture. These portraits go beyond traditional headshots by incorporating contextual elements that reinforce a company’s mission, industry and brand. By capturing individuals in their natural work environments, they create a sense of authenticity, approachability, and professionalism, helping businesses establish trust and credibility with their audience. Additionally, they provide engaging, storytelling-driven visuals that can enhance marketing and social media presence.

I was chosen by Culver Ridge Dental to craft some environmental portraits for just the afore mentioned reasons. When selecting a dentist and dental clinic, imagery is of utmost importance. Poor quality photos neither inspire nor assure potential clients that they are making a good choice. Some business even resort to purchasing stock images to represent them and their brand. This can sometimes work for smaller details but clients can tell immediately that what they are seeing and experiencing in person does not match what they see online and this only communicates inauthenticity and distrust.

So, how well are you being represented in digital spaces? Did you skimp on visual branding and imagery? Are you missing opportunities because of it?

It’s your brand.

Represent it with the excellence that it deserves.

How Much Should You Pay For Headshots??

credit: Jo Guldi, Flickr

Wow… now there’s a loaded question.

There is no denying that a high-quality headshot creates a powerful and positive first impression, whether on LinkedIn, a company website, or other platforms. It conveys professionalism, approachability, and attention to detail. The headshot may well determine if someone moves on to another profile or takes your profile seriously.

Now, there is no doubt that in this domain you get what you pay for. Yes, you may find people who do great work and don’t charge professional pricing, often because they just aren’t running a business. Photography is something that they do on the side when they have the time. However, what also often accompanies this scenario is a no-frills approach - very little service - just a good product. That is fine if that’s all you need and the product meets your need.

However, here are some things to consider...

1. A professional photographer offers a pre-shoot consultation to discuss and plan out the best outfits, colors, backgrounds, poses, expressions, etc… to achieve the desired look(s) and help you look your best.

2. Professional photographers are skilled in lighting, angles, and composition, ensuring that your best features are highlighted and that the image is both flattering and engaging. Does their portfolio reflect this? Do they have a portfolio?

3. A professional photographer works with you to align the headshot with your personal or corporate brand, ensuring it communicates the right message to your audience. The importance of this is not to be underestimated.

4. Professional photographers offer professional and custom level retouching.

5. Professional photographers offer background changes and perhaps even composites to provide custom looks and variety to maximize your investment. *(see image below)

6. Professional photographers have the proper equipment to set up custom lighting to achieve desired looks, whether the headshots are to be done in studio or on location.

7. Professional photographers use proper equipment and editing software to deliver images with superior clarity and sharpness, suitable for both digital and print use.
   
   

How backgrounds can alter the feel and message of a headshot

In Raphal Wegiel’s recent post, The Neglected Element of Branding: Why Great Headshots of Your Team Matter, he explains perfectly the power of a great headshot:

“A well-executed headshot does more than showcase a face—it conveys confidence, approachability, professionalism, and trustworthiness. These are qualities every company wants to associate with their brand. A great headshot can make your CEO appear visionary, your managers seem competent and approachable, and your employees shine as valuable, happy contributors to your mission.

High-quality headshots create a cohesive visual identity for your team, enhancing your brand’s credibility and consistency. They humanize your company, making it more relatable to clients, investors, and partners.”

It happens far too often that I am looking at company or individual profile online and am shocked by the lack of quality, professionalism and branding care in the headshots and company portraits that I see. It definitely causes me to question the quality of their services. I am sure, as a professional photographer, that I notice things that others may not. However, there is no denying the feeling of confidence and respect one feels when seeing individuals and companies well represented with high quality photos.

So, back to this post’s title. How much should you pay for headshots? I think the answer is, how much to you care about the power of your visual impact? In today’s highly visual and digital landscape, it’s no trivial detail to be tacked on at the end.

Invest in YOU!

High School Class of 2024 Seniors!

It’s beginning. You are becoming a high school senior!! Scary, exciting, and maybe a little intimidating, for sure! With all of the things you will have to think about, plan for, and make happen, getting your senior photos done should not be one more added stress to worry about.

Graduating from high school represents a significant milestone in one's life, and senior photos are a great way to commemorate this wonderful milestone. As well, since friends and family are both such an important part of this critical year, senior photos help you both celebrate and share this big year with those who mean the most to you and who have helped you become the amazing person that you are today.

Working with a professional photographer to make all of this happen can take such a huge stress off of everything. Here are some reasons worth considering.

1. Creating high-quality images that last a lifetime requires the skills, experience, and equipment that a professional photographer possesses.

2. You want your unique personality and style to shine through. This involves thinking about outfits, colors, interests, location, lighting, posing, expert editing and so much more. We will talk about all of this along with exploring locations in the Pittsford and greater Rochester area that you might want to consider.

3. You want your amazing photos to look great on display and last a lifetime! You don’t want to trust all of this effort and significance to a budget printer or be left with some digital files that get lost when your computer crashes. High quality prints, wall art and albums ensure that you come away with something that you can display, share and cherish for generations.

4. I take the time to meet with you in person and plan all of this out. During the photo session I make sure that you look great. We meet again in person to look at your photos and help you select the ones that best represent you. We talk about the best products that suit your needs. I then finalize editing and send off your photos to a professional lab for production. When I receive them, I inspect them for quality before delivering them to you. Through all of this, I arrange with you to meet in your own home at times that are convenient for you and your family.

All of this this allows you to focus on enjoying this important moment in your life, rather than worrying about the logistics of the photo shoot and whether you’ll like your photos or not. Give me a call to discuss your high school senior photo session. My schedule is filling up, so if you want the best choice and most flexibility, complete the form below and I’ll give you a call! You can also learn more here.

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We Got Published!

We are excited to have some photos selected and published with Marcella in this year’s Fall/Winter edition of Senior Year Magazine!! I’m honored and humbled. Marcella, you definitely rocked this session!

Senior Year Magazine is is an International Print Magazine highlighting images of Teens and High School Seniors by photographers all over the world. Thousands of images were submitted, so to have images selected for the magazine, is quite an honor. 

Enjoy the photos!