I'm a firm believer that headshots are a whole lot more than a nice picture.  

When we think about the purpose and intention of why we use headshot photos, what words come to mind?  

relationship

confidence

approachability

growth

new beginnings

authenticity

honesty

sincerity

flattering

The list could go on, but you get the point...of course you should feel good about the way the picture looks, that's a given, but many people get stuck on this and stop short of remembering and even thinking about the intention which is establishing and reinforcing relationships and connection with other people.  

Although there are some technical distinctions between a portrait and a headshot that have more to do with to what degree the image may be retouched or dramatized, the goals are very similar:  showcase this person's authentic, honest, and beautiful soul.

That's a big statement: authentic, honest, and beautiful because it requires us to acknowledge our beauty at our authentic core.  I hate to say it, but this is not something our society has nurtured.  The more common response is to be critical and identify every flaw we feel we have or others have dictated to us.

So, done right, I have to say portraits, headshots, photographs, when done right, have to first pave the way to reconstruct that thinking.  We need to stop throwing smoke at our inner beauty, and let me say before you mark yourself as an exception, EVERYONE is beautiful.  Each life is worthy of being "seen" and expressing their ideas, passions, fears, and learning to love exactly what they are and were meant to be.  

Does this sound heavy for a blog about headshots?  Well, I don't think so.  

Headshots are often the photograph, because of its functionality, that many people "have" to get so many times their first experience with getting their photograph taken.  And, from experience of working with hundreds of people, many put this in the same category of going to the dentist or having a medical procedure they'd rather not have because they have learned and been told that it's uncomfortable.  They feel they are under the microscope being analyzed with the intention of highlighting all of their flaws and failures.  

But that doesn't have to be the way.  

What if you saw your headshot, your portrait, your photographs as an opportunity to embrace who you are and truly love yourself as is?  Try it, if it's uncomfortable, force yourself to notice what it would feel like if you did see the chance to celebrate, acknowledge, and encourage who you are at this moment right now.

If you force yourself to do this, I Guarantee with a capital G it will feel Good.  

And...this should, and can be, your experience.  

Give yourself permission to try.  Let me guide you with a process that helps you feel prepared.  Let me provide a comfortable space that you can dare to be creative.  Let me  support you with a sensitive ear to listen to your likes and dislikes.  Let me show you it's okay to be vulnerable and be honest because that's what gets us to results that truly capture your intention.  

When you do this, your headshot, your picture, your image (I don't think any of those words do it justice), will show people what it feels like to sit with you...to know you...to work with you.  Your willingness to be vulnerable paves the way for them to do the same...it's contagious and you must then handle it with care so they can extend the same. 

Your headshot MATTERS...YOU MATTER.