Creativity Matters

As a headshot photographer, you might find yourself experiencing slower times, where clients seem few and far between. It can be easy to fall into a negative or fearful mindset and feel discouraged during these times. However, embracing a creative and abundant mindset can help you survive and thrive during these slower periods.

Adopting a creative mindset can help you get out of a rut and develop fresh ideas. Instead of feeling stuck and uninspired, you can use this time to experiment with new techniques or explore different photography styles. Try incorporating new lighting techniques, playing with different backdrops or posing, or experimenting with post-processing techniques. By challenging yourself to think outside the box, you might discover new ways to enhance your work and attract new clients.

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© Aaron Jean / Madrid, Spain

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Embracing an abundance mindset can help you shift your focus from scarcity to abundance. Instead of obsessing over a lack of clients, try to focus on the abundance of opportunities. For example, during slower times, you can use this opportunity to strengthen your online presence by updating your website and social media strategies. You can also use this time to network with other professionals in your industry, participate in online communities, or even attend industry events. By shifting your focus and taking advantage of these opportunities, you can attract new clients and build stronger relationships with your existing clients.

Adopting a positive mindset can help you attract positive energy and opportunities. By focusing on what you want instead of what you lack, you can attract more of what you desire. Try practicing gratitude and focusing on the positive aspects of your business. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and use them as motivation to keep moving forward.

A creative and abundant mindset can help you thrive as a headshot photographer during slower times. By challenging yourself to think creatively, focusing on abundance, taking advantage of opportunities, and adopting a positive outlook, you can attract new clients, build stronger relationships, and enhance your overall business.

If you have any questions and/or ideas or need emotional support during the quieter time in business, please reach out anytime via email, phone or WhatsApp.

Cheers, Dwayne Brown
Headshots Matter
dwayne@headshotsmatter.com
+1 (613) 290-5737

2023 Headshots Matter Holiday Cheer!

It’s been another wonderful year with Headshots Matter! Our membership has grown every month, so our community has gotten richer and even more helpful. With that growth, we’ve also seen our social media accounts grow, especially our LinkedIn page, at just over 3400 followers. As we move into 2024, we’ll be upping our LinkedIn game, where there is so much potential for lead generation for each member and our overall membership. 

We’ll also continue to grow and share our peer-to-peer mentorship program with sessions from Tom Trevatt, Sean Lewthwaite, Linda Mackie, Barry Keegan and James Melia. We’ll also be creating more StudioTalk virtual sessions and interviews. 

As I write this, I’m humbled that Headshots Matter is a true community of generous, kind and helpful photographers complimented by other creative experts. I’ve seen friendships develop over our WhatsApp group and, with those friendships, creative growth. I’m beyond grateful to all members, past and present, who have graciously been a part of this cool and creative community! And I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on our first Headshots Matter Holiday Cheer today on Zoom.

For those of you who couldn’t make it to the virtual party, I invite you to share a comment below Mod Schwalbe’s very sweet and heartfelt video message.

Again, thanks to everyone for another great year, and I wish you and your families a safe and joyous holiday with much creative success in 2024!

Cheers, Dwayne

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© Mod Schwalbe / Brooklyn, New York

Transcendence

At Headshots Matter, we curate and champion great headshot photographers who consistently push boundaries and shoot with their own creative voice. We love the work of Afonso Azevedo Neves and, more importantly, his passionate drive to constantly shoot.

From his studio in Lisbon, Portugal, Afonson shoots beautiful portraits and shares them on social at least once a day. Sometimes, his portraits are BW headshot studies; sometimes, they feel more like emotionally connected experiences and sometimes, like this photograph, they transcend the viewer to a different era. 

We’re very grateful to have Afonso a part of our Headshots Matter community!

If you’ve like to view more of Afonso’s work, please check our his website at: www.ofotografoportugues.com

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Beatriz photographed by Afonso Azevedo Neves

Words

As Tom Trevatt shared yesterday on Instagram, “it’s really difficult to put words to some of my favourite shots…..” We couldn't agree more, but perhaps some images just don’t need words to describe them, or maybe they’re beyond them. Either way, we absolutely love Tom’s portraits of London photographer, Kezi. They’re calmly lit and captured with such reverence and honesty.

Beautiful work, Tom + Kezi!

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© Tom Tevatt Photography

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To view more of Tom Trevatt’s work: www.tomtrevatt.com and to consider a mentorship session with Tom: www.headshotsmatter.com/creative-mentorship-tom-trevatt

Creative Mindset

It may seem obvious, but having a creative mindset is crucial for a successful and enjoyable headshot photography business. I was wonderfully reminded of this during a Zoom chat with Headshots Matter photographer Jordan Fraker. As we discussed his website and social media presentation, Jordan emphasized the importance of maintaining an 'art student mindset'.

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© Jordan Fraker Photography

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Jordan runs a successful commercial studio in Dallas, shooting everything from headshots to corporate photography to advertising campaigns. He also focuses on shooting personal work and creatively kindling his commercial career. Keeping his art student headspace alive keeps his eyes open and his heart hungry to create fantastic imagery!

Thanks, Jordan, for being an art student at heart! We’re super glad to have you as an inspiring part of our creative community!

If you’re not already familiar with Jordan’s work, please take a look at his website: www.jordanfraker.com

Cheers, Dwayne

Sean's Pick of the Week / #hsothw

by Sean Lewthwaite / @stockholm_sean

For me, ‘headshot of the week’ without a doubt! The colours, composition and eye contact are wonderful 🙌

To see more of Dominican Rebublic based photographer Dareynnis Collado’s work, please check out her Instagram.

Sean

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© darecphoto

MENTORSHIP MATTERS

It was super nice to spend some ‘one on one’ time with Mike Euclide Jean-Baptiste this weekend in Montreal! It gave us time to talk about Mike’s corporate headshot business and how Headshots Matter has helped him, not only with his SEO and marketing but also creatively with the kind help of Sean McLatchie Lewthwaite, one of our awesome mentors.

During our chat, we also talked about Mike’s life long passion for drawing and capturing portraits and his desire to help his clients with his photography. We also talked about the balance of humility and creative confidence, and how it only requires time and practice to perfect the balance.

Mentorship definitely is a two way conversation and I’m so grateful that we had this opportunity!

Dwayne Brown
Founder + Senior Mentor
Headshots Matter

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© JENNIFER KIMBERLY BROWN / HEADSHOTS MATTER

Why do headshots matter?

© headshotsmatter / dwayne brown studio inc.

One of the best questions we’re asked as headshot photographers is, “why do headshots matter?”. Of course, there are many answers depending on one’s situation, but there are some universal reasons why it should matter to everyone. When developing a personal or professional brand, your headshot is the cornerstone to your brand. It quickly establishes the tone and feel of your brand story. Your headshot has the opportunity to share your professionalism, your friendliness and your overall visual style. A well photographed professional headshot can also help establish trust between you and the viewers of your portrait. It can also convey confidence and experience. These are all critical qualities when establishing business relationships, regardless if one is a self-employed entrepreneur or works for a large organization.

When one thinks of brand, a logo comes to mind, perhaps. It helps us recall the experience we've had with the product or services rendered by the company behind it. Similarly, one’s personal brand sends out a message and speaks to those you interact with. That said, a great headshot is the best tool to communicate effectively who you are professionally, as well as an authentic way of supporting your career or the company you work for. Whether you use your headshot on a professional network like LinkedIn or as a profile avatar for your email, your viewers will better understand who you are and your brand story.

So yes, headshots matter greatly and selecting the best photographer to capture your headshot, matters even more!

Cheers, Dwayne

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Montreal | London | Brooklyn | Madrid | Sydney | Palo Alto | Stockholm | Ottawa | Dallas | Manchester | Chicago | Toronto | Lisbon

Sean's Pick of the Week / #hsothw

by Sean Lewthwaite / @stockholm_sean

Portrait of the week, portrait by Glenn Davidson / @glenndavidsonphotography

“love the dynamic of this shot, the strength of the colour, light and shadow working really well together, perfection!”

Sean

© Glenn Davidson

Sean's Pick of the Week / #hsothw

by Sean Lewthwaite / @stockholm_sean

Ok, portrait of the week, by Christine Bongartz / @fotografiene.

Great light and composition. Love the not looking into camera!

Sean.

© Christine Bongartz / @fotografiene

HOW TO CONVEY YOUR VALUE AS AN ACTOR: A GUIDE TO STANDING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY

by Tom Trevatt / London, England

As an actor, it can be difficult to stand out in a sea of talented individuals all competing for the same roles. However, by understanding how to effectively convey your value, you can differentiate yourself and increase your chances of success. In this guide, we'll cover various methods for showcasing your talents and skills, so you can make a lasting impression in the acting world.

SHOWCASING YOUR UNIQUE TALENT AND SKILLS

One of the most important aspects of conveying your value as an actor is showcasing your unique talents and skills. This can be achieved through various means, including:

BUILDING A STRONG PORTFOLIO

Your portfolio should include headshots, performance clips, and any other materials that highlight your strengths as an actor. Make sure it is professional, organized, and showcases your range as an actor.

NETWORKING AND PROMOTING YOURSELF

Attend industry events, join acting groups, and take advantage of social media platforms to promote yourself and network with others in the industry. Building a strong network can help increase your visibility and lead to new opportunities.

TAKING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

Continuing to learn and grow as an actor is crucial for conveying your value. Take classes and workshops to improve your skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends.

DEMONSTRATING YOUR COMMITMENT AND PASSION

Another important aspect of conveying your value as an actor is demonstrating your commitment and passion for the industry. This can be achieved through:

CONSISTENTLY AUDITIONING

Auditioning regularly shows your dedication and commitment to the industry. It also allows you to showcase your abilities and continue to grow as an actor.

BEING A PROFESSIONAL ON SET

Being professional on set and in rehearsals demonstrates your respect for the industry and your commitment to your craft. This can lead to positive reviews and recommendations from industry professionals.

PURSUING DIVERSE ROLES

Pursuing diverse roles shows your versatility as an actor and demonstrates your passion for the craft. It also helps you to stand out and showcase your range.

STANDING OUT IN A COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY

The acting industry is highly competitive, but there are still ways to stand out and convey your value. Consider:

BUILDING A PERSONAL BRAND

Building a personal brand helps to differentiate you from others in the industry and showcases your unique talents and skills. This can be achieved through consistent messaging, a strong online presence, and a clear understanding of your strengths as an actor - and of course high quality headshots.

BEING PREPARED FOR AUDITIONS

Being thoroughly prepared for auditions can set you apart from other actors and demonstrate your commitment to the industry. This includes being familiar with the material, having a strong understanding of the character, and being professional and confident in your presentation.

COLLABORATING WITH OTHER ACTORS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

Collaborating with others in the industry can lead to new opportunities, positive recommendations, and increased visibility. It also shows your commitment to the craft and willingness to work with others to achieve success.

© Tom Trevatt www.tomtrevatt.com/blog/how-to-convey-your-value-as-an-actor-a-guide-to-standing-out-in-the-industry

Sean's Pick of the Week / #hsothw

by Sean Lewthwaite / Stockholm Sweden

Over the past several months, Sean Lewthwaite / @stockholm_sean has been sharing his views on Instagram DM, when he really loves a photographer’s image (including a message he sent me this morning about a post I made of James Melia). I really respect Sean’s opinion, not only because he’s a wonderful photographer, but also because of his past experience in communications and design. That said, this morning I asked Sean if he’d share a few words why he love this and other images by James. So, here’s our first formal (yet informal) ‘Sean’s Pick of the Week’!

Cheers, Dwayne.

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© James Melia Studio

“Ok… on the photos: this this my headshot of the week. Reasons, wonderful soft light, interaction is amazing with the model. I’m liking this style in general from this guy! His style stands out as a recognizable brand as his work.” - Sean Lewthwaite

To see more of James Melia’s work: jamesmelia.com

To learn more about Sean Lewthwaite and his work: www.lewthwaitephotography.se

HOW TO SHOOT NATURAL LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHS IN A STUDIO

by Tom Trevatt / London, England

One of the great advantages of having a west facing window in my studio is the gorgeous afternoon and evening natural light that streams in. It’s winter now, but even during this season, I can still get some wonderful light. Despite having a full studio lighting setup with both continuous and strobe lights, I do love the options of shooting with the natural light. In the morning or middle of the day, when the sun isn’t on my side of the building, I don’t tend to get a lot of direct sunlight - instead, the light coming in is diffused and softer because its bouncing off the sky and clouds to enter my studio. With this we can achieve a lovely soft, wrap around light that doesn’t produce too hard shadows. See this shot of Polly below. In this instance, as in most instances, I will use a big reflector board - made from a big sheet of insulation from a hardware store, painted white on one side and black on the other - this reflector just opens up the shadows, preventing detail loss and giving it a bit of life. I like being able to have a bit more control of the shadows, rather than just letting them go to black or too dark and the reflector is perfect for this.

When the sun gets past a certain point in the sky, it makes an appearance in the studio and the results can be amazing. Some photographers tell you to never shoot in direct sunlight, its too small and hard a light source. Remember that the smaller a light source is, the harder the light will be on the subject, creating harder edges to the shadows, so the sun, which is quite a distance away, is a very small light source. Now, this small, hard light is accompanied by a larger softer light that is just the reflected, ambient light from the sky, so, it’s sort of like a combo - two for one. But as you can see in the examples below, the direct light produces hard edged shadows. Again, I usually want to open up these shadows with a reflector. Sometimes I might also add in a continuous LED light, often with a CTO gel to match the temperature of the sunlight. In some of these shots I use a prism on the edge of the frame to cast a glow across the frame , as though the light is spreading across the image.

I love low evening sunlight in the studio and I’ve had some amazing, fleeting experiences with this kind of light - check out my shots of Edna. It can give a wonderful glow to everything and throws all sorts of accidental elements into the mix. The joy of working with natural light in this way is you get results you can’t plan for. These little accidents really add to photography - being able to always control everything makes working with this medium much more mundane, so allowing natural light into your images can add that little extra spice.

© Tom Trevatt www.tomtrevatt.com/blog/how-to-shoot-headshots-with-natural-light-in-a-studio

The Cinematic Portrait

by Alastair Batchelor / London, England

© Alastair Batchelor

I'm often asked about my approach to achieving the cinematic aesthetic within my portrait images. Since it has become something of a buzzword over the last few years, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the factors that can determine the cinematic look within photography. It's important to note that art is subjective, and these are merely my own insights into what I feel creates that ‘filmic’ look when capturing photos of people.

When it comes to my own work, there are a number of things I take into account, that when combined, lead to a very specific aesthetic. As portrait photographers, we are always aware of the following things: our subject and what they're doing, our location, our light, our composition, and how we process our images. These are all important factors for everyone, regardless of style. But what am I doing more specifically within each of those categories?

The mood, expression, and positioning of my subject, whether captured candidly or posed purposefully, is something I'm always aware of both at the time of shooting and when selecting images afterwards. I look for some kind of emotional intensity or confidence in the expression. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what that ‘something’ is, but it's usually clear when reviewing images after a shoot, when one just seems to pop out of the screen and grab my attention. However, unlike when I'm shooting acting headshots, I'm not so focused on trying to capture the true personality of my subject as much as creating an image that almost feels ‘otherworldly,’ as though it's still from a film or TV series.

Shooting in varied locations not only helps keep my portraits interesting but also adds a whole palette of potential atmosphere to create and experiment with. Bars, underground stations, rooftops, home interiors, large open spaces, and more all provide a captivating setting in which a person's portrait or fictional scene can take place.

Closely tied with this is my choice of lighting. Often, this isn't a premeditated choice at all, as I use available light 90% of the time. But the most important point is that I like to use ambient light that creates a sense of drama. If it's naturally occurring, then I like extremes; the last rays of golden hour, blue hour, pockets of daylight combined with some sort of available artificial light, etc. I love shooting at night, and/or with only available artificial light, dimly lamp-lit bars, neon signage, street lights, etc. I do always carry with me a very small palm-sized RGB LED light, which I sometimes use in combination with other available artificial light, perhaps as an extra splash of colour, or to create a ‘rim-light’ on the subject. With the right positioning and expression from the subject, on top of using this kind of lighting and location, I'm usually on the right path to achieving the cinematic look I always desire.

Sometimes the head and shoulders headshot style framing is all I need. A closeup view of the subject and their expression, with just enough of a glimpse of their surroundings to create a sense of environment and atmosphere. But often by stepping back just a little more, we're automatically creating more of a scene for the viewer. I often like to ask them to freely move around while I'm chatting away, allowing me to fire off a round of shots to see if we can capture anything candidly. This can be a fairly hit-or-miss approach, which is why I often then ask my subject to recreate a pose or expression based on a frame that has caught my attention

© Alastair Batchelor

Finally, comes my post-processing workflow. While I don't believe that you can simply create a cinematic look by purely editing alone, I find that for myself this is an extremely important process and one that I'll happily spend many hours completing. The biggest component of this is the colour grading. Having done all of the basic RAW processing in Adobe Lightroom, the bulk of my colouring happens in a neatly organised folder of layers titled ‘GRADE’ in Photoshop. By using a combination of selective colour, luminosity mask toning, gradient maps, and grain textures, I can get to the desired result that I usually picture in my mind before I start. I'll also often create a few variations of the colour grade (in separate folders) and view these on my phone at low brightness to decide which I feel is the most impactful.

By toning the highlights and shadows of my images in opposing or complimentary pairs, I find the sense of depth that you can add to a picture is fantastic. Certain hues of different colour groups feel (to me at least) more invoking of the filmic quality I'm always chasing; most notably Teal, deep Reds and Oranges, muted Greens, and warm skin tones. Not only does my use of film grain also evoke a sense of cinema (and of course, 35mm film), but I feel that the texture it adds is so pleasing and important to creating further depth and interest to the image.

In the age of pristine digital quality, for me something has been lost. Perhaps it's that element of analog imperfection that you see from films projected onto the big screen or the bumps and curves of brushstrokes you see when viewing a painting up close in a gallery. Though to some it may seem counter-intuitive, this is why I like to add back a small level of imperfection in my colouring and added texture layers when processing the images in their final stage. This means I can still shoot with the convenience and resolution of digital photography but attain the evocative and exciting style that I love to see from the perspective of a viewer.

Alastair Batchelor

To see more of Alastair’s work: www.alastairbatchelor.com

WHAT’S THE SECRET?

by Dwayne Brown / headshotsMatter (image by Sean Lewthwaite)

© Sean Lewthwaite / @stockholm_sean

A question that comes up often is, “What’s the secret to getting large amounts of likes and/or great Instagram Engagement?” It’s a great question of course, as we all want our imagery to be ‘loved’! But what’s the secret!?

Does it have a relevance to the time of day it was posted or how many and which hashtags were used? Or is it just the luck of the draw with Instagram’s algorithms? I tend to think it’s a variety and a careful blend of many factors, including time of day, relevant hashtags, follower-ship numbers, and active past engagement. But at the end of day, our experience shows, that it actually has more to do with presenting an image that people find interesting, inspiring and beautiful!

We post and re-post a lot of imagery on the headshotsMatter IG account, therefor we see certain images getting more engagement than others. Firstly, we tend to gravitate to certain images to re-post, that we feel are interesting and inspiring, and therefore be liked. But then it’s always up to the our followers to love what they love!

I’m so pleased (and not surprised) that this portrait image photographed by Sean Lewthwaite has been graced with over 700 likes on our headshotsMatter IG account. It’s super interesting and beautifully captures Beata Ernman playful performance personality. It’s a perfect example of how, great images get great engagement!

If you have any ideas and/or questions about Instagram engagement or anything else related to headshots, please feel free to drop us a message!

Cheers, Dwayne

(for more information about Sean’s work, please take a peek at www.lewthwaitephotography.se)

HOW TO CHOOSE A HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHER

by Tom Trevatt / London, England

Who is the best headshot photographer for you?

Well, that comes down to a number of different factors.

Who you choose to take your headshots is an important consideration - whether you’re an actor or professional in the business world, having the right imagery can play an important part in the impression others have of you. Having a headshot taken shouldn’t be a scary experience and having the right photographer behind the camera will make a lot of difference. Below are my top four tips for choosing the right headshot photographer.

The 4 Ps.

PORTFOLIO

A headshot photographer’s portfolio will give you a really clear understanding of how they’re likely to shoot the images they take of you. Are you looking for something bright and airy, or would you prefer something a bit moodier? Every photographer is different, and they have different things to offer. Whether that’s a range of interesting backdrops or lighting setups that will give you a range of options when choosing the final images you want to buy, or a way of helping you pose well. Some photographers have really honed their posing skills and can help you make that smile look real - sometimes this is a well practiced set of dad jokes, sometimes its chatting about the weather. Their portfolio is probably the first thing you should consider when choosing a headshot photographer.

PROCESS

A headshot photographer’s process isn’t the same thing as their portfolio. If a photographer prefers to shoot for a shorter period of time and shoot multiple clients in one day, or whether they prefer to work with only one client per day and take their time they should tell you on their website. A shorter shooting time means less attention is paid to what you’re looking for, less time to get multiple iterations of outfits, backgrounds and lighting setups. But, there is a payoff - a photographer who shoots for a shorter period of time will most likely be less expensive. If price is your deciding factor (see the next section), then maybe this is the route to go. There are many excellent headshot photographers in London who do shoots that last one hour, or less. Another important question to ask about the process is whether they have a studio or they shoot outside. Lots of headshot photographers find natural light to be the best light to work with. But are you standing against a brick wall in the winter? If you’d rather work in a studio, then make sure you ask this question if its not obvious on their website - I have a dedicated studio located very conveniently in Bermondsey, not far from London Bridge. You might also want to book a hair and make up artist - so check with your potential photographer to see if they offer this - often this will be an extra and many photographers have HMUAs they work with regularly.

PRICE

Total price may be an important factor in deciding whether you work with one headshot photographer or another. In London, headshot photographers charge anywhere from £100 to £1000 plus. In short, cheapest isn’t always best - but neither is most expensive. Choosing someone who fits in your budget isn’t as simple as the price listed on the website - what a photographer offers for that price, their overall value, is a much more important consideration. How long is the session? Do they include anything else in the session (for example, I offer a free one hour top up session within a year for returning clients)? How accommodating are they to your needs? Often price is only one of many factors, and spending more in the short term and getting what you want is often better than going for the cheaper option but coming away unhappy.

Check out my booking page to see my prices and what’s included in the session.

PERSONALITY

Choosing a headshot photographer often comes down to the photographer’s personality. Working with someone for a few hours can be quite an intense experience and finding a photographer who “gets” you is important. Do your research, read their reviews on Google, maybe even book a call with them - I love chatting with prospective clients on the phone, it really helps us start a relationship. Get to know how they think before booking them. I have an interview online here that might give you a sense of my personality.

At the end of the day, you should listen to both your heart and your brain - if you love a photographer’s work, but they’re outside your budget maybe save up for a few months, take on an extra shift, or ask them about finance options - on the flip side don’t always listen to your heart, maybe you just need three shots right now and £150 is a good price to get you “out there”. As your experience grows, as you mature or get further in your career, the dream photographer will be there ready to work with you when you’re ready to work with them.

For a list of amazing headshot photographers in the UK and beyond head over to headshotsMatter.

© Tom Trevatt www.tomtrevatt.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-headshot-photographer

THE ACADEMIC HEADSHOT

by Tom Trevatt / London, England

Nai Kalema found me on Twitter - which is surprising because I rarely use that platform. And when she reached out, she had a very clear idea of what she wanted for her Academic headshot photograph. Nai’s PhD research looks at the intersection of race and technology, and she had been to lots of academic conferences (increasingly online since 2020) where the other speakers had good headshots attached to their talk abstracts. Nai needed something to stand out!

It really excites me when someone comes to me with a brief like this, not only was she unhappy with the headshot she was previously using, but she wanted to have an outstanding headshot photo that really caught people’s attention. As you can see from these shots, we had a great time playing with ideas and backgrounds. This bright yellow background really stood out and made the flowers in her hair pop!

A couple of weeks after the shoot, Nai sent me a message that brought tears to my eyes, she said “Tom, I have to thank you again! Never in my life have I received so many likes and positive comments for a photo!! A huge thanks to you again!”

© Tom Trevatt www.tomtrevatt.com/blog/the-academic-headshot