What to wear for your headshot portrait session - Saratoga Springs headshot photographer

Headshot portrait sessions are about more than just taking a good photo to share online. Headshots should share your style, personality, and should be a reflection of who you really are. When you start to select outfits for your headshot portrait session, there’s a few things to consider. Remember to choose outfits that make you feel confident and amazing - and spark joy. Today, I’m sharing my top tips for what to wear for your headshot session!

A few general guidelines to keep in mind when selecting outfits for your headshot session:

Bring a few different looks, and we can narrow them down at the studio. I’d rather you have more to choose from than feel insecure about something you wear. So, here’s some of my favorite outfit ideas…

Opt for form-fitting outfits for a slimmer look!

Avoid chunky knits, boxy tops, or loose blouses that will make you appear wider on camera than you really are. Choosing form-fitting outfits will help you appear slimmer on camera.

Textures are your best friend!

Lace, ruching, and interesting fabric details all photograph beautifully. They provide a little more of an interesting factor to your portraits, so don’t be afraid to lean into them!

Choose longer sleeves if they make you comfortable!

Consider long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves, and avoid cap sleeves and sleeveless styles if you're not 100% confident with your arms. Remember, the goal of these portraits is to capture images you love and want to share to promote your business online!

Bring tops with flattering necklines.

Scoop, v-neck, cowl neck all photograph beautifully. I love when my clients bring outfits that really play with their outfits like this.

Add layers to switch up your look!

A form-fitting cardigan or a blazer can change the look of your outfit instantly. It’s also a way to incorporate parts of your typical outfit - like a jacket or lab coat - into your portraits.

Plan for a variety of colors.

Many clients opt for something light, something dark, and something bold. See what I mean about bringing lots of options? There’s a better chance for final images that you’ll love!

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A Personal Brand Photography Session with Saratoga Springs Interior Designer Leah Margolis Design

I recently had the pleasure of working with Leah Margolis Design, an extremely talented interior designer in Saratoga Springs who truly lives in color.

Leah was looking for portraits that reflected her personality & style, while showing clients and potential clients what they can expect when working with her. We wanted her portraits to be relaxed and approachable, engaging and unexpected, and of course filled with color and quirky patterns.

During our planning meeting Leah told me all about the PROCESS that she takes with each of her clients, and how important it is for her to have tangible items to bring together to show fabrics, metals, and textures. I loved incorporating this into her session, taking everything off of the computer screen and putting it in her hands instead, just like she does with her clients.

We captured a variety of detail shots, action shots, and relaxed head shots for Leah to use on her website and social media, and I’m thrilled to share them all with you today!

We made sure to tell many different “stories” in her session, from styling a table to picking out swatches, working at her computer, and scrolling on her phone. Business owners wear many hats, and it’s important to be authentic with your online presence and show that in your portraits!

You can follow Leah Margolis Design at:
https://www.facebook.com/leahmdesign/
https://instagram.com/leahmdesign/
https://leahmargolisdesign.com/

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Inspired by this personal branding session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

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About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region, and she also works with families at her Attleboro, MA studio and on location in Boston and on Cape Cod. 

Nicole also loves working with small business owners to help them redefine their online presence and showcase the heart behind their brand or blog. Thinking about revamping your website or social media with more than a boring old headshot? Get in touch!

The Branding Series - Part 2 | Discovering your brand style with Guest Blogger Refinery Original

Welcome to the second post in our Branding Series, geared towards helping creative entrepreneurs delve into the story of why they do what they do, and discover the heart behind their brand so that they can make the best first impression on their potential clients.

Did you miss the first post in our branding series featuring my favorite designer of all time, Erica Clayton of Refinery Original?  Start there!

This week we're talking all about discovering your brand.  Let's be real for a minute...

At one point, every new business owner thinks that a pretty logo and some colors makes up a brand, right?  A few years ago, I was right there with you thinking, "I just need a pretty logo and two colors."

But oooooh, how quickly we learn that your brand is about so much more than that!  Your brand is far from simple -- it is a complex, living, breathing being.  Your brand is who you are.  It is the heart & soul behind your business.  It is your story, and your carefully crafted "why".  It is the first impression you give potential clients -- do you want it to be warm, welcoming, edgy, bold, whimsical, modern, moody?  Your brand can do all of those things, and trust me -- it takes a whole lot more than a logo and some pretty colors to do that!

When I first hired Refinery Original to help me with my rebrand 18 months ago, she had me start gathering visual inspiration for an inspiration board.  I pinned it all on a secret Pinterest board, from fashion to home decor, nursery details, paint chips, and fonts.  

Today on the blog, Erica Clayton of Refinery Original is sharing her tips for creating your own inspiration board to discover the heart behind your brand!  Read all the way to the end for the link to download a PSD template to build your own inspiration board!

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The process of discovery is huge in the design process, one that is often only touched on the surface but holds more weight than any other point in the process. The goal is to capture who you are, what motivates you as a photographer and why you choose to do this day in and day out. With the everyday demands of entrepreneurship, establishing the heart behind your brand keeps you focused and gives purpose to the monotony and expectations. This is the very first step in discovering your brand. Do this and everything else will flow naturally.

Now — the pretty things! The visual elements that make up a brand identity. While heart and narrative play massively into a brand, the visual elements bring your it full circle. 

Step 1: Home

Look at the design pieces you bring into your home, after all, your home is your safe place, the unfiltered expression of who you are and contains the things that draw you in. The artwork, paint colors, furniture pieces, decorations, tile choice, wood colors, etc., your style cuts immediately to the heart of you, which in turn defines your brand. 

Step 2: Nature

Get out and adventure. Walk through the places that inspire you whether it be a garden, the beach, downtown. Wherever you find makes your heart jump in excitement, go there and take note of the colors, textures, patterns you see and the emotions you feel. Those are elements that you want to take note of when you design an inspiration board.

Step 3: Pinterest

Now that you’ve honed in on who you are, you can now peruse Pinterest. I always advise my clients to stay away from pinning other logos and inspiration boards because you begin to morph into someone else’s brand rather than creating your own. Take step 1 and step 2 and beginning pinning images that represent these things. Pin to your hearts content, documenting what each pin speaks to you. Also pin typefaces (fonts) that draw you in but the fun comes when those pins come from items like invitations. At the end of the process, you should have 50+ images that outline your brand visuals. 

Step 4: Build Your Inspiration Board

Filter through your new Pinterest board and look for commonality in your pins, colors, textures, patterns, typefaces, etc. Screenshot 12-15 that have a cohesive feel, open up Photoshop and put them in an inspiration board. If an image doesn't fit the feel of your developing brand, find another that will! Be picky when designing your inspiration board. This will act as a filter for your entire brand!

I hope that helps you narrow down your style! Do the hard work now and everything else will flow naturally.

PS. To help, I’ve included a link to a inspiration board template for you to use when building your very own inspiration board. Download and start designing a brand that’s you!

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Now, before you click into a new window and continue with your day... stop whatever you're doing and enter this giveaway!  Refinery Original is celebrating their rebrand & launch by hosting a giveaway through June 23 with over $3000 in prizes, including a full brand experience, an Ona bag, coaching sessions, Showit subscriptions, and an Instax Mini Polaroid. No purchase necessary — enter here!  www.refineryoriginal.com/celebrate

Ready to do some shopping?  Check out their perfectly designed brand experiences, geared to help you tell your story in the most beautiful way!  These website templates will set you up for success in your rebrand, with incredible savings, too!  Save now with the discount code NICOLE, too!  http://shop.refineryoriginal.com/nicole