Tag Archives: headshots

Colorist from Garubo Salon poses on a white backdrop for her headshot with joan marie photography at her Salon in Maplewood NJ

As a high-end photographer, I specialize in creating professional headshots in Scotch Plains that not only make you look your best but also give you a competitive edge in today’s business world. Headshots can help you elevate your career to the next level or position. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, job seeker, or someone looking to make a lasting impression in your industry, a high-quality headshot can help elevate your career, attract potential clients, and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

Here are the top 5 ways a professional headshot can elevate you, your business, and your career:

1. Professional Headshots Can Establish a Strong First Impression

In today’s digital age, your headshot often serves as the first point of contact with potential clients, employers, or business partners. Whether it’s on your LinkedIn profile, business website, or marketing materials, your image communicates a lot about who you are before you even say a word. A professional headshot helps you stand out in a crowded market and instantly portrays confidence, professionalism, and approachability.

When it comes to attracting high-paying clients in Scotch Plains and surrounding areas, a professional headshot should reflect the caliber of your services. A well-lit, expertly captured photo can build trust and make you more memorable, increasing the likelihood that a potential client or employer will engage with you.

2. Different Backdrop Colors Can Communicate Different Messages

One of the key elements that can make a professional headshot stand out is the backdrop. The color of your backdrop not only enhances the overall aesthetic of the photograph but can also evoke certain emotions and perceptions. Here’s how the different backdrop colors can affect your image and help elevate your career:

  • Pink: A soft pink background can convey warmth, friendliness, and approachability. It’s a great option for professionals in industries such as fashion, wellness, or beauty, where a nurturing and inviting vibe is important.
  • Grey: A grey background communicates neutrality, sophistication, and professionalism. It works well for corporate professionals, consultants, or anyone in a leadership role who wants to exude confidence without being overly aggressive.
  • White: A white backdrop provides a clean, crisp, and timeless look that conveys professionalism and clarity. It’s ideal for headshots in industries like law, finance, or education, where simplicity and trustworthiness are key.
  • Almond: An almond or warm-toned backdrop gives your headshot a sophisticated and approachable feel. It’s a great choice for creative professionals or business owners who want to show warmth while still maintaining an air of professionalism.

Choosing the right backdrop color can create the perfect atmosphere for your brand and influence how others perceive you. Check out more of my headshots here.

3. Professional Headshots Build Credibility

In a competitive marketplace, credibility is crucial. When you’re marketing yourself—whether you’re an entrepreneur or a job seeker—a professional headshot can help establish you as an expert in your field. A high-end headshot shows that you take your business seriously, value quality, and are willing to invest in yourself. This investment in your appearance is a reflection of the professionalism you bring to your business and your work.

4. Attract High-Paying Clients and Business Opportunities

If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur in Scotch Plains or the surrounding areas, you know that attracting high-paying clients requires more than just great service—it requires a strong brand presence. Your headshot plays a significant role in shaping that presence. By showcasing your expertise with a polished, high-quality image, you increase the likelihood of attracting clients who value professionalism and are willing to pay for premium services.

When you invest in a top-tier headshot, you’re positioning yourself to connect with clients who value quality and are willing to pay a premium for your services. This not only boosts your brand but also enhances your business reputation.

Small Business owners and Entrepreneurs may want to consider a Branding Shoot where you can have multiple looks, outfits and locations that truly reflect and represent you and your Brand!

5. Headshots Can Enhance Your Job Search and Networking Efforts

Whether you’re actively job hunting or networking in your industry, a professional headshot is essential. Hiring managers and potential clients often search for candidates and business professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Having a standout headshot increases your chances of getting noticed. And it helps you make a positive first impression. A high-quality, professional headshot can set you apart from other candidates or competitors and make you more memorable.

It also shows potential employers or clients that you are serious about your career. It tells them you are willing to present yourself in the best light possible. This effort can be the difference between landing a job or securing a new client.


Why Choose a High-End Headshot Photographer

When you choose to invest in a professional headshot, you want to make sure you’re working with someone who understands the importance of quality. As a high-end photographer in Scotch Plains, I specialize in capturing headshots that make you look polished, approachable, and ready to succeed in your industry. With personalized sessions and the option to choose from a variety of backdrop colors like pink, grey, white, and almond, I work with you to create an image that truly reflects your brand and personality.

So, when was the last time YOU had your headshot taken? Well, don’t you think it’s time to make that investment? If so, reach out to me and we can start planning your very own custom headshot session!

therapist poses for headshot on a colorful marigold backdrop

In the world of professional photography, headshots play a crucial role in establishing a strong personal brand and making a lasting impression. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of clients who wanted to step away from traditional headshot norms and embrace bold, colorful backdrops to reflect their vibrant personalities. In this post, I’ll delve into the creative process behind these unique headshot sessions and explore the impact of using colorful backgrounds to make a statement.

Embracing Colorful Backdrops for Personal Branding

Each headshot session begins with a consultation where I work closely with clients to understand their brand, personality, and the message they wanted to convey through their headshots. It was exciting to see individuals who were eager to break away from the typical neutral backgrounds and embrace the power of color to showcase their unique style and energy.

The Impact of Color on Visual Communication

One of the key advantages of using bold and colorful backdrops is the ability to instantly grab attention and create a memorable visual impact. Whether it was a striking red backdrop to convey power and confidence or a lively blue backdrop to exude calm and trustworthiness, each color choice played a significant role in shaping the overall mood and tone of the headshots.

Creative Expression and Customization

Moreover, the use of bold and colorful backdrops allows for greater creative expression and customization. By carefully selecting backgrounds that complemented the client’s skin tone, outfit, and overall aesthetic, I was able to create headshots that felt authentic, engaging, and visually stunning.

Personalized Branding Through Vibrant Headshots

Throughout the sessions, I encouraged clients to embrace their individuality and express themselves freely in front of the camera. The colorful backdrops served as a dynamic canvas for clients to showcase their personality, passion, and unique sense of style, resulting in headshots that felt truly personalized and impactful.

Neutral is still GREAT!

While we introduced color for some of our headshots, we also included a couple of neutral and classic colors, which also came out great! Grey and beige are 2 timeless and classic colors to use for professional headshots. And I am REALLY happy I tried a shot out on my Studio wall because the color photographed as the perfect greige that I will FOR SURE be using in future shoots!

In conclusion, the recent headshot sessions embracing color in headshots were a testament to the power of creative expression and individuality in professional photography. By stepping outside the traditional boundaries of headshot photography and embracing vibrant colors and bold backgrounds, clients were able to make a bold statement and stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

If you’re looking to elevate your personal brand and make a lasting impression with headshots that reflect your vibrant personality, consider exploring the world of bold and colorful backdrops. Contact me today to schedule your own headshot session and let’s capture your unique essence in a truly memorable way.

Shots, shots, shots! … Headshots, of course!

Capturing Essence: A Fun Ride through Recent Headshot Sessions in Scotch Plains, NJ

Hey there! Grab a seat and let me take you on a whirlwind tour of my recent headshot adventures right here in Scotch Plains, NJ. From corporate climbers to aspiring actors, it’s been a blast capturing the essence of each unique personality that walks through my studio doors.

The Conversational Click

Picture this: a serious discussion about career aspirations interrupted by my sudden “wait, that lighting is perfect!” moment. Yes, my clients have learned to expect my random bursts of photographic enthusiasm. But hey, it’s all part of the magic of creating that perfect headshot.

Lighting Shenanigans

Let’s talk about lighting – the unsung hero of every good photograph. There’s a fine line between “professional glow” and “alien abduction.” Thankfully, we’ve managed to steer clear of the latter (mostly). It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your confidence shines brighter than any studio light can.

Expressions Galore

Ever tried to coax a natural smile out of someone who’s had too much coffee? Trust me, it’s an art form. From the classic “smolder” to the “I’m approachable but not too approachable” vibe, we’ve nailed them all. And yes, I’ve seen the full spectrum of eyebrow raises – from “I’m intrigued” to “Did you just say what I think you said?”

Diverse Tales, Shared Laughs

Seriously though, the best part of these sessions is the stories. I’ve had CEOs plotting world domination (in a good way, of course) and budding actors channeling their inner Meryl Streep. Each click of the shutter captures a snippet of their journey, and I’m just here for the ride – camera in hand and ready for whatever expression comes next.

Looking Ahead (Literally and Figuratively)

As I reflect on these sessions, I can’t help but grin at the memories we’ve created together. Scotch Plains, you’ve been an awesome backdrop to this photographic rollercoaster. And to my clients – thank you for trusting me to freeze-frame your brilliance, quirks, and everything in between.

So, whether you’re gearing up for that big career move or just want a killer LinkedIn profile pic (because who doesn’t?), let’s make some magic happen. Get in touch, and let’s capture your essence – with a side of laughter and maybe a few eyebrow raises thrown in for good measure.

You can see more of my headshot work here!

Ready to shine in front of the lens? Contact me today and let’s create headshots that are as unique as you are.

Don’t worry, I’m weird!

Virginie contacted me about headshots at the end of 2023. She was looking for some updated professional headshots and came across my website where she saw some of my headshot work. We had a phone call about what she was looking for and she mentioned that she feels a little awkward and shy about having her photos taken. I promised her that it would be fun and she wouldn’t feel weird because I am a total weirdo! HAHA! I told her that we would have a ton of fun and fun we had!

Are you like Virginie? Are you afraid to invest money in headshots because you don’t know if you’ll like your photos? I promise you will! Let’s do this! Check out Virginie’s headshots below. I absolutely LOVE how they came out and she even got some extras! You can see more of my headshots here!

Recent Headshots!

I’ve been doing a good amount of professional headshots lately and I freakin’ love them! I have a variety of backdrop colors that I use for these sessions and I really enjoy playing with colors. One thing I’ve noticed I’m drawn to is how color choices can really enhance and pick up natural skin tones. I have always been interested in color theory and I really want to delve deeper into the power of color and how colors can compliment one another.

I consider my headshots to be a bit more artistic than what most people think of when they hear “headshots”. For me, there’s definitely more involved than having a camera. And I also think a headshot should capture your personality. That can be done in a number of ways. Your hair style, makeup, posing, outfit choice all work together to tell a story; the story of YOU! But another way we can do that is through COLOR! And that doesn’t mean that it has to be BOLD color. It can be subtle, monochromatic, feminine, soft, and of course it CAN be bold too!

While there are so many challenges with the world we are living in today, there are some things that I truly love about these times. We are more open minded and able to present ourselves in a more meaningful way through pictures. Humankind has always had a propensity for storytelling. It’s one of the things I love most about photography. It is a challenge for sure, but to be able to capture and tell a story through one single image literally gives me life. And I even strive to do that with my headshot photography.

Headshot Guides

I recently started sending out a professional headshot guide to my Clients to help them plan for their session. I think it is helpful to think about color and style choices of outfits for their session. But it also gives them the power to interpret it in their own unique way.

Pinterest

Another suggestion I give is to use Pinterest. Create a board and pin pictures of professional headshots that you love. This can help you see the types of posing, outfits, colors and composition that you are drawn to. Not only does it help them get inspiration and ideas, but it is helpful for your photographer! It gives ME inspiration. It gets me excited to work with you and capture you in a way that you are bound to love!

WIN – WIN!

So anywho, here are some of the headshots I’ve been doing recently. I put so much into my work and it really makes me feel so special that the photographs that I make for people could play an important part in getting them that next big promotion or job! I love giving people confidence and I’m telling you…a FIRE (yeah I have a teenager) headshot can give you a big confidence boost!

Want to know more?

Head on over to my headshot page to read more about my headshots and see the work I do!

joan marie

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908.312.1788 | info@joanmariephotography.com

379968614