I was a leading headshot photographer in metro NYC during the 2000s-2010s. I still shoot headshots for actors and singers as well as business portraits and profile pics for dating websites, but not as often as I used to.
Multiple changes and poses, two retouched final images (I do my own retouching). I typically shoot between 100 to 250 photos and sessions range up to two hours or so. I don’t shoot against the clock—I shoot until I’m happy, and I am pickier than you are any day of the week.
I don’t believe in stupid things like shooting a bunch in one outfit, then a bunch in another outfit, and then another, because then you’re choosing between clothes and not your face. I try to find the clothes that work the best for you, and the pose that looks the best for you, because like it or not, there are only so many looks and angles that really show off what makes you you, and makes you castable.
The last thing a profile pic for LinkedIn or a dating website needs to be is uptight and manufactured-looking. Nor should it look all glam or like you require a ton of effort to look your best. No one wants to hang around with people that seem to be a lot of work, nor do people hang out with slobs. So, somewhere in between. We meet somewhere that has great natural light and feels like a third space environment—not the home, not the office, but a coffee shop or a public space that provides a good, non-distracting background. The goal is to get something that strikes a balance between a really great candid and an informal portrait. Lots of personality and good energy.
We shoot approx. an hour, you choose one picture to be retouched (I do all my own retouching).
No, you can’t retouch them yourself with some app because they will look bad.