Rachel reached out to me for headshots, but she knew right away she didn’t want the typical headshot look — standing in front of a solid background with a stiff smile. She wanted something that felt more like her. Something with a little personality.
After talking through what she was looking for, it became clear that a traditional setup wasn’t going to be the right fit. We needed something with more life to it — something that felt relaxed, but still professional.
As a mortgage lender, it was important for her photos to feel approachable and trustworthy, while still looking polished. That balance can be hard to hit in a studio, so we started thinking through locations that would help tell that story a little better.
After getting to know her a little bit, I knew we would need to bring life to her photos and find a spot that helped us tell her story. Botanical Brews, located in Lyman, SC was the PERFECT spot. Covered in lively green plants with a cozy interior and black walls, this location would help add depth and character to Rachel’s photos.
Now that we had the perfect location, it was time to talk outfits. Each headshot session comes with 3 outfit changes but I always encourage to bring more so we can pair down. You never know how you’ll feel that day and what you thought might have been a perfect fit, doesn’t feel right at the time of the shoot. Rachel brought plenty of options that worked so well in the space and helped her pop, breathing life in to the photo and complimenting the environment we were in so well.
Once we got started, everything just flowed. Instead of stiff posing, we kept things simple — small movements, natural expressions, nothing overthought. That’s usually when the best photos happen anyway. When it doesn’t feel like a production.
These are the kinds of sessions I love the most. Something that still works as a headshot, but feels a little more modern and a lot more personal.
Because at the end of the day, your photos don’t just need to look professional — they should feel like you.
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