Headshot Photography

Nassau County Headshot Photographer - Business Headshot

As a headshot photographer based out of Long Island and serving New York City I receive a lot of requests for “something different than the standard backdrop”. Jonathan reached out to me for his new LinkedIn photo saying he wanted something different, and he liked my work.

So, we met up early one Saturday morning in July, before it got too hot, in Sea Cliff, NY. I knew Sea Cliff could provide us options throughout our headshot photography session. Sea Cliff would provide us green backgrounds, long streets to bring in your eye to the subject, and clean architecture to act as another element of interests.

*In the final photos, I took out the van behind Jonathan’s right shoulder.

Storyful Corporate Headshot Day

Everything about photographing a corporate headshot day feels right. I love organizing the shoot, working with my client to decide who goes when, and figuring out where we can shoot. Post session, I like organizing the individual subject’s headshot photos, renaming the files, and working with individuals to retouch their chosen photos. But, most importantly, I love finally getting to meet the people I’ll be photographing, helping them become comfortable in front of the camera, and seeing their reactions when they see their photos. My headshot photos are not just for internal purposes (email signatures and organization charts), but also for people’s Linkedin Profile Photos. Linkedin Profile Photo Photographer is just one of the many hats I wear.

Thank you Brian and the Storyful team for having me.

My NYC Headshot session Photography setup.

I created this setup when working for Hofstra University as their full-time university photographer. It’s been revised once or twice, but overall it hasn’t really changed. The goal of the setup is to be lightweight for transporting and quick for setting up. Even though, I have the big strobe lights and modifiers (beauty dish, softboxes with grids, snoots, reflectors…), and they create beautiful photos, they’re cumbersome. Those strobes and their modifiers are big to transport and timely to setup. However, the biggest problem is space. You’re not always guaranteed the space to set them up. More often than not, your client only has a conference room reserved for you. Ceilings can be low and rooms narrow. Space is limited in NYC.

7 Steps to the Perfect LinkedIn Profile Photo

For most LinkedIn represents their only professional online presence  Whether you like it or not your LinkedIn profile photo is your first impression. Your photo will either get you the first hello or it'll leave you in the dark. Therefore, it's important your headshot and LinkedIn profile picture best represent you, your business, and your level of professional experience.

As a photographer working with a wide array of clients, I'd like to share 7 elements of the perfect headshot photo and LinkedIn Profile photo.

1.    Hire a Professional.

Don't characterize your image potential with a selfie. You are WAY beyond that. And no a candid profile photo from your cousins wedding or last weekend's Yankees game either. It will not do. Professionalism and individual value is formed by the investment you are willing to invest in yourself. 

2.    Arrive with an open mind

We will create options in our photos. I'll photograph everything under the sun for you. We're not in a rush and we're not going to get the perfect shot right away. Both you and I need to get comfortable. There's a method to photographing from a technical perspective where I develop your settings over time and together we develop the story of a good portrait. Honestly, if I don't make you look good, I don't look good, and then, I'm not a very good photographer.

3.    Look straight into the camera, relax, and laugh!

A successful business profile photo says a lot and it also says what you're thinking about. Connect with the camera by making direct eye contact. Don't think about your facial expression, think about having fun!

4.    Dress for the job you want.

Show your personal style and represent who you are. Remember to look clean (shave, brush your hair, iron your shirt, and have your jacket pressed so it holds form), and bring a tie.

Photographers Guide to LinkedIn profile pictures headshots

5.    Location.

Look at my portrait photo portfolio and consider who you are, what you do and the location that best tells your story. This environment will provide your audience additional clues about yourself. This is why getting out of a studio and away from the traditional portrait background photo (high school photos) is so important!

6.    Have fun and breath.

The best part of my job is working with and getting to know all different people. Hiring this photographer is 50% photography and 50% a first date. While the camera captures the moment - we are creating confidence, comfort, and character. I'm learning how you look your best and seeing how you feel your best. I'll show you the photos as we shoot and give you pointers. Don't worry about blemishes or your greying hair, I'm pretty good at photoshop.

7.    Strike a (different) pose and one more pose. 1-2-3!

I will guide you through different poses and positions as we shoot. Throughout the session we'll review the photos and we'll make adjustments as we go. I want to hear what you think and more of what you want. Open jacket, close jacket, hand in pocket, cross your arms, stand up, walk towards me...