HEADSHOT SESSION - MANDALA WELLNESS
Over the last week I have been working on a session which I captured some headshots of a local Osteopathy clinic - Mandala Wellness, Geelong.
Mandala Wellness
Geelong
Over the last week I have been working on a session which I captured some headshots of a local Osteopathy clinic - Mandala Wellness, Geelong. I was contacted by Caitlin Wells, to have her teams headshots updated. The brief was ‘plain white background, black & white’. Again, like I have done with previous clients, I try and encourage my clients with something they haven’t quite thought of. I knew their new website had blue in it, so I thought as another option, a navy background might also be nice as a secondary option. My packages come with two images of each person, so having this setup of photographing on two different backdrops works well so there is two different options. The final result looks fab I had some very happy clients at the end.
I have been a client of Caitlin’s over the years, early days in my photography journey when I was photographing a lot more weddings and would have excruciating back pain, to when I was pregnant and treating me for sciatic pain, to more recent times when I’ve had neck pain from riding too many waterslides with my kids! I’ve always found Caitlin to be so soft and gentle in her approach, but always come out feeling so much better than when I walked in. Her knowledge is second to none, explains everything in great detail and I always feel very comforted when being treated by her. Needless to say, I can highly recommend her.
It was really nice to be able to work with Caitlin and her team from Mandala Wellness. Like many enquiries I get for business headshots, Caitlin was excited about getting the process underway - but - ‘would rather stick pins in her eyes than have her photograph taken’. I’m sure many of you understand this feeling… I assured Caitlin this was going to be far from pin pricking eyes, and the whole process was going to be fun and relaxed.
Please see below feedback from Caitlin after receiving her photos.
Sally is a wonderfully talented artist and a true professional. Our whole experience working with her was delightful. She managed to capture images that are natural and a true representation of each of us and I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her. Thank you Sally!
HEADSHOT SESSION - Pavilion Property
Pavilion Property
Ocean Grove
Recently I was contacted by Josh Cameron of Pavilion Property to organise some updated headshots of himself and the team at their Ocean Grove offices.
From start to finish, the process was quite seamless. Josh knew exactly what he wanted and with a quick look around their offices one day prior to shooting, I knew that I could capture exactly what they were after right there in the office reception area. It couldn’t have been more convenient.
They were after some clean, light and bright and natural looking headshots, that were casual but still professional. I was able to do this using the height of the desk as a leaning aid for most of the agents. The photos as you can see came up a treat. I used a mix of natural light and an external flash with modifier attached.
I also decided to bring down my olive green backdrop roll. I was still able to set this up in their reception area and have just enough room for a seated pose for each of the agents. This particular set of photos was the opposite of what they wanted, but I wanted to show them something completely different to the ‘norm’. Again, the outcome was fabulous and they loved the end result.
I feel really blessed when clients have ideas, but also are interested in what I think would look good and will capture them at their best. These guys had a package where they were given two images each, so having the two different setup styles was perfect. Now depending on what they are marketing themselves for, they have an image that will complement that.
It was a real pleasure to work with the team at Pavilion Property and look forward to working with them again in the future as they expand. Please see below images from their session and testimonial.
We couldn’t recommend Sally enough as a photographer, she did an amazing job on our professional profile photos. Her attention to detail and creative mind is truly inspiring. Thank you for being so lovely and making the whole process just as fun! We are beyond impressed with our final shots and look forward to working with you in the future.- PAVILION PROPERTY
FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION
Carlee is a mother of two older boys, Isaac & Micah. See link to view their beautiful gallery.
Baxter Family
I was approached by mum Carlee quite some time ago, she was looking to have some portraits taken of her and her two boys Isaac & Micah. It was so lovely to meet Carlee as I felt a connection with her from the very first enquiry and I was so happy to be able to produce some really beautiful portraits of her and both of her sons.
Carlee, was needing a new headshot for herself and also wanted some beautiful portraits of her sons. As children do, they grow super quick and in a blink of an eye they’ve gone from being little tackers to the youngest almost finishing primary school (at the time of the session).
Carlee’s had her hair & makeup was done by Megan - That Blonde Chick
FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION
After many lockdowns, the Munyard family were finally able to come in for their session.
“In my culture (Maori) we call them pounamu (po-nar-mu) which is Maori for greenstone. In modern day tradition the pounamu is a taonga pronounced tow nga (treasure).
The significance can vary based on the design or even on family history in the event it’s passed through generations. Most provide strength, luck, protection or a mixture of meanings…”
Read more about how their session went and a beautiful story about the significance on Nova’s necklace.
Munyard Family
Take a look through some of the beautiful images captured of the Munyard family.
It had been a long time coming to do this session, with lockdown after lockdown after lockdown and constant rescheduling… I was finally able to photograph their session. It really was worth the wait.
When people book for a session with me and it’s all locked in, I will send them through a ‘styling guide’ to help my clients decide on a colour palate for their session and what to wear. There are many things to consider when preparing for your session which I outline in my styling guide. some of those things are;
What colour backdrop are your drawn to and is this how you would like to see the final result of your images? I have a few different coloured backdrops and sometimes the colour of the backdrop and really determine the feel of the photograph.
Another important question is if they prefer that backdrop to be “light and airy” or “dark and moody”. A backdrop can have so many different looks depending on how the lighting is falling off of it. Generally speaking and to make it easy on my clients, I simply ask them to go through my website and instagram page and select images that appeal to them so that I can se exactly what they are after.
One really important bit of information which I talk about in my styling guide, is that if you have young children, maybe you might want to consider bringing their favourite toy along, or perhaps something that, and this could be for older children/teens as well, if they have something that means something to them that they would like to be photographed with, I always ask that they bring this along. This could be, a toy, a piece of jewellery, an item of clothing, perhaps a unique hat that has been handed down through the families… bringing along items that have meaning to the sitter helps me to create images that are even more meaningful to you.
Nova, wearing her dolphin pounamu
In Chanel’s session, her daughter Nova wore a necklace. There is one photo in particular (pictured above) where the necklace makes the photograph so more captivating. I asked Chanel if she could share with me, and all of those reading along, the significance of Nova’s necklace she was wearing throughout her session.
“In my culture (Maori) we call them pounamu (po-nar-mu) which is Maori for greenstone. In modern day tradition the pounamu is a taonga pronounced tow nga (treasure).
The significance can vary based on the design or even on family history in the event it’s passed through generations. Most provide strength, luck, protection or a mixture of meanings.
For us, My dad always wanted a grand daughter and Nova just so happened to be his first. When he found out I was expecting he knew well before we found out that I was having a girl. News of Nova actually came exactly a week after we buried my grandmother (my dads mother). Which made it just that bit more special for my dad as he was grieving at the time.
He asked me and Brian if I would mind if he could name Novas middle name and we agreed. Her middle name is Pania which means beautiful sea maiden in Maori mythology which is fitting considering she is a water sign.
Shortly after this my dad flew back to NZ and purchased 4 seperate pounamus. 1 baby dolphin tale, 1 baby dolphin and two dolphins (as you’ve seen on Nova). The second of those two is mine so we have matching ones.
Since birth nova has worn all three at different stages of her life starting firstly with the tale and the only time her pounamu ever comes off is when her koko (my dad) re threads it for her. She even sleeps with it. She has always used it for comfort, when she is upset, scared etc she will either bite on it or hold it.
My dad, Nova and I are all very spiritual so we all share a close bond in that way. So much so my dad believes Nova was sent by my grandmother and although Nova has never actually met her, she can describe her to a tee and she used to call for nana when she was a baby. It was only when she got older that she told me she talks to her and others that have passed, especially when she is staying over with my parents. So I guess for us the pounamu is our way of connection between generations living and passed.” Chanel.
I very much encourage clients to bring in to their session, any items which carry much significance and sentimental value to them as Nova’s pounamu does for her. Your photographs will not only be extremely unique to you, but will inevitably become family heirloom and be of great sentimental value to generations thereafter.
Thank you so much Chanel for choosing me to photograph your family, I cannot wait to see when you have your photographs gracing the walls in your home for everyone to see.
Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Big love
Sal
Some lovely words from Chanel on her session
“Scrolling through my Facebook feed a little over a year ago I came across the most beautiful family portraits and I was wrapped to find the photographer was a Geelong local so I had to enquire. Fast forward a year and 5 or so lockdowns, Nova, Brian and I met the very talented Sally McCann. After meeting Sal in person and the actual photo shoot experience I knew we were in good hands. Yesterday we were lucky enough to view our photos and to say we were wrapped with the outcome is an understatement! Thank you so much Sal for welcoming us into your home and capturing our family in the most beautiful yet simple way. Your talent is truely second to none and we cannot wait to fill our home with these amazing pics 💕” Chanel.
Headshots and why they’re so important
What is the importance of a professional headshot?
More often than not your potential clients will not know you personally, so having a good professional headshot against your online profile is a great way to create an effective first impression.
What is the importance of a professional headshot?
More often than not your potential clients will not know you personally, so having a good professional headshot against your online profile is a great way to create an effective first impression. When I take headshots for my clients one of key elements in their headshot is engagement. The viewer needs to feel a connection with them straight away. Now, here’s the truth… whether you like it or not, the online world - people - will judge you for the way you look when they see your photograph. Now, you also might be sitting there thinking ‘i don’t really care’ and that is fine… but I guess I would like you to hear me out - so lets keep going…
Myself and many other portrait photographers out there have said this many times before, ‘your headshot is the logo to your own personal branding.’ Me personally, my actual “logo” is no where to be seen on any of my social media platforms. It sits only at the top of my website, on invoicing, product & marketing etc… but on my private and business socials I have are professional headshot. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve sold something on Facebook Marketplace and the purchaser has made a lovely comment on my profile picture - and 9 times out of 10 these comments are coming from women. If you take a selfie or have your friend take a headshot for you, that’s all good and well, but they will they get the lighting right? Pose you properly? or will they edit your photo so that is looks like you? Too many times, I’ve seen blown out headshots, poorly corrected skin toning, double chins (I do understand sometimes this cannot be helped but most of the time with good posing this can simply be avoided), the list goes on. Having a professional photograph taken where the photographer understands lighting, good posing for you and your body shape and can edit all elements of an image correctly, you will not only love this image of yourself, you will gain the confidence to put that image of you online for potential employers, clients, investors, collaborators to see. Now, when you have confidence in yourself what does that lead to - success?! - you betcha!
Below was session I did late last year. Rennie wanted to update her online profile. It had been quite some time since she hers updated. She found me and loved my style (which is very important). After speaking on the phone she felt confident in booking me, even though she was not confident in having her photograph taken… very much like every person I speak to before a session. I was extremely happy with how these images turned out. I was forced to work outside, due to Covid19 restrictions and couldn’t photograph within my home studio. I used only natural light around me (I predominately work within my home studio and rely on studio lighting to light my clients). three different locations later and these are how they turned out.
“Working with Sally was a true pleasure. Having head shots done is far from my idea of fun but Sally made the whole experience a breeze and I was never less than 1000% confident that she would get a result that I loved (which I do)! Nothing was too much trouble for Sal and her creativity and ability to make me comfortable was second to none. I’ll definitely be back time and time again! Highly recommended, thanks a million Sal!
- Rennie”