Depending on the photographer, a headshot session can be as little as $50 and can go up to $500 or more. As with any other service, you get what you pay for. The $50 head shot photographer is likely new to the business and/or unsure of her skills. Also, at $50 for an hour, or even half an hour, this photographer’s business is not sustainable: meaning that in 6 months or a year, or 2 years he or she won’t be around if you lost your photo files, or now you need it in black and white.

When you hire me to take your head shot, we’ll first have a chat about your business and your brand. See, your photo is an element of branding for your business. If you have a landscaping business, it doesn’t make sense to have your portrait taken in a slick-looking studio wearing a suit. It makes more sense to have your head shot taken outdoors, somewhere green, and casually dressed.

Your business brand is the first thing we’ll talk about. Then we’ll schedule a time and location, and meet for photography. Here’s the thing about photo sessions… nobody looks forward to them. Some people dread them more than going to the dentist because there is a fear of not looking good. I’ll quickly put you at ease though, because I have no doubts that I can make you look great. And taking your photo is absolutely fun for me, and that inevitably spills over to you.

For my current head shot pricing, click here: Fort Collins Headshot Pricing

When thinking about professional portrait photography, keep in mind that you’re paying not only for the session time and the final digital files, but also for intangibles. These are things like the photographer’s expertise, customer service, and the quality of your photo-taking experience. Lastly you’re paying for overhead, such as cameras, lenses, memory storage, software, etc.

While my head shot cost may be more than some other photographers, my plan is to provide you with a fantastic photography experience, photos that make you look great, and to stay in business for a very long time. So when you need something a year or two down the road, I’ll be here and still have your photo files.

One thing I want to remind everyone is that now is a great time to begin thinking about senior portraits. I love working with students and have so much fun helping them pick a style that really shows off their uniqueness. It’s such a treat to capture the inner beauty they don’t even know they have yet.

I love all styles of personal portraits – fashiony, soft, rugged, natural, and downtown/city shots. Outdoor shots are always super fun, and I have a studio for more formal pictures. We can also mix the concepts together by bringing a piece of the studio outside – like plunking a big, over-sized chair into the middle of an open field.

The best part about senior portraits is incorporating what is close to your heart. If you are a guitar player, bring it. If you love horses, let’s get them in the pictures. If you look fantastic in hats, bring all of them and we will find the best. Props are such a great way to help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera and bring a more natural element to the photos. Just let me know what you love, and I’ll find a way to make it work.

Best friend pictures are also great. Friends help each other feel more at ease and playful in front of the camera, and they bring out the natural beauty in each other. After individual shoots are finished, we can also capture a special friendship on film.

To make things easy for students and parents, I’m offering a senior portrait deal where I waive my session fee. And, instead of emailing you a bunch of photos to dig through, I’ll host a private viewing session for a student and his or her parents/guardians. Together you can review photos, choose a photo package and select a design for a professional album that I will put together personally. Check out my senior photo website for more specific information on booking a photo session and pricing.

I’m so excited to help students and parents create a fun, polished look that will help them to capture such an important time in life!

In my “time off” I’ve evolved my vision and business beyond photography and teaching to include branding and other juicy marketing-based services. I also have an Ebook and workbook currently in development for release later this summer, that shares simple, effective ways to create an engaging brand for your business. More on this fun project as it develops.

I’m also continuing to grow my outreach locally through photography classes. I will be teaching a beginner photography class at the end of May that shares tips on how to take better photos with any camera. It will focus on the basics of light and composition and include hands on one-on-one instruction for rockin’ great photos with your own camera — no matter what brand or style you use. Check it out!

Last week I was in Hawaii shooting a wedding … I’m still so excited! This opportunity was very personally fulfilling for me — I set a goal for myself about a year ago to snag a gig in this tropical paradise. So I got to enjoy the beautiful landscape there while I do work I love. What could be better? Look for photo posts in the next few weeks all about my adventure.

Phew! I think we are finally caught up! Look for more regular posts from me sharing cool photos, simple tips to improve your skills behind the camera and other juicy creative projects and ideas.

Wishing you a spring full of creativity and fun!

Third time’s a charm, and we met at City Park just as the morning’s clouds were breaking up. I had so much fun processing these photos, so you’ll get to see a variety of the ways I can play with colors to change the mood of a photo.

Caylee was fascinated by me, always checking to see where I was. Yup, I was still there… and she’d contentedly go about exploring some more.

And hang out with Mom and Dad…

See? They’re a gorgeous family! And I had a ton of fun being part of it for a couple hours that morning.

And she’s just plain gorgeous. This girl does not cease to amaze me.

I love that she wanted to do this one above!

Aubrey is going into her senior year at Rocky Mountain High School, and then I have no doubt she’ll be a rock star where ever she goes!

Tiffany’s reaction:
The shots you took are just extraordinary. You caught so many of our sweet little guy, even though he was so pouty during the shoot…amazing. Thank you so much, we really love them!

Once we got Max to forget about the big black camera, he was an adorable smiler!

And Liza LOVED having the camera pointed at her.

And of course, Tiffany and Gary couldn’t be any cuter or more clearly in love.

I’m looking forward to warmer weather and lots more families and children to photograph!

BrandCampBlog.com showed up as a suggestion in my Google Reader this morning, and so I read a few of her posts. One of them challenged her readers to share a personal story on their blogs. A personal story? I had a visceral terror reaction when I read that. I’m really good at hiding my dirty laundry and maintaining a shiny, happy appearance. Clearly, I could tell a personal story that enforces the shiny, happy appearance… but that feels less-than-genuine.  And so, since I like to do things all the way when I do them, I’ll tell you one of my biggest secrets.

Throughout my 20′s (and since I turned 30 last week, I can say things like that) I always prided myself on not needing anyone. I wanted a career, enough money to keep up with fun techie toys and eat out and have adventures big and small.  I was all about how I don’t need a boyfriend or a relationship, and I’m perfectly happy if I never get married. I don’t want the kids and the picket fence and the golden retriever anyway. I just want to travel, explore, dance, and meet people all over the place. I can make friends anywhere, so why would I need anyone in particular, right?

Yeah? So why did I drop my life in New York City and move to Colorado to be with my boyfriend? I had perfectly logical reasons.

With my life in Colorado, my work as a photographer turned towards weddings. Weddings!? I hate weddings… except that I don’t. Except that I really love weddings. I really love love, and the truth is that with every wedding I photographed the voice in my heart got a little more persistent. The truth is that I’m so good at capturing the looks and moments between bride and groom because I let my heart guide the camera, and I want them so badly for myself. I do want to travel the world, explore and meet people all over the place… and I really want a partner in crime for the trip, a play mate, a dance partner, a hand-holder.

Yesterday morning I did a family portrait session with the Blackden’s, and saw it in Tiffany and Gary. What they have there…that’s my big Want… and the big secret I’ve been keeping from everyone, including myself.

Rio Grande Gorge, Taos

I’ve been learning a lot lately about living from inspiration, or following your heart, or whatever you want to call it. It comes down to listening to the soft whispers that gently ask that you do something exciting and scary, rather than listening to the loud and ceaseless voice that has reasons and justifications for playing it safe, keeping things predictable and controllable.

Well, last week I had one such little whisper that said “get out of town… now.” I had all kinds of reasons why I shouldn’t… I’d go alone? Where? And isn’t there work and stuff I should be doing instead? The whisper said “yes, alone… anywhere… and the work will wait.” Ok then… it makes me nervous, but I’m listening.

Rio Grande Gorge, somewhere between Santa Fe and Taos

And so on Friday, I got in my car and drove to Taos, New Mexico. Saturday morning, I took a yoga class and then drove to Santa Fe. Sunday afternoon, I drove back to Fort Collins. In between, I talked to strangers of all kinds, locked my keys in my car… twice, broke into my car… twice, did a lot walking, stopping, and looking around. I certainly had my moments of discomfort, moments of “what the hell am I doing here?” and “why am I the only person in the universe all alone?” For the most part though, I was drunk on my freedom, giddy with the enormity of infinite possibilities and madly in love with the little whisper in my heart.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

I think everyday, everyone should do one little thing out of the ordinary. One little act that is simultaneously exciting and uncomfortable. That way, when big opportunities or big ideas present themselves, you’ll be a pro at tuning out the fearful voice telling you to play it safe. You’ll be able to recognize that little whisper saying “yes, do it.” And you will listen.

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