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Christina Gressianu Photographer

Portrait Photography Studio in Loveland, Colorado

Photography

What’s the difference between Headshots and Personal Branding?

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If you're looking for photos for your business or work, you might be wondering if you need Headshots or Personal Branding photos. Both types of photography are professional in nature, so I'll break down the differences and list some ways to know if you're going for headshots or personal branding.

Traditionally, a headshot is a really tightly cropped photograph of just your head. It shows the top of your head to your shoulders or so. Over time, the word "headshots" has come to mean a professional photo that goes to your waist or mid-thigh. However long or close the the photo is, a headshot is all about showing your face. When you're putting your headshot on Linkedin or your resume, you're showing people how to recognize you when you walk in the door.

Personal Branding is pretty new style of professional photography, and I think it's a product of social media "influencers."  Personal Branding photos might show your face, or might not. They're more lifestyle-looking - showing you on a couch or in a kitchen. They also often include props like a coffee cup, microphone, or tool of the trade. The idea is to get people to feel like they know you and relate to you.

Headshots are more for people who need to feature their face. Actors, Authors, Models, CEOs, Company Presidents need a couple solid headshots. These headshots are for LinkedIn, book jackets, the staff page on a website, and press features. You want to look great in your headshot, and show a bit of personality.

Personal Branding is best for those who run their own business or anyone who is marketing themselves as a brand for any reason. It's less corporate, and more personable. You might get a headshot or two in your personal branding package, but the bulk of the photos feature your personality.

Either way, you should have fresh hair color (if you color your hair), and ideally be a week in to your latest haircut. I recommend having your makeup professionally done, because what looks great in person is not the same as what looks great on camera. We have professional stylists who are experienced in camera-ready makeup, so that you look your absolute best!

What to wear is a complicated conversation, so for the sake of simplicity, my general rules are: Solid colors, fitted / figure-hugging shapes and fabrics, and 3/4 or longer sleeves. Those rules aren't written in stone... they can be broken, but you can't go wrong following them!

If you'd like to talk about your business photography needs and figure out what's best for you, contact me HERE

 

Maternity Photos in Loveland

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As a kid, I loved it when my mom pointed at a photo of her and said "that's you inside me." I imagined myself curled up inside there. It made me feel so close to her and loved.

I've watched women change over the course of their pregnancy, and it is absolutely something that must be documented!! If only so that when that baby is 10, 18, 22 years old you'll remember what it was like to carry them in your belly.

Here are 3 BIG Reasons for a Maternity Art Photoshoot:

1 - Your body is doing something astonishing. Your heart is literally beating for another. Growing a human might feel like a long and tiring job right now, but it'll go by before you know it.

2 - Everything is about to change. Your family, your body, your life. Whether you're adding your first human baby to fur babies, or whether this is your 5th child, the dynamic will change. Change is great! And the best way to usher in change is to commemorate what you have now.

3 - You DESERVE to have portraits where we show the queen, goddess, baddass that you truly are. Even if you feel swollen and sweaty, I'll bring out the powerful woman you are underneath it all. So you can see it everyday, and your little baby will always know who their mom is, and how much you love them.

The best time for your portrait session is towards the end of your second trimester. You’ll look clearly pregnant, without feeling overly big. And you'll still have plenty of energy and mobility for us to dress you up and pose for the session.

So, congratulations on your pregnancy! Let's start designing your Maternity Photo Art  now - just click here: Contact Page

How Much Does a Headshot Cost?

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How much does a headshot cost in Loveland or Fort Collins is not an easy question to answer. It's like asking how much does dinner cost in Loveland? Because the short answer is "it depends."

Dinner to some people means McD's and to others means Jay's Bistro. Dinner to some includes a bottle of wine, appetizers and dessert. Or just the entree. Or an appetizer and dessert. A salad? Or surf and turf?

You get my point. So, when it comes to the cost of headshots here are some general guidelines:

Under $500

  • likely no studio
  • no hair and makeup styling
  • general "what to wear" advice, if any
  • level of expertise / experience highly variable
  • unedited jpgs delivered, or 1-2 edited final photos

OR, it's a special offer like my Headshot Mini Marathon

a contemporary headshot that is not too corporate

$500 - 1000

  • studio or in-home studio
  • one location included
  • hair and makeup styling included
  • some sort of customized advice on what to wear
  • intermediate to expert level photographer
  • 2-3 edited final headshots delivered

This is where my standard Custom Headshot Session starts, and includes a Wardrobe & Concept Consultation, and Professional Hair and Makeup Styling.

$1000+

  • commercial studio
  • multiple location options
  • hair and makeup included
  • in-home consultation for wardrobe and branding planning
  • studio wardrobe access or shopping
  • customized background and props (a transparent / white background for example)
  • creative editing / lighting
  • expert level photographer
  • 4+ final headshots delivered

This is where my Extended Custom Headshot Session falls. It includes everything you need to make headshots lemon-squeezy fun. All you have to do is show up!

 

When you're researching photographers for your next headshot, be sure that their pricing matches their offerings and then just choose which lane you want to be in.

If you're ready, you can begin to design your headshot session here!

 

The Perfect Gift for Your Wedding Day – Bridal Boudoir

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If you're looking for a unique and memorable wedding gift for your partner, bridal boudoir is the perfect option. Boudoir photography is all about capturing the essence of femininity, and what could be more special than giving your husband or spouse-to-be a collection of beautiful images that celebrates your beauty and sensuality?

Boudoir photography sessions are typically done in our Loveland, Colorado studio, so you don't have to worry about cleaning up for finding a hotel room. We'll work together on  your outfits, props and poses to create a look that's uniquely you. Because it's all so custom and so YOU, bridal boudoir makes for a fantastic keepsake that will last forever.

So if you're looking for something truly special for your wedding day, consider gifting your partner a bridal boudoir album. It's sure to be a gift they'll never forget! When they open it in another room, they'll brim with anticipation of seeing you come down the aisle. As if they weren't already excited, now you blew their brain!

 Bridal Boudoir Options

Often your wedding photographer can create some boudoir photos while you’re getting ready. This can happen between when you’ve got your hair and makeup done, but before you put your dress on. It only works if you have a gorgeous place to get ready. The real bummer is that you won’t have those photos to actually give your fiancé until some time after your wedding.

A separate photo session, about 8 weeks before your wedding is more relaxed and ensures that you’ll have an album in your hands to gift on the actual big day. Since you’re boudoir session is done, it’s crossed off the list as your wedding day gets closer. One less thing to worry about!

If you’re in or around Loveland, we can meet for a consultation and plan your boudoir session. We’ll discuss what kind of lingerie is most flattering for your body type, and how you’d like my professional makeup artist to style your hair and makeup. We can include your veil and other wedding accessories, like his tie, to make your boudoir album a perfect wedding day gift.

During our consultation we’ll also go over how you’d like to see yourself, and how your partner loves to see you. From sweet romance to racy, we can create it all in the Downtown Loveland studio!

When to Schedule Your Bridal Boudoir Session

I recommend you reach out to me as soon as possible, but at least 12 weeks before your wedding day in order to have your album in-hand on time. We’ll meet for our consultation right away, and then photograph you about 8 weeks before your wedding. After your photo session, you’ll choose your favorite photos to include in the album. I’ll edit them for beautiful skin, perfect hair and sparkling eyes - without changing the shape of your body at all. Once you approve the edits, the album takes about 14 days to arrive. When you come to pick it up, you’ll look through it and then we’ll gift wrap it so you’re all set! Then add your own card and give it to bridesmaid or sibling to hand your fiancé the morning of your wedding!

A bridal boudoir album is a unique and memorable gift for your fiancé on their wedding day. It is sure to be a cherished possession for years to come. If you're looking for something special to give your partner on your big day, consider a bridal boudoir album!

Online Dating Pictures

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Headshot for online datingAs if dating isn’t hard enough, in the world of online dating, you’re first seen in pictures. How do we make internet dating fun then? By presenting yourself in the best possible way, while being honest and authentic. The great thing about being yourself online is that you're more likely to attract someone who you actually like in person! Meeting people is fun, but you don’t want to waste your time with people who aren’t fun for you!

As a portrait photographer, I have over a decade of experience photographing people for their eHarmony, Match.com and OkCupid profiles. You want photographs that will create the best interactions with other members.

Most online dating profiles let you set a main, profile photo and then have a gallery of more pictures. In all your photos, you want to have good lighting that isn’t too harsh. Bathroom selfies are popular because the light in bathrooms tends to be soft and bright, but is that really the message you want to send? Window light is also generally great for portraits. Standing in front of, or next to a window can work really well. Don’t have the window behind you, or it will be bright and your face will be dark.

If you’re taking photos outside, the sun is great. Get into position, and then close your eyes. Open your eyes and take the photo quickly, so you don’t look squinty. Also, I would steer clear of sunglasses in your dating profile photos, because someone hiding their eyes looks subconsciously suspicious.

And if you're into filters and face-tuning... take it easy. Natural and clean looking photos beat trendy filters every day. Nothing makes your photos look dated (sorry for the pun) like yesterday's filter. You can use a little bit of skin softening if you have it, but keep it natural. Don't face-tune yourself into looking like plastic. People are supposed to have texture in their skin.

So, now... first, you need a scroll-stopping profile photo. You're best bet is a headshot rather than a group photo or a full-body shot where you’re tiny in the photo. The profile photo is often first seen small, like a thumbnail. If you're trying to show too much, it doesn't look like anything when viewed small and quick. You on the top of a mountain isn’t going to look like much when someone is scrolling through tiny profile pictures. (Save that one for your gallery) We need to show off your beautiful eyes, and quick! Friendly smiles work great too. Just like how you’d smile at someone you spot in a room, you can smile at them in your profile picture too. A closely cropped headshot is the best way to show off a quick sparkle and catch someone's curiosity about you.

Next, you get to create a gallery of photos where you can really show off your personality. Don’t limit yourself to those photos of you in formal wear, and add photos that show your interests and spirit. The great thing about a gallery is that you can show a good variety. Here’s a picture of you dressed up, and here you are on a normal Saturday. Photos of you dancing or playing with your pet— or doing whatever you like to do— are fun, engaging and show people a genuine glimpse of who you are. If you’re outdoorsy, you should have some great photos of you in your hiking boots on a trail. If you’re into wine, then pictures of you at a wine bar are great. That picture on top of the mountain is great here.

You can tell online people so much about yourself using photography! When I photograph people for their online dating, we do a variety of locations and outfits to show how multi-faceted you are. Don’t be afraid of being “weird” because we’re all weird! Whatever you think is weird, is probably beautiful and interesting. If you’re funny, we can make someone laugh with your picture. If you’re witty, be witty in a photo. If you’re a giant softy, we'll show off your big heart. Nothing is more attractive than confidence and authenticity. So the real key to online dating pictures is to just be yourself.

If you're interested in booking a portrait session with me for your online dating profile, fill out this form and we'll get the ball rolling!

natural online dating picture