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In late 2020, amidst the second half of the pandemic, I started a portrait series focused on women in their 40s, 50s and beyond. As I stepped into my forties, I was feeling more empowered and more liberated in my womanhood than ever before. In conversations with other women who were struggling to keep their work and family lives moving forward, there was still an intemporal undertone of self-knowledge and growth that transcended the moment. Under unprecedented stress, these women were still changing careers, building businesses, caring for or mourning loved ones, raising their children, sending them off to college, always grinding away a life's demands without a moment to catch their breath. So I wanted to do something to honor how hard women were working to keep our world spinning during Covid. I wanted to give them an experience that would reconnect them with themselves and remind them of how beautiful and strong they are. This collection showcases women of all ages, all backgrounds and even family members, including my own, who took the opportunity to share in a special project together. I am deeply grateful to the women who participated in this series. To me they are literal rock stars. And I couldn't be more honored to have been able to capture a moment in their lives. In invite you to take a look and read how each woman defines the qualities of her age for herself and her takeaway from being photographed by my team and I. Simply click on the cover below: A photoshoot with me is a transformative experience that gives you permission to shine in all your wonderful and beautiful uniqueness. You'll leave your session feeling exhilarated and emboldened to tell your story, your way. Your photos will connect you with your target audience. Your photos will connect you to yourself. With the use of my certified life coaching techniques and a fine tuned emotional IQ, I will help you feel at ease and lit up with genuine self-confidence. I invite you to book a session with me. I guarantee, you'll love the results. It might even change the way you see yourself. Portrait photographer serving the LGBTQIA and greater community in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Southbay, Ventura and Orange County. Offering formal portraiture, modern glamour photography, personal branding, corporate headshot photography, candid children's photography, family photography, business & acting headshots, as well as events and editorial coverage. Located near Larchmont Village, Hancock Park and Paramount Studios

Robin McCary is the owner of The Robin McCary Group, an affiliate of Compass Realty. She is a powerhouse of a woman in business and in life. And is currently ranked in the top 1/2 of the 1% of real estate agents nationwide. She hired me on referral to revamp her brand imagery for use across her website and various advertising and PR platforms. She wanted professional quality images that reflected her in an approachable but established manner. And it became clear to me during our wardrobe review that we had to play up her style and the colorful vibe that is a staple of both her personal brand and her business. However, she is also the type of client who loathes having her photo taken. To her credit, she was willing to be led, and committed to doing whatever she needed to get great results. If her instinct was to run at every step of the process, she has such a wonderful sense of humor and charming, forthright personality that we pulled off not only some super photos but dare I say, had loads of fun while doing so. From day one, my priority was to hold space for her to be entirely herself and embrace those traits that make her such a dynamic and successful business owner. The morning of her session, we showed up bright and early at her beautiful home to get her into hair and makeup. Then proceeded to shoot on location around her neighborhood near Toluca Lake before heading over to her newly decorated offices in Burbank for some environmental shots. We parted ways at 4pm, a little spent perhaps but with a great variety of headshot and lifestyle images she could cherry pick for her marketing endeavors. Below are just a few results from her photoshoot. For more information on booking your own personal branding photoshoot experience, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. A photoshoot with me is a transformative experience that gives you permission to shine in all your wonderful and beautiful uniqueness. You'll leave your session feeling exhilarated and emboldened to tell your story, your way. Your photos will connect you with your target audience. Your photos will connect you to yourself. With the use of my certified life coaching techniques and a fine tuned emotional IQ, I will help you feel at ease and lit up with genuine self-confidence. I invite you to book a session with me. I guarantee, you'll love the results. It might even change the way you see yourself. Portrait photographer serving the LGBTQIA and greater community in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Southbay, Ventura and Orange County. Offering formal portraiture, modern glamour photography, personal branding, corporate headshot photography, candid children's photography, family photography, business & acting headshots, as well as events and editorial coverage. Located near Larchmont Village, Hancock Park and Paramount Studios.

They say forty is the new twenty. But I sure as hell hope not. Being over forty is a deeply empowering era in a woman's life. One that flourishes incredible beauty and self-confidence. We're done with the anxieties of youth and there's a certain "f*ck it" attitude that takes over and kicks up the sexy a few notches. Experience becomes far more desirable than innocence. You know who you are, what you've accomplished and have a new found self worth that spurs personal growth with no apologies. I felt all of that and more when I photographed Tressa a few weeks ago. She describes herself as caring, candid and tenacious. And what she loves about being 45 is having the confidence to live life to its fullest. She says she doesn’t spend time on self doubt. “I finally see insecurity as a self imposed obstacle that can keep us from reaching our greatest potential and living and loving fully.” About doing this photoshoot she says, “As well as having a professional portrait, I wanted to capture this version of myself for my child and future family. I wanted my daughter to know that I was proud of who I am at this point in my life and for her to someday see that empowerment through the photographs. [This shoot] felt like a true celebration of who I am in this moment and I think it’s important to be captured by someone who is trained to pull forward our personalities.” I can think of no greater gift to impart to one's daughter. To learn more about doing a photoshoot that celebrates your womanhood, contact me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. You can learn more about my Rock Your Age sessions here. A photoshoot with me is a transformative experience that gives you permission to shine in all your wonderful and beautiful uniqueness. You'll leave your session feeling exhilarated and emboldened to tell your story, your way. Your photos will connect you with your target audience. Your photos will connect you to yourself. With the use of my certified life coaching techniques and a fine tuned emotional IQ, I will help you feel at ease and lit up with genuine self-confidence. I invite you to book a session with me. I guarantee, you'll love the results. It might even change the way you see yourself. Portrait photographer serving the LGBTQIA and greater community in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Southbay, Ventura and Orange County. Offering formal portraiture, modern glamour photography, personal branding, corporate headshot photography, candid children's photography, family photography, business & acting headshots, as well as events and editorial coverage. Located near Larchmont Village, Hancock Park and Paramount Studios.

Working in Los Angeles as one of likely 10,000+ photographers, I've really had to carve out what makes me stand out from the crowd. Not only in my branding but as a business that offers specific customer-centric portrait services. Though it took me years to define my ideal client, the fact is they've been with me all along. They are creatives at heart. Passionate and talented multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs and executives who dream beyond the status quo. They are strivers and adventurers with open minds and big, kind hearts. They come to me wanting an experience that puts them front and center. And to embody their idealized selves. We accomplish this by curating photoshoots founded on collaborative planning and a personalized, guided approach to capturing their unique essence. Here's a quick read on how that process unfolds. If you'd like to learn more about how we can make your photoshoot dreams a reality and curate your own portrait experience for work, life and legacy, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 - www.NJPphotography.com A photoshoot with me is a transformative experience that gives you permission to shine in all your wonderful and beautiful uniqueness. You'll leave your session feeling exhilarated and emboldened to tell your story, your way. Your photos will connect you with your target audience. Your photos will connect you to yourself. With the use of my certified life coaching techniques and a fine tuned emotional IQ, I will help you feel at ease and lit up with genuine self-confidence. I invite you to book a session with me. I guarantee, you'll love the results. It might even change the way you see yourself. Portrait photographer serving the LGBTQIA and greater community in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Southbay, Ventura and Orange County. Offering formal portraiture, modern glamour photography, personal branding, corporate headshot photography, candid children's photography, family photography, business & acting headshots, as well as events and editorial coverage. Located near Larchmont Village, Hancock Park and Paramount Studios.

It's not often I get to work with younger clients but when I do, I relish the opportunity to create images that are out of the ordinary, especially when it comes to actor branding. Last month, when I sent out a model call for my Girls With Curls campaign, my email was forwarded by Ava's agent to her mom. Whether they're 14 or 44, actors need to know, understand and market their personal brand just like any business owner. They are their business. So it was wonderful to chat with Ava and her mom during our pre-session consultation and realize Ava knows exactly who she is, what she likes and what she wanted to bring to her shoot. She was super clear about her outfits and the props she wanted to include. And after getting to know her a little and thinking about the best environment for her Girls with Curls portrait session, I decided that Highland Park and in particular Figueroa Street would suit her temperament and aesthetic best. Neither of them knew the area well so it was a lot of fun to show them around while photographing Ava in various poses and against different backdrops to play up her personality, skin tones, eye color and of course, that gorgeous head of curls. She transformed easily from being a 14 year old teenager to an enthusiastic professional with a click of the shutter. It was a blast. And now she and her agent have stand out images she can use across her profiles and when submitting for casting calls. To learn more about doing a portrait session or to sign up for my special Girls With Curls campaign, get in touch with me here or call 310.622.4580

Updating one's professional image should happen every year for those with a career in the public eye and every two years or so for the rest of us. Especially if there is a change in employment, a desire to level-up your position or if you're starting a business. But for more superficial reasons, it's also important to get new headshots if you've changed your hair color dramatically, or your body weight has fluctuated significantly or if your professional dress style has gone from say, suit and tie to jeans and button down shirts. So if you're thinking about refreshing your image - I'd like to share key elements that I believe will help you maximize the results of your photoshoot experience. Number 1: The Wardrobe - It all starts here. It’s vital you feel good in what you’re wearing. You should feel attractive, empowered and fashionable. Unless you're an artist or fashionista, opt for a classic yet contemporary style with a simple pattern and a complimentary color palette for your skin tone. Fit is everything! Both men and women should opt for tighter fitting clothes. They look smarter and photograph better. An outdated look can make a potential client question your relevance in today’s marketplace. If a person hasn’t updated their wardrobe in 20 years, what else might they be out of touch with? Number 2: The Environment - You are where you are The setting for your headshot should match your personal brand not distract from it. Are you someone who works in a modern, minimalistic office or are you a fashion-forward consultant who feels at home in bright, colorful spaces? Consider how the vibe of your desired environment supports your professional look. Here mood-boarding and collaboration are vital in helping the photographer decide where the session should take place. The more you can share about your brand and visual ideals, the better. Client example: Lynn R. Public Speaker Heath and wellness consultant. Wanted us to capture her down-to-earth personality, joie de vivre and her ability to engage any audience. Bright natural light, big smile (in the moment feel), white non/corporate jacket has an almost clinical appeal, and the green shirt complements her redder skin tones as well as denotes nurture, healing, nature, growth. Number 3: Posing - Is the hardest part Try to relax in your body but don’t slouch. Find a position that feels natural but engaged with the viewer, as if you’re having a conversation with someone you like. For sitting poses start with the jawline and angle of the shoulders, regardless of body type. But helping you find the best poses for your natural demeanor and body type is what you’re paying the photographer to do. It’s our job to help you emphasize the best and hide the rest! For standing poses, start with the feet and angle of the hips, regardless of body type. Number 4: Expression - Is Everything No matter what you do, most viewers want to see someone they could do business - or work with, as engaging, friendly, trustworthy and competent. A genuine smile says so much. It is the holy grail of an authentic moment that connects you emotionally to the viewer. This comes down to your ability to let go and be present, and the photographer’s skills in helping you feel comfortable and at ease. A photographer with a friendly, relaxed demeanor will get you to mirror the same. And sometimes a great headshot is all about showcasing unfettered self confidence! Sign-up to my newsletter to learn more tips and tricks on making the most of your portrait experience. Visit www.NJPphotography.com.

Gone are the days of stock photography. Whether you're a solopreneur or you have a few dozen employees under your umbrella, it's vital that you create a portfolio of images that represent you and your business in a engaging, authentic and personable way. These will help you distinguish yourself from the competition and attract the right clients to your brand. To maximize a photoshoot investment, these are my recommended six must-have portraits for the small business owner and solopreneur. All of which should optimally, be designed and planned out in collaboration with your photographer before your session. Number 1: “THE MONEY SHOT” It’s the key shot for use across your social media profiles including your Homepage or About page. It is the portrait you are investing in a photographer to create for you. This portrait should showcase your authentic best. It’s the photo that sells “you” and your brand. I suggest a vertical format for ease of use and optimal viewing on most social media platforms. The headshot should be a closeup of the face. I prefer a smiling, engaging and clean shot but how the client chooses to represent themselves is entirely up to them. A great money shot pays dividends for your personal and business profiles. Number 2: “THE PERSONALITY SHOT” It’s the runner-up portrait for your website that denotes an engaging aspect of your personality. It can be a close-up but should contain a measure of casual spontaneity. This portrait is to reinforce the feeling and tone of your Money Shot. Keep it simple and heartfelt. I often suggest a lifestyle shot. As it makes it easy to share your character and reinforce connection with the viewer. More of the body in the frame. Wider crop. Can include environment, background and any other elements or props that reinforce your personal brand. Number 3: “THE HERO SHOT” Once you’ve got the smiling headshot in the bag, you can try for something a tad bolder in style. An assertive pose or expression can create a feeling of authority and self-confidence for your viewer. This shot can be used for press and editorial coverage. As long as it’s on brand, it can reinforce your marketing collateral for use on social media and for speaking engagements. Number 4: “OFF CAMERA LOOK” You’re so damn appealing you look great even when you’re not posing for the camera. Often fun, in-the-moment feeling that gives the viewer of sense of what being “friends” with you is like. It reinforces trust, likability and a feeling of knowing who you are. This lifestyle portrait can be a side profile shot, black and white, or a blurred in-between moment, etc. As long as it looks attractive and genuine, it’s gold. Number 5: “THE WHAT YOU DO” Show your potential client how working with you might look and feel like. Having a photo of yourself engaging directly with clients, an audience or performing your service, goes miles in helping your customers visualize themselves doing the same. Get friends or family to stand-in as models. Capturing you in-action is the best way to build a library of images that truly showcase your talents and sell you to your audience. Stock photos are so yesterday. Number 6: “THE PERSONAL TOUCH” Birds of a feather flock together… Whatever matters to you in terms of activities, hobbies, relationships can be shown here. 
You can create immediate, natural connections with like-minded clients and cu. Home environments, props, pets, loved-ones, sports activities, and any other personal elements can help round off your brand in a meaningful way. For more information on designing a session that matches your brand and showcases your business through unique and captivating photography, contact nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. I'm always happy to chat to see if we are a good fit. A photoshoot with me is a transformative experience that gives you permission to shine in all your wonderful and beautiful uniqueness. You'll leave your session feeling exhilarated and emboldened to tell your story, your way. Your photos will connect you with your target audience. Your photos will connect you to yourself. With the use of my certified life coaching techniques and a fine tuned emotional IQ, I will help you feel at ease and lit up with genuine self-confidence. I invite you to book a session with me. I guarantee, you'll love the results. It might even change the way you see yourself. Portrait photographer serving the LGBTQIA and greater community in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Southbay, Ventura and Orange County. Offering formal portraiture, modern glamour photography, personal branding, corporate headshot photography, candid children's photography, family photography, business & acting headshots, as well as events and editorial coverage. Located near Larchmont Village, Hancock Park and Paramount Studios.

This summer I was extremely fortunate to spend time in Ibiza with a good chunk of my family. I have five siblings, one of whom lives there, and though not all of them could make it, I got to hang out with three of my sisters. This post showcases some of the portraits I did of my sister Tori, who is normally super camera averse. The kind of person who prefers to flip a bird at the lens rather than show a moment of vulnerability or even a smile. So I was really happy and frankly, honored, to hear her say she’d be up for taking part in my Rock Your Age portrait series. For those of you who have not been, Ibiza is at its core a deeply feminine, mystical and hippiesque place. Aside from the nightclub and beach going hedonism that characterizes the island’s popularity, my family, who work and live on this island, get to experience an environment that offers up incredible year round beauty and a low key lifestyle defined by a certain glamorous free-spiritedness. And so in designing her session, I wanted Tori’s looks to reflect not only her creative personality, her slightly rebellious spirit and some of the vestiges of her late night vibes but also showcase the Gypset fashions of the island. Which often lean toward flowing, ethnic prints and bohemian, layered garments. We shot in the late afternoon to take advantage of Ibiza's incredible golden hour. And I got some fantastic assist by our sister, Pia, who took charge of Tori's hair and makeup, as well as the wardrobe styling. Below are some of the results of our shoot. If you'd like to learn more about my services, and how to book a glamour session for yourself, contact me directly at 310.622.4580 or email nicolette@NJPphotography.com

Roxanne turned 46 this year. The mid forties can feel like a turning point woman's life and it's one that deserves to be celebrated for achieving a certain level of self-love and self-expression. It's also the start of those years during which we begin to act as caregivers for our parents as they age and illness strikes. Amongst everything else that 2020 under Covid wrought, Roxanne lost her father unexpectedly in August to Pancreatic cancer. When she came across my Rock Your Age portrait session, she decided to treat herself. "What resonated with me about the project is its focus on women of mature age and all of the substance and non-conventional beauty that we have to offer." During the consultation phase on designing her shoot, we selected a variety of carefully chosen looks and then on shoot day gave ourselves permission to improvise everything else. Here are just a few of Roxanne's favorites, which we crafted into a stunning linen covered Photobook by Milk. Proof is in the pudding as Roxanne is stepping into her forties with grace, moxie and determination to explore life in every aspect that interests her. From modeling to learning how to fly a plane and traveling more, she is on an inspiring path of self-discovery and growth. It was exciting to work with her on this collection of portraits that honor her spirit, beauty and multi-cultural heritage. She says, "This has put me back in touch with my talent and with the fun and focus that such experiences hold. I would absolutely recommend it to others." To book your own photoshoot, contact nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. You can learn more about my Rock Your Age sessions click here.

I always enjoy working with artists, especially when they are super reticent about having their portrait done. Helping them to love how they look in photos is a challenge I embrace. Such was Lynne’s case who recently finished her first children’s illustrated book and needed an author shot for promotional purposes. She couldn’t remember the last time she had liked a photo of herself, and certainly not one that was taken by a professional. But having an updated headshot was a necessary evil in her mind, so after flipping through a few websites on Google, she came across mine and my Rock Your Age portrait project, geared towards women over 40. That piqued her curiosity and she called me to chat further. We hit it off immediately and I could tell that her bubbly energy and easy laugh would make for a fun photoshoot, despite her reservations about the results. "I have a quirky, asymmetrical face which does not lend itself to complimentary photos. Over the years I have become rather photo phobic. When I spoke to Nicolette on the phone, I felt if anyone could get a good head shot out of me it would be her. I was right. While I was never completely at ease, she was able to get me to relax and trust her." We decided to do the photoshoot at her place, an apartment in mid-Wilshire that has great natural light and is decorated with Lynne and her family’s artworks, instruments and books, all of which beautifully reflect her creative flair and warmth. Two important components of her overall personal brand. "I had no real concerns about the shoot as Nicolette guided me through what she needed and what would happen. What I would wear was picked out in advance in our online interview. I sent her a video of my apartment so she could see if it would work as a back drop where most of the shots would probably be taken. The make-up artist she brought gave me just the natural look I wanted." Her session lasted two hours during which we created a variety of images indoors and outside in her neighborhood. I wanted to make sure we captured different facets of her personality, and provide her with marketable assets for her different offerings. Yet all of them showcasing Lynne as an open, kind and graceful artist who is equally at home strumming a guitar to 80s rock as she is looking the part of a radio talk show host for her vocal course work. She messaged me that evening, “I just wanted to tell you how amazing you are and how you made that session easier and more fun than I could have imagined." And in-spite of her natural resistance at having her photo taken, Lynne rocked her shoot and got finally got to have images of herself she can be proud of. "It was worth every penny," she wrote. To learn more about my brand shoots or the Rock Your Age portrait campaign for women over 40, please email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580

One of my favorite shoots of 2020 was with a sweet and easy-going couple who came to me for new LinkedIn headshots. Stephen was moving into entrepreneurship and his wife, Irina, wanted the opportunity to update her own profile in view of stepping up in her career. They both understood the value of a strong online image but other things always seemed to take precedence, not the least of which was navigating the crazy twists and turns of 2020. It took a couple of calls but we designed a session that would fit their individual needs and provide enough time to capture a few portraits of them together as well. Like so many of us, they hadn't had professional photos done since their wedding day. So I always encourage my clients to consider including some personal shots for their and their family’s benefit. Stephen says, Nicolette helped us with everything from selecting the right outfits, choosing the right studio, working around our busy schedules, and pairing us with a stylist who helped us look our best. The actual photo session was a lot of fun, and she helped us both venture outside our comfort zones to create some great images. Their shoot lasted nearly four hours but for my part, the longer I photographed them the more ideas came to me for creative, editorial style headshots. In particular with Irina who's natural beauty and ease in front the camera lent itself to some lovely results. Afterwards I culled their images into separate galleries and helped them narrow down the selection to their must-haves. Stephen’s mom and sister even joined us on the final image review to weigh-in on their favorites. The clients chose seven images, which were all retouched in my signature style and provided to them in both print and web ready resolutions. The rest will stay safely with me in the eventuality they want more later on. Meanwhile, they can showcase great looking, more polished LinkedIn profiles that level-up their online presence as well as some beautiful legacy portraits to cherish for years to come. To learn more about my personal branding sessions, connect with me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. I'd love to chat about how I can help you build your brand and grow your business or career.

The term personal branding photography has come a long way in gaining traction with professionals and business owners alike. While there are always people who will need corporate headshots for their specific company needs, there is a growing awareness by C-suite executives that their professional image, and thereby their brand, must transcend their workplace to support their career growth outside of their current roles. The same goes for business owners. Gone are the days when we could hide behind cool logos and design savvy websites. We have to put ourselves out there as the face and point of contact for our businesses and reveal ourselves to our potential clients in ways that are authentic, appealing and trust building. In a world of never-ending competition, how you personally come across to your target audience can make the difference between a won or lost lead. So, what’s the different between a brand headshot and lifestyle portraits? Headshot are portraits of a client looking at the camera (the audience), from the waist or chest up. These are direct, engaging, expressive images that should convey a strong glimpse into the subject’s overall persona. Choice of clothing, colors, background tones, and overall style of the images should convey an authentic best for the viewer of this person’s temperament and character. (Headshot) Lifestyle images are more creative and at times less posed or direct. For example, the subject could be looking off camera caught in a laugh or staring intently out into the “future”. They could be full length body shots or closer cropped with the intent to capture a moment or a feeling in that person. It could also be a shot of a public speaker on stage or a baker laying out their freshly baked pastries. These images help entrepreneurs expand and build on their brand story to share more about themselves and what they do in order to connect and grow their target audience. Whether you’re a careerist or a business owner, either type of portraiture can play a role in establishing your personal brand because they can be used across a variety of online and offline marketing platforms. Such as blog posts, websites, LinkedIn profile, speaking engagements, social media feeds like IG and FB, magazine articles and PR pushes, book jackets, advertising creative, billboards, thank you cards, bus benches, even online dating sites. From headshots to lifestyle portraits to behind-the-scenes images, brand images are helpful in showing your ideal clients who you are, what you do and how you do it. They tell a story and that story is your great differentiator. (Lifestyle portrait) To learn more about booking a brand shoot with my team and I, contact me directly at 310.622.4580 or email nicolette@NJPphotography.com And if you aren’t ready for a shoot just yet, you can request my 101 Guide To Personal Branding here.