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Headshots are the actor’s calling card. But what happens when yours gets lost in a sea of similar-looking types? Budding actors know that if you want to get noticed, you need to 1) create a professional repertoire of images that 2) you can go out and sell to the world. But your brand isn’t marketable with just two headshots – the commercial and the theatrical. It demands that you reveal different aspects of your personality that make you a natural fit for the roles you’re going after. I’m not talking about giving you four different looks. I’m talking about capturing that IT FACTOR - the marketable qualities that showcase the unique story of you. To illustrate what I mean about "brand," picture George Clooney and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. What brands do you think these guys sell? Imagine the sort of portraits that capture who they are as people and actors. Clooney would undoubtedly be photographed in an expensive button down shirt and slacks, sleeves rolled, something that sells casual sophistication. That’s his brand. He’s the suave intellectual who both cruises the Amalfi coast and watches sports with the guys. Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson would probably have a very different portfolio of images, with body shots showing his incredible physique, maybe wearing a very fitted two-piece suit with no tie and lots of flair; something that shows off his adorable, pseudo cocky, action hero personality. This is the purpose of a portfolio shoot. To create a repertoire of compelling magazine-style images that show off to casting directors the unique character traits that make you a natural fit for the roles you seek. These are not a substitute for your commercial and theatrical headshots, they are a complement to your much-needed tool kit. As an example, I photographed a client who knows she is perfectly suited to the fashions and attitudes of women from the 1940’s and 1950’s. She loves this era and as a result is very believable in these kinds of roles. This is part of her unique brand. She is straight out of His Girl Friday. She is feminine, soft-spoken, a little quirky and her hourglass figure compliments beautifully this type of wardrobe. She is a glamorous, romantic female lead that comes across as a classic Mad Men beauty. So we did a shoot that, among other looks, pulled together the right clothes, makeup and lighting to capture this innate quality. And what happened? She used one of the headshots I took to submit herself to a casting call for George Clooney’s period piece Suburbicon set in 1959 and she landed an audition. Creating a portfolio, even over time, makes the job of marketing yourself so much easier. It takes the guesswork out of what roles you should be going for and how talent agents can pitch you. It sends a clear message to casting directors that you know who you are and what roles you should be playing. So instead of just getting headshots done, how about creating a portfolio of images that truly set you apart from the crowd? For more information on actor "branding" and its various view points go to: http://smartg.com/actors/4815/branding-actors-need-brand-not https://www.backstage.com/backstage-guides/how-build-your-digital-brand-actor/ http://www.amptalent.com/actor/personal-branding-actors/ https://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/how-define-your-type-create-your-brand-and-write-logline/ https://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/14-tips-determining-your-brand/ https://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/how-find-your-acting-sweet-spot/ To book a portfolio session with our team, contact nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 - www.NJPphotography.com Build your Actor Website #Actorheadshots #Glamourshoot #Magazinestyleheadshots #Magazinestyleportraits #Howtomarketyourimage #Sellingyourbrand

I’m often surprised by the photos people use for their professional online profiles. As with any form of communication, you need to know both your audience and your objective. Professional online profile photos equate to first impressions at a job interview, this means you need to be aware that your wardrobe choices and the environment you are being photographed in are shaping the image of who you are presenting yourself to be. With this in mind you should dress for professional success in your profile pic. If you’re short of ideas, pick up a magazine that covers your industry and checkout what the successful people in your field are being featured wearing. Or get inspiration from GQ or Forbes magazine; do a Google or Pinterest search for “modern professional outfits” or “sophisticated work outfits” and get inspired. You don’t need to wear a three-piece suit to look successful; a simple pair of slacks and a fitted shirt can do the trick if you know what you’re doing. For the majority of people out there I would say: don’t go bold! Stay away from wild patterns, loud colors and big distracting accessories. And avoid super trendy looks. Trendy fashions aren’t always flattering on most body types and they go out of style very quickly. Instead opt for a classic look. It makes a person look put together and attractive whether it’s 1999 or 2017. Classic looks are usually clean and simple. But that doesn’t mean drab and boring. I’d also advise you to err on the lighter side of conservative. I get that in our day and age, fashion is synonymous with individuality and personal expression. But a professional platform like LinkedIn isn’t the best place to showcase your personality via fashion statements. There is of course some leeway here, especially if you’re in a creative field… If you’re a creative individual working in a creative industry like interior design or fashion design or if you’re a musician or a painter and you have a sense of aesthetics that translates well into your fashion sense, then by all means have more fun with you profile pic. But remember it’s still a professional platform geared towards getting you work, not dates. For example, what would you think of someone whose profile picture shows them wearing a t-shirt with The Grateful Dead scrolled across it? Or of a woman wearing a very low cut sequin-studded tank top with bra straps showing? Although there’s nothing wrong with either of these outfits in daily life, they’re not suitable for your LinkedIn profile as they both send subliminal messages that the viewer is interpreting and judging, often critically, when evaluating a potential employee, client or boss. Understand the first impression you are making. But even with all this advice, I would still highly recommend hiring a fashion stylist and getting your photo taken by a professional. And here’s why: Most people think they know what looks good and what’s attractive, but what looks good to you isn’t always what looks good on-camera. This acute understanding of how colors, contrasts, tonalities and form will play well together is as much a talent as it is a skill. Great taste in clothes doesn’t always equate to having the right photoshoot wardrobe. Besides, no one is objective about the way they look. We’re our own worse critics and our perception of how others view us is based mostly on our own insecurities. This can go the other way, where we think we are presenting ourselves to the world in a confident, well put-together manner yet people are not responding favorably to what we are projecting. I recently had a client show up to set wearing his every day professional attire. In his mind he was perfectly presentable, but his clothes were right out of the early 90’s, we’re talking circa Friends! And he was completely unaware that they made him look outdated. An outdated look can make a potential employer question your relevance in today’s professional marketplace. If a person hasn’t updated their wardrobe in 20 years, what else might they be out of touch with? Will they be able to adapt and bring innovative ideas to the table or are they stuck in an outdated way of thinking? A fashion stylist can help you design a look that clearly communicates your professional energy and also reveals a certain amount of your personal essence. They’ll take into account the industry you work in and at what level, as well what career path you are hoping to take in order to tailor your look for success. They will understand the importance of your skin tone and hair color when selecting clothes as the wrong color can make a person look very hard and aggressive in photographs, or look ashen, sickly or meek. A fashion stylist will help you present yourself in the most attractive and professional manner. And that can make all the difference between a potential employer viewing your profile and being compelled to read your resume, or being inexplicably turned off and moving on to the next candidate. Pia is our in-house wardrobe and styling guru. She works closely with our clients to create photoshoot-worthy outfits out of every-day closets. To contact Pia directly, you can email her at PiaPownall@gmail.com #BusinessProfile #LinkedInprofile #LinkedInheadshot #Styling #PersonalBrand #Whattowear

Whether you're an entry-level candidate or a seasoned pro, you can't afford to underestimate the importance of the LinkedIn profile image in ensuring that prospective clients take you seriously. LinkedIn is now the largest online business-networking platform, with more than half a billion users worldwide. It doesn't matter if our online professional personas are creative or corporate, how we choose to showcase ourselves can be the difference between getting noticed or getting passed over. When applying for a job on LinkedIn, your profile is the very first thing someone sees when considering your resume. And if you only have the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager for a few seconds you better make that impression count. You wouldn't hand out a resume full of spelling mistakes, so why would one expect that a poorly lit selfie will do the trick? You want to make sure that the photo looks like you on your best day. Not your best night out, not your best skiing weekend (unless you’re applying at REI) but you at your most charmingly authentic, professional self. People hire and do business with people they like, and if you come across as genuine, confident and amiable then you’ll have a much better chance of connecting with the person scanning your profile. As you've probably noticed, LinkedIn now offers a small circular window for your profile image. So keep it close. You want your eyes and expression to be the focal point. You don’t want to be lost in a sea of furniture, people, architectural details, background noise, etc. Also, what you wear is important. Sometimes business attire is not the most flattering clothing on-camera. Most likely you'll do better by coming across as relevant to your industry by wearing something well fitted and modern rather than outdated or too conservative. When booking a professional headshot session, make sure to discuss your wardrobe ideas and options with your photographer. Photoshoots usually offer multiple looks - make it count. You can use your session to create a look book of images that can be used across multiple social media platforms from professional to creative to online dating. These will tie in together to create your personal brand and provide a cohesive online representation that speaks volumes about who you are and what you have to offer. At the end of the day, investing in a professional headshot is an investment in yourself. A strong LinkedIn profile image will distinguish you from the crowd and go a long way in supporting that next step in your career path. For bookings and inquiries contact Nicolette at 310.622.4580 - nicolette@NJPphotography.com #Styling #Crappyselfies #PersonalBranding #PersonalBrand #CorporateHeadshots #ExecutiveHeadshot #BusinessProfile #LinkedInprofile

Father’s Day is in a couple of weeks and I thought I’d make the case for Dads deserving to be cherished and honored through visual keepsakes as much as the mothers of their children do. Although most men would prefer to have a prostate exam then subject themselves to a photoshoot, their ongoing existence in family albums, and through individual portraits that mark the different stages of their own life, will be of great importance to their children and grandchildren as they seek out images that show off the best of who he was. I only have a few portraits of my dad throughout his life, and certainly not enough of us together. I wish we had dozens and dozens more - images that do justice to what a connected and engaged parent he has always been and beautiful moments captured between his grandchildren, his wife of 50 years and us, his kids, grown older yet still very much his kids. So I advocate for the creation of authentic images that celebrate fatherhood and the bonds that tie men to their families. I advocate for recording memories that don’t have to come about in tedious, posed ways. For example, one could hire a visual spy-on-the-wall to snap candid images of everyone as they skip around Disneyland, or during that long-awaited vacation to Hawaii. This is a great way to create authentic keepsakes while giving the one who often stands behind the lens a chance to be in front of it for a change. And if booking a studio session causes him to roll his eyes, he might change his mind when he sees how charismatic and handsome he is with a few quick minutes of one-on-one time. And for creative types who aspire to a custom version of a family portrait that reflects their tribe’s true dynamics, editorial-style shots can be a great option to show off everyone’s special quirks. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. It’s simply a matter of finding the right photographer for you, and perhaps just as importantly, for him. For more information on booking a shoot with me, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310-622-4580 #CandidPortraits #CapturingBeautifulMoments #CelebrateYourLife

After the flowers and cards have been gifted, and the soggy pancakes are half eaten, does your Mother’s Day end up feeling like most Sundays? The kids still need to be driven to their various activities, the house has to be cleaned, the clothes washed, dinner prepared…the coming week to be shopped and planned for...and on and on. If you’re one of the many, many Moms out there who dedicate themselves 365 days a year to the wellbeing of your family all the while neglecting much of your own, there is a better way to get a real time-out and indulge in an experience that truly celebrates what a SUPERSTAR you are. This year, gift yourself the glamorous, pampered experience of magazine-style photoshoot. I invite you to spend the day with my team and I as we dedicate ourselves to making you look and feel incredible. Your portrait portrait session will include a complete makeover provided by our professional hair and makeup artist, as well as a creative consult with our wardrobe stylist, who will assist you in designing up to five gorgeous looks from head to toe. And of course, time in front of the lens with me, as we move through various types of lighting, stagings and guided poses that will show off your IT FACTOR. A glamour shoot is an experience that will change the way you see yourself. You'll be reminded of the incredible, captivating woman you still are, and leave with beautiful keepsakes to prove it. For more information on how you can spend the day being treated like a famous person click here. PS: And just so you don’t feel too guilty about it, we’ve got you covered with a 15% discount on a summer family portrait session, so you can go back to making it all about them. Nicolette Jackson-Pownall Photography - Los Angeles, CA - 310.622.4580 - Nicolette@NJPphotography.com #GiftaPhotoshoot #Glamourshoot #CelebrateYourSelf #Printedportraits

A portrait session is a form of pampering that is all about you. I don’t mean that in an egotistical, entitled way. I mean it in a self-loving way. You are investing your time and money in beautiful keepsake images of yourself, so you should feel at your best the day you arrive on set for your shoot. And a mani pedi can help get you in that self-confident mindset. Indulging in being pampered is a way of giving oneself love and telling oneself “I deserve this love,” which in turn feels good. And when we feel good, we look good. It’s as simple as that. Self-love and self-confidence will make you take more chances, be more daring, more outgoing, more playful, act sexier and freer and thus make for a more successful shoot. Of course there are many other self-love rituals you can indulge in prior to your photo shoot: getting a massage, touching up your highlights, buying a new dress to be photographed in, new lingerie…whatever it is that makes you feel like a million bucks, do it! For me it starts with a flashy daring nail color. All In The Details…. If the above wasn’t reason enough to convince you to indulge in a mani/pedi, perhaps the following visual will egg you on. Imagine sitting for 2 hours in hair and makeup creating a stunning glamorous look, then slipping into a gorgeous Oscar-worthy gown and stepping into your sexiest pair of heels; and as the camera pans down it catches sight of gnarly unkempt toes protruding from your open pumps, as bare rugged fingernails reach down to adjust the dainty shoe straps. Yikes! That diva image you just spent two hours creating with a team of professionals wouldn’t be able to withstand this visual topsy-turvy. The illusion would shatter. If you want to create a polished look, you need to get your polish on! Now if you’re reading this and you’re an au-naturel type who abhors the idea of fake anything, you can get a barely-there manicure with a clear polish that will neither draw attention nor distract. And there are several nail polish companies out there that use only all-natural ingredients that are non-toxic and eco friendly, so you can indulge with a clear conscious. Side note, this also applies to my gentlemen readers out there. Splurge $20 and get ‘err done!!! Remember the camera captures the details and even the smallest of details can be distracting, taking the focus away from your beauty, or from the concept that you and your photographer were trying to visually create. Which brings me to my next point on this subject: nail color. It is scientifically proven that colors have a direct affect on our brain and our emotions. Instinctively I’ve always chosen nail polish colors based on what mood I’m already in, or on the energy I want to emanate. For example, when I want to feel more vulnerable and playful, I usually pick a bright turquoise or coral that plays into my more Cali boho girlie-ness. When I want to feel more Jackie O than Marilyn, I go with a ballet pink or nude color. And on those days I want to reveal my inner sophisticate, I go for a deep plum or burgundy. Yes, something as minimal as the color of my nail polish can bring out all these many facets of my personality and help me embody whatever attitude I want to exude. It’s like wearing a costume piece. This can be particularly useful for all you actors out there who are getting headshots that showcase a specific “character” or “type”. Don’t underestimate what your nail polish says about the character you are portraying, and start to think how the color might help you get even more into character on the day of your headshot session. Or how it might detract from the character you are trying to be. So the next time you get your nails done, pay close attention to the color you choose and how it makes you feel when you wear it. What nail color makes you feel sexy? What color makes you giddy every time you catch a glance of your fingers? Which color makes you feel vulnerable and girly or more aggressive and edgy? In planning your shoot, start to think about which of your qualities you might want to bring out, and which nail polish color can help you achieve that. Pia is our in-house fashion styling guru. She works closely with our clients to create photoshoot-worthy outfits out of every-day closets. To contact Pia directly, you can email her at PiaPownall@gmail.com #Styling #CelebrateYourSelf #PhotoshootPrep #BeautyShoot

If you look at your clothes and think to yourself you have absolutely nothing to wear to a photoshoot then welcome to tips on styling and wardrobe choices, part one. Though most of us don't have racks of Vanity Fair-worthy outfits to choose from, there resides somewhere in the deep reaches of our closet, at least one or two unique pieces that were purchased on a passionate whim for special occasions that never happened. Those items should be the first things you pull out when considering what to wear to your shoot. Glamour sessions are about expressing that part of you that is often buried below the surface of the day-to-day. The you who saw that hot pink chiffon and thought, my God, I must have this! Or the you who splurged on a strapless Yves St Laurent gown but has never had the nerve to wear it. Now is the time for audacity and the dusting off of your effervescence. Whatever item made your heart skip a beat, it can often serve as a nice starting point to designing your shoot. From floppy hats to stiletto heels, and any matter of skin coverage in betwixt, the point is to showcase your personal aesthetic in ways that will make you feel beautiful and radiant with self-confidence. And if you no longer fit into that pretty, glittery little number, we can always hook you up with our in-house stylist. Who will rummage through your wardrobe and come up with fabulous, fashion-inspired combinations you had never conceived of, or even more fun, take you on an afternoon shopping spree. For more information on booking a shoot contact me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or 310-622-4580 #Styling #Glamourshoot #Whattowear

So you want to be a model for a day but you’ve never learned how to strike a pose? Welcome to the club of Most. Women. Who. Get. Their. Photos. Taken. Sure it looks so beautiful and effortless when you glean those images from the pages of Vogue or Vanity Fair but what you’re really starring at is years of hard work and dedication to learn how to contort those rail thin bodies into nonchalant looking, graceful (and painful) lines. There’s no point in pretending that posing is easy for either the photographer or the subject. Learning how to pose clients for consistently beautiful and flattering results in a steep learning curve for any portraitist. It is one that I will continue to develop as my style evolves over time. But it is not up to the every-day client to come into a photoshoot owning that skill set. Sure, there are women who have a certain feel for how their bodies move or what angles are most flattering to them, but overall, most come in feeling awkward, stiff bodied and torn between a near-irrepressible urge to giggle or to groan from the strange process that is having their hands, chin, shoulders, hips, feet and eyes coordinated like a kind of glamour puppet. So how can we help ourselves out a little here? As your photographer, my first priority is to get you to feel beautiful, womanly and empowered. There is no pose in the world that can truly compensate for what is going on inside of you. Because the camera doesn’t lie when it comes to expression. And capturing beautiful expression is key to making stunning photographs of people. So the hair, the makeup, the wardrobe, the environment and your trust in me, are all meant to create a synergy that will lead you to feel radiant and confident. The overall goal is to get you out of your head and in touch with your senses. We’ll then relax a little together before I start to guide you through a series of poses. My technique is not a science however. I’m a photographer who spends a great deal of time trying to capture people being authentically beautiful. A slight turn of the head, a moment of inhibited laughter, a confident, sexy gaze will say so much more than a contrived dip of the shoulders. So I love looking at the ways my clients move naturally, at what makes them get in touch with their sensuality. The process can go from directed to organic, usually as the shoot progresses and you begin to relax into your skin and start to relish the attention and have fun with the whole thing. At times and often nearing the end, I’ll ask if you want to freestyle or do whatever comes to mind. From quirky, silly, or sultry moves to bursts of images as clients dance or vogue-off like wannabe Cindy’s and Naomi’s circa 1995. It’s all part of pulling out the it factor while creating images that are unique reflections of your best self. However, any pro photographer will tell you, the one surefire posing technique that works every time is to truly enjoy the process. To that I'll also add don’t ever, ever give us your version of duck face.

It doesn't matter whether you're gearing up for a personal branding session that lasts an hour or prepping for an afternoon of glamorous fun, getting ready for your photoshoot demands some time and a modicum of effort. Here's what I recommend for all my clients: 1. For at least two days before your session make sure you get plenty of rest and plenty of fluids into your system. No, I don't mean of the alcohol variety. I mean those that will help your skin look fresh and glowing - water, tea, green juices. But don't freak out if your skin breaks out. Our makeup artists have tons of tricks up their sleeves for helping with redness, rashes, blood shot eyes and a smattering of pimples. And if all else fails, well usually a little photoshopping will do the trick. 2. Wash you hair and treat it as you normally would except for gels and hairsprays, Don't apply those unless you'll be doing your own hair. This will save our artists from having to undo your do only to re-do it again. 3. Clean and press the clothes you will be wearing, including your back ups. Sounds obvious, but the number of clients who show up with wrinkled or stained clothes is more than you'd think. Consider hanging your items in a garment bag. If you can fold your clothes without risk of creasing than a duffel bag or rolling luggage bag should do fine. We often have an iron on hand in studio but not for on location shoots. You don't want to ruin your shot by looking unkempt. 4. Keep your jewelry and accessories in separate containers. I had a client who showed up so well prepared she had her shoes in one box, her jewelry in another and all manners of accessories in a third. Sure, it was a lot to schlep, but it made everyone's job easier and offered up new wardrobe options we hadn't even considered. 5. Mani- pedis. It's worth coming prepared from head to toe, especially for glam/editorial sessions, where we usually show your hands and where we might even get a glimpse of your feet. If you like painting your nails then do so, but please keep the color in mind vis-a-vis your wardrobe and what kind of look you are going for. Neutral pink and clear varnishes are a great default but you can consult with our stylist about which color will work best for you. 6. Don't starve yourself! This is an important one and is counter-intuitive for most women. Though it might seem reasonable to want to shed a final pound or two before your session, what you'll end up doing is shedding water weight and loosing the energy you need to be fresh and glowing for the shoot. There is not enough makeup or fantastic clothes, or guided posing techniques that will make this a fun experience with great results if you're too tired and too hungry to be involved, and just end up looking drawn (see rule #1). 7. For shoots lasting more than an hour, consider bringing a bottle of water and a snack. Though we often have water on hand, we do not provide catering. Especially if you're the kind of person who eats every couple of hours, please make sure you prepare for that. 8. Finally, take a deep breath and try to remember, this whole experience is about you. From your wardrobe to makeup, to how we style your hair, we are here to pamper you and to make you feel and look beautiful every step of the way. Your only task is to bask in the attention and relish in our team creating the best photos you've ever seen of yourself. For more information on booking a shoot with me email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310-622-4580 #WomenPortraits #women #PhotoshootPrep #Glamourshoot #Privateeditorialshoot

Candid portraits. These are gaining popularity amongst clients and the media alike for uses in advertising, social media and marketing platforms. What is a candid portrait and how can you shoot better images of your family and besties in ways that are both flattering yet natural? Candid simply means unposed, usually because the subject is unaware (at that precise moment) of being photographed. When you photograph your laughing five year old as she runs towards you at the beach, that is a candid photo. Genuine, beautiful moments are usually some of the best people photography we capture with our cell phones and digital cameras. Getting better at candid portraiture entails being able to anticipate those moments or better yet, plan around them. You want to start by observing the person you intend to photograph. By that I mean, getting to know their facial and expressive idiosyncrasies so well you'll sense when they are relaxed and feeling comfortable in their own skin. You'll be able to tell when their smile is most pleasant, what little gestures, or ways of holding themselves are particular to their character and define their way of being. Engaging in a genuine conversation with your subject, watching their interactions with others, or being with them during an activity they love, these are all great ways to get them into a situation that will yield the right moment without the distraction of "being photographed". There is nothing more un-spontaneous than a person who is keenly aware of a camera focused on them. Patience here is key, as is of course, not calling attention to yourself. In terms of techniques, when using your DSLR, keep it simple and on the portrait setting. That will minimize background distractions by creating blur, and holding the focus on your subject's face. If using a cell, try to keep the lens perpendicular to the person so you're not distorting the image further. Our phones use wide angle lenses that warp perspective to accommodate a larger view of the scene. On portraits, this accentuates the most prominent features on a face such as the nose, brow and chin. Just try to take a selfie without adjusting the angle and you'll see what I mean. When composing your shot, think of where the light is coming from and what the background is doing. Is your subject's face shadowed or in light so bright they glow like neon? Are you being distracted by objects seemingly "growing" out of your subject's head. If the light is too low, chances are your photo will be blurry and pixellated, especially with cell phones. If you use the flash, then you've got one chance at this before you blow your cover. If you can shoot multiple frames without going undetected, do it. But remember that beauty is in the emotions here. Candid images showcase what is uniquely engaging and emotionally evocative about a person in that singular moment. Candid shots are not easy. But a successfully taken candid portrait is one of the purest ways of telling the story of someone you love. #CandidPortraits

New Year, New You. As the saying goes. But really what you need is a new LinkedIn profile photo that doesn't look like a gritty mugshot. Or maybe it’s a charming, dateable you that isn't from 2001. Perhaps it’s a more candid yet still competent and accomplished looking you for the corporate newsletter. So many of us use snapshots taken at a late night party and then try to edit out the drunk friend lurking in the background, and the weirdo hanger-on whose sweaty mess of a face is shoving itself into the frame. There are those who try to work the selfie, which not only took hours to create on a precious Sunday, but still comes across as a rather pouty, insecure version of ourselves. There is the poorly lit, pixellated disaster of a panicked “photo booth” snap, taken right after HR asks for a headshot to include that afternoon on the company website. There’s the one with your kids, your dog, your best friends from college, your ex-boyfriend, surgically cut out from the frame except for his creepy left hand dangling over your shoulder like Thing from the Addams Family. The list goes on and on. But professionally taken, personal branding headshots are no longer a luxury. In the era of 100% interconnectivity, where for better or worse, visuals reign supreme, there is no excuse for crappy profile pics to linger on the web and corrode our public personas. We sell what we show. Using social media to expand our network, stand out from the crowd, apply for new positions, or climb that corporate ladder, requires that we put our best foot forward with authenticity, character and grace. So this year, make the new you a beautifully-captured you and then got em, tiger! If you want more information on booking a personal branding shoot that will showcase your captivating, accomplished, professional self, email me at Nicolette@NJPphotography.com or connect with me here #PersonalBranding #CorporateHeadshots #ExecutiveHeadshot #LinkedInprofile #Crappyselfies #FreshLook

Is there someone in your life who deserves to be pampered and fussed over and made to feel beautiful and special? Perhaps your hard working, self sacrificing wife who has spent the last few years devoting herself to you and the kids, always focusing her attention and the camera on the children, capturing their every waking moment without realizing that she is slowly disappearing from the annals of her family's recorded history. Or maybe it's your mom, whom you haven't really photographed for years, let alone in a way that truly pays homage to what an amazing person she is, and who by all measures, totally rocks her glorious matriarchal self. Then again, you just might have an amazing friend who really needs to update her social media and LinkedIn profiles because in your heart you know that step up she craves requires that she step away from those embarrassing selfies. And what about you, when was the last time you treated yourself to a fun and self-empowering experience that was dedicated to making you feel and look incredible? Have you ever allowed yourself to really show off that sexy, glamorous woman who roars inside you? Beautiful, timeless portraits are gifts of love that keep on giving year after year. So book a professional shoot, get those images printed and framed to remind yourself and your family how valued and special they are. Together we will create photos you will cherish for a lifetime. Please click here to request a gift certificate or call 310.622.4580. Gift certificates must be redeemed within one year of purchase. #Glamourshoot #GiftaPhotoshoot #FamilyPortraits #Printedportraits