Environmental Portraits: The Dental Office

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Did you know that the human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, making visuals essential for storytelling, branding, and marketing? We have all experienced searching and scrolling through content only to stop in our tracks because there is a photo or image that compels us to. Strong imagery can create lasting impressions, enhance engagement, and drive decision-making by triggering emotional and psychological responses. In branding, compelling visuals help establish identity, reinforce values, and differentiate from competitors. Whether in photography, design, or video, well-crafted imagery has the ability to inform, inspire, and influence audiences on a deep, instinctual level.

Environmental branding portraits are different from regular studio portraits or headshots. They blend professional imagery with authentic workplace settings to visually communicate a brand’s identity, values, and culture. These portraits go beyond traditional headshots by incorporating contextual elements that reinforce a company’s mission, industry and brand. By capturing individuals in their natural work environments, they create a sense of authenticity, approachability, and professionalism, helping businesses establish trust and credibility with their audience. Additionally, they provide engaging, storytelling-driven visuals that can enhance marketing and social media presence.

I was chosen by Culver Ridge Dental to craft some environmental portraits for just the afore mentioned reasons. When selecting a dentist and dental clinic, imagery is of utmost importance. Poor quality photos neither inspire nor assure potential clients that they are making a good choice. Some business even resort to purchasing stock images to represent them and their brand. This can sometimes work for smaller details but clients can tell immediately that what they are seeing and experiencing in person does not match what they see online and this only communicates inauthenticity and distrust.

So, how well are you being represented in digital spaces? Did you skimp on visual branding and imagery? Are you missing opportunities because of it?

It’s your brand.

Represent it with the excellence that it deserves.

How Much Should You Pay For Headshots??

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credit: Jo Guldi, Flickr

Wow… now there’s a loaded question.

There is no denying that a high-quality headshot creates a powerful and positive first impression, whether on LinkedIn, a company website, or other platforms. It conveys professionalism, approachability, and attention to detail. The headshot may well determine if someone moves on to another profile or takes your profile seriously.

Now, there is no doubt that in this domain you get what you pay for. Yes, you may find people who do great work and don’t charge professional pricing, often because they just aren’t running a business. Photography is something that they do on the side when they have the time. However, what also often accompanies this scenario is a no-frills approach - very little service - just a good product. That is fine if that’s all you need and the product meets your need.

However, here are some things to consider...

  1. A professional photographer offers a pre-shoot consultation to discuss and plan out the best outfits, colors, backgrounds, poses, expressions, etc… to achieve the desired look(s) and help you look your best.

  2. Professional photographers are skilled in lighting, angles, and composition, ensuring that your best features are highlighted and that the image is both flattering and engaging. Does their portfolio reflect this? Do they have a portfolio?

  3. A professional photographer works with you to align the headshot with your personal or corporate brand, ensuring it communicates the right message to your audience. The importance of this is not to be underestimated.

  4. Professional photographers offer professional and custom level retouching.

  5. Professional photographers offer background changes and perhaps even composites to provide custom looks and variety to maximize your investment. *(see image below)

  6. Professional photographers have the proper equipment to set up custom lighting to achieve desired looks, whether the headshots are to be done in studio or on location.

  7. Professional photographers use proper equipment and editing software to deliver images with superior clarity and sharpness, suitable for both digital and print use.

How backgrounds can alter the feel and message of a headshot

In Raphal Wegiel’s recent post, The Neglected Element of Branding: Why Great Headshots of Your Team Matter, he explains perfectly the power of a great headshot:

“A well-executed headshot does more than showcase a face—it conveys confidence, approachability, professionalism, and trustworthiness. These are qualities every company wants to associate with their brand. A great headshot can make your CEO appear visionary, your managers seem competent and approachable, and your employees shine as valuable, happy contributors to your mission.

High-quality headshots create a cohesive visual identity for your team, enhancing your brand’s credibility and consistency. They humanize your company, making it more relatable to clients, investors, and partners.”

It happens far too often that I am looking at company or individual profile online and am shocked by the lack of quality, professionalism and branding care in the headshots and company portraits that I see. It definitely causes me to question the quality of their services. I am sure, as a professional photographer, that I notice things that others may not. However, there is no denying the feeling of confidence and respect one feels when seeing individuals and companies well represented with high quality photos.

So, back to this post’s title. How much should you pay for headshots? I think the answer is, how much to you care about the power of your visual impact? In today’s highly visual and digital landscape, it’s no trivial detail to be tacked on at the end.

Invest in YOU!

The Importance of Headshots

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“Investing in a professional headshot

…is more than a visual upgrade; it’s an investment in your personal brand. It’s the key that unlocks doors, leaving a lasting imprint on colleagues, clients, and opportunities.”

- Rafal Wegiel

First impressions do matter, whether in person or virtually. In many professional contexts, your headshot is the first impression people have of you. A high-quality headshot presents you as competent, approachable, and professional. It set the tone for how others perceive you. As part of the consultation, we talk about the specific look you want and how you want others to see you. There are many things done behind the camera and with your posing to bring out the desired look(s).

A professional headshot is a crucial element of personal branding. It communicates your personality, professionalism and style. Consistent, high-quality headshots across your online presence help reinforce your personal brand identity.

A professionally taken headshot demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and attention to detail. It shows that you take your brand seriously, which can positively influence how others perceive your work ethic and dedication.

People are more likely to trust someone they perceive as professional and trustworthy. A well-executed headshot can help convey trust and credibility, making it easier for clients, colleagues, or employers to engage with you.

A good headshot is essential for networking both online and offline. It helps people recognize and remember you, making it easier to connect with new contacts and opportunities. Additionally, many networking platforms and professional directories require a headshot for profiles, as do news stories, spotlights and presentation/speaking opportunities.

In today’s digital landscape, having a strong online presence is crucial. A professional headshot increases your visibility and makes you more recognizable across various platforms, including social media, professional networks and company websites.

Whether you’re looking for a new job, seeking promotion, or pursuing other professional opportunities, a high-quality headshot can enhance your chances of success. It can make you stand out from other candidates and leave a positive impression on hiring managers and decision-makers.

In this example below, a graduating university student wanted options - different looks for different applications. The goal was to convey approachability, confidence, and collegiality as he makes his way into the professional job market. While in front of the camera, it is often beneficial to get different looks, including backgrounds and clothing, to use across your digital profiles. When is the last time you had a portrait taken, anyways? You may even want something more personal or creative while you’re at it. A custom headshot session is perfect for all of this.


High School Class of 2024 Seniors!

/ Stephen Ransom Photography/

It’s beginning. You are becoming a high school senior!! Scary, exciting, and maybe a little intimidating, for sure! With all of the things you will have to think about, plan for, and make happen, getting your senior photos done should not be one more added stress to worry about.

Graduating from high school represents a significant milestone in one's life, and senior photos are a great way to commemorate this wonderful milestone. As well, since friends and family are both such an important part of this critical year, senior photos help you both celebrate and share this big year with those who mean the most to you and who have helped you become the amazing person that you are today.

Working with a professional photographer to make all of this happen can take such a huge stress off of everything. Here are some reasons worth considering.

  1. Creating high-quality images that last a lifetime requires the skills, experience, and equipment that a professional photographer possesses.

  2. You want your unique personality and style to shine through. This involves thinking about outfits, colors, interests, location, lighting, posing, expert editing and so much more. We will talk about all of this along with exploring locations in the Pittsford and greater Rochester area that you might want to consider.

  3. You want your amazing photos to look great on display and last a lifetime! You don’t want to trust all of this effort and significance to a budget printer or be left with some digital files that get lost when your computer crashes. High quality prints, wall art and albums ensure that you come away with something that you can display, share and cherish for generations.

  4. I take the time to meet with you in person and plan all of this out. During the photo session I make sure that you look great. We meet again in person to look at your photos and help you select the ones that best represent you. We talk about the best products that suit your needs. I then finalize editing and send off your photos to a professional lab for production. When I receive them, I inspect them for quality before delivering them to you. Through all of this, I arrange with you to meet in your own home at times that are convenient for you and your family.

All of this this allows you to focus on enjoying this important moment in your life, rather than worrying about the logistics of the photo shoot and whether you’ll like your photos or not. Give me a call to discuss your high school senior photo session. My schedule is filling up, so if you want the best choice and most flexibility, complete the form below and I’ll give you a call! You can also learn more here.

Happy Birthday, Aidan.

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So, yes, it’s Aidan’s birthday. Happy birthday, Aidan!

Something I’ll be offering beginning with the Class of 2023 is slideshows of the photo session. This will be an add-on to some package purchases and complimentary with others. However, sometimes I just like to let students and families know that they are more than just a client through my revolving door and I’ll do little things like this for birthdays or other special moments that I might know about.

Even though Aidan completely surprised me and cut his beautiful long hair very short not long after our photo session, these photos serve as a reminder of an important stage in his life as a new high school senior.

So, happy birthday, Aidan. Can’t wait to hear what you’ll be doing down the road! I know it will be top shelf (a little hockey lingo for the hockey player ;-)