Madison’s headshot.

Skilled hands and a grounded presence are paramount in the world of medicine. That’s where Madison, one of our most recent clients, is venturing with her life. She is currently heading into her residency. With her love for working with her hands, she wants to end up somewhere in the field of surgery. In order to put her best foot forward with her residency applications, she came to us for a professional headshot.

From the moment Madison stepped into the studio, her body language communicated authenticity and grace. Her warm, easy-going nature and smile - which reminded me of the beloved character Winnie from The Wonder Years - exuded a sense of approachability and professionalism. Her personality, coupled with her choice of a classic navy blazer in a modern cut and paired with a minimalistic ivory satin blouse and simple gold necklace provided cohesion to the personal brand Madison wanted to exemplify. By avoiding distractions in her clothing choices, the focus remained on her captivating gaze, which mirrored her determination and enthusiastic dedication to her craft. These elements helped highlight her refined elegance and would, most certainly, appeal to her industry directors. The resulting headshots beautifully portrayed her as a skilled professional with a commitment to excellence and a strong desire to build trust with her employers, peers and future patients.

Madison's headshot session was a true reflection of her unique qualities and aspirations. With her grounded presence, love for working with her hands and warm demeanor, she epitomizes the ideal candidate for surgical residency. As she ventures further into the world of medicine, Madison's headshots will serve as a visual representation of her remarkable qualities and inspire confidence in those she encounters along her path of healing and care.

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with Joan creating personal branding portraits for an upcoming talk she was giving with a peer. While Joan holds an esteemed position in her field, she was struggling with her image. Her peer, whose photographs would be next to hers on all the marketing material for the event and who would, of course, be standing on stage with her - in a word - polished. While Joan knew that her personality was different than her peer’s, she still felt like she wouldn’t measure up to her peer's pristine appearance. Determined to feel like she belonged beside her companion both in her own eyes and the eyes of the audience, she decided to invest in portraits that would elevate her presence while building her confidence, helping her feel like a true equal.

Often, when I speak with someone and they are vulnerable with their insecurities, I anticipate body language that matches the mindset. Body language is more of an opportunity than an issue, as I know we can work together to establish an authentic, confident presence. As we began Joan’s session, however, I was immediately struck by her poise. She exuded confidence - in every angle and expression. I was a bit baffled, wondering if I’d accidentally mislabeled my consultation notes. The empowered woman I saw before me was nothing of what I expected. She effortlessly settled into herself.

Bemused and smiling, I showed Joan the photographs on the back of my camera commenting on how stunning and confident she was, expressing how assuredly she moved. She couldn't believe it. She looked at the photographs with a mix of relief and disbelief, exclaiming, "Really?! That's a relief. I feel so fake and vulnerable." It was a moment that spoke volumes.

Imposter syndrome is a sneaky creature that affects so many high-achieving individuals, regardless of their talents and success. We all have moments when we compare ourselves to others, thinking we fall short. But here's the thing—we rarely know the full story behind someone's seemingly perfect image. We don't see the struggles, the doubts, and the insecurities they may be grappling with. We're all on our own unique journeys, and it's essential to remember that.

So, as Joan smiled in front of my camera, I couldn't help but admire her tenacity and determination to overcome her self doubt. She was a reminder that true beauty and strength come from embracing our potential, not belittling it; from seeing who we are and what we have to offer and moving towards being the best of ourselves despite what insecurities may be gnawing at us. It's about recognizing our worthiness, celebrating our accomplishments, and showing ourselves some much-needed compassion.

In the end, Joan’s portraits showed a woman who was resolutely overcoming her doubts and fears. They were a testament to her journey and a reminder to us all that we can have success in every opportunity that comes our way if we allow ourselves. Each of us has our own unique brilliance and inner strength, waiting to be discovered and shared with the world. Embrace your confidence, embrace your authenticity, and embrace the beauty of your own remarkable journey. It is through embracing our true selves that we shine the brightest.