The Experience
What to expect from start to finish
No Surprises. No Guesswork.
One of the most common things clients tell me after their session is that they didn't expect to feel so relaxed. They showed up a little nervous, not sure what to expect, and left wondering why they didn't do this sooner.
That's by design. Every step of this process is structured so that by the time you're in front of the camera, the only thing you have to do is show up. Everything else has already been figured out.
The Consultation
Every session starts with a conversation. Not a booking form. A real conversation. We talk about where your images will be used (your website, LinkedIn, press materials, pitch decks, social media), what your industry norms are, and what you're trying to accomplish.
The question I always ask first is: "Where are your images going to be used?" The answer to that question changes everything about how we plan the session: the backgrounds we choose, how I frame you, what you should wear, how many looks we build in. Coming in with a clear answer to that question, or being willing to think through it together, is the most useful thing you can do before your session.
We also cover wardrobe in detail. I'll give you specific guidance based on your industry and intended use, not generic advice, but a real recommendation for what to bring and why.
Hair & Makeup: Included
Professional hair and makeup is included with every custom session. This is not an upsell or an add-on. It's standard.
I bring a professional HMUA to every session because it changes the result dramatically. Not just how you look in the photos, but how you carry yourself in front of the camera. When you feel polished, you project it. Clients who start the session feeling like they're already camera-ready carry themselves completely differently than those who don't.
The HMUA arrives before your session start time so everything is ready when we start. You don't need to arrive camera-ready. You arrive and we handle it.
Your Session
Relaxed. Directed. Entirely focused on you.
You don't need to know how to pose. You don't need to perform. My job is to get out of you what's already there: the professional authority, the warmth, the confidence. I make sure the camera sees it. I'll give you direction the whole time: small adjustments, repositioning, cues that produce natural expressions rather than frozen smiles.
We work through your planned looks methodically. Multiple backgrounds if applicable, wardrobe changes built into the session schedule, content images if you're doing a personal branding session. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is left to chance.
For personal branding sessions: we also build in time for the social media content work: expressive, directed images that give you visual material to work with for months of posts, campaigns, and promotional content.
Delivery
Your final images are delivered fully retouched and formatted for use. That means high-resolution files ready for print AND web-optimized versions ready for digital platforms. Not just one big folder of files and a note to figure out the rest yourself.
If you need specific dimensions (LinkedIn has different ideal dimensions than a website hero, which differs from a press bio), we plan that in the consultation and deliver accordingly. Your designer or social media manager should be able to use these images out of the box.
Typical delivery timeframe is 1–2 weeks after your session.
The Studio
Sessions take place at the studio at 106 W Horton St, Suite 3, Zebulon, NC 27597, located between Wake Forest and Wilson, easily accessible from Raleigh, Clayton, Garner, and the surrounding Triangle area.
On-location sessions are also available for team headshots, commercial work, or clients who prefer to be photographed in their own environment. Travel within the Triangle is included; sessions outside the area carry a travel fee. We'll confirm logistics during the consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
We go over this in detail during your consultation based on your industry and how you'll use the images. General guidance: solid colors photograph better than patterns or busy prints. Avoid white if the background is white or light. Bring 2–3 options so we have flexibility on the day.
Is hair and makeup included?
Yes. Professional HMUA is included with every custom executive, personal branding, and commercial session. For team sessions with larger groups, we discuss options during the consultation.
How many images will I receive?
It depends on what you need, which is something we figure out together. During a session I may capture anywhere from fifty to several hundred images. From there, we select the best based on your goals, and you only pay for the ones you actually want. There's no reason to take home images you have no intention of using. Some clients need a handful of strong images for a specific purpose. Others need a full collection across multiple looks and contexts. The session is structured to give you options, and what you take from it is up to you. We talk through this during your consultation so you know what to expect before we start.
What if I don't like how I look in photos?
That almost always means you've only been photographed by people who didn't know how to direct you. The consultation and session are built to change that. My job is to get images you'll actually want to use. Not images you'll keep to yourself.
How soon do I receive my images?
Typical turnaround is 1–2 weeks after your session. If you have a deadline (a speaking engagement, a press announcement, a website launch), tell me during the consultation and we'll plan accordingly.
How do I get started?
Reserve a 15-minute consultation via the button below. We'll talk through what you need, what we'll create, and what it takes to make it happen. No commitment required from the consultation itself.
Ready to get started?
Reserve a 15-minute consultation. That's all it takes to figure out what you need and how we'll get there.
Reserve Your Consultation