A headshot.  It sounds so simple.  I just need to take a picture from the shoulders up, right?  What I want for my clients though is to find their true person and convey that onto an image.  I say it all the time.  I take the time to capture the moment.  Most clients are initially uncomfortable in front of the camera.  I know I am!  My "job" is to not only technically do all the right things and pose the client at the best angle.  It's important to first help the client to relax.  I talk.  I may joke around.  If need be, I ask him/her to take a few deep breaths and to shake their hands out.  I find the beauty in a person and compliment them sincerely.  In time (I don't rush) we start to have fun working together.  I also talk to them about their career.  This lovely women coaches men and women on health and nutrition.  She is naturally friendly and sincere.  I told her to think about how she feels when she is working with her clients.  I asked her what will someone want to see when they look at the headshot on her website.  A potential client would like to see compassion, warmth, intelligence and sincerity.  They want to see someone they could trust.  As I'm firing away with my camera I'm reminding her to think about all of this. She jokingly asked me to make her look twenty years younger.  Of course I wouldn't do that.  I don't do what I call "plastic" in post processing.  I want the real beauty to shine through.  The final result is here.  I look into these eyes and I see joy.  I look at this smile and I see true friendliness.  I love this picture!  It's real.  It's beautiful.  

It's Laina from the inside out.