I HATE HEADSHOTS!
Why you should be on BOTH sides of the camera.
Don’t get me wrong. I love shooting headshots. I hate taking them. It’s a necessary evil especially since I am constantly stating that all professionals NEED them.
Here’s what I’ve learned on the other side of the lens.
It’s awkward as hell!
Unless you’re a model, it’s really hard to pose yourself.
I’m not it control, the photographer is.
Comment below if I’m wrong but these are pretty universal feelings for anyone who isn’t a model. This is why it’s important to hire a photographer that knows what they are doing (me). Someone who knows how to pose despite your weight, height, or skin tone (ME). Most importantly, someone who is charismatic to loosen you up (MEEE!!).
Telling a Story
Photography for most is just taking out a cell phone, capturing a cute image, and leaving it on your phone until you get a new phone and never see that image ever again. I’m guessing you’re clicking on my page because you want something more. I can definitely help you with that.
Lets start with the easiest, most beautiful journey you will ever take, CHILDBIRTH. This is my favorite story to tell. I know how beautiful this story is because the next group of photos are of my family. Freezing these moments and mounting them on a wall will take you back to the way you felt when you were taking that journey. Lets do it the right way.
For my corporate followers, you can tell a story too. Professionalism! It’s a simple story to tell, but it is also a very important one. Headshots are your clients’ first impression of you. Professional, uniform, and charismatic makes for a great first impression.
Whether you would like more information or you are ready to book, click on the button below.
Who needs a headshot?
WHO NEEDS A HEADSHOT?
First I’ll explain and then I’ll ask. Headshot- n. a photograph of someone's face, especially a promotional photograph of a model, actor, or author. This definition is somewhat dated. With the importance of social media, everyone putting themselves out there needs one.
Entrepreneurs - You’re starting from scratch and people want to know who you are. People respond to visuals much more than just some bio. Putting your best foot forward is key when networking and doing the leg work to promote your business.
Professionals- Doctors, lawyers, and real estate agents are constantly promoting or being printed in some amazing newsletter, magazine, or newspaper for the amazing work they do.
Social Media Influencers- Content is king when it comes to social media and when it comes to visuals, Instagram is the kingdom. Headshots, glamour shots, and behind the scene shots are currency. LinkedIn is becoming a close 2nd, if not more important, for headshots.
Now i ask again… Who needs a headshot?
Full day rates, half day rates, and individual headshots are available.
Questions about headshot sessions email me at gonzalo@grdesignphoto.com (link below).
Reasons you need prints in your life (Copy)
Reasons you need prints in your life.
While I love and respect the posting and sharing of my clients’ images after one of my photoshoots, I feel like clients should go the extra mile and get those images printed. It doesn’t even have to be through me. I’m in the process of getting photo release cards so clients don’t run the risk of other places not printing my photography. If you take the time and spend the money on a shoot, some sort of physical product should be purchased as well. If you just take the digital prints and never do anything with them you run the risk of losing the USB and your computer crashing. Yes this is worse case scenario it won’t happen right away. I only archive my clients’ images for a year or so.
Showing off the digital images can be a nuisance also. You need to be near a computer. You need to find the USB if it’s not saved on your computer. Physical products are usually on a coffee table, on your wall, or make your mornings bright when you hold your coffee mug with my images on them. You see these products every day.
You have choices as well. You’re free to take your images to Walmart or Costco. I don’t recommend it. I won’t stop you. I will warn you that the quality and colors will most likely be subpar. The quality of those products won’t compare with manufactures that strictly deal with professional photographers. Screens are calibrated and images are color corrected so you receive the best image possible.
Yes it will cost more. There is nothing wrong with going the less expensive route. Quality will make your images stand out though. Just what ever you do, don’t let your image collect dust hidden in a drawer.
Gift Certificates Available
Give the gift of photography. Memories for life.
Lets get out there!
It is with great pride (and the need to get out of the house) that I am announcing that I AM BACK. Of course there will be a new normal when it comes to our sessions. Outdoor only for a while for obvious reasons. I will have a mask and hand sanitizer. I will also maintain my distance while shooting.
Families: The current portrait theme, as you can see, is the beach. Sessions are 30 minutes and come with 5 digital images. I am also offering prints with my sessions.
Realtors: Headshots on a beautiful day in front of property for sale would be a great look for the summer.
See past blogs.
Lets lighten things up
I’ll start by saying I hope you are safe in these trying times. Now lets poke some fun at this situation. We all know there will be a baby boom 9 months from now. Lets tell the world you’re having a Corona Baby together starting with Pregnancy Announcements.
Next is an amazing maternity session.
Last is a newborn session.
Seriously! Stay safe out there. I’m wishing you and your loved one a safe couple months. Take a deep breath, restock your wine. We are going to get through this just fine.
Cherry Blossoms
So I know you’ve felt this winter, or lack there of, and seen how mild it has been. Because of this the Cherry Blossoms Festival in Newark states it will be held April 4th and 5th. I’m assuming that’s when the blossoms will be out in full bloom.
Lets book you a session ASAP. Can you imagine have your own images like the ones below?
Easter Sessions
New seasons call for new themes. The next available theme is Easter. I’m pretty sure the photo of the set up tells you everything you need to know.
Happy New Year
Happy New Year! Hope your New Year was as good as mine. Another year has passed and I’d like to thank you for your support. Whether it was as simple as consistently liking my work or as big as getting me a corporate headshot gig, THANK YOU.
Christmas sessions were a success once again. I had such a great time photographing all these families.
I tried something new this year. I had the honor of being picked to take school pictures for The Ivy Academy in Teaneck. It taught me a lot.
I like to always look forward to the next great thing. I’ll be starting 2020 by offering Valentine’s Day sessions. Click the button below and fill out a contact form to learn more.
Tis the Season
It’s Christmas session time!!! (Not Christmas season, enjoy your pumpkin spice everything)
There are still spots available. This year’s Christmas sessions include 30 minutes of photography, 5 digital images chosen from your gallery of all usable images from the session, and 25 Christmas cards for $195.
Available Dates:
November: 3rd, 16th, 17th, 24th, 30th
December: 14th, 15th.
Confirm a date and I can get the ball rolling on my end.
I'm Having a Baby!
It’s almost that time. With our due date quickly approaching, I will no longer be taking new clients until the end of August. Bree and I are nesting and patiently awaiting the arrival of Baby Markie. Potential clients, thank you for your understanding. Friends and family, thank you for all the gifts and well wishes. Thank you cards are on the way.
Stay tuned for the best newborn session you’ve ever seen.
Maternity to Cake Smash: the Long Game (update).
I was super excited about my clients coming back for a cake smash. It was a long journey: Pregnancy announcement, maternity, newborn, and now cake smashes. They came out great. ENJOY!
If you want a reminder of the earlier shoots CLICK HERE.
It’s a great reminder of how much they’ve grown.
Past clients please feel free to leave a review.
The gift of professional photography is always a great gift.
Click to book a session or inquire about my photography.
Newborns: Behind the Curtain
For those that are expecting or those thinking about photographing newborns, there is a lot that goes on to get “the shot.” Trust me. I get enough of “those shots” to fill an album. I have to. Its part of my newborn package.
I’ll skip what I bring to my shoots since I covered that already but if you’re new CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT I BRING
Invest in photoshop
I’ve invested lots of time into mastering Photoshop so what looks like a dangerous actually isn’t. SAFETY FIRST. The amount of time it takes to stitch these images together and the time to pose the baby.
It is inevitable
Babies go where babies want to go. And yes, the diaper was on (not closed but covering). Consider it a right of passage. If you’re a photographer, this is what christens you as a newborn photographer. If you’re a parent, it means your baby approves of me.
Yes thats a bottle opener on my phone. No judging.
Blessings
I have it in my contract that I am allowed to use the images however I want (marketing & posting). Regardless of this, I make sure it’s ok with the parent if I post to social media. There are some weirdos out there. Out in the world, not parents… well sometimes parents.
Get in There
Parents trust me with their newborns so I can trust them with my camera. I know how to get the look I need in the shot so I set everything, tell the parent where to stand, and what button to press. ” Poof” beautiful shot and safe baby.
A great graduation gift.
If you have a question you can ask in the comment section.
Maternity to Cakesmash: the Long Game
Five star reviews are great but have you ever had someone keep hiring you? This makes me feel great, sometimes OLD, but mostly great. I feel honored to be considered someone’s family photographer for the long game.
This collage was about 3 years in the making. I always say I love my repeat clients.
I’m excited to keep this going. I have two more upcoming cakesmashes I’m very excited for. They are also repeat clients as you can see below.
To see how the cakesmashes came out, follow me on any one of my social media outlets.
Past client? Please leave a review.
Questions about booking or gift certificates? Click to learn more.
I want to quit my job!
Don’t get me wrong, I love teaching but photographing an entire office’s headshots was a dream come true. If I can photograph two businesses a week and one newborn a week, I would be in heaven. If you know a business in need of headshots, please send them my way.
These are just a few of the professional I had the honor of photographing at Capital One. There are always a few camera shy people who decline having their images shared.
Teaching Moment to Photographer Friends
I like to be efficient. I’m always kind and professional. I give clear directions so there is no need to touch my subject. Most importantly, make them laugh. Lets start with why you should make them laugh. Not everyone is comfortable in front of a lens. I personally HATE it. Making them laugh relaxes them. Pair that with being kind and professional and you’ll leave a great mark. I treat it like an assembly line so the day is organized and everyone in the office has the same type of images. My process was a few variations standing, a few variations sitting on a tall stool, a few sitting in a regular chair, and one creative one. This session was in NYC so buildings in the background was a must. One extra thing I like to do is get everyone’s name in the order I shot them. Renaming your files will make you look amazing because you’re making distribution much easier. This is easy in Lightroom (for example: capital_one_ bob_1).
Click on the gallery below to see the images close up.
Always available
Headshots Headshots Headshots!
I had a great time with these two. Laura and Sherry are realtors taking over the Vernon real estate area. The timing of this couldn’t be better. This relaxed headshot session is just what I needed before Thursday’s Capital One Headquarters headshot session. Wish me luck!
How I got "The Shot" 2. Cherry Blossoms
I received a lot of feed back from my first “How I Got the Shot” so I decided to make another one. This is from my Cherry Blossom Engagement session this past weekend.
Say hi to Charmaine and Elvis. They were great to work with. It was a cloudy day and it was also busy in the park so my original image was this:
Overcast rolled in and people are in my background. You will also notice, I’m using a Christmas prop.
Punch in some color, brighten it, remove people, and remove Christmas text.
Add their save the date and then watch your client fall in love.
Click on the images below to see the gallery.
Mommy & Me sessions still available. Click the button above to book or ask questions. The Cherry Blossoms Festival is still going on for about a week or two.
Gift Certificates available.
Simplicity is Key
If you enjoyed your photo session with me I would love for you leave a review. I feel like you love me but it wasn’t until my Keep Doing What You’re Doing Blog did I know how much. So with that being said, click here to leave a review pretty please. Thank you for your continued support.
Gift Certificates still available.
Then and Now
Then and Now
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice! These are things I did to get where I am today in my photography business.
If you want to succeed in any type of photography, start small. Family and friends are the best place to start. Use them to practice and get better at your craft. Practice A LOT!
If you’re having trouble there are so many YouTube videos to watch and Pinterest images and tutorials you can look up. There is no reason why you can’t thrive in photography. You just need to go out and do the work.
Don’t be a jack of all trades. Stick to one thing and be great at it.
A jack of all trades is a master at none. -Spanish Proverb
Don’t forget to please leave a Google review.
Gift Certificates Available
Please keep doing what you're doing.
Please keep doing what you’re doing!
I recently had a few newborn sessions that booked before I even had the chance to sell them on everything that comes with “The Binkie” which is my newborn session. They began telling me how others raved about me, telling them that they HAD to hire me. I love it. I appreciate it.
Lets take this one step further. I would love for you to leave a review on Google. Just Google Search GR Design & Photography and leave a review.
One last thing. I would love some feedback. I started sponsoring some Instagram and Facebook adds. Let me know if you’ve seen them.
Gift Certificates still available.