67. Feedback Request: HEADSHOTS

"If you look for what's right - in others, in relationships, in yourself and your journey - you'll always find it. Same when looking for what's wrong." - Mike Dooley, Tut's Universe

Looking for my best option for a "get-me-into-grad-school" headshot.

Actually, the photo I give them with my application really has very little influence on whether or not I will be accepted. According to all information that I've gathered and my past experience, the headshot is not a big factor (if at all) in the decision-making process of who does or does not make it into the program. They just need it to be able to remember what I look like.

However...

I would like to have a shot that is an accurate representation of WHO I AM now.

So please take a moment to look over the choices below and comment on the blog page if you have an opinion.

Keep in mind that all photos are currently untouched... so the final version will be color-balanced and light-adjusted.

MOST IMPORTANTLY... look for what's going on in my EYES. That's the key to a great headshot. It's not about being PRETTY, it's about communicating my ESSENCE.

In your comments, please be sure to include WHY you like any given photo and what you think it's communicating about my personality that you think is valuable for my use as a "get-me-into-grad-school" headshot.

Thanks for your, help, my CREW!

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BIG thank you shout out to Dylan Patrick for his amazing photos! The above are only a tiny sampling of all of the kick-ass shots he took in our session. If you want to see a great "body shot" that Dylan took of me... check out the "HUMANS" gallery on his website. It's HOT!

Dylan has been a DREAM COME TRUE to work with every step of the way. He's 100% pro... and super FUN. If you are in NYC, I highly recommend hiring him to take your photos. Can't say enough about how much I've loved working with him. Thanks, Dylan!

Loves to you all, thank you for sharing your thoughts and happy monday!

~Virginia

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." - Marilyn Monroe

 

36. How I Found My Guy

“The world is a looking glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.” – William Makepeace Thackery, novelist (1811-1863)

Today’s the day of the shoot, ya’ll!!! Gettin’ new headshots today!

I am prepared…

• 8 hours of sleep… Check!
• Bag full of assorted clothing options… Check!
• Fully-stocked make-up case… Check!
• Check-in-hand… Check!
• Joyful sense of anticipation… Check!

Thank goodness for re-touching because I think I woke up with at least three new pimples today. Always, happens that way, right? Bleh! No matter.

“Flawed can be more perfect than perfection.” – Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness Project

I am super grateful that it’s not raining and the sun is out! Hooray! We’re shooting outdoors… so we’re gonna have some goooood light this afternoon! Yes!!!

Who is going to be shooting these masterful photos you ask?

Answer to my photography prayers = Mr. Dylan Patrick @ http://dpheadshots.com/

I found him on Facebook. He shot my friend Anna Ty Bergman’s headshots and I thought her shots had great style, gorgeous color and really captured her essence. That’s what I’d like for my shots… ESSENCE… Thank you!

So I emailed him and inquired about getting together for a consultation. (Wanted to meet with him and see if our personalities meshed.) Like a total pro, he got back to me super fast. We set up a meeting. Chatted it up about headshots and the biz and life. He takes his business very seriously but with a sense of play, now that's my kind of guy. I was very impressed by how well he communicated his headshot-photography-philosophy. He's a generous, smart and talented guy who is very passionate about his work. He treats people with respect and professionalism annnnnnd has a sense of humor. Jackpot!!! Who could ask for anything more? 

I have learned, that when it comes to headshots… you really need to feel comfortable with the person behind the camera. Whatever emotional responses they evoke in you are naturally going to come through in the photos. 

Soooo if he/she makes you feel silly and fun… you’re going to get some great smiling commercial shots. If he/she makes you feel deep and sexy… then va-va-voom! … you’re going to get some H-O-T shots.  I’m going for open and approachable… sooooo when Dylan and I met up… and I saw how open and approachable he was… that he made me feel the same! Score! Found my guy!!! Sweeeeeet.

He shoots on the roof of his apartment on 10^th Ave in Midtown. So I’m gonna head over there, hang out with him, his wife and his on-staff make-up artist…. have some snacks, maybe a drink, shoot-the-breeze and take some photos while we’re at it. Sounds like a rockin’ afternoon to me!  Life is good. I love New York.

Can’t wait to see how the pix turn out. And ya’ll can look forward to a future post where I will ask you guys to weigh-in on the headshot options, that is, of course, after Dylan and I get the chance to narrow down the best-of-the-best.

Let’s relax, have a good time and make some photo magic! Wish me luck!

Hugs,

Virginia

“Be flexible in your plans, never blame the weather and continue to be a cooperative participant in whatever happens.” – Lena Stevens, The PowerPath