kate raphael | headshot portland

shocking... simply shocking.   i was asked last year what i love to photograph and what came out of my mouth surprised me. headshots. what? who said that?

it's not that i didn't know i loved working with clients to get them the best image possible for their business.   but i didn't realize how much i enjoyed the full process.

for me it's so much more than a headshot... as entrepreneurs your business is your passion, your love, your brand, your work, your livelihood,  your heart.  and i believe in today's market place it is about who you are, not just what you can do for your client.  your perspective clients want to know you, to feel like when they hire you they already have a sense of who they are working with.

so in turn.. i get to know you.   what turns you on,  lights your days,  makes your heart smile.  what's your 'story'?  how does working with your clients feed your soul?   what colors/styles and clothing makes you feel outstanding.   

then we create a shoot custom for you and your needs.. and at the shoot?  yeah.. i pose you a bit.. but mostly we play and laugh... a lot.   

when my friend asked me this question and i found myself launching into a 30 min passion filled answer,  she just sat back and smiled and said... oh you don't do headshots.. you do 'heartshots'.     ooops...  i guess i do.  

this is kate.  she is totally fantastic.  her work is stellar and her laugh will light up a room.   we did a full day shoot with the talented  makeup artist and good human... jessica belknap on set, coffee flowing and oh yeah.... kittens!

gotta include the outtakes.. just too fun.  love you kate!

 the lovely miss jessica belknap sitting in for light testing... 

oh and i mentioned kittens right? ugh...  too darn cute!

i tried to eat him.. it couldn't be helped.

bye!

galen | portland headshot photography

I was struck the other day with just how important a good headshot is. I was scanning a website for a practitioner when I suddenly realized that I really was just looking at image first, then content. Just like in life it is that first impression..... the one that makes you say, yes I want to work with you, or yeah, no thanks. But have a good day.


The gentleman above is Galen, a thoroughly good human and someone I am honored to know. We are currently working on creating some images for a rockin' new website. Details and full reveal soon.

Dr Claire Wheeler | Portland headshot photography

I always walk away from a headshot session with a natural high. I've just spent two hours really seeing someone. It's a bit giddy that exchange of energy between us. I have to be open enough in my own person to create space so that they feel they can be open with who they are.

It's quite an amazing process.

Claire is a brilliant Dr. and teacher, an incredible person and dang funny. We laughed just about the entire shoot. Her website is currently under construction, but if you want to know a bit more of her work and her story you can check out her bio on the Center for Mind Body Medicine website.

tracy | portland headshot photography

It's really crazy how much fun I have with my clients when we are creating a new headshot for them. Generally they come into the session pretty excited because they are either re-branding, re-launching or stepping into some new adventure.

You might call me a geeked out photographer...it's ok..I can take it. But with the goodness of all that energy swirling around, and the pure joy of getting to know a person, headshot photography is honestly kinda thrilling.

Getting to know Tracy and the brilliance of who she is, was one of those days where I say a humble 'thank you', for what I am allowed to do.

Updates on the launch of Tracy's re-branding and new website to follow soon.

victor | portland portrait photography

Classical music has always been my escape....my transport to witnessing the divine. In fact as a slightly odd 5yr old little girl, three of my favorite albums were some random classical records picked up from the library throw away pile + an album of humpback whale songs {yes, that would be the eeeooOOOOooowwwOOEEiii...type of song}

But it's late and I digress.

In feb I was contacted to do a simple headshot for a very talented young man. He plays the viola and needed just a simple shot to put in the concert program.

When victor arrived he was none to keen on having his photo taken, but I was thrilled! All thru the shoot I was HOPE HOPE HOPE-ing he would play for me. Recorded music is one thing, live music is something altogether life altering.

We completed our 'safe' shot and were ready to call it, when mum and dad came in and asked if we could do a few more creative shots. uhh YES! I've included just a few of those here..but I'll spare Victor the full monty.

When we were finished I had to ask..and yes he did, and yes it was brilliant.

I am posting this tonight in his honor, as I just heard from his proud mama, that he was named Principal violist for the Portland Youth Philharmonic!

Way to Go VICTOR!

Or as the humpback say CooooOOnnngggrrraaaAAATOOOoooOOlaayyyTiOOoonnns.

Victor you are an amazing young man. Thank you for my private mini concert and for being such a good sport in front of my lens.

Phillis Yes | Portland headshot photography

I met Phillis Yes just once, but her strength and presence of character was so strong that I my spirit got a permanent lift.

The headshot she needed was to be 'quick' she just needed something for an award she was being presented...and then we started to talk.

She is a teacher/amazing artist and brilliant human being.

The shots above were her final selects from the bunch. I do believe she went with the first one for the ceremony, but I just adore the other two.

Caitlyn extraordinaire

show me fear!
I can't repeat what I said to get her to laugh like that.... gotta keep it PG13




















anyone else see nichol kidman here?



I was doing a bit of editing the other night and came across a headshot session that was such fun, I had to share. Caitlyn is a fantastically talented actress, and so comfortable being totally wacked or serious seductive. I hope she needs new headshots soon so we can ham it up in the studio again. I love being a photographer! :)