AI Headshots – Are they worth it?
They may seem like a cheaper, quicker route at first. However, they likely will cost your brand a lot more in the long run. Find out why.
Tutorials + Education
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How Do You Find the Right Brand Photographer for You?
Let’s skip the fluff: there are a lot of talented photographers in Chicago. On the surface, many of us look like we offer the same thing. So how do you actually tell the difference, and find the one who’s right for you?
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AI Is Only as Good as the Human Using It
AI shouldn’t be so easy that you stop thinking. It’s not magic. I didn’t type a question and walk away while something brilliant happened in my absence to create this post, which was written with Claude as my assistant. In fact, we brainstormed the structure and then wrote 5 different drafts in between the idea to posting this.
AI should feel more like a collaboration with someone who is very fast and very well-read, but lacks the experience of being a human. AI has been training for a short time on extensive computer models. I’ve been training as a human with thoughts, feelings, and learned experiences since I was born in 1981. You have too.
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How to Fact-Check a Photo Like a Photographer
AI is a tool. An incredibly useful one. It is my assistant for so much. Brainstorming, trouble-shooting, and overcoming writer’s block.
Like any tool, it works best when a human mind is behind it — thinking critically, asking questions, and taking responsibility for what gets made or shared. That’s true whether we’re talking about writing a blog post or generating a photograph that never actually happened.
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Brand Photography Can Happen Anywhere ~ Here’s What That Actually Looks Like
Two weeks ago I was in Costa Rica. Not on vacation — though the palm trees and the hummingbirds and the tarantulas living quietly in the earth below the walking paths made it feel like I’d stepped into something larger…
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What Happens If You Don’t Love Your Photos Right Away
There’s a very human moment that can happen when you first open your gallery. You scroll, pause, and suddenly see an image that feels unfamiliar. Your stomach might do a tiny flip as your brain tries to make sense of what it’s seeing.
If this has ever happened to you, nothing is wrong. It doesn’t mean the session missed the mark. It simply means you’re seeing yourself the way others already see you. That can feel surprising at first.
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The Secret Ingredient Behind Every Photo Session
My approach to photography is guided by one key ingredient: love. Here’s how I put my heart into every photo session and why it matters.
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Why I Don’t Do “Headshots”—and What You Receive Instead
You’ll see “headshots” all over my website because that’s the term people search for when looking for professional portraits. Since starting my business in 2015, I’ve learned that many people think they need a headshot and envision that tight crop—shoulders…
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How Brand Photography Pricing Really Works (and what’s included)
Wondering why branding photography costs what it does? Here’s what you’re really paying for—and how a well-planned session can actually save you time, money, and stress in the long run.
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3 Light Tricks for Your Next Video Call
You Don’t Need a Ring Light. You Just Need Good Light. Your first impression often happens through a screen these days — and bad lighting is quietly sabotaging people who are otherwise completely prepared. I’m a photographer, so I notice…
