What a treat to photograph baby Harper for her very first Christmas!  At less than one month old, she was a natural in front of the camera, just like her mama.  Take a peek through these photos and have your heart warmed through the year's coldest months!

You know it's going to be a great shoot when your biggest fear going into it is that you're going to cry happy tears and not be able to take photos.  Thankfully, I kept it together.

I can't think of a better way to ring in the holiday season than being a part of the homecoming of a soldier.  After 366 days overseas, this sweet husband and father returned home to the joyful, open arms of his loving family.  I'm so grateful to have been able to document this emotional day.  Thank you, Pileri family!

What a fun, unique couple!  I had the best morning shooting with Zee, Isaac and their kitties.  So much laughter and music (Isaac plays a ton of instruments), quirky design (they have a wall that is entirely cat art) and adorable cooking collaborations.  I'm thankful for every chance I have to see true love and document the intimate lives of these couples.  

Go ahead, you know you want to sing the rest of that song!

I feel like we take so much for granted.  I think we all know we do at some level.  But when you have the opportunity to see how others live, it comes to light.  I don't mean just being impoverished; we see that in our country too.  But it's at a different level there.  Not only are people limited in their abilities to have success, provide for their families, follow their dreams, etc, but they truly don't know any differently.  Being in a country that's essentially been closed off from the world for decades, it seems Cuba's people are almost blissfully unaware.  I'm still trying to decide how I feel about that, to be honest.  Knowing what I know, it feels unfair to me that they don't have the opportunities we have, but at the same time, the people I spoke with seem to have made the best of what they've been given... and that's kind of a beautiful thing.

Another thing I noticed was that everywhere I looked, people had photos of Che Guevara in their windows, doors (just as in the photo below), etc.  They waved flags featuring his face.  Guevara was a leader in the Cuban Revolution who gave his life for socialism.  ​Also, it was hard not to notice the presence of the military heavily monitoring the streets.  

Just look at those blue eyes, you guys, and tell me you don't want to eat her up!  

My buddy, Josh, who you've undoubtedly seen on my website before, recently became an uncle... so naturally, we had to get some shots of this little button.  Meet Jocelyn Nicole and her beautiful mama, Jessica!  

We were so lucky to have such a beautiful location (the end of their driveway-- really!), golden light and the most well-behaved baby ever... got all these shots in less than twenty minutes!  
​I don't do a whole lot of family portraiture, but this session definitely made me rethink that! 

Porter came too!  All it took was a great fetching stick to get him to pose like a good boy!  <3

So, what makes a great headshot, you ask?  Let me tell you...

1)  It looks like you.  You'd think that's an obvious statement, but apparently it's not.  It's so, incredibly important to have a headshot that looks like you.  I tell clients to do their own makeup, because after all, we don't all have makeup artists available to beautify us before each audition, am I right?  Make sure you don't throw casting directors for a loop when you walk into their offices... look like your photo.  Also, show some physical range-- change your hairdo, add/remove makeup during the shoot, throw on your glasses, etc.  Discuss wardrobe with your photographer as well; it can make a huge difference in the outcome of your photos.  A great photographer will have opinions and recommendations for you.

2)  It FEELS like you.  Are you quirky?  Your headshot should say that.  Are you intense?  Make sure your headshot is too.  Don't just lean on your looks; bring your personality to your shoot.  If you have a great headshot photographer, they'll ask you the right questions and know how to speak to you to bring out each side of your personality and make sure your headshots represent you.  They'll also choose locations and lighting that lend themselves to each vibe you're going for.

3)  It's well-lit and professionally shot.  You should be the main subject in your headshot, with your face and particularly eyes well-lit.  Framing, positioning, lighting, color and focus are all parts of the equation.  A professional headshot photographer will have all these aspects down pat.  Be sure to book with someone who specializes in actor headshots, as there are many different kinds of photographers, but not everyone is a headshot photographer.  Be sure to review your potential photographer's portfolio before booking a session with them.


All of these aspects of a great headshot are most dependent on two things:   
     - HIRE an excellent headshot photographer 
     - SHOW UP prepared, well-rested and emotionally open to show who you are

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Remember, you get what you put in, financially and emotionally.  Do your research.  There are endless photographers out there, but only a handful of very talented headshot photographers.  

​I hope this helps and that we can all raise the bar for headshots in Atlanta!  ​