Most people don’t come to me because they love being in front of the camera.
It’s usually the opposite.
They need photos for their business, their website, their next step; but the idea of a “headshot session” feels stiff, awkward, and… just not like them.
Rachel said something really similar before her session.
She didn’t know what to expect. She just knew she didn’t like having her photo taken.
And that’s exactly why this kind of session exists.
Not Quite a Headshot. Not a Full Branding Shoot. Something In Between.
There’s this weird gap when it comes to photos for your business.
On one side, you’ve got traditional headshots.
Clean, simple… but sometimes a little too stiff.
On the other, full branding sessions.
More involved, more planning, more time.
And then there’s this middle ground that a lot of people are actually looking for (even if they don’t have a name for it).
Something that:
feels relaxed, not overly posed
gives you more than one “look”
still keeps the focus on you (not props or heavy styling)
works across your website, social, and everything in between
That’s what this session was.
A Real Session: Rachel Organizes
If you don’t already follow Rachel, she’s the force behind Rachel Organizes—and she’s built a huge following sharing real, practical ways to make your home feel more manageable.
She’s used to being on camera in her own way, but that doesn’t always translate to feeling comfortable in front of someone else’s lens.
After the session, she shared this:
“I’m shocked because I don’t normally like photos of myself.”
Not to force poses.
Not to create some version of you that doesn’t feel real.
Just to make it feel… easier.
Why Hair + Makeup Matters More Than You Think
Every session includes professional hair and makeup by Valerie Hammer Makeup Artistry, and it’s a bigger part of the experience than people expect.
Not because you need to look “done up.
It’s about bringing more of the you that makes you….you. (overuse of “you”? probably…)
Softening things just enough that you feel a little more polished, but still completely like yourself.
The goal is always the same: you, just a little more put together, a little more confident.
Because when you feel like yourself (on a really good day), everything else gets easier; how you move, how you show up, how the camera sees you.
It’s not about transforming you into someone else.
It’s about removing the distractions so you can actually settle into the experience.
What These Sessions Actually Feel Like
A lot of people assume there’s some secret to “being good in photos.”
There isn’t.
Most of the session is just:
talking things through
adjusting small details
trying something, seeing if it works
laughing when it doesn’t
and having a fun fan going. (seriously a game changer)
It’s collaborative. It moves. It shifts.
Who This Is For
This kind of session tends to be the right fit if:
you need updated photos for your business
you’ve outgrown your old headshot
you want something that feels more current and natural
you don’t need (or want) a full branding shoot
and you’ve been putting it off because the idea feels uncomfortable
Basically—if you’ve ever thought, “I know I need photos, I just don’t know what kind…”
this is probably what you’re looking for.
If You’ve Been Putting It Off…
You’re not the only one.
A lot of the people I photograph come in unsure, a little hesitant, not totally convinced they’re going to like any of it.
Not because they suddenly know what to do; but because the whole thing feels more like a conversation than a performance.
If you’re in the DC / Maryland / Northern Virginia area and need something that sits between a traditional headshot and a full branding session, this is exactly what these are for.
Questions You Might Be Wondering About
What exactly is this session? Is it a headshot or a branding shoot?
It sits right in between.
You’ll walk away with more variety and personality than a traditional headshot, but without the full planning and production of a branding session. It’s focused on you: how you show up, how you move, how you actually feel in the photos.
What if I hate being in photos?
You’re in good company.
A lot of people come in feeling unsure or uncomfortable. That’s kind of the starting point, not a problem to solve ahead of time.
There’s no expectation to “know what to do.” We figure it out together as we go, and it usually feels a lot easier than people expect.
Is hair and makeup included?
Yes—every session includes professional hair and makeup by Valerie Hammer Makeup Artistry.
The goal isn’t to make you look like someone else. It’s to even things out, bring out your features, and help you feel a little more polished and put together—like you on a really good day.
That shift makes a big difference in how you show up in the photos.
What should I wear?
You don’t need a full wardrobe plan—just a couple of options that feel like you.
I usually recommend:
something simple and neutral
something a little darker or more structured
and something that feels a bit more “you” (even if you don’t wear it all the time)
We’ll talk through it ahead of time so you’re not guessing.
How long is the session?
The session itself is about 30 minutes, with 2 hours for before for hair and makeup. Then you get an instant reveal (yes, you see the images immediately!) which takes about 20 minutes.
It’s intentionally kept simple and focused—enough time to settle in, try a few things, and get a strong variety without it feeling overwhelming.
Where does the session take place?
All sessions take place in my studio in Silver Spring, MD.
It’s a controlled, comfortable space so you don’t have to worry about weather, crowds, or distractions. Just showing up and getting into it.
What will I actually get from this?
A set of images that feel like you—but a little more refined, a little more confident, and a lot more usable.
Photos you can use across:
your website
social media
speaking engagements
anywhere you need to show up visually
How is this different from just booking a quick headshot somewhere?
Those can work—but they’re usually fast, posed, and pretty limited.
This is slower, more collaborative, and gives you room to move a bit, try things, and actually settle into it.
The end result feels less like a single “good photo” and more like a set of images you’ll actually want to use.