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Do you have a website that’s being redone and your photograph needs updating? Have you always dreamed about becoming a model but have no photographs of yourself? Are you an executive that has changed companies, or looking for a different look for your promotional material? Maybe you have just written a book, started a new home based business and need a headshot? All of these requests come into my portrait studio throughout the year. Each one requires special attention to clothing and location.

Executives:

Professional Headshots

Avoid stripes and patterns. Clothing should be pressed, neat and fit well. Ladies if you are wearing jewelry keep it simple. Men, please chose a basic tie, shave or beards need to be trimmed. If you hair is too long, make your appointment for a haircut a week before the session. Professional make-up done on site is the norm. I will be taking a variety of shots: Full length, ¾ and close-up. Some shots will be formal, some more casual. You will have plenty to choose from.

 Authors, Actors and Other Professionals:

Professional Headshots

Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and gives you a professional look. Lighter clothing is better than darker. Avoid stripes and patterns. Bring several outfit changes and include short and long sleeve shirts. Long sleeves can be very flattering. Men, if you need a haircut, please make your appointment a week before the session. Everything shows. Shave if you like that look or trim your beard. Collared button down shirts photograph well. Ladies, have your hair done the day of the session if you have a specific look you enjoy. Make-up should be natural and what you commonly use for day wear. I will be taking a variety of shots: Full length, ¾ and close-up. Make sure you can sit comfortably in whatever clothing you have decided to wear.

 Models:

Professional Headshots

I like to provide a “model” client with four completely different photographs. Scouts like to see how the person may photograph in different settings so I use at least two different locations. I make a formal type shot, a casual, an active shot, a variety of close-up, ¾ and full length views, black and white and color. For the scruffy look for men, I suggest starting off with that look. Then shaving and changing clothes for the rest of the session. The planning stages involve finding out what activities the client enjoys most. I suggest bringing several outfits for each setting and I can choose what will work best the day of the session. Often, I provide the client with an 8×10 which includes a mix of photographs and the statistics like name, height, weight, contact number, and so on.

Personal, Online Dating:

Professional Headshots

For this photography session I recommend wearing clothing that makes you feel attractive. Bring a variety of outfits so that there will be much to choose from. Lighter colors work well than darker. Again, avoid stripes and bold patterns; the viewer wants to concentrate on your face, not your clothing. I like to choose a location that you enjoy going to; be it a beach, a garden, a park. I need you to be relaxed and content so your comfort is paramount! I will be photographing a headshot, a three quarter view and a full length so whatever you decide to wear make sure you can sit as well as stand.

Whatever your situation is, having professional headshots made gives a great first impression to your clients, your readers, modeling agencies, potential dating partners.

 
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As an equine photographer and equestrian for over thirty years, I like bringing new approaches to photographing horses and riders. Typically, locations are at a stable, a pasture nearby, or at a horse show. Clothing may be jeans, jodhpurs or show clothes. Thinking outside the box I look for alternatives for locations and clothing.

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Last fall, I purchased Sarco, a four year old Irish Sport Horse/Belgium Warm blood by Darco. I thought long and hard about what photographs I would like to make of him. One of my hobbies is International Ballroom Dancing. Dancing and riding have so much in common. You have a partnership. You need balance, rhythm, timing and precision. You can’t worry about the last step you took or you will miss your next step. You may have a course to complete at a horse show, or a quickstep routine for a competition. Every time I ride I am looking to be one with my horse. Moving across the ground, rising and falling I feel our energy. I had my photo assistant make my dreams a reality. Wearing one of my ballroom gowns I climbed aboard Sarco and went for a ride.

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Equestrian Photography

Next time you decide to schedule a portrait session for your horse, let’s brainstorm and come up with what best represents the relationship you and your horse have.

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Equestrian Photography

Most of all, have fun!!
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Deborah Kalas Photography is a home based business. Thursday, it was completely overrun by two chefs given the task of making 95 cakes of all sizes in less than 24 hours. The kitchen remained off limits to all house inhabitants including Deborah Kalas, Mike Blount, her new assistant, and the nineteen year old cat, Pumpkin Pie. The thirteen year old Welsh Corgi, Buttercup was the occasional floor sweeper who failed to report her delicious findings to the rest of us. The scents of cakes wafted through the house all night and day making sleep and work a delicious task. Noon on Friday the coconut crème layer cake and upside down blueberry cake [ a semi ridiculous idea since when you turn the cake upside down the blueberries fall out] were packed up to ship out. I was reminded several times these were recipes that their employer had provided them with. Not their own!

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Cakes of all sizes

Both chefs are graduates of The French Culinary Institute in New York City. I had no doubt that they would complete their task on time. With powdered sugar all over one and a day’s worth of beard growth on the other it’s a good thing they created these masterpieces privately.

Cakes of all sizes

Cakes of all sizes

 

When I think back to where this obsession with cakes and baking may have begun, I am reminded of an early photograph I made at my mother’s house twenty-one years ago. The occasion was my birthday. My mother was making the most delicious carrot cake. This particular day she had two helpers in the kitchen, her grandson’s Kristofer at eight months and Jan who was two and a half. Perhaps tasting the cream cheese icing, there was a chef in the making captured forever in the moment of a photograph.

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Watch for more upcoming food blogs. It looks like chefs Kristofer and Gabriela will be spending the summer in the Hamptons cooking for a variety of restaurants and private clients.