New Year. New You. New Headshot

Real life scenario. I often get calls to meet a client either virtually (gotta love Zoom) or in person over coffee to discuss their upcoming photo needs. I am also hired by local and national magazines and agencies to photograph someone for a wide variety of reasons. So I can put a face with a name, I often look the person up on LinkedIn and/or visit their website (or their company's website) beforehand.

Then I meet them…and they look NOTHING like their online photo because their headshot is a decade old…or older.

Sure, we all wish we could turn back the hands of time and look young and perfect forever. This is often the reason many people, especially women, don’t update their headshot.

“I look old”

“I look fat”

“See all these wrinkles here???” ***points all over face…

You name the excuse. I’ve heard it. Sorry guys, you’re just as guilty.

If you haven’t recently updated your headshot, and you’ve run out of excuses, now is the time for a new and better photo of you. Here is why:

You want your online presence and photo to truly represent you and your brand. Whether you need business formal headshots, or business casual (I recommend both), an in-depth professional photo shoot is the perfect opportunity to really stand out as THE top choice for your customers.

Coming up with a plan: Before any photo shoot, I’ll discuss with you the look, style, mood, and purpose for your photos. If desired, we can capture a wide range of emotions with different background colors so you can have lots of options. I personally prefer a white background because it’s bright, airy and lends a fresh look to your photos. However, some individuals and companies prefer a light-to-medium grey background for a more formal look.

As a potential Client, you should consider your career — or future career goals — and how that will influence the look and mood of your photos. Do you need friendly or serious? Business formal or casual Friday? Do you want in studio or on-location? Or both? During our initial call or meeting we will discuss wardrobe options; I am always happy to lend suggestions. Another aspect that is often undervalued and overlooked is the investment of hiring a professional hair and makeup artist. Having a hair and makeup artist or wardrobe stylist on your photo shoot is a game changer. I have a small makeup kit in my camera bag to powder noses and hairspray to tame flyways, but there’s only so much I can do. Having an on-set professional to look out for hair, makeup, and wardrobe is critical to help you look your very best. It’s an investment, but it’s worth it.

During the photo shoot: I don’t limit the amount of wardrobe changes or background changes during my headshot sessions. I want you to have as much variety as possible. Within our time frame, there may be some limitations based on the number of outfits, comfort and ease in front of the camera, hair and makeup changes, etc. The more the variety, the better. I always proof photos on set to an iPad so you can see yourself and make adjustments to your posture, smile, body language. I encourage everyone not to be too overly critical and avoid nitpicking themselves. We are our own worst critic. All of those minor flaws can be fixed. Your smile, stance and body language are the most important things.

After the session: I create a password-protected online gallery so you can review your photos. The first preview of photos will have basic color-corrections. I invite you to take your time and go through a few rounds of selections to narrow down your top choices. I am happy to lend a second opinion, however the choice on which photo(s) you want is up to you. After you’ve made your final selection(s), then each photo is retouched in detail. It’s unrealistic to think you’ll look 20 years younger or 30 pounds lighter. Why? Because it’s not real. It’s not who you are. I encourage all of my Clients to find beauty within themselves and more importantly, to love themselves exactly who they are.

With good lighting plus professional hair & makeup, the right camera angles, and tailored retouching specific to you, you CAN look better than you imagined!

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In November 2021, the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer for Independent Case Management of Little Rock reached out to me to inquire about headshots for their leadership team. ICM is a not-for-profit organization that provides home and community-based supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout the state of Arkansas. After we coordinated dates, scouted out a location, and did a little advance planning, photos were taken in December a few weeks before Christmas. After the Client made their selection, their retouched photos were delivered via digital download on January 5, 2022. You can read their testimonial here (and more), but here is what my new Client had to say:

We were looking for a photographer who could execute our vision of fresh, modern headshots. Karen’s work in her online portfolio drew us in and aligned with what we were seeking. She was very responsive and attentive to detail when we reached out to her. Karen made sure every detail was taken care of. She worked with us through all the steps from booking, what to wear, what to expect, and she was very professional and warm. Our expectations were exceeded! The photo set up and session was high-end and felt very cutting edge. We felt like we were in great hands. Karen’s approach to making people look and feel their best shines through her work. — Kathryn Rogers | Chief Financial & Administrative Officer | ICM of Arkansas

To see ICM’s new head shots, you can view them here.

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If you’re ready to put your best face forward and start 2022 with a new headshot, e-mail me and we can discuss. I’d love to work with you. 501-607-0090 or you can visit my get in touch page.

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Personal footnote

It had been four years since since my last headshot, and I had run out of excuses. It was time.

I took my own advice. I coordinated with a professional photographer whom I trust, hired hair and makeup and brought a few different outfits that represented me and my brand.

After we shot the professional photos, my makeup artist said, “Ok girl, this hair is too perfect. It’s got to go. Let’s go full-on Pat Benatar and mess this up.” I changed into a sweater and wore my puffy jacket. Naturally, those photos were my favorite. The causal look is more me and represents my brand perfectly!

I LOVE the results.

Scott McGehee: Proprietor of the Year Arkansas Food Hall of Fame | Arkansas Food Photographer

You may not know his name, but if you live in Arkansas, chances are you’ve eaten at one or more of his restaurants: Big Orange, Local Lime, Heights Taco & Tamale, Lost Forty Brewing and ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.

Scott McGehee is the executive chef behind Yellow Rocket Concepts restaurants which are some of the most popular in the state. McGehee was recently named Proprietor of the Year by the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.

I spent an afternoon in early March photographing McGehee for a recent feature in Arkansas Living Magazine, published by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. You can read the current issue of Arkansas Living here.

Scott McGehee is the executive chef behind Yellow Rocket Concepts

I met McGehee at Big Orange Burger in Little Rock’s Midtowne district. We had a relatively tight schedule and a lot to photograph. I wanted to photograph him at three different locations without taking up too much of his time. He told me he allocated three hours for the photo shoot and I was thrilled to have this much time. If you know Scott, he goes at 90-to-nothing.

We started with a portrait of him at the bar and then moved on to photographing a trio of their signature burgers and a bowl of their famous cheese dip. Cheese dip runs in his blood and in his family…literally. His father, Frank was the co-creator of white cheese dip and was a partner in Little Rock’s Blue Mesa Grill and Juanita’s.

A trio of burgers from Big Orange (from left): the Smashed Avocado Turkey Burger, theFarmer's Burger and the White Truffle & Pecorino.

From Big Orange, we headed to Heights Taco & Tamale Co. for a taste and preview of their offerings.

Lastly, we headed over to ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. ZAZA is my personal favorite. I could eat the ZAZA Italian Sausage Pizza ALL DAY. EVERY DAY. I wanted to get a few cooking shots in additional to the portraits and styled food photos so McGehee donned his apron and whipped up a classic Pizza Margherita.

There is no better way to cook a pizza than in a wood-fired oven. Period. Go ahead, argue your case.

For fans of his restaurants who live in Northwest Arkansas, your wishes are coming true. Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. is coming soon. The menu will feature an Ark-Mex menu designed by McGehee. The menu is also expected to include fan favorites. The new restaurant will be located on the Bentonville Square at 101 W. Central Ave., and is projected to open in fall 2020. This restaurant marks the 10th restaurant location for Yellow Rocket Concepts.

One last note, I can say with honestly, Scott McGehee is a really nice guy. And he is generous. Extremely generous. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, McGehee vowed not to lay off any of his employees by working hard to maintain curb-side pickup at all restaurant locations. McGehee also has been providing meals almost daily to area healthcare workers.

Beer to Farm to Table: JV Farms & Superior Bathhouse Brewery

I've spent a lot of time over the past year working with Superior Bathhouse Brewery in Hot Springs photographing varying projects. But one I did over the summer was one of my favorites.

JV Farms is a small, family, homestead farm located in Bismarck, Arkansas. They use organic and sustainable practices and offer a variety of items such as: free-range eggs, whole hog sausage, rabbits, pasture-raised lamb and seasonal produce. JV Farms sausage and other pork products can be found daily on the menu at Superior.   I can attest to how good their bratwurst it.

Once the brewing process at Superior is complete, the spent grains are then scooped out and dumped into buckets. But what to do with it? Jay Lee, the owner of JV Farms picks up the spent grains who then feeds it to his pigs. To the pigs, it's like eating candy.

On a very hot afternoon in late July, I spent the evening at JV Farms during the feeding of the little (and big) piggies and then afterwards, it was dinner for everyone. You cannot beat the smell of fresh, artisan bratwurst on the grill.

Superior and JV Farms takes the Farm to Table concept one step further: Just add beer!