Showing posts with label Photograper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photograper. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

How a Life Coach Can Help You Prepare for Your Professional Headshot



 Author: Laura Dusek

When it comes to getting a professional headshot, many people think it's all about having a good photographer, the right outfit, and flattering lighting. While these elements are certainly important, there's another layer of preparation that often goes overlooked—mental and emotional readiness. This is where a Life Coach can make a significant difference.

Building Confidence

A professional headshot is not just a picture; it’s a representation of who you are and what you bring to the table. A Life Coach can work with you to build the confidence necessary to project your best self in front of the camera. They help you identify and break through any self-doubt or insecurities that might be holding you back. With the right mindset, you’ll not only feel more confident, but that confidence will be evident in your photos.

Clarifying Your Personal Brand

Your professional headshot should communicate your personal brand. But how do you know what that brand is? A Life Coach can guide you through the process of defining your brand by helping you understand your values, strengths, and what sets you apart. They assist you in aligning your headshot with the message you want to convey to potential employers, clients, or collaborators.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

The thought of having your picture taken, especially in a high-stakes situation like a professional headshot, can cause anxiety for many people. A Life Coach can teach you techniques to manage and reduce this stress. Whether it's through mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, or other stress-management strategies, they can help you approach the photoshoot with a calm and positive mindset.

Enhancing Your Presence

Presence is about more than just how you look—it’s about how you carry yourself. A Life Coach can help you develop a stronger sense of presence, which translates into more impactful body language, facial expressions, and overall demeanor. This is key to ensuring that your headshot not only looks professional but also feels authentic.

 

Setting Intentions

Going into a photoshoot with clear intentions can make a world of difference. A Life Coach can assist you in setting those intentions, ensuring that you’re not just aiming for a good picture, but a representation of your best self. Whether it’s projecting leadership, approachability, or creativity, knowing what you want to convey helps both you and the photographer work towards a common goal.

Personal Growth and Transformation

The process of preparing for a professional headshot can also be a journey of personal growth. Working with a Life Coach allows you to explore areas of your life that may need attention, leading to transformations that go beyond the photoshoot. The insights gained during this process can positively impact other areas of your professional and personal life as well.

Conclusion

Elevate your professional headshot experience by working with a skilled photographer and a Certified Master Life Coach like me. At Laura’s Freelance in Spokane, Washington, I go beyond capturing your outer appearance, focusing on the mental and emotional preparation that ensures your headshot reflects your inner confidence, clarity, and purpose. My coaching seamlessly complements the photography process, creating a stress-free experience with truly impactful results. With sixteen years of photography expertise, along with my credentials as a Certified Master Life Coach and Image Consultant, I deliver a Grand Slam Professional Headshot—giving you the best of both worlds and the support of someone you can trust to guide you through the process like no one else can.

 

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Autumn In Washington State - Places to find beautiful - Fall Colors

 

Autumn in Washington State: A Photographer's Guide

The fall season is a magical time in Washington State. The leaves change color, the days get shorter, and the air becomes crisp and cool. It's a time for enjoying the outdoors and capturing the beauty of nature.

As a landscape photographer, I love photographing autumn in Washington State. There are so many beautiful places to explore, and the colors are always stunning. Here are a few tips for photographing autumn landscapes in Washington State:

• Plan ahead. The best time to photograph autumn colors in Washington State is from late September to mid-October. However, the timing can vary depending on the elevation and location. Do some research to find out when the leaves will be at their peak in the area you plan to visit.

• Be patient. The weather can be unpredictable in the fall, so be prepared to wait for the perfect conditions. Cloudy days can actually be ideal for photographing autumn colors, as they can help to create a soft, diffused light.

• Use the right settings. When photographing autumn colors, it's important to use the right camera settings. I typically shoot in manual mode and set my white balance to "shade" or "cloudy". This will help to warm up the colors in the scene.

• Experiment with different compositions. There are endless possibilities when it comes to composing autumn landscape photographs. Try different angles and perspectives to find the one that you like best.

• Don't forget the details. Don't just focus on the big picture. Pay attention to the details, such as the leaves on the ground, the bark on the trees, and the reflection in the water. These details can add interest and depth to your photographs.

With a little planning and patience, you can capture some truly stunning autumn landscapes in Washington State. So get out there and start exploring!

Here are some of the best places to photograph autumn landscapes in Washington State:

I am now inspired and anxious for Autumn Colors… How about you? 

Where will you go for a Fall Color Drive this Season? 

• Leavenworth: This Bavarian-themed town in the Cascade Mountains is a popular destination for fall foliage viewing. The town is surrounded by mountains and forests, and the leaves change color in a variety of shades.






Leavenworth autumn landscape, Washington State


• Stevens Pass: This mountain pass is located between Seattle and the Cascade Mountains. It's a popular spot for hiking, camping, and fishing, and the fall colors are simply stunning.

Stevens Pass autumn landscape, Washington State

• North Cascades National Park: This park is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Washington State. The fall colors are incredibly vibrant in the alpine meadows and around the lakes.






North Cascades National Park autumn landscape, Washington State

• Olympic National Park: This park is known for its temperate rainforests, but it also has some stunning fall foliage. The best place to see the colors is in the Hoh Rainforest and along the Sol Duc River.


Olympic National Park autumn landscape, Washington State

• Washington Park  Japanese Arboretum: This arboretum in Seattle or Spokane is home to over 10,000 different types of plants. The fall colors are especially beautiful in the Japanese Garden and around the lake.






Washington Park Japanese Arboretum autumn landscape, Washington State

I hope these tips help you capture some amazing autumn landscapes in Washington State. So get out there and start exploring!

Saturday, February 19, 2022

News and Updates Feb 2022


 News & Updates


Hello Friends.

I thought I would catch you up on some news since I have not written in a while, sorry for that, however, I honestly have not had a lot of downtime lately.  Finally through the holidays meaning Thanksgiving and Christmas... 

So let's bring you up to speed.  I joined a BNI (Business International Networking) Spokane Referral Exchange -group located in my beautiful town of Spokane Valley.  This was such a wonderful decision.  I get the opportunity to meet and network with some amazing professionals and we have such a wonderful time uplifting one another and helping each of us grow as professional business owners.  So that keeps me busy.  

This past winter I had this brilliant brainstorm to retrofit our GMC Suburban into a home away from home photo mobile.  So my husband and I have been researching exactly what it takes for me to be comfortable, safe, and productive in the " Photo Mobile  " called Deliah.  We are planning to have me out on the road by April of this year hopefully if everything goes smoothly.  

So far we have purchased a solar system Opeus which we have already used once. So far I am impressed. I love that it has so many options. Count em (3) outlets. This stinking thing can run a blender if I wanted. I am thinking of getting a magic bullet to make smoothies in the morning, however, my priority is  COFFEE. The Opeus can handle it.  An issue that I have gotten an education about is what you can plug in and how long will it last. How many volts is the item you are plugging into the generator? It matters. 

The second and really important item is a bed for me to sleep on.  I wanted something with a great deal of cushion for support and comfort. We found a tri-fold by Millard.  I wanted something I could fold up and get out of the way so I can sit on a bench support and work on post-processing during the day. We have all the lumber that is required for the build and I am so excited to get started and get out there and get some amazing landscape photographs.   As soon as we get started I will begin posting videos of our progress on my YouTube page.  I tell you what I have so many pins on my camping board on Pinterest.  I didn't realize when I had this brainstorm that this is a "Thing".  Many are out living 24/7 in a vehicle, Van, Truck, and have been doing really well at it.  
Our top requirements: 
  • Safety
  • Comfortable Bed
  • Power
  • Internet
  • Food Storage & Cooking 
  • Water (Drinking, Shower, Cooking)
  • Did I say Comfort?  Yes my bones are demanding (Laughing)
  • Bathroom 
  • A place for me to work and store my equipment

Added to my news is that I bought a DRONE this past fall.  Now both my husband and I have enrolled in an online school to learn how to fly the darn thing.  I have to admit, after ordering the four books that we need to participate in the course and pass a test that we have to pay $150.00 to take the exam and receive what's called a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; I am a bit nervous. It is a ton of information and tests are not something I excel at. But  I am determined to do it.  I watched someone fly a drone, a fellow photographer when we were photographing the East Coast this past fall.  It was so wonderful to see how beautiful Acadia was from the birds-eye point of view. 

Speaking of education I am working on checking off one of my serious goals.  I am working on receiving a Master Photographer Certificate.  The course should if I stay on track take me six months to finish. 

Hope you forgive me now for not having written in a few minutes. 

Product Update:  My 2022 Calendar will be taken off of the shelf on March first.  So if you want one, go to my website and get yours while supplies last.  

I will try to do better at posting more.  

Hugs and Love to All

Laura


Saturday, September 25, 2021

 


Hey All.  I know that I said that I would be writing this blog almost daily, ...well I neglected to take into account the access to technology and great Wi fi, and getting to and from locations, plus sleep; haha, what is that, who said I need sleep.  
so let me play catch up.  

This has been so much fun traveling the East coast.  We began this trip in Burlington VT. then we progressed to a really great ski lodge called Bolton Valley Resort, from there we stayed two nights in Stow VT which was a place I could easily call home.  Everything is so relaxed there.  So after our stay in the Green Mountain Inn we have made our way to Portsmouth NH which is the third oldest cities in the country, Buildings from the 17th and 18th century line the streets,  the North Church stands like a grand lady in the center of town.  Prescott Park boasts beautiful gardens and a great view from the docks. We found a really lovely place to stay at the Anchorage Inn soon to be taken over by Comfort INN's but the Prescott Suite was simply, lovely.  I have been very surprised how quickly in retrospect how close all the villages and towns are located to one another.  Cemeteries are practically on every corner.  USA flags are respectfully posted on the graves of Military which was so wonderful to see they were not forgotten,  History is everywhere and it's breathable.  Walking on the streets and standing in or near buildings where major decisions were discussed that changed the fabric of our future as a country was so profound and powerful to me personally. My husband made the comment that our drive is a living museum, which was so spot on.  For the next few days we are staying at a sweet motel called Acadia Pines in Bar Harbor Maine. We even have a small kitchenette that was nice to actually cook bacon and eggs plus drink a decent cup of coffee the way we like it. For the last few days the rain has been coming down in sheets, so I thought I would take a few minutes to get this blog out.  


I have been so blessed on this trip to capture some amazing beauty.  I set out to capture a few covered bridges and find some light houses and a few quaint farms.  I wanted to find images that have been on my professional bucket list for years.  I got that and more!  So with the weather not exactly on my side, I took the time to get some post processing productive time in,  I am so darn excited to share with you my journey in photographic art.  I should be uploading to my gallery in just a few days.  Hear is a teaser. 

As for the food, Let's just say, we have not suffered.  Yes, we had Lobster here in Bar Harbor... so much FUN.  As for the time difference, I think I will try and keep this biological eastern time zone clock going, I get a ton done before anyone is even awake on the west coast.  Well, that's the theory and I'm sticking to it, for now any way.  Time to get back to taking more photos, time is slipping away before we jet back home.  Talk again soon.  


Sample of Photo Art by Laura

Hugs, 

Laura
Photo Art by Laura Photography