East Bay Headshots

(925)380-2911



1353 Pine St. Walnut Creek, CA

Cheap Headshots

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Cheap Headshots

What type of experience are you looking for?

We all want to find a good deal, but a price comparison only works with identical services and experiences. Apples to Apples.

When shopping for a headshot photographer, you will likely want to consider the experience you get at some of the other studios.

For example the above reviews of one well known option show a theme of:

  • Waiting 2+ hours in the crowded lobby
  • A Rushed 15-minute “Quicky” session
  • No wardrobe changes
  • Poor quality photos that cost over $100

If you search the web, you can find promises of quicky $99 headshots at this department store (that declared bankruptcy and is scheduled to close) or other semi-local “cattle call group sessions” held once a month in a rented conference room.

We try to talk people out of booking these shoots because paying a price that might “feel right,” is often viewed afterward as a big mistake.

The cheap headshot mistake

We are talking about your image here and a first impression is not something to skimp on. When you “go cheap,” you are getting what you pay for and most people are not just satisfied with their results. Trust us we have tried this and know the results. If you are like me you get frustrated the longer you have to wait and I would be in no mood to take a good photo after waiting for two hours at the department store studio.

We have found Customers who do “quicky sessions” like these commonly want to do “re-shoots” due to not getting what they wanted and need “more time.”

They end up having to book another session with another studio are now paying more than if they had chosen the right experience from the beginning.

The Solution

We don’t schedule individual 10-15 minute quicky sessions in our studio. Over the years, we have found It’s just not enough time for most people to get comfortable and get an image they are happy with. Unless of course, you are a professional model. Professional Models can take great photos with just a few takes, and that’s why agencies pay to shoot with them.

Customers who “go cheap” in the beginning end up paying more and wasting time, rather than “doing it right the first time.”

I still want some cheap headshot recommendations.

You can go cheap at JC Penny (*at least for now – as they have filed for bankruptcy and announced their Concord Store and others may be closing soon.) The charge over $100 for a 10 minute session. Read the reviews and be prepared to wait.

Why can’t I pay JC Penny Prices at your Studio?

We can’t charge JC Penny prices because 1) they offer that service as a loss-leader to get people into their stores to buy clothes and other profitable items. 2) Bargain Price photography is simply not a sustainable business model. JC Penny is bankrupt, The Picture People closed for good abandoning customers and employees alike, even Target recently closed all its photo studios. It’s an experiment that has been tried time and time again without success.

As a business, we have calculated our costs and quality costs more. We believe we… and more importantly you…are worth the extra investment. and that a good customer experience is worth it.

Book A Session with us when your ready to experience a transformation!

COVID-19 Procedures

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Dec 2020 Update – Per the latest State of CA and CoCoCo Guidelines – our retail studio is able to remain open at limited capacity and also stay open per the current media and film studio guidelines. While navigating these guidelines is confusing at times, the two mentioned appear to be most analogous to our business. We have several safety measures in place. Read more below:

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At East Bay Headshots we are doing our part to help keep our studio and clients safe. We have a written safety plan in place and you should feel safe working with us.

We offer a number of safety advantages over working with a high volume department store studio with long waits in crowded waiting rooms.

The first and most important step is the self-check. Are you part of a vulnerable population? Have you been feeling ill recently? In either case it would probably be best to postpone our session.

Assuming you feel well and are ready for a shoot we want to assure you that we have implemented a number of safety protocols post COVID-19:

  1. We are a boutique studio and are only allowing one client in our studio space at a time. Sessions are spaced out to allow for cleaning between clients.
  2. We are able to complete sessions either in studio or outside, all while staying six feet apart to allow for proper social distancing.
  3. Your photographer will wear a mask, in addition to staying six feet away.
  4. We sanitize all high touch studio surfaces between clients.
  5. We have a sink in our office with soap, water, and towels available for hand-washing as needed.
  6. We can handle scheduling, proofing, and payment all online without need for any contact.
  7. Based on CCC Dept. of Health Guidance and recommendations we are not performing temperature checks, as the health department does not believe they are effective for detecting COVID.

If you have any other concerns please feel free to reach out and we are happy to structure our sessions in a way to keep you safe.

As a small business, we also thank you for your support during these challenging times. Remember to Shop Small and be safe!

A picture can be worth $1,000+

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Modeling Photos SF Bay Area

Did you know one photo can be worth over $1,000? No Joke!

When you look at your profile image on LinkedIn or Facebook most people don’t realize that one photo could be worth $1,000 or much, much, more.

If you’re an actor or model that one photo could land you a casting for the biggest role of your career or large ad campaign.

If you’re in business, that one photo can help you land that interview with a new company, a new client, or new promotion.

If you’re newly single that photo can help you land the date of your dreams and a lifetime of happiness.

What is that new client worth to you? How much does Nike pay their models per shoot? Hint it’s a lot of $$ for a shoot.

Although a photo is not everything, the right photo will very likely get you “the click.”

In marketing there is a concept where the job of each creative is to capture the viewers attention and encourage them to take the next step. The click. Nothing more.

If you have an amazing resume and work experience on LinkedIn but no-one clicks on your profile to read more, then what’s the point.

If you don’t get invited to the in-person casting, you could be the best actor in the world and still not get the job.

Although we would all like to think everyone is judged equally and given an equal chance, regardless of looks or appearances, the reality is that is not true. People make quick judgments all the time based on just one photo.

You have to pass the “Eye Test” to get your shot. You have to look the part and dress for success. You have likely heard these phrases for most of your life, but maybe never really considered how important your “one photo” is to your success.

In retrospect, I bet that one photo could be priceless.

Hair and Makeup Options

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To save costs, most of our clients choose to do their own hair and makeup before a session. If it’s not perfect, we can fix some makeup issues in Photoshop after your session. Having your hair styled is typically the priority.

Ideally, you are “camera ready” at the start of our session for the most natural look.

We also have a vanity in the studio where you can do touch-ups at the start of the session or to add/remove makeup as needed during the shoot.

We can handle fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and general skin smoothing/blending in Photshop and we prefer your error on the side of a more natural look than using excess foundation. 

Therefore, at a minimum, we do recommend having a blow out or hair styling session right before your shoot. We post our availability online to help with coordination when booking with a stylist. 

If you’re looking for a recommendation, we are very fortunate to have a number of different salons within a very short distance from our studio.

By having you visit their studio, it cuts costs and most of the stylists we spoke to in the area prefer to work at their own stations. However, if you have a favorite stylist (or a good friend), they are welcome to join us in our studio to help keep your hair in place during the shoot. 

Here is a list of salons we recommend. Click on the white expand arrow button (map top left corner) to view the full list or click on individual blue markers to see their contact information and links. 

 

 

 

Professional Headshot Tips

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As a professional photographer, my clients often ask for advice on how to prepare for a session.

In this article, I will focus on three main areas to help you get a great professional headshot. Most people use their headshot for at least few years between updates. Therefore we want you to look your best. Careful preparation will help ensure success and allow us to work together to help create something special.

Tip #1 – Wardrobe

All the little details matter and you should give careful consideration to your wardrobe choices.

First, what are the norms in your industry? Do you want a more business casual look or perhaps a more formal business look (coat and tie)? Do you have a need for both?  You can always bring clothing for both a business casual and formal business look.  

We highly recommend bringing a few dark SOLID colored suit coats or sweaters in Black, Navy, and darker Grays as an outer layer. 

We want to keep the focus of the image on your face. Light or brightly colored outer layers tend to steer the viewer’s eye away from the face. A bright white business shirt can compete with the face with the viewer’s eye.  When you have a dark suit coat over this same white shirt, you will see a big difference in the final image.  

Similarly, sleeveless blouses for women tend to draw attention to the light-colored flesh tones of the arms and can also pull the viewer’s attention away from the face. We recommend against anything sleeveless.

SOLID COLORS: Some patterns can cause Moire with the camera sensor and look funny in certain sizes and crops. Patterns also come and do and can cause your photo to become dated in a few years. Solid colors are classic and timeless.  Therefore most patterns should also be avoided.

We don’t mean to suggest you can’t have any color in your photo… A bright and saturated colored tie or top (Red, Blue, Yellow, Etc) usually works well under the dark jacket, since the colored element is being used more sparingly as more of an accent.  We recommend a pop of color as a tie or blouse under a jacket. 

Think about bringing clothing items that are all the same color family. For example, various shades of blue or perhaps a more monochromatic look with shades of black, gray, and white.

Button placement and fit is also a key part of what wardrobe items look best in photos. The top button and how the collar lays on men’s shirts is something that can be an issue. Take a look at your shirt in the mirror and how it lays on your body when wearing it before your shoot. 

Lastly, all clothes should be in good condition, freshly laundered, and pressed. Again the details matter and you want to look polished. If you have worn the suit all day it might look wrinkled in your photos. 

Tip #2 – Hair

Bad hair days happen to us all, but don’t let them ruin your photo. Hair is one of the more challenging things to try and fix in post-production and to keep natural.  Therefore, it is important to manage hair during the photo shoot.

We recommend having your hair styled by a professional before your session.

For men, it’s best to get a hair cut a few days to a week before your headshot session. If you like to “get your moneys worth” from your barber, allow the cut to grow in a little before your session.

For the ladies, visit your stylist or blow-out bar right before your shoot to look your best. CLICK HERE for a map of several different salons within a few steps of our studio door, if you need a recommendation.  

If your prone to having frizzy hair and the forecast calls for rain, you may want to consult a stylist or research products that can help with Friz!

Of course, the best scenario is to have a stylist (or friend) with you during the shoot itself like high-end commercial shoots, but we recognize that not everyone has the budget for that.  Not only does a stylist help style your hair at the beginning of the shoot, but they (or a trusted friend) can be on hand to do touch-ups and whisk away distracting hairs, as you change poses as and the shoot progresses. You will know your hair best and if it is difficult to control this might be an idea for you.

Although it is expensive to hire a stylist and MUA, considering most people only get a new headshot once every several years, think of it as a sound investment that can be amortized over the life-span of the image.

Tip #3 – Make-up

Great looking makeup is also a top component to a great image. What kind of makeup you use is also just as important as how it is applied.

Although your regular amount of make-up probably looks great for everyday use, under the bright studio lights any color or eye shadow can also look a little washed out.

Therefore, it’s also important to bring a small makeup kit with you for any touchups during the shoot and have the ability to add some lipstick, eyeliner, or blush if needed. Most people end up putting on a little more of these items than they usually wear.

Makeup also becomes important if you are prone to oily skin. Blemishes can easily be removed in Photoshop but poorly applied makeup, ie: too much foundation/powder or concealer all over the face can be tough. 

If your doing your own makeup here are some tips to consider.

Not all make-up is “photo friendly” and some products are reflective under bright lights.

  • Avoid makeup with SPF included as a component
  • Avoid most mineral based powders
  • Use Smashbox products or similar brands that are designed for photo shoots and will not reflect the bright studio lights.

In short, your welcome to bring a few different wardrobe options to your shoot and this is always a safe bet. 

We hope these tips are helpful when preparing for your headshot session.

If you have any additional questions on how to prepare for your session please let us know and send us an email before your shoot. 

Retouching – More Than Removing Pimples

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Headshot Retouching

Many people think portrait retouching is limited to just removing a pimple here and there. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t think they need their photos retouched.

In reality, portrait retouching (when done right) is about making you look your best and enhancing your natural look. It’s more than just a touch-up here and there. It’s also not usually about making any wild or obvious changes in Photoshop or makin extreme body modifications. We like to keep things on the natural side and simply enhance your profile photo and make small modifications where needed. If you look at the business headshot above, you can see where made many small changes to the portrait which contribute to making a big improvement in the overall image. Everyone can benefit from some skin smoothing, removal of blemishes, teeth whitening, and much more.

In the end, you can choose how your images look, but if your going to take the time to have professional photos done, why not have them look their best! Many choose to have their teeth whitened at the dentist, have a professional make-up artist come in for their shoot, and their clothes professional tailored. In reality, we can accomplish the same objectives with some retouching work.

How to get the Best Headshot

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Personal Branding Consultation

If your reading this, you have likely decided it’s time to think about updating your headshot. Maybe your looking for a new job, a promotion, giving a talk, or looking for a new mate.

As your going to be investing your valuable time and money into a new headshot, it stands to reason that you would want to get a GREAT HEADSHOT from your session and you probably don’t want to settle for just a “good photo.” You want the best!

But how do you go from a good photo to a great photo? What’s the difference?

The answer is as follows:

A great photo is where NO detail is overlooked.

A good photo is usually pleasing in several ways, but something is just off. Maybe it’s a little thing or maybe it’s obvious. Most people usually can’t quite identify what’s wrong in these kind of photos, but everyone can feel the dissonance and knows subconsciously that something is off.    

But who cares?

Truth be told there are many important people who’s opinion matter and may never tell you to your face; for fear of offending or upsetting you, if your image is falling short.

  • In business your client wants to know you will diligently handle the account and no detail is overlooked.
  • Your potential new boss wants to know you are organized and can handle the responsibility.
  • The casting director wants to envision you playing the role flawlessly with minimal takes
  • In online dating, your potential mate wants to feel a connection with you and not get the wrong vibe.

Headshots do matter and a great one is an INVALUABLE tool to help you meet your goals in life.

It all in the details…

In a great photo your hair is shining, your teeth are white, your skin is glowing and your clothes look amazing. But these are just a few of the elements to consider when preparing for the session. Did you know in the professional photography world there are 12 different elements that the pro’s use to evaluate an image and determine if the image has what it takes to be the best of the best.

Your photographer is your guide on this journey and has to pay attention to many different details. To help with this process we like to provide style and beauty consultations to all our Personal Branding clients, to really ensure nothing is overlooked. In these guides we offer a preparation timeline and help you organize your pre-shoot appointments to ensure a great photo.  Professional Photographers do more than take a quick photo and help guide you on this process.

The process takes time and money to do well, but many feel it’s a worthy investment in yourself and your future.

A great photo involves a great deal of preparation and planning to ensure everything is perfect and no detail is overlooked. This is the difference between a good photo and a great one. Don’t you deserve to look your best?

Contact us today to lean what steps you can take to help ensure you get a great headshot that you really love.

White Background Headshot

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Model Portfolio

Headshots on a white background offer a clean, modern, and versatile option when choosing a backdrop for your new headshot look.

Having your portrait taken on white gives us a great deal of flexibility when cropping the image for use on the web with social media, your company website, or even with marketing materials.  For example, photographing with white allows us to overlay text on the image for both websites and marketing materials by eliminating distractions from an otherwise busy background.

Stylish Headshots on White Backdrop

Many clients are also looking for something clean, fresh, and modern. They want to avoid something that looks too dated  like a more traditional multi-color muslin, that looks like it came straight out of an 80’s era school photo set.

With a white background, your professional heashot will look clean, modern, and stylish. It pairs equally well with dark outer clothing and saturated colors.

When photographing several individuals, it can be difficult to match unique backgrounds in the park or at another location. Photographing on a white background allows us to match the same background for each employee and give a consistent branded result.

If you are looking for more information on backdrop options and want more information about our Headshot session please contact us at (925)380-2911.