Stress-Free Headshots: What Do We Mean?

You’ve heard us say it – and if you’ve driven by our studio lately, you’ve seen it on our sign: Stress-Free Headshots. But what, exactly, does that mean? It sounds like a big promise, and one that might be hard to keep. Here’s how we deliver.

We realized after talking to our clients that getting a headshot done is something most people feel apprehensive about. And being in front of a camera can be uncomfortable, especially if, as seems to be the case in a lot of studios, you’re placed in front of the camera right away with little prep and told to stand just so and move your head this way and smile right now and *click* – you’re done. Next! Who could relax under those conditions? It’s no wonder that a headshot session is something many people dread. And it’s no wonder so many people find themselves disappointed with the end result.

At C1M, we take a different approach from start to finish. When you book your stress-free headshot session, you’ll receive, along with your confirmation email, a PDF full of tips on how to get your perfect headshot. When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll find a warm greeting and a private dressing room where you can put finishing touches on your wardrobe, hair and makeup, if need be. And there’s something you won’t find, too, that’s just as important. You won’t find a waiting room full of people to make you feel as though your appointment is being squeezed in between others. We book ample time so that your stress-free headshot session stays focused on you – and only you – as it should be.

Before you step in front of the camera, we’ll sit down for a chat. The purpose of this is twofold. Firstly, we want to know a little about who you are, what you do, and who your ideal client might be. That ideal client is the audience for your headshot – the audience your photo will need to create a connection with. Understanding your goals is vital to what we do. Secondly, we use our conversation as a chance to talk you through our process. We’ve been doing this a long time, and we’ve learned a thing or two. Nothing makes us happier than sharing that with you so that you, too, understand how subtleties of body language convey so much. Truly, a difference of an inch in the height of your chin can make the difference between looking confident and looking smug. A few degrees rotation in your body can make the difference between seeming approachable and seeming aggressive. And, as one of our clients said to us not long ago, knowing exactly why you’re being directed to stand or pose a certain way is the key to an effective  headshot that is still 100% “you.” When you understand the reason, you want to pose properly, and when you want to do it, it comes from inside with a genuineness that shines through in the finished product.

On our huge in-studio monitor, you can see the images we capture right away. And you get the final say of what you like and what you don’t. When we’ve agreed on an image that shows you at your best, we’ll sit down together and edit your image collaboratively. One of the biggest sources of dread, we’ve been told by our clients, is the fear of not looking good enough – of not being photogenic. We know that almost everyone has some flaws known only to them that, in their eyes, stand out in every  photo. Because we edit your image together, you can be sure that we’ll never miss one of those details that bothers you. And another common worry? Looking too PhotoShopped. Yes, we’ve all seen the results of that. Rest assured that our stress-free headshots promise includes a clause that says: you will still look like you when we’re done.

And so, if you’ve been wondering exactly what “stress-free headshots” means, now you know! We love helping people, and it means so much to us to be able to give a great experience to each and every one of our clients. If you think our headshot program might be right for you, you can learn more by visiting our Executive Headshots page.

Walter Schnecker, CPP

Walter Schnecker is the owner of C1M Photography, LLC, in Amherst NH. He specializes in Executive Business Headshots and crafts hundreds of headshots each year for businesspeople in a wide range of professions.

Tammy was happily surprised by how easy and comfortable her headshot session was.

“Before my appointment with Walter, I was worried that I wasn’t going to be a part of the process. There was a certain amount of direction that I wanted, and I came to Walter because he’s an expert, but there was another part of me that really wanted to have some say. I was a little apprehensive about whether I was going to be able to say “I like this;I don’t like that,” and I absolutely was able to do that. Walter and I collaborated. He asked me right up front what I wanted my photos to portray. He took my input seriously, and I am amazed at how the attributes that I put forth as ones I’d like to see really shine through in the photos. I was also impressed by the amount of education that Walter provided to me so that I could understand why we were doing certain things. I was able to trust that when I left C1M, I was going to be happy, and that Walter was going to make sure that was the case.

I love my headshots! I can see so many different uses for them, and I’m proud to show them.”