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Commercial vs Theatrical Headshots: A Chicago Actor’s Guide

A commercial headshot is bright, warm, and approachable. It’s for ads, industrials, hosting, and sitcoms, where casting needs to believe people would trust you. A theatrical headshot is more grounded and specific. It’s for plays, film, and TV drama, where casting wants to see what’s going on underneath. Most working actors need both. It’s one […]

What to Wear for Professional Headshots: A Chicago Photographer’s Guide

Wear a solid, mid-tone color in a fabric that isn’t shiny — navy, charcoal, olive, burgundy, or deep teal all work. Skip logos, busy patterns, and pure white. Choose a neckline that frames your face rather than competing with it. If you’re unsure, bring two or three options and we’ll decide together at the studio. […]

How Much Do Headshots Cost in Chicago? | Pricing Guide

If you’ve been looking into headshots, you’ve probably noticed how wide the range is. You can find someone offering a quick session for $50. You can find photographers charging several hundred dollars. And then there are full personal branding sessions that go well beyond that. At first, it feels inconsistent. But it isn’t. It comes […]

Best Locations for Actor Headshots in Chicago | Studio vs Outdoor

If you’re an actor in Chicago, you’ve probably wondered: “Where should I take my headshots?” It’s one of the most common questions I get. And on the surface, it makes sense — Chicago has incredible neighborhoods, architecture, and backdrops. But after photographing actors across the city for years, I can tell you this: The location […]

Why Are People Still Searching for “JCPenney Headshots”?

Every year, thousands of people still search for “JCPenney headshots.” Not “executive portrait photographer.” Not “personal branding photography.” Not even “professional headshot studio.” Just JCPenney. That search isn’t really about a department store. It reflects how many professionals still think about headshots. For a long time, a professional photo was simply something you checked off […]

What Chicago Casting Directors Look for in Headshots

Most actors I work with in Chicago aren’t worried about looking attractive on camera. They’re worried about something deeper: Does this actually feel like me? And will casting see me the way I want to be seen? That’s the part that doesn’t always get talked about. Casting directors aren’t searching for the most dramatic image, […]

Professional Headshots vs AI Headshots: What Trust, Emotion, and Experience Still Require

AI headshots are becoming increasingly common. They’re quick, polished, and marketed as an easy alternative to traditional photography. For many people, they feel like a practical shortcut—especially in a professional world that moves fast. But headshots have never really been about speed or convenience. They’re about perception. After years of photographing professionals across industries, one […]

Creative Headshots to Showcase Your Unique Style and Personality

If you’ve ever looked at your LinkedIn photo and thought, “This doesn’t really look like me… or at least the version of me I want people to see,” you’re not alone. More and more professionals are moving away from stiff, traditional headshots and choosing something with personality—creative headshots that feel modern, expressive, and unmistakably you. […]

Professional Photography Guide

 Professional Photography Guide Are you ready to capture your best professional self? Welcome to our guide on professional photography, where we’ll explore everything you need to know about perfecting your image with expert headshots. Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a seasoned professional, or part of a business team, a quality headshot can make all the […]

Business Portrait Photography: A Key to Professional Branding Success

Business portrait photography, corporate team photos, and business marketing photography are essential to your company’s success in their own unique ways. Kyle Bondeson Photography understands the importance of high-quality photos that accurately reflect your personality, your business culture, and your brand.  We can help you with all your business marketing photography needs, whether you run […]

Corporate Event Photos: Capturing Key Moments at Business Milestones

Capturing key moments and milestones is important for businesses of all sizes. Not only does it help with marketing and promotion, but it can also help you capture the attention of sponsors, partners, and investors. Kyle Bondeson Photography offers exceptional corporate event photo shoots designed to capture the excitement and passion of the moment for […]

Why a Professional LinkedIn Headshot Beats the Best AI Generators

LinkedIn is a professional social media platform that brings recruiters, companies, and job seekers together in one place to learn, collaborate, and network. With it, you can build relationships with others in your industry, meet people from different parts of the world, and communicate with people who work with major companies. In order to use […]

Choosing the Best Camera for Headshot Photography

Snapping an incredible headshot requires professional equipment, from the cameras and lenses to the backdrop and lighting. Any camera can produce a headshot, if you want the best photography possible, it is important to focus on a few key considerations. Choosing the best camera for headshot photography leads to top-notch results that improve the quality […]

The Best Professional Headshot Background for Your Resume, Website, and More

A successful professional headshot is the result of numerous factors, including your facial expression, your clothing and accessory choices, and even the background. Headshot backgrounds can change the mood of your photograph, and they can vary based on your company’s industry and role.   Kyle Bondeson Photography offers corporate headshot packages that suit your needs […]

How to Choose a Photographer

In today’s competitive professional world, photography is vital for your personal brand. Many professionals are unsure about how to choose a professional photographer for business, actor, or staff headshots. Kyle Bondeson Photography has put together a list of tips and tricks to help you choose a photographer that will provide quality photos that suit your […]

Your Guide to Incredible and Professional Realtor Headshots

As a Realtor, your headshot is a powerful marketing asset that can help you make great first impressions with potential clients. Your Realtor headshot should represent you as a whole – what you look like and what you stand for. At Kyle Bondeson Photography, we understand that your headshot represents your commitment to your clients […]

How Corporate Headshots Can Enhance Your Personal Branding

Branding involves creating a unique visual identity for your business and the product or services you provide. While many businesses focus on logos, fonts, and color palettes, your corporate headshot is often the most memorable part of your marketing. Exceptional corporate headshot photography can enhance your resume, assist you with networking, or even add the […]

Why Is It Important to Do Staff Photos?

It can be easy to forget in today’s digitized business world that companies are ultimately made up of a group of individuals working together toward common goals. More companies are offering remote and hybrid working options, which can make it harder to remember humans are behind their success. Staff photos are a great way to […]

Headshots Outside or Inside: Which is Better?

Headshots are tightly cropped portraits that only include the head and shoulders of the subject. The focus is entirely on the person’s face. That may sound faintly similar to a passport photo or even a mug shot. However, a professional headshot is much more than just a quick snapshot. A professional headshot will reveal your […]

How Should Staff Prepare for a Business Photo Shoot?

Employee photos are an exceptional tool if you want to enhance your brand image or just show off your company to potential clients. A business photo shoot and staff headshots can provide a professional company impression. To have a great business shoot will require planning, persistence, and flexibility. And you’ll also need an experienced professional […]

What is Personal Branding Photography?

If you’ve been in the business world for even a short time, you may have heard someone say that you need to know your own personal brand. With the rapid growth of social media, the gig economy, and digital dominance, personal branding photography is becoming an essential element for those who desire a successful career. […]

Why Do Medical Schools Ask for Headshots?

Why Am I Being Asked for Headshots for Med School? Many documents are required when applying for admission to upper-level academic institutions and programs. Applying for med school involves completing a series of documents, and you’ll be asked to include a recent photo with your application. Since you are trying to make a good impression […]

Portrait vs. Headshot: What’s the Difference? (2026 Guide)

A headshot is a close-up, professional photograph — head and shoulders, face filling the frame — used for LinkedIn, company bios, and actor portfolios. A portrait is broader and more artistic: it can show more of the body, include multiple people, and convey personality or story. The main difference is purpose: headshots introduce you professionally; […]

Realtors Marketing Without Headshots: Is It a Good Idea?

Real estate professionals do a lot more than help their clients buy or sell properties. They must sell their personal brand. Buyers and sellers have lots of options when choosing a real estate agent. Branding and marketing strategies can help you stand out and show clients you are your best choice. Realtors marketing without headshots […]

What is a Headshot?

What is a Headshot? Defined There are many terms in the photography business, and it may seem a bit confusing at first. One such term is ‘headshot,’ which instantly conjures an image in your mind, but is it the right one? No matter what you think a headshot is right now, we’re going to explore […]

Why a Professional LinkedIn Headshot Beats the Best AI Generators

Posted on by Kyle Bondeson

LinkedIn is a professional social media platform that brings recruiters, companies, and job seekers together in one place to learn, collaborate, and network. With it, you can build relationships with others in your industry, meet people from different parts of the world, and communicate with people who work with major companies. In order to use the platform successfully, you need to be noticed – and that’s where your professional LinkedIn headshot comes into play. 

 

Kyle Bondeson Photography takes professional LinkedIn profile pictures that help you define your personal brand and stand out from the crowd. Rather than fighting against the limitations of AI generators, we use our experience and knowledge to help you put your best face forward. 

Importance of a Quality LinkedIn Profile Picture or Headshot

Your LinkedIn headshot is by far the most prominent part of your entire profile. In fact, LinkedIn itself notes that individuals who have a profile photo receive twice as many profile views and three times as many connection requests. 

 

Your LinkedIn headshot represents your professionalism and shows who you are within your chosen niche or space – a task that should never be left up to an AI generator. The ability to appear coincident and approachable while maintaining an aura of professionalism will ultimately determine how others see you on the platform. 

Professional Headshots vs. AI-Generated Photos

Though AI-generated photos may look appealing at first glance, there are a few things to consider before looking to AI to help you create your professional LinkedIn image. 

Quality and Authenticity

Quality is a key consideration when it comes to a professional LinkedIn profile picture. While AI can often process a simple lighting situation, it struggles with more complex scenarios, which may result in issues with contrast or leave your face looking washed out. When AI tries to overcompensate for this inability, the results can be less than attractive. 

 

Authenticity is another important factor to consider when comparing professional headshots with AI-generated photos. The photographer’s creative vision results in a more authentic experience, which AI simply cannot duplicate. AI can do many things, but it lacks the human factor that makes your photo look and feel authentic. 

Personal Branding

The personalized experience and customization afforded by a professional photographer are essential for your personal branding. The photographer’s ability to interact with the subject, adjust the lighting to complement facial structures, and choose poses that represent the intended use of the headshot is critical. Even the background can be adjusted to better reflect your values, goals, and professional mission. AI may offer a handful of predetermined styles and choices, but none will ever be suited specifically to you and your brand. 

Visual Appeal and Professionalism

Professional photographers are artists who use their creative vision with every capture. This creativity sets them – and you – apart from automated images that may or may not complement your brand, facial structure, hair color, or chosen attire. The end result is more visually appealing and professional because the image tells a story about who you are and what you can achieve. AI lacks the creative artistry and emotional impact that professional photography provides. 

How Does a Headshot Generator Work?

Headshot generators rely on several different forms of technology to produce realistic-looking images. Though these technologies continue to evolve, they are not without their limitations. 

Technology Behind AI Headshot Generators

AI headshot generators rely on algorithms to create realistic images based on the input you provide. These algorithms are called neural networks because they are designed to mimic the pathways in the human brain. The technology was specifically created to identify patterns and make decisions based on the inputs it receives. 

 

Most modern AI generators ask users to upload several photos of themselves in different lighting scenarios and poses. The AI will “study” these images, and then produce one or more photorealistic images based on the information you provide. You can ask for different backgrounds or other modifications, as well. 

Potential Downfalls and Limitations 

While AI can make professional headshots quick, easy, and cheap, it is not without its limitations and downfalls—and some of them are severe. For example, when AI attempts to apply a custom background for a LinkedIn headshot, it may struggle to keep the lines clean, creating an obvious delineation between your face and the background. The result is often unprofessional, inauthentic, and obviously AI-generated. 

AI Headshots and the Reliance on Technology

In the modern technology landscape, people will continue to ask AI to perform tasks that can save them money or time. Asking AI to create a cute photograph of your child to include in a party invitation is one thing, but relying on it to produce the most prominent feature of your entire LinkedIn profile is almost always a mistake. 

 

The more people rely on technology for LinkedIn profile pictures, the more similar they will look. Imagine a LinkedIn in which every single profile photo is the mirror image of the next, save a few minor details like positioning, hair color, and background choice. Technology only knows what humans teach it, and there is simply no way to teach technology how to be human. 

Benefits of a Professional LinkedIn Headshot

A professional LinkedIn profile picture is worth a thousand words. The benefits are many, whether you’re looking to make a long-term investment or a good first impression. 

Better First Impressions

Whether you are searching for a job in a prestigious field or you’re a recruiter hoping to win over some of the world’s top talent, a good first impression matters. Your headshot is your most important business card; it is the thing people will see and remember. Make it count with a professional photographer. 

Stand Out from the Crowd

If you’re hoping to stand out from others in your field, a professional photographer is the right choice. These individuals have the experience and artistic eye to help you choose a pose, a color scheme, and even a lighting scenario that helps you shine. 

Long-Term Investment 

Although you aren’t likely to find your headshot hanging in an art gallery next to the Mona Lisa, it is still an investment. An unforgettable headshot will bring numerous opportunities, bolster your trustworthiness and reputation, and amplify your personal brand in ways that a slogan or LinkedIn post simply can’t. 

What to Look For in Professional Headshot Photographer

After making the choice to invest in yourself with a professional LinkedIn profile picture, the next step is all about choosing the right photographer for the job. When looking for a headshot photographer, consider their experience, portfolio, and client testimonials. 

Experience and Expertise

Every professional photographer is an artist in their own right, but not every professional photographer specializes in headshots. Choose someone who excels in creating high-quality, eye-catching photos that will make your LinkedIn profile stand out. 

A Solid Portfolio

A photographer’s portfolio can tell you a lot about their artistic vision and skill. While looking through the photographs, pay close attention to quality and consistency. Ensure the photographer has experience working with a diverse range of subjects – people from all backgrounds – and make sure their work aligns with your vision. Do the subjects appear confident and approachable? Would you reach out to them on LinkedIn to connect?

Client Testimonials 

Finally, client feedback is critical in the photography industry, so take your time reading through some of the testimonials on the photographer’s website. You can even take this one step further and look for reviews on sites like Yelp and Google Business. 

Book Your LinkedIn Headshot Session Today

Whether you need a picture for yourself or you’re scheduling a staff headshot session, a profile picture should reflect your brand’s identity, capture your professionalism, and help you appear more confident. Book a session with Kyle Bondeson Photography for your high-quality, professional LinkedIn profile picture. 

 

Choose from one of several packages and schedule your session for a date and time that works best for your needs. Call (505) 604-9896 or email kyle@kyleboneson.com, or use our convenient online booking system. 

Choosing the Best Camera for Headshot Photography

Posted on by GYBO Marketing

Snapping an incredible headshot requires professional equipment, from the cameras and lenses to the backdrop and lighting. Any camera can produce a headshot, if you want the best photography possible, it is important to focus on a few key considerations. Choosing the best camera for headshot photography leads to top-notch results that improve the quality of your resumes, portfolios, and personal branding materials.

 

Kyle Bondeson Photography relies on a wide range of professional equipment to ensure our clients’ satisfaction with their business headshots. Learn more about the things to look for when choosing the right camera for your needs.

The Impact of Camera Choice on Headshot Quality

Headshot photography is essential in today’s business world, whether you are printing business cards, emailing resumes, or posting your photo on your website. Headshots are generally cropped into the chest or torso, and they feature a single person. Because of the objective nature of a headshot – and because of the single point of focus – headshot quality matters. Choosing the best camera for headshots is essential to producing outstanding results.

Key Considerations for Choosing the Best Camera for Headshots

There are numerous considerations when choosing the best camera for headshot photography, including the camera type, its functionality, and its capabilities.

Camera Type

Choosing the right type of camera for headshots is important for delivering exceptional quality results. Most photographers consider DSLR cameras to be the best cameras for headshots because they offer an almost unlimited array of lens options, high-resolution sensors, and manual controls. However, they can be big and bulky, which can make field sessions difficult.

 

Mirrorless cameras offer many of the same benefits of a DSLR camera without the bulk. They come with ultra-fast autofocus and an electronic viewfinder, which allows the photographer to preview the exposure in real-time. They have a shorter battery life and more limited lens selection than DSLR cameras, but many professionals consider them some of the best cameras for headshot photography.

 

Medium format cameras offer the best image quality due to their larger sensors that can capture a broader range of details. They are packed with professional features, as well, but they are even heavier than DSLR cameras, so they are usually reserved for in-studio sessions.

Camera Settings

The ability to adjust settings is another key consideration when choosing the best camera for headshots. Photographers adjust multiple settings for the best results, but the three most important settings are aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Aperture controls how much of the image within the frame is in perfect focus, ISO brightens and darkens the image while minimizing noise and improving quality, and shutter speed can increase or decrease exposure and sharpness.

 

When searching for the best camera for headshot photography, look for a model that allows for ample adjustment in these categories, but within reason. Cameras that automatically set these parameters are helpful for amateur photography, but when it comes to business headshots, even the slightest adjustment can lead to significant quality improvements.

The Best Camera Lens for Headshots: Finding Focal Length

When choosing the best camera lens for headshots, aim for short telephoto lenses. Most professionals agree that a lens with a focal length of at least 85mm is the most flattering choice because it allows you to stand far enough away that the client or subject feels comfortable, doesn’t distort facial features, and offers enough flexibility to blur the background if necessary or preferred.

 

Some zoom lenses are incredibly versatile, allowing a wide range of focal lengths that suit different scenarios. Zoom lenses with a variable focal length of 70mm to 200mm are an excellent addition to your photography gear. On the other hand, if you prefer a prime lens, 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm are fantastic choices. Shorter focal lengths are excellent for making a narrow face appear fuller, and a 105mm or 135mm lens can make a wide, round face appear slimmer.

There Is No One “Correct” Solution

Many photographers will insist that one camera model is the only option for taking quality headshots, but this is simply not true. No two photographers are exactly the same, no two studios are the same, and no two clients are the same. As such, the best camera for headshot photography is the one that your chosen photographer feels most comfortable with in his or her studio or setting.

 

Kyle Bondeson Photography uses several different cameras to maximize the quality of our clients’ headshots based on lighting, facial features, background, wardrobe options, and more. Reach out to us today to book your headshot session.

3 Reasons to Hire a Professional Headshot Photographer

Posted on by Kyle Bondeson

It goes without saying—but I’ll say it anyway—cell phones are everywhere. There’s nowhere you can today where you won’t find someone using their phone, whether for business or pleasure. And frequently, whether you’re at work, a concert, or wandering a store, you’ll see people using their phones to take photographs. With the advent of phones, cell phone photography allows for a kind of constant picture- taking that would have been impossible in years past. People want to capture moments, and they do. But are there still times when a professional Chicago photographer is a better bet than your phone? Absolutely, yes.

Consider: imagine you’re a car enthusiast. You love cars. You read about them. You drive as many different kinds as you can. You may chase vintage car shows around the country. You might even own a few beauties of your own. But are you really qualified to restore a car from start to finish if you’ve never had any professional training? You can probably muddle your way through. But the answer is, likely not. The final product won’t be what a professional could have produced.

The same goes for photography.

To be very clear: keep taking your own pictures, for sure. But just be aware that there are certain situations where, no matter how thoroughly you’ve done your research or how much money you’ve invested in cameras, you just need someone who is an expert. Read on to find out why hiring a photographer in Chicago, IL, may be your best bet sometimes.

1. It’s not just about the picture

Think of your favorite restaurant. While all restaurants have similar trappings—menus, tables, waiters—the one that keeps drawing you back undoubtedly has something unique to it which goes beyond food. The same goes for photography. Anyone can cook, right? If you want to throw together a meal, it’s just not that hard. But if you want to throw together a gourmet meal people will remember for years, you need experience. You need a professional. Plus, you want to eat that meal somewhere truly special. Same goes for photography—professional photoshoots are a full-on experience. To extend the analogy, they’re the meal plus the fine wine plus the amazing atmosphere and company. 

The best photographers create two kinds of memories: the photos they take of you and the memories of the day those pictures were taken. While you’ll hang the photographs in your home or in your office as a tactile memento which can be shared with everyone, the memory will be something you and the other people at the shoot will also cherish forever. 

There’s a reason once people find a professional photographer they really like, they go back to that person again and again. A kind of relationship is eventually established, adding to the overall experience. Think about a wedding you went to or any kind of party with a professional photographer in attendance. It’s likely you talk about the photographer in the same breath as the pictures he or she took, especially if that photographer was professional, kind, respectful, and even funny. The best photographers listen to your specific needs and make you aware that it’s your shoot—not theirs!

No matter how great your phone or how good you are at taking selfies, they just can’t match the full-on experience a professional will provide. 

Conversely, if you have a terrible experience with a photographer, I guarantee you’ll harbor that memory too. You’ll tell people all about it. That’s why professional photographers work very hard to make sure you have a wonderful time at your photoshoot. It’s in their best interest for you to walk away happy and to then keep coming back to them.

2. The pros know the tricks

Sure, cameras nowadays are amazing—that includes phone cameras and other types. But no matter how good the equipment is, it can’t take the place of experience. Just check out a professional photographer’s website and take a good look around. You’ll see they’re not bragging about all the fancy cameras they have. That’s because it takes more than a good camera to get a good shot.

It takes knowledge of angles and lighting. Knowledge about what constitutes a good location. Professional editing. And the list goes on—these aren’t things the average person with a nice camera can provide. It’s something that requires years of experience to become familiar with. 

Imagine that you want a photo shoot done and you have a specific place in mind to take the shot. It’s somewhere that holds special memories for you and you really want it as your backdrop. But you don’t take into consideration weather, time of day, or even what you’re wearing. That means, if you take your own picture, your clothes might clash with the beautiful background, diminishing it. Or the lighting might be completely off because of the angle of the sun, also impacting an otherwise beautiful picture. 

If you hire a professional, that person will be able to advise you on what to wear to best complement—rather than clash—with the background. A photographer can guide you as to what the best time of day is to get the best light. He or she will visit the location early and make sure everything is set up ahead of time for the best possible experience and results. By the same token, the photographer might suggest some other locations in addition to that special one, to make sure you get a variety of beautiful shots, including the ones at the special place.

While photographing you, the professional will pay attention to things you may never have heard of—or if you have, which you may not care about—such as shutter speed and composition. Those details are important, but they don’t need to be to you if someone else is handling the heavy lifting. A professional takes all that stress off you and lets you just enjoy the moment.

After the photo shoot, the photographer will carefully edit the pictures based upon what the two of you have discussed. You may want retouching. You might not. Either way, photographs can be enhanced, and your photographer will do the additional work to make sure your pictures come out to the highest standard.

While your phone or camera can take good pictures, it won’t advise you on your wardrobe, suggest where you should stand, note that a certain background is a little too cluttered, or mention that the lighting is doing you no favors.

Professional photography is truly an art, and of course, you can learn it. But it takes years of training and practice. A professional is trained in all the little details that you just can’t automatically learn the moment you buy a fancy new camera.

3. Equipment

Yeah, I’ve mentioned several times so far that equipment isn’t as important as skill, and it isn’t. Professional photographers can work magic even with minimal equipment. But let’s face it—if you want the very best photographs, having the right lenses, tripods, flashes, etc. is a big help. Photographers invest thousands in their equipment, curated carefully over the years until they find what works best for them. Nice equipment will give you a good picture. Excellent equipment, in the hands of a pro, will give you a beautiful photograph to hand down through the generations. 

Sure, you might be willing to shell out a fortune for a nice lens, but if you don’t know how to use it right, and/or you’re only planning on using it once or twice, why not save yourself that chunk of change and just hire a professional photographer instead? 

Go back to that car analogy from earlier. You might have the tools to do an “okay” restoration job, but a real pro will have the tools to do a job so great that your restored car might win awards. Same goes for professional photographers. They have the best equipment and know how to use it to maximum effect.

What it comes down to in the end

Do professional Chicago photographers cost money? Sure. But, as I noted earlier, you can spend the money on equipment you don’t know how to use yourself. You can spend hours trying to get the perfect family portrait, only to be disappointed. Or you can hire a professional Chicago family photographer and save yourself time, effort, and yes, even money, because if you buy equipment you can’t really use, that’s just flushing cash down the drain.

Whether you need a personal portrait, a family photograph, or want to hire a Chicago headshot photographer, investing in a pro is the best way to ensure your photographs turn out as beautifully as the memories that you’ll make taking them.

I’m a Chicago-based professional photographer with years of experience taking headshots, photographs of families and children, portraits, and high school senior pictures. Please review my portfolio for information and samples of my work, and then book your session today.

How to Get the Perfect Portrait Taken By a Professional

Posted on by Kyle Bondeson

While you’d think having a professional portrait done should be easy, many people find it nerve-wracking. It makes sense—a portrait is something you’re not only going to share with people but is a memory that you will cherish for a lifetime. And you want that memory to encompass the whole photoshoot! To that end, here are some great suggestions for making your photoshoot easy, fun, and successful:

Create a day-before to-do list

Whether your portrait is being done in a studio or at your house, there are things that need to be done ahead of time. Those things could be as simple as dyeing your hair, putting up some artwork you want in the background, or purchasing a key hair accessory. It could also include “pack x, y, and z, before the photoshoot.” The more detailed the list, the more you can make sure you’re 100 percent ready the day of.

Compile a list of “absolute must” shots

Got a specific look you’re going for? A particular pose that can’t be missed? Put together a list of exactly the kinds of critical shots you want to make sure your Chicago portrait photographer doesn’t miss. Make notes on how you see those particular shots happening. And to that end …

Road test the poses for those “absolute musts”

Whatever pose it is you’re hoping to capture for perpetuity, practice it the day before. Draft a friend to take some pictures to help you make sure the look is coming out the way you want it to. Figure out what is and isn’t working. This saves all kinds of time and stress the day of the shoot.

The day before the shoot, pick out all parts of your outfit—and make sure you have several!

I’ll say it again, because it’s super important: all parts of your outfit should be picked out the day before, from earrings to shoes and everything in between so you’re not frantically figuring things out the day of. But even when you pre-plan, sometimes things don’t quite look or feel right once you get in front of the camera. So make sure you’ve got an assortment of accessories and wardrobe pieces to play with the day of the shoot.

Make sure you take along a printed list of pictures for the stylist to refer to

You know exactly what you want your makeup and hair to look like. The stylist does not, however, beyond anything you tell him or her, so any visual cues you can provide are helpful. Printed pictures are a great tool to make sure you get the exact look you’re hoping for. And again, emphasis on printed, because you never know if the Wi-Fi will go and you won’t be able to pull something up on your phone. Plus it’s just easier for a stylist to refer to a printed shot. Then, don’t be shy: after your stylist finishes up, make sure you’re happy with the look. If not, speak up! It’s their job to get it exactly right, so you’re happy.

Use Pinterest to your advantage

Whether it’s the backdrop, the lighting, your outfit, etc., Pinterest is fantastic for helping you organize key visual elements that you want to appear in your shoot.

Talk to your Chicago portrait photographers

Trust me, it’s very helpful when clients contact me ahead of time with questions and suggestions about planning the photoshoot. I can help you figure out what will and will not work with your ideas. The more photographers know, the better they can make the whole experience for you. And the better the outcome will be.

Make prep as simple as possible

Hair and makeup are key to the shoot, of course. If you don’t want that stress, hire a team of professionals to come help you get ready. It will take a huge weight off your shoulders if you don’t have to do the makeup store-salon-forgot the hair accessory dash. Have professionals help you out, and then take along some basics like lipstick which you can switch out as needed at the shoot.

Be confident

If you feel confident, you’ll look confident. It’s that simple. So work out the jitters before your photoshoot by practicing some power poses in the mirror. You might feel silly, but it works! Hands on your hips, straight spine, legs firmly planted—it’ll make you feel strong and then, when it comes to your photoshoot, you’ll look like one powerful person

Trust the photographer

A photographer’s job is to make a photoshoot a breeze. As one of Chicago’s most experienced portrait photographers, I can tell you with full confidence that one of the keys to a successful shoot is communication. I need you to tell me what you need. Similarly, you need to clearly convey your needs to the stylists and anyone else involved in the shoot. That said, the team taking your photographer has a great deal of experience, so be willing to take their advice. If they say something does or does not look good, they’re saying it with good reason: to make you look your very best.

Relax

Don’t over-caffeinate the day of the shoot. It’s likely you’re already nervous, so you don’t need anything else wiring you. Take a deep breath, put down the coffee, and breathe. It’s all going to turn out great!

Less is more when it comes to retouching

Yes, we can fix things after a shoot in Photoshop, but that’s not the point of a portrait shoot. What you want is to capture reality. No editing software is ever going to come close to looking as good as a real-life shot. Photoshop is great for little things like getting rid of that random hair that blew into your face on an otherwise perfect shot. But you hired an experienced photographer specifically to take advantage of that expertise. So when that photographer says “that doesn’t need to be retouched,” take those words to heart. You may not love every single little line on your face, and again, yes, Photoshop can work its magic, but sometimes those tiny details are what really make a portrait one for the ages.

I’ve been a Chicago-based professional photographer for many years. Visit my Chicago Portraits Section for information, and samples of my portraits work. Then book your Kyle Bondeson portrait session today!