Headshots: Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes from a recent branding headshot session with Pawsitively Premium Pet Care at Studio JD in Old Forge, PA. These images were created to strengthen brand cohesion and improve overall brand visibility across their website, marketing materials, and future speaking engagements. The goal was consistency. When headshots live side by side on a website or social platform, they must look identical in lighting, tone, and framing, with the only difference being the person. That visual consistency is what creates an elevated and professional feel.
The team wore matching collared shirts in brand appropriate colors to reinforce recognition and unity. For lighting, I designed two complete setups to give the client both timeless versatility and bold impact. The first setup featured a 36 inch octa as the key light on a C stand with boom using an AD600 Pro II, paired with a 26 inch octa as a hair light using an AD200 Pro II. A silver reflector was placed under the chin to open shadows and create clean, flattering skin tones. This setup produced classic grey background headshots ideal for everyday business use.
The second setup introduced creative branding elements. I used the 26 inch octa as the key with the AD600 Pro II, a bare AD200 Pro II as the hair light, and an additional AD200 with a MagBeam, MagMask, and pink gel projected onto the background. The pink was intentionally chosen to align with the company’s brand colors and to create a high impact, scroll stopping visual. The plain grey images serve their functional purpose, while the gel and mask images add a striking branded look that immediately stands out in marketing.
The energy in the room was fantastic. Some team members were a little nervous at the start, but we worked collaboratively, checking in on what they liked and adjusting as needed. Everyone wore glasses, and they were especially relieved to hear that glare would not be an issue and they could keep them on comfortably. Each person took about two minutes in front of the camera, which kept the session efficient while still delivering high quality results.
This session is a perfect example of how branding headshots are about more than just a nice photo. They are about visibility, consistency, and showing up professionally in every space your business lives.
I am now booking branding and headshot sessions for 2026. If you are a business owner looking to elevate your visual presence and create cohesive, professional imagery for your brand, feel free to reach out.
