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Melissa Maillett Photography Melissa Maillett Photography
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Headshots Outdoors (in Winter?!)

Headshots Outdoors (in Winter?!)

February 11, 2021 10:08 pm No Comments melissa_mm
Corporate Headshot Outside

I’ve been struggling lately, how to offer headshot sessions during the pandemic and winter. 

Back in spring, I offered many options for socially distanced photo sessions. I also did front porch headshots. I set up a studio backdrop and my lights on my covered front porch. I was able to take some really nice and professional headshots.

Then came the humidity of the summer. Happily the offices that I worked indoors with kept windows and doors open. I combined this with my long zoom lens and my “hands off” client coaching and positioning. Results: a safe distance and successful and healthy sessions.

Now we are back to winter and the pandemic continues.We are certainly weary of it all, but I sam till avoiding indoor studio sessions for the most part. Yes, it’s a struggle to have access to a very hygienic and open studio space – but I’m not advertising and offering my mini branding sessions or studio headshot sessions.

But… I recently had some outdoor headshot winter sessions that convinced me (and my clients) that winter doesn’t need to stop us from simple headshot sessions!

Melissa Maillett Photography Corporate Headshot

All the images in this blog were taken outdoors in winter and I believe they stand up to any corporate headshot in studio or in an office.

Yes, maybe we needed to wait a few minutes for the wind to stop blowing, and maybe I did need to crack a few jokes to keep the mood up after I asked a client to take their warm coat and mask off – but it only took a few minutes to capture these awesome and professional images.

“Just a few minutes?!” you may be asking, “how?”

Corporate Group Headshot Northern VA
  • As a professional headshot photographer in the DC, MD and Northern VA area, I have a good idea of where to take the shots.  If generic and corporate is what you are going for I know where we can jump out of the warm car, set up, and photograph. In a few minutes we will be done! 
  • If you want me to come to your office exterior, I will use my “photographer eye” to  make a quick judgement of angles and backgrounds.
  • As long as you come prepared (hair and makeup ready) I can make sure you are looking good. I will never just accept a shot where the wind is blowing your hair – there are ways to block the wind – or set up in a different area.
  • And I’m good at keeping you warm as long as possible so no red noses or watery eyes – even at the colder temperatures.
  • I will shoot quickly and efficiently, posing you so that we can capture your best angle – then we will laugh at how cold we are – and “bang” the session is done!

If you are interested in more information about outdoor headshots or want to book your session, please contact me today – and don’t worry about the weather!

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About Melissa

Melissa is headshot and portrait photographer, specializing in personal branding sessions for creative businesses and entrepreneurs. As your visual storytelling partner, Melissa helps you connect to your audience and grow your business. She also photographs high school seniors and lifestyle family sessions.

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Women 50+ should we podcast? You BET! We have uniq Women 50+ should we podcast?
You BET! We have unique perspectives, stories and voices. Don’t let anyone tell you that your voice doesn’t matter.
My oldest BFF and I have a podcast, Mixing Up Midlife where we encourage and discuss women over 50 to be brave, seek out adventures, and challenge ourselves. In our most recent podcast we talk about the why, when and how of OUR podcasting journies. I encourage anyone to take the leap into podcasting if it calls to you.
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"The waiting is the hardest part...."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Waiting for my next headshot. I love each new chance I get to meet someone, make a connection, getting a great shot and  convincing them that getting a headshot really can be fun! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I was so happy to work with this interior designer I was so happy to work with this interior designer who was giving her website a reboot with new branding images. Shooting on location is always fun and her work is so elegant - I believe the images brought out her elegance as well! Her website is InspiredDesign.com. Go check it out!  #melissamaillettphotography, #viennavaphotographer, #viennabusinessassocitation, #interiordesignerlife, #mixingupmidlife,  #northernvabrandingphotographer
Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The white Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 The white of the snow below you makes a reflector and brightens up your face. Smooths out wrinkles and you gotta love natural light! In the winter the sun is lower in the sky and the lighting is pretty good even in midday (which I avoid in the spring and summer). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Second tip - this shot was actually taken with video, using my little Canon G7X on a tripod - and then bringing it into Final Cut Pro and exporting a still shot. But you can do this easily with your iphone as well. Take some video (it's feels more natural than holding an awkward smile while waiting for the self-timer) and then snap a screen shot during the point in the video that you like. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So get out there in this cold winter and snap a few shots or video and play in the snow!
Branding sessions can happen anywhere! The client Branding sessions can happen anywhere!  The client for this session from back in the fall was for one of my subscription clients and she wanted to show some fun outdoor shots so we headed out to downtown Washington, DC for a fun session along the reflecting pool and the National mall. She is not a political but a digital wellness coach and speaker. But why not! Swipe to see bts of me during the session
Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't fee Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't feel natural!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But yes, even I can understand the value of putting my face forward and introducing myself. I have a business, I want to connect with people who I want to do business with - and who may want to work with me. What better way to make the introduction to business than showing my face!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Because I am so camera-shy and reluctant to get on the other side of my lens, I have challenged myself to do just that. And in doing it, I'll explore tips and tricks to help my clients not only feel more comfortable posing when I take your shots, but also to try do it yourself!  I will share my selfie-successes (and possibly failures) with you. I am much better with the pro camera, but I also know that the camera in your phone will be the more common tool. But be aware, this NOT your teenager's insta shot - this is about creating fun and quality images that can be used for your marketing and branding ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But who knows, maybe we will learn a few things from those "insta famous" crowd???
Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outs Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outside?

Think again! These shots were both taken this winter - in between bouts of wind and in a very brief time period (so we could keep noses warm and make sure eyes didn't water). 

A pro headshot photographer can make it quick and effortless - with a little preparation and some tips (I just wrote a blogpost on it, check out my website for the tips). Winter is often when you have more time on your hands, so if you need headshots, no need to wait for warmer weather! .
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Today is National Have Fun at Work Day!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I am so fortunate in having a job that changes every day - I could spend a full day branding session with a creative entrepreneurs one day, to a cool senior session in downtown Georgetown on another - and even the more standard headshot days are fun because I'm meeting and having a connection with a new person each time someone steps in front of my camera (even if it is only 5 minutes at a time). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But I must say it is even more fun when a client brings their puppy to the shoot! .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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