A Guide for Headshot Sessions in the Fall 2022

Indoor Headshots in Fall Weather 

So what do you do when it’s raining or, even worse, snowing the day of your headshot photography session? It might be obvious, but fall weather is not always conducive to an enjoyable or quality photo shoot. This presents challenges in booking an outdoor on location headshot.

Our solution is the light and bright Natural Light Studio located in NW Portland. With a few light modifiers and a couple of poses you are all set with a new headshot.

Here are six reasons that you would opt for a natural light studio session versus braving the elements during a season when rain can be the norm:

Natural Light Indoor Headshot

1. Weather

Inclement weather doesn’t prevent you from having your photos taken outdoors, but it does often lead to the need to schedule according to the forecast — and the weather doesn’t always live up to expectations.

It can sometimes require pushing a shoot out to a less desirable time or demand a spontaneous reschedule when the weather happens to be accommodating.

A studio session is predictable and can be easily scheduled.

No need to worry about rescheduling due to inclement weather when you book a headshot session at the Natural Light Studio.

2. Comfort

You comfort is paramount for a photo shoot, especially if you are taking a headshot.

Working around cold weather or rain can distract from a relaxed image.

A temperature-controlled environment allows you to bring your best to the shoot.

Get comfortable with your own private headshot session at the Natural Light Studio.

3. Change Outfits

One benefit of working indoors is that it’s easy to change outfits and try different looks.

When you want to try this, be sure to check with the photographer and make sure your scheduled time can accommodate outfit changes.

Our natural light photo studio has an area to hang up your clothes, dress, and do touch ups, so it’s very easy to try a different shirt or check your makeup.

You can easily change at the studio into different looks.

4. Environment

If you’re worried that a photo will look too plain in a studio environment, think again. The job of a headshot or portrait is to capture your energy and personality with a high quality professional image.

The focus of the viewer will be entirely on you and how you come across in the photo. Background elements can contribute to the feeling of an image, but often aren’t required to get the desired effect.

However, if you want some environmental elements, our natural light studio has both an office and living room setup that can be added to your image to give it a bit more ambience.

Examples of background elements used at the Natural Light Studio.

5. Light Quality

While the weather and ease of working are great reasons to schedule time in a natural light studio, the light itself is a boon, as well. Some studios specialize in strobe light photography, which can be wonderful when done well. However, much strobe photography can make a headshot look staged or cookie-cutter, something you don’t want in a headshot.

We work only in natural light where the soft and even lighting from our studio windows accentuates your personality and allows you to simply show up and be yourself.

Corporate team headshots for Gridstor at the Natural Light Studio.

6. Privacy

Outside photos are very often taken in environments where there are other people around. Even in controlled, quiet locations there is the need to work around the elements and the environment to get a great shot.

In the studio, the focus is entirely on you and getting a great photo.

In Conclusion

When planning for your next headshot, consider using the Natural Light Studio. You’ll find the ease and flexiblitiy of the space perfect for the setting of your headshot session. For personal brand or single headshot sessions, visit our Individual Pricing. For corporate or group headshot sessions visit our Group Pricing.

Want to know more about the studio? Take a Tour of the building and how to get to the studio. 

Interested in Working Together?

New Hire Headshots for the Portland’s Housing Development Center

Urban Headshot

Headshots for the Team

On location office individual and team photos for Portland’s Housing Development Center, a non-profit consulting group located in Portland, Oregon.

For this on location session we used the urban environment of the client’s office space as the backdrop and used the available light coming through the buildings and street as the main source of light. In addition to bounce and flag cards we manipulated the light with the positioning of the subjects. The closer the subject to the shadow line of the light source the greater the diffused light that impacts the skin. By placing the subject next to a building with the winter light direction we were able to achieve a reduction of light to the top of the head and add dimension to the face with shadows.

New Team Headshots

HDC is a nonprofit consulting group that works with mission-driven organizations to create and sustain affordable homes and human-service facilities.

PREVIOUSLY MADE Headshots for the HDC Team

“Affordable homes and facilities designed, developed, and sustainably resourced to meet the needs of diverse communities.”

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Sanaga-Yong Soirée Event 2022!

Reviewers and Participants
Reviewers and Participants
Sanaga-Yong held their annual fundraising event at the Cheatham Hall venue at the World Forestry Center on Saturday, September 17th, 2022 from 6-10pm PT. Their annual gala, “helps support the lifelong care we provide our rescued chimpanzees and helps us continue the fight to protect chimpanzees, gorillas and other endangered wildlife living in the forest. Our lifesaving chimpanzee rescue and conservation work is all thanks to you! Together we are making a difference!”

To start the evening, Sanaga-Yong had a silent auction that ended with a delicious vegan & vegetarian dinner & dessert catered dinner by Reedville Catering. While guests enjoyed their meal Founder and Director Dr. Sheri Speede an shared an update on their chimps, the sanctuary and their conversation efforts of the last two years. Following the presentation by Dr. Sheri Speede there was a live auction presented by the dynamic auctioneer Laura Michalek to top the night. It was an exciting event for a wonderful cause. See you next year!

“While rescuing and caring for illegally trafficked chimpanzee orphans, SYCR is working to solve the root of the problem through national and international awareness and by working with Cameroon’s Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife to support law enforcement and increase forest protection.” Sanaga-Yong Website

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Two Types of Lighting for Headshots

Two types of headshot lighting

for individual and corporate groups! 

What is a natural light headshot? 

Natural lighting or also knows as available light techniques are the main type of lighting we specialize in. 

The manipulation of sunlight through either clouds, or curtains or how it enters a studio filled with windows creates a unique effect strobe photograph cannot make.

What is a strobe flash headshot?

Strobe flash photography is a classic technique that has been used in studios for decades using artificial light. It is very directional which limits the area in which the subject can move around. However, this setup can be great for single image headshot packages or team headshots.

Natural Light Headshot

Headshots in Studio

The Natural Light Headshot example was made in our Natural Light Studio in Northwest Portland, Oregon and provides a consistent soft and even look for client’s hiring new employees or updating their personal brand headshot.

Strobe Flash Headshot

Cadeo Group Company Headshots

The Strobe Flash Headshot was made with strobe lights with modifiers and was made on-location in Los Angeles, California and also allows the client to use the same set up for the next set of new hires. 

Above is another example of our staff photographer Jodhi in the studio. On the left we are using natural light through our large windows. On the right we are using artificial light, a strobe flash set up to create this look.

If you have any questions about our lighting styles feel free to visit our FAQ or send a quick message by visiting our contact page.

For our full galleries view our Natural Light Headshot Gallery and our Strobe Flash Headshot Gallery.

Interested in Working Together?

Updating Company Headshots with New Hires

Cadeo Group Company Headshots

Updating Headshots for Corporate and Small Business Teams

On-location portraits of new hires of Emerick Architects. 

We used an office wall of the client’s choice as the backdrop for this new-hire headshot session. For lighting, we used two strobes to match previous headshot light setups and compositions.

Having lighting and composition setups stay consistent for all your incoming employees allows for future sessions of new hires to blend seamlessly to the existing team.

The result are well balance headshot photos the illuminate each person that projects confidence, professionalism and friendliness.

View Company Headshots to view more examples or to learn about booking a team photo or headshot session for your company.

Personality Headshots

“Emerick Architects is a Portland-based architecture firm that was founded in 2000, by principals Melody and Brian Emerick.
–Emerick Architects

Interested in Working Together?

Team Photo for Emerick Architects

Team Photos

The team of Emerick Architects.

A team photo goes a long way in high level business.

Investing in headshots for your business helps potential customers and clients know who they will be work with, but a team photo shows the connection the company creates within their workplace. A fun team defiantly makes our job that much more awesome!

We used a two light strobe set up for this team photo and placed everyone on two lines to keep focus. We positioned the two principals in front to add importance while add layers to the photo. The second photo was requested by the client to express that the team they’ve build loves to have fun. “Go Team!”

View Company Headshots to view more examples or to learn about booking a group session and team photo for your company.

Emerick Architects is a Portland-based architecture firm that was founded in 2000, by principals Melody and Brian Emerick.” –Emerick Architects

Interested in Working Together?

Take a Tour of the Natural Light Studio at Studio Northwest

Ever wondered what it was like to get to our headshot sessions?

Let’s take a tour of the natural light studio we use for our clients located just north of downtown Portland Oregon.

You’ll see:

  • the outside of The New York Building
  • how to get to the natural light studio
  • and inside the studio!

The light and bright natural light studio located in NW Portland.

Let’s take a tour of the outside of The New York Building, getting to the studio, and inside Studio Northwest.

THE NEW YORK BUILDING

The New York Building is located in just north of downtown Portland. Studio Northwest is located on the 5th floor of The New York Building.

GETTING TO THE STUDIO

Studio Northwest is inside the New York Building that uses a call box to allow guests to be buzzed in to use the elevator to the 5th floor. Rolling cases are great for transporting session luggage if necessary.

  • To locate the call box there is a metal call box on the outside of the building (facing north on the corner of NW York St and NW 22nd).
  • Using the callbox enter the code is 0017 to ring for Studio Northwest. View callbox location on Google Map
  • Once answered, you’ll be buzzed in for access to the elevator to take the 5th floor.
  • The studio will be down the long hall, the second to last door on the right, #511.

Entering the Building

The Studio is Located on the 5th Floor in Suite #511

INSIDE THE Studio

You’ll see large windows to allow the south facing light to illuminate the space. You can choose from a handful of background colors as options for your portrait.

With a few light modifiers, a couple poses and you are all set with a new headshot.

Scroll down to view the Beauty Station!

Getting Ready and Hair and Makeup

The studio is equipted with a private changing area and station for optional hair and makeup services. Enjoy getting ready with our beauty station that includes beauty lights, a full length mirror and an area to hang your favorite clothes.

Headshot of Erica J Mitchell Photographer Portland
Natural Light Indoor Headshot
Studio Headshot

Why Choose the Natural Light Studio for your Headshot?

You comfort is paramount for a photo shoot, especially if you are taking a headshot. Working around cold weather or rain can distract from a relaxed image. A temperature-controlled environment allows you to bring your best to the shoot.

One benefit of working indoors is that it’s easy to change outfits and try different looks. When you want to try this, be sure to check with the photographer and make sure your scheduled time can accommodate outfit changes.

Our natural light photo studio has an area to hang up your clothes, dress, and do touch ups, so it’s very easy to try a different shirt or check your makeup.

If you’re worried that a photo will look too plain in a studio environment, think again. The job of a headshot or portrait is to capture your energy and personality with a high quality professional image.

The focus of the viewer will be entirely on you and how you come across in the photo. Background elements can contribute to the feeling of an image, but often aren’t required to get the desired effect. However, if you want some environmental elements, our natural light studio has both an office and living room setup that can be added to your image to give it a bit more ambience.

While the weather and ease of working are great reasons to schedule time in a natural light studio, the light itself is a boon, as well. Some studios specialize in strobe light photography, which can be wonderful when done well. However, much strobe photography can make a headshot look staged or cookie-cutter, something you don’t want in a headshot.

We work only in natural light where the soft and even lighting from our studio windows accentuates your personality and allows you to simply show up and be yourself.

Outside photos are very often taken in environments where there are other people around. Even in controlled, quiet locations there is the need to work around the elements and the environment to get a great shot. In the studio, the focus is entirely on you and getting a great photo.

Want to see the great results we can get from natural light studio photography?

Visit our Studio Headshot for more examples that were made using the studio. With large windows to allow the south facing light to illuminate the space the result is an even soft light that makes each person shine.

Interested in Working Together?

Adding Team Headshots For Companies

Recurring Headshots for Corporate and Small Business Teams

More in-studio team photos for GridStor

For companies that are growing and hiring staff, consistent looking company headshots is key to a website presentation and the professionalism of your business.

Gridstor is one of those companies growing fast and hiring staff. We used the Natural Light Studio with window light as the main source of light. This set up provided consistent headshots for their employees which allows for future sessions of new hires to blend seamlessly. The result are well balance headshot photos the illuminate each person that projects confidence, professionalism and friendliness.

View Company Headshots to view more examples or to learn about booking a group session for your company.

Below are the new employees to Gridstor.

Below are all the employees of Gridstor.

GridStor is enabling the transition to a clean energy grid by deploying flexible grid-connected batteries at scale. GridStor develops, acquires, and operates utility-scale, stand alone battery storage projects across North America.” –GridStor

Interested in Working Together?

New Headshot for Insurance Agent Kat Bauer

Musician Headshot

Headshots for INSURANCE AGENTS

In studio headshot for Oregon coast Insurance Agent Kat Bauer

For Kat’s new headshot we used the Natural Light Studio.

With large window light as the main source of light and large black curtains to add shadows what remains is a soft diffused light that illuminates the skill set and professionalism of this busy professional.

 

Interested in Working Together?

New Headshot for Musician Brent Swanson

Musician Headshot

Headshots for Musicians

In studio headshot for musician Brent Swanson

For Brent’s new headshot we used the Natural Light Studio. With large window light as the main source of light and large black curtains to add shadows what remains is a soft diffused light that illuminates the skill set and professionalism of this musician.

 

Above is a cropped version for social media use.

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