“I Hate Getting My Picture Taken”
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve said it before: “I hate getting my picture taken.” And you’re not alone! As a professional headshot photographer, this is one of the most common things I hear when clients come to me.
So, why do people feel this way?
When I ask, clients often share stories of past experiences that weren’t exactly positive:
- “The lighting was terrible.”
- “The photographer rushed me.”
- “I didn’t get any choice in picking out my images.”
- “I didn’t feel comfortable in front of the camera.”
- “I looked fat.”
It’s no wonder many people dread having their headshots taken when they’ve had these kinds of experiences. That last point, about looking heavier in photos, often comes up because the photographer didn’t know how to properly pose the client or took the image from a less-than-flattering angle.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. My goal is to change how you feel about getting in front of the camera and provide a service that is not only comfortable and enjoyable but also gives you results you absolutely love. Here’s how I do it.
From Consultation to Confidence: An Experience Like No Other
I believe that the process starts well before you step in front of the camera. That’s why I offer a consultation during the planning phase of your photoshoot. We talk through what image you want to convey, what kind of look suits your personal or professional brand, and even what to wear and which colors work best.
This preparation helps to ensure that when the day of your session arrives, you already feel more comfortable and confident. We’ve got a plan, and you’re not going in blind!
A Relaxed and Collaborative Environment
On the day of your headshot, I focus on putting you at ease. Unlike rushed experiences you may have had in the past, I take time to make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable. We typically spend anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes taking photos, giving you the time you need to feel at ease in front of the camera.
Throughout the session, I collaborate with you every step of the way. You’ll get the chance to see the photos we’re taking as we go, allowing us to make any adjustments on the spot—whether it’s tweaking the lighting, adjusting your pose, or even changing outfits for different looks. And we don’t stop until you’re 100% satisfied with the photos. No rushing. No pressure. Just a relaxed, enjoyable process focused on getting the best possible result.
Creating Images That Look Like You on Your Best Day
My goal is always to create images that look like you at your best—not some over-edited or unrealistic version of yourself. This means that while we enhance the images to make sure you look great, we always aim for a natural, authentic representation of who you are. We avoid that “weird AI version” look that some overly processed images can have. I also use expert posing techniques and flattering angles to make sure you look your absolute best—no weird angles or poses that make you look heavier than you are.
Facial Coaching for Confidence
If you’re not used to being in front of the camera, you might not know how to pose or bring out your best expressions. That’s where facial coaching comes in. I guide you through subtle adjustments in expression and posture so that you look confident, competent, and approachable. These little changes make a huge difference in the final product.
Choosing and Perfecting Your Images
After we’ve captured a set of images you’re happy with, we sit down together to select your favorites. We’ll go through at least one of those images together during the session so it’s fully edited and ready to go. The rest of the images will be finalized and sent to you within a few days. You’ll have full usage rights to all the images you purchase, giving you the freedom to use them as needed across platforms.
A Luxurious, Personalized Experience – With No Rush
The entire process, from shooting to editing, is designed to make you feel valued and heard. Total time for the session can vary from 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours, depending on how many images you want and the time you have available. This is the total opposite of cheap, rushed headshot providers—this is a luxurious experience, collaborative from start to finish, and focused on creating an amazing final product.
Professional Hair and Makeup Available
If you want to feel extra prepared and stress-free, I can also arrange for professional hair and makeup. Many of my clients choose this service, and no one has ever regretted it! Having a professional take care of your look helps you feel relaxed and confident before stepping in front of the camera.
Whether you’re camera-shy or have had bad experiences in the past, I aim to provide an experience that’s comfortable, collaborative, and results in headshots you’ll truly love.
Read our latest reviews
- Carlaa day agoSarah and her team were incredible! They have made me feel welcomed, beautiful and comfortable during the entire session. Sarah is so talented and so easy to work with! Great coaching, amazing environment, attentive and caring. All photos turned out great!!READ MORE
- Kristen Easterday2 weeks agoThe difference between great pictures and those that take your breath away is often how well the photographer understands light and is able to capture your loved ones' emotion combined with the perfect light and angle. It is an art and a skill that is truly rare and takes years of experience to master. Sarah is a master at this art and, after a short session, provided approximately 100 photos each with so much emotion, warmth, balance, and depth. Each of the photos presented was exceptional from an artistic and personal perspective. The most difficult part was selecting the pictures to purchase because they were all amazing. She used all natural light, and the raw images were truly breathtaking. She is patient and kind. It was a fantastic experience, and the pictures we selected will be treasured.READ MORE
- Daniel Morin3 weeks agoSarah did an amazing job doing photos for my daughter. She was calm, sweet and very informative, so my daughter was relaxed through the entire process. Sarah also responded right away and we got our photos back so quick! My daughter now wants to be a model after working with SarahREAD MORE
- Jen Hilaman3 weeks agoDesired Focus Photography-Sarah Sarah Henderson photographer. She took my vision for these photos and made them a reality. Such a creative genius. I highly recommend her! She was patient, funny, brave- traversing slippery rocks across the creek and back again to get the perfect shot. You should have seen her waving a red flag with one hand to get Greta’s ears up, all the while taking breathtaking photos with the other hand. The images are so good. And Miss Greta was a rockstar! What a fun and rewarding experience. I am like many women my age-that miss what age has stolen from us. I never like pictures of myself. It’s been many years since I have felt truly attractive. These photos made me ugly cry when Sarah let me view them in her studio following the session. I didn’t have to wait-she text them to me along with the link to download that night. So professional. If you’ve ever thought about having professional pictures done-do it! You are not promised tomorrow. You will never regret having these beautiful memories!READ MORE
- Pricille TchuitioEdited a month agoI had such a wonderful experience working with Sarah! From the moment I arrived, she made me feel completely at ease. She didn’t just take photos; she captured my story and the heart behind my work. Her creativity, attention to detail, and professionalism were evident in every step of the process. The images are stunning and truly reflect who I am and what I stand for. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for branding photography that goes beyond the surface. She brings out the best in you while making the entire experience enjoyable and inspiring!READ MORE
- Rachel Richardsona month agoSarah was amazing to work with! She traveled all the way to Cozumel to meet us for a beach photo shoot. She has a beautiful studio as well and the warmest, kindest personality. The album and wall art turned out beautifully!READ MORE
- Ali Zinnena month agoI had the absolute best experience working with Sarah for my residency headshots! From start to finish, she made me feel so comfortable and confident, which really shows in the final photos. She was incredibly kind, patient, and helpful with posing, and she took the time to involve me in the process to make sure we captured exactly the look I wanted. The photos turned out absolutely incredible, better than I could have imagined! I couldn’t recommend Sarah enough to anyone looking for professional, high-quality headshots. She’s truly amazing at what she does!READ MORE
- Aisha Alia month agoSarah was amazing! She welcomed me right away and made the whole headshot session super comfortable. She’s so kind and easy to work with, and the photos turned out great. Highly recommend!READ MORE
In the Columbus Ohio area?
Call today!
Call or email using the buttons below. My studio is in Granville, central Ohio but we can also travel to other locations in the Columbus area.
You can read more about my business headshots service on this page:
Professional Business Headshots
