Winter Outdoor Headshots For A Busy Nonprofit Professional Business Portrait
Jerome and I met via mutual friends and local business owners as her works for the nonprofit organization called The Main Street Alliance Affiliate for New Jersey.
Main Street Alliance's history:
"Main Street Alliance is a national network of small business coalitions working to build a new voice for small businesses on important public policy issues. Alliance small business owners share a vision of public policies that work for business owners, our employees, and the communities we serve.
The Main Street Alliance national network formed in 2008 to give Main Street small business owners a new voice in the health care reform debate, and has since broadened its focus to work on a range of issues that matter to small businesses and local economies. Our growing network includes small business coalitions in over a dozen states.
Main Street Alliance is directed by a National Steering Committee of small business leaders from our state coalitions. The National Steering Committee identifies issue priorities, establishes MSA policy positions, and provides strategic direction and guidance for our work.
Main Street Alliance creates opportunities for small business owners to speak for ourselves on issues that impact the health and well-being of our businesses, employees, and communities."
Their mission is this:
"The Main Street Alliance works to provide small businesses a voice on the most pressing public policy issues across the nation. Our advocacy promotes vibrant businesses and healthy communities, and fosters leadership development of socially responsible business leaders."
-Quoted directly from The Main Street Alliance's main website.
I've been volunteering behind the scenes for them on various projects because as a small business owner, there are many things that are directly threatening my livelihood.
Jerome has been asked by a few people that he needs a headshot and clearly a selfie with a cell phone or a snapshot wasn't going to cut it. While he's a very busy professional working for a nonprofit, and a family man, he knew that he needed to take the time to do this. I was very happy that he contacted me.
Originally, he wanted a plain background with studio lights kind of thing, so I met him at his house and we used a wall in his living room and with this help of his fabulous wife,(holding a light over a couch, I wish that we had images of this)we got some great shots, but the one shown here is my favorite. While they were in colour, I decided to present them in in black and white as well and I loved the way he looks in the black and white. It's classic and timeless.
For those of you who live in NJ, you may recall that it's been frigid cold, but I wanted to go outside for the next look. Jerome was totally up for it. I knew that he would feel more at ease, even with the dipping temps.
The snowy conditions and low winter afternoon sun with wireless flashes and a reflector, created a unique business headshot for him.
The sun and light changed a little and in my post processing, I edit for good natural skin tones and let the rest fall into place and tweek it a little. This goes back to my colour darkroom days when working with film. And for this type of work, I don't want to go too crazy.
We had a lot of fun, joking around, chatting, I wanted him to feel at ease, and of course it's easier when it's with someone you know. I believe that we achieved what Jerome was looking for, he was ecstatic.
No matter who you work for, present yourself in the best way possible on social media and in print with a professional business portrait. This goes for nonprofits, no excuses, it can be done as you can clearly see here.
Thanks Jerome and Eli for your support and hospitality!
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