I'd say if my clients and I were to give another word or words for head shot it may be "necessary evil".  I've heard it all, "I'd rather gouge my eyes out, I'd rather sit at DMV, I'd rather go food shopping...etc... than have my headshots taken!"  Oh Dear!  

We all know headshots are a good idea and necessary to portray "a thousand words" in the picture.  
Of course there's your daily physical appearance to consider, however, what else goes into the look of a headshot?  Well...I'd say there's quite a bit that I think about when bringing in a client for a headshot.
As a photographer, I consider what you do for a living?  What is the level of professionalism you want to portray?  How about your personal traits, right?  Your photo should portray your personality, yes?  What are the top 3 things you want to say about yourself professionally?  How about top 5 things?  

It's so much more than what color to wear and what should my hair look like? You want the photo to be age appropriate and depending on what you do, perhaps it should portray a serious feel, perhaps creativity, warmth, fun, or another aspect of your personality.  In other words, focus more on your personality and allow aesthetics to be secondary.  Portray your charm, charisma, what makes YOU your awesome SELF.  That's what people will connect with.
  
We're all concerned about our looks, just look at how popular selfies and mirrors are.  This is where the professional photographer comes in.  Have a pre-session discussion about what to bring,  how to bring your "A-Game", what to wear, what colors & styles to wear, how your hair and makeup should look.  I offer a week-to-week guide to my clients depending on how much time they have before their appointments.  This is all part of 'branding'.   

I offer suggestions on everything from complexion and wardrobe to practicing your smile and gaze.  I recently had a woman coming in for a headshot and she's telling me she's nervous and going to need some help. Well, that's what I'm here for!  I want to get this RIGHT for you!  You're not in front of a professional's camera every day, I know it can be a little stressful and perhaps uncomfortable, so I'm going to help turn those feelings around into confidence and relief.  We talked, I guided her through it and this is where your professional photographer and you have a meeting of the minds.  I think it's important to "BRING IT!".  I know I'm bringing My A-GAME, it's important that you do the same and I'm going to show you how to bring your A-game for best results.  What do I mean?  Do a little prep work; professional hair and makeup can make a big difference, not only for how you look but for your confidence level as well.  Have your clothes chosen, prepped and dry cleaned for your big day. The more you prepare, the smoother your session will be and you'll be prepared for untimely little things like waking up with a pimple or how about this- I had a guy come in with donut powder on his sleeve...(you know who you are!), I laughed - it's part of who he is, right?  (but we werent' showing that in camera), so we cleaned it up and hey, stuff like this happens for sure and we can cover these little things but bringing your A-game will help your confidence level and THAT, my friend is what will come across in camera.  

Then there's what I call the "P- Word" PHOTOSHOP - YES, let's discuss this photoshop thing... What does photoshop mean to you?  I can tell you for me, what it doesn't mean.  It doesn't mean you're going to end up looking like Jennifer Aniston, Lopez or Lawrence, or Brad Pitt, Lenny Kravitz or Thor.. You want to look like YOU! There's only one of you and let's get that awesomeness to SHINE!  Yes, some wrinkles will get ironed out, skin blemishes, I may even thin you out a little perhaps but I'm not going to make you look like someone else all together.   Think about it... if your headshot says one thing about you and a client shows up and you look totally different, what does that say?  What level of trust is there?   What level of confidence does that portray to a potential client?  Just keep that in mind... 

These two black and white photos are ME...YEP- this is me...I wanted a new headshot and some moody images this time instead of the bright white happy clean headshot look.  The left one isn't even edited yet, however, I wanted to show you unedited, too.  I'm just like you, I have insecurities.  I feel like a troll, I'm only 5 feet tall and that's if I stretch lol... I'm a little heavier than normal right now, my roots are getting done next week so right now they're out of control, I don't like certain features, ugh.  I can go on, can you relate?  Does it matter?  A little yes, but it's the fun, the moody shadows, the textures & dimension that I wanted to stand out in these photos and..of course...some personality, too.  This was MY very own almost VOGUE moment, with me both in front of and behind the camera as I'm using a remote control to click my camera and set off my strobes.  

So, really, what it comes down to is this...don't worry about being perfect.  Please please don't let your insecurities get the best of you.  We ALL have them.  Let me put you in some good lighting, let your guard down, let's have a few laughs to help that personality shine through.....just be YOU! Let the confident, awesome YOU shine through for the perfect headshot! 

So, yes, I'm offering a headshot day, Friday, February 19th of this year.  I'm debating on calling it something like, "I'd rather spend the day at DMV" day, what do you think?  To schedule your appointment, email me for more information through the contact page on my website:  Contact Morris County NJ Portrait Studio | Millie Dee Photography  that will start the consultation process.   Sessions will run up to 30 minutes in studio, however, the prep time depends on YOU.  I'm happy to help you and guide you through what I hope will be a wonderful experience.  
I hope that you would trust me to guide you through the headshot process!  
Thanks,
​Denise  

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Ah!  I'm "gettin' real" in this blog!  It's January 2021, we are still in the middle of our Covid style of life, I recently moved my studio and with that came along higher rent, more overhead, so, with all of this comes such pricing adjustments. 

Being a business owner and a creative are like oil and water sometimes, they don't mix very well.  I'm getting real with you in this blog.  I have mentors...Several mentors, some are more communicative than others.  I understand we're all just people all with the best of intentions and trying to do our best and right now, I'm a very in need of help with my brand and business model, however, with good advice also comes some bad advice, hence the growing pains.  I'm paving out a rocky road in my journey right now.  

I need to figure out a way to price my services and products I'm offering competitively, fairly and still be able to keep my studio.   Mentors are telling me I need an honest cost of doing business analysis, and to keep in mind education costs, medical costs and other things like retirement costs...you know, like a real business when you get a paycheck from a company because guess what, I'm a company. 

How do I do this in a market where alot of my competitors are doing this same thing out of their homes, don't have the overhead that I do, perhaps have help with other costs such as medical and retirement. (I am married and have help with this, however, my husband's business has taken quite-the hit during covid which has forced me to re-evaluate a lot of this....like I said, I'm gettin' real here!)  How do I compete with people that  even do this as a "hobby" and don't pay taxes on the income they take in...  able to offer it "cheaper"?  Do people see the differences in the quality and services that i'm able to offer?  I know we're all a little different; I know as I mentioned I have a few mentors I also am continuously taking new classes, learning new techniques and practicing them.  The learning and improving on my craft and customer service never stops and I love all of it.  

So, yes, I'm a little uncertain about my future with the location move, increased overhead, however, I do believe in myself, my brand and the product and service I offer.  I am forever grateful for my clients, I am forever grateful for my mentors that teach me the most updated styles and safety measures for babies, I am forever grateful for that my job allows me to be creative, which feeds my soul.  (this job is much better than sitting in an office or cubicle in the pharmaceutical world, aka my old world)...

Whether I'm able to continue and offer more product and service and guidance to my clients in 2021, we shall see.    During these rocky, uncertain times and times of change, I have to remember the mantras I have.  One is Dolly Parton's saying about putting up with alot of rain before you get to see that rainbow.  The other is a smooth sea never made for a seasoned sailor.  I say these to other people, I do believe them to be true, I just need to keep repeating to myself to remind myself all of this will work out.  This is all part of the journey.  

The growing pains, the ok I'll say it, anxiety of wondering what the future holds, I'm sure I am being a bit over dramatic, but it's reality.  In the meantime, I'll keep moving forward, and hopefully these rough seas and rocky roads will lead me to the rainbow on the other side.  

Much love.
xo
Denise 

​

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We have less than a month away from the Hallmark holiday that celebrates LOVE.  I think we can all use some extra love and kindness these days so I'm running a special on Deeva Fuel Coffee.  Two bags for $20.  You can keep a bag and share a bag with a friend or loved one or keep both for your home.   Curbside pick up is available at the studio in Landing, NJ or you can have it shipped for a small fee.  
The link to Deeva Fuel is:  deeva fuel coffee (milliedeephotography.com)

Millie Dee Photography Studio in Landing, NJ which is part of Roxbury, which is part of Morris County, New Jersey and very close to Lake Hopatcong is mostly a newborn and maternity photography studio.  I have seen many weary parents walk into the studio and I know how they feel.  I have two children of my own and there were many rough nights and days leading to little or no sleep.  Raising little humans is the most rewarding job, but not for the faint of heart for sure!  

In my studio I have a couch and a massage chair for parents to lounge on while my assistant and I get to photograph their cute little babies.  The get to relax and even doze off for a bit however once the session is over, they're back to being on duty and so this coffee was inspired by new parents.  I curated a dark roast ground coffee with hints of chocolate, anise and raspberry and for me, it just hits the taste buds perfectly, I don't even put sugar in mine, however, I know we all take our coffee differently.  (no k-cups just yet, so far I can just offer bags of the dark roast ground coffee).  

In honor of Valentines Day coming up and just a general feeling of needing to spread happiness, love, joy and all things good, I'm offering a 2 bags for $20 deal with Deeva Fuel now through February 14th.  Curbside pick up is available at the studio during certain hours or it can be shipped to you. 

If you have questions, please reach out milliedee2017@gmail.com
my website:  www.milliedeephotography.com
Follow on Ig: millie_dee_photo or
facebook:  MillieDee Photography

March 7th, 2020 was the weekend before the world shut down.... I was in a maternity portrait training class with the fantastically talented, Diana Robles of Love Print Photography.  After her class, I was so inspired and excited to get some models into the studio to practice what I had learned, however, I couldn't due to Covid, and our lockdowns needing everyone to stay safe.  The world was silent.
I don't know about you, but I an a "note girl".  I have to take notes and practice things time and time again to 'get it'.  I rarely pick up something real quick, so thankfully I had my notes and during the downtime of Covid, I was able to take work as a food photographer for a wonderful business owner, Theresa of Jeremiah's Catering in Lake Hiawatha to keep up my practice.  I feel like photography is like exercise or learning guitar; the benefits show if you're constantly working at it otherwise it will fade.  My kids were so excited that I was photographing food, as we had breads, cakes and muffins delivered to us daily for about a week to photograph.  (Yes, that's when my extra "covid weight"  started, lol).  But I'm so grateful for Theresa, as she gave me hope and kept me working during the down time where no one knew what to expect in the future.
When we were finally able to open up, my model here, was one of the first people I had in the studio.  She and her husband came in, and we had her makeup professionally done and I'm so happy she was open to all types of styles, poses and clothing or lack there of.  
It's a great feeling when you have a vision and make it come to life.  My model did this for me here.  We had a fun session, singing and laughing the entire time, I honestly didn't want it to end.  I think all of that shows here in that WINNER stamp at the top left corner of the photo. 
Many of my clients that have seen this image love it and I do, too.  In fact, I have a large 20x30 framed print of it in the studio.  When you're pregnant, you don't fully feel like yourself; and this to me says you're right, you're not yourself; this is the new you in all of your beauty and simplicity.  It's just her and her baby.  No props needed, not even her face needed, not even COLOR needed....It just her...and her new life; the new life she is bringing into the world and the new life of becoming a mother. 
I'm so grateful I get to photograph beautiful moms to be and have them feel beautiful; some even say they feel prettier than they did on their wedding day.  That is such a compliment.  

​
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Can we just take a moment to GUSH over the joy, the beauty, the LOVE that you feel from this picture?  So much happens when you have a new baby; your entire life changes in an instant.  Time and time again I hear from moms, "I wasn't prepared for the amount of love I'd feel."
Some parents come into the studio and just watch us and stare at their baby during the entire session.  I love my job as I get to witness so much joy.  Mom's smile lit up the room. 

...and then, there are the Dads....Babies bring out the best in them!  I should write a blog and post photos of the Dads and their babies as Dad's smiles are not just big, but deep if that makes any sense.  You can feel the deep sense of love and the pride and joy coming from within them as well.  I have to say, Dads sometimes aren't too sold on the idea of newborn portraits, but I'm so grateful that they're open enough to have the experience; they never regret it. 

This Dad even mentioned it during the session, how he was like 'really?  we need newborn pictures?' We all laughed; He was getting a kick out of watching my assistant and I pose the baby and placing her into certain props.  By the end of the session, he 'got it'.  Portraits, especially family portraits and especially baby's portraits can bring on so much emotion when you look at them.  Mom and Dad will have these moments to share from their session for a lifetime.     

Time is fleeting; every day we get older, every day little teeny babies get bigger and stronger and grow more aware of their world.  These photos will instantly bring them back to how they felt during these first few weeks of the baby's life, the time in our life, the time in each of their lives, what was going on with themselves, with family members, etc.  Seeing a moment in time will not just bring back the memories but the emotions you were feeling during this time in your life, too.  

I think the emotional part of photos may be a little more important to Moms than Dads, however, Dads always end up loving the photos, too.  Dads may even complain a little about having to hang some frames or a canvas on the walls, (by the way, I can get you a guy to do that for you!) but once they're up on the walls in your house, these special moments that are now on your walls help to make your house a home.  A home that you enjoy, a home that is filled with more love, more life and gets more colorful each day.  ​

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