Personal Branding: Using a Headshot to Portray a Professional Image to Employers
Graduation day - or perhaps the decision to go for a mid-career change - has finally come. After years of effort, hopes are high that you will land that dream job!! Yet there are questions too.
What can you do to project a professional image?
How do you make a good first impression?
How do you set yourself apart from the crowd so you're more likely to be hired?
To land that dream job successfully, you need answers to these crucial questions, so Focal Flame Photography (FFP) asked long-time Career Services Professional, Jill Wesley, for some advice.
Focal Flame Photography: With electronic media becoming crucial in the job search, how important is a professional career portrait to compliment the work experience, qualifications, and skills one presents to a potential employer?
Jill Wesley: “By the time the employer meets you, they have already checked your LinkedIn profile and searched other online sources (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.) to learn about you. The image you project online is very important and professional photography is part of that image.”
FFP: What do you tell grads just entering the workforce about making a great first impression?
JW: “Understand the norms of your industry and dress for the environment you will be working in. Check out websites for your field and view the LinkedIn profiles of people in your target industry to see how they present themselves and match it.”
Jill went on to provide these tips for dressing for success.
Business majors, looking to land a job in the financial, consulting, legal, or hospitality industries, should expect to wear full business attire. Anything else will be viewed by a potential employer as overly casual and thus unacceptable. This means:
For men: A suit, tie, and shined shoes; clean shaven or neatly trimmed facial hair.
For women: A skirt, closed toe shoes with a low heel, and hose. Jewelry should be compact and simple.
Both sexes: Cover tattoos and remove piercings, with the exception of one pair of earrings for women.
In more creative fields, such as music, computer programming, advertising, PR, and marketing, industry norms might be a little more relaxed. Prospective employers are likely looking for a little personality in the image your present; they want to detect some of the creativity you might bring to the work place.
Be careful not to be too casually, though. There may be more leeway to dress wild, yet in most cases, it is better to tone it down and go conservative to make a better first impression. Business casual is more appropriate for an interview.
Jill adds, " You want to present a professional image but not be too stuffy. . Put in the effort to check the norms for your industry and cultivate that image. If you have any doubts about what is appropriate to wear, dress up a little."
FFP: Is a professional portrait important to set one apart from the crowd?
JW: "It used to be that only upper level professionals had to have professional headshots. Now prospective employers will view your LinkedIn profile and your blog if you have one, so it is important for everyone to have a headshot...You will notice a BIG difference in the image projected by a professional headshot and a random party shot."
FFP: What are some of the common mistakes you see job applicants make?
JW: "Presenting too casual an image...You can always dress down by taking off a jacket or tie; it's harder to dress up if do not have what you need with you." Closely related is taking the whole job hunt process too casually.
Jill concluded the interview by adding that "a professional portrait would be a great gift for a college graduate." It is an investment in their career future — one that would "set them apart from other graduates that might not realize the importance of a professional image."
Focal Flame Photography is currently booking professional headshot sessions. What's included?
- A consultation with our photographer where we discuss the purpose and intended use of your portrait
- One hour of Madison photographer Clint Thayer's undivided time and attention, in a location of your choosing, indoors or out
- Web-ready digital images of up to two different poses capturing your desired professional image
For more information, to purchase a gift certificate, or to schedule a session, call 608-772-0048 or e-mail us.
Need tips on what to wear to your portrait session? Click here for ideas! Watch this Blog space for information about how to portray yourself at different stages of your career, and learn more about professional headshot sessions.
Girls on the Run: Meredith Rhodes Carson on Coaching Confidence
By any measure, there is a need for strong girls in the world. Meeting this need requires guidance from one generation to the next. Arising from humble beginnings as a running and self-empowerment program for thirteen elementary-aged girls in 1996, Girls on the Run has exploded into an international effort involving over 130,000 girls and 55,000 volunteers across over 200 cities. Girls meet twice weekly for 10 to 12 weeks to train for a 5k run and talk about topics ranging from what positive self-image means to how to deal with bullying.
But despite the magnitude of Girls on the Run International, at the local level it all comes down to the individuals who make it happen: volunteer coaches.
One such volunteer is Meredith Rhodes Carson, Girls on the Run coach for a team at Thoreau Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin. Carson has a tremendous depth and range of experience: PhD-level consulting in explorative geology, professional health coaching for brides-to-be, and mother of two active young children.
Focal Flame Photography writer and co-owner Robyn Perrin recently followed up with Carson about some of her experiences as a Girls on the Run coach.
Robyn Perrin / Focal Flame Photography: For those who aren't familiar with the Girls on the Run (GOTR) program, what's involved in a typical practice?
Meredith Rhodes Carson: GOTR practice is divided into several parts; a brief introduction where we discuss the main topic of the lesson (i.e., healthy eating), a getting on board/warm-up where we explore the topic a bit deeper and get the girls moving by playing a short game (i.e., softball, where they are 'pitched' questions about healthy eating), a quick stretch and strengthening routine, and then the actual workout which involves running/walking laps around the practice area. To wrap up, the girls recognize each other with 'energy awards' and we end with our GOTR cheer.
FFP: What inspired you to become a GOTR coach?
Carson: There are a couple of things that inspired me to become a GOTR coach. When I was growing up, I had some serious issues with self-esteem. I remember going through a funk (which I would call depression today) in middle school; I was bullied on the school bus, I had a hard time finding real friends, and my mom was facing her own demons at the time. Fast forward to today: I'm raising a 9-year-old daughter and I desperately want to make sure she has the tools to deal with the stressors of growing up and the confidence to know that she is awesome and that no one should convince her otherwise. I also wanted to find a way to volunteer in my community - in a way that would help me to grow. Coaching GOTR has been a great learning experience for me.
FFP: What has been the most rewarding aspect of coaching?
Carson: I think that the most rewarding aspect of coaching has been to see the girls change over the course of 10 weeks. I see leaders emerging, I see confidence being gained, I see compassion, I see friends choosing to be in situations that make them happy, I see that many of the girls are learning great things in school and bringing those gifts out to share.
FFP: Has anything about being a GOTR coach been surprising or unexpected?
Carson: I am surprised by how much the girls transport me back to my youth. Some of the conversations that we've had really hit home. Conversations around body image and relationships and missing friends who have moved away... The other coaches and I have been moved to tears after practice remembering what it was like to be in their shoes.
FFP: How has the staff at GOTR-Dane County supported your efforts?
Carson: The staff at GOTR - Dane County are awesome! They have been very supportive, incredibly so. They held new coaches training and first aid sessions to start the season off. They let me sneak another girl onto the team in the early weeks (would have been so hard to turn her away), they make lesson planning a breeze by sending out weekly reminders about what is coming up, they've provided all of the materials for the lessons, and most of all, they've provided individual support to the girls when needed. We were able to provide a great new pair of running shoes to one of the girls on the team. GOTR support is amazing. They are really committed to making this program successful.
FFP: For those considering coaching a GOTR or Girls On Track team in their community, what advice would you share?
Carson: If you are on the edge about becoming a GOTR coach, I would offer this advice. You might approach GOTR coaching as a way for you to grow personally, not with the idea that you don't have what it takes to coach, or that you have nothing to teach the girls, or that you don't know how to run (because it's not a running program). My default state throughout my adult life has been to be sort of scheduled, to play by the book, to plan and maybe to over-plan. Coaching GOTR has enabled me to let loose, to let things happen and unfold, to throw the book away when good things are happening, and to appreciate how each lesson is played out.
While the lessons are literally written out for you, the spontaneity of practice is rewarding. Not to mention that the girls really do value the program... they know me now... It's great to be hugged in the hallways at school. I'll forever be Coach Myrtle.
FFP: How has GOTR influenced the rest of your family?
Carson: I have a jealous little guy at home, who would really like to be a Boy on the Run.
FFP: What do you want the community to know about GOTR?
Carson: I found out about GOTR through a friend - who happens to be a former GOTR coach. We were discussing how to raise a confident daughter (and I really didn't know, as I lost that confidence when I was growing up). My friend said to me, "She needs to do Girls on the Run." She was right. TheGOTR program is designed to give our girls the tools to be positive, to treat themselves well, to understand their emotions, to practice gratitude, to value what's really important, to cooperate, to stand up to peer pressure and bullying, to understand how harmful gossip is, to choose friends that lift you up, and to work together to support their community.
Please join Girls on the Run Dane County for the 2nd Annual Spring 5K on Saturday, June 8 at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg, WI.
For more stories of ordinary people doing amazing things, follow Focal Flame Photography on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!
The Cookie Project: Sweet Rewards Along the IronMan Wisconsin Bike Course
by Deb Proctor
From spring slush to the last rustle of frost coated fallen leaves, Jen Anderson and her friends ride the back roads, hills, and valleys of rural Dane County training forIronMan Wisconsin, one of the toughest and most popular IronMan triathlon events in North America. IronMan athletes are a dedicated lot. They have to be — it is not an easy feat to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a 26.2-mile marathon all in less than 17 hours (Jen finished in 13:26:53 in 2012.)
To build the stamina and endurance they need for this grueling race, it takes training — lots of training. Jen and her friends bike the steep hills and bank the sharp curves of Southwestern Wisconsin, day in and day out, all summer long.
Yet how does that daily procession of riders affect the people who live on the IronManWI bike course? Sharing the road with a slow-moving, heart pounding, sweat pouring cyclist climbing a steep hill requires patience and tolerance. Yet most drivers slow down, move over, and wait until they reach the top of the hill to pass safely.
To prove her gratitude for the drivers' courtesy, Jen wanted to do something to say thank you. "I wish I could just bake them cookies or something..." she said after one training ride. And thus, The Cookie Project was born. She would bake cookies for all households on the IronMan Wisconsin bike course.
Adding up the numbers however proved a bit overwhelming — 357 addresses; at even a half dozen per household it added up to over 2,100 cookies! That's a lot of cookies! What had Jen gotten herself into?
That is when the miracle of community came to the rescue. The "Love Army," as she dubbed them, made the enormous task possible. The word went out on Facebook and Twitter, and soon the cookies began to pour in —athletes delivered a couple dozen here, 11, 12, even 13 dozen there, from as far away as Milwaukee. Businesses that support triathlon and cycling athletes — Endurance House, Peak Performance Massage, Integrated Sport and Spine and others — joined Focal Flame Photography in spreading the word, acting as cookie drop locations, and even baking cookies.
Soon delivery day was at hand: Memorial Day, May 27. After packaging cookies into bags with a sincere thank-you message attached, Jen and a few friends hopped into her trusty Jeep and started driving their biking route, hanging bags of cookies on rural mailboxes and delivering them to doors. (Jen captured some videoof the delivery day.) The smiles and thank you responses from the residents she personally encountered made all the work worthwhile.
"I am beyond thankful for all the support to help accomplish this," Jen exclaimed when the cookies were delivered. "We are a community bonded together by our passion for the sport and we need to watch out for one another. I would do anything to keep my friends safe out there. If this cookie project was a reminder to a driver to watch out for cyclists and keeps one of the people I love on the road – mission accomplished."
The goodwill created by Jen and her friends' simple act of kindness was evident in the response of one resident who wrote on The Cookie Project blog,"We’ve lived out here nineteen years, and as competitive cycling has gotten more popular in Dane County, I confess I’ve gotten impatient with all the cyclists all summer... But I will remember your thoughtful cookie gift when I see you this summer and be more broad-minded. Thank you!"
Amazing what a difference a few cookies can make!
So will there be cookies for residents again next year? Jen responded, "Based upon the overwhelming positive response from the residents and also the support from the other athletes, I would love to develop a way that this effort can continue annually. Now I’m thinking of how I can incorporate the rest of the course for next year."
Jen added,"My hope is that this project reignited some responsibility and respect from both the drivers and athletes... anyone that helped with this project has been reminded that we athletes have a responsibility to the drivers to be safe and respectful, just as we request the same from the drivers."
Mission accomplished Jen. Well done!
Focal Flame Photography is honored to support heart-warming community initiatives such as The Cookie Project. For more stories about ordinary people doing amazing things, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
Stories from the Madison Mud Run: Team TACA Gets Dirty for Autism
If you’ve ever done an obstacle course event like the Madison Mud Run, you may recall some obstacles that require teamwork. When you have sweat running down the small of your back, mud clinging to your shoes, breathless from running and mindful of each second that passes on the race clock – it’s a good idea to reach out to a teammate for a helping hand.
It’s a lot like living with autism, as it turns out. The challenge of autism is simply too big to face alone.
The Wisconsin chapter of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is part of a nationwide network of families whose lives have been affected by autism spectrum disorders. Founded in southern California in 2000, TACA seeks to be a parent-to-parent resource as families navigate the often bewildering and strenuous obstacles of autism diagnosis and treatments. Offering free information, support groups, and a mentorship program, TACA has grown to serve over 31,000 member families nationwide in 2012.
Local chapters often seek opportunities for fundraising, as well as opportunities to get the word out about TACA’s work. After participating in a shoe collection at a Milwaukee-area mud run as a fundraising effort, TACA Wisconsin members – many of whom are based in Madison – decided to try a local community event. This time, they decided to put together a team to participate in the Madison Mud Run.
At first, they focused on reaching out to the fitness community to sign up and run on behalf of families with autism. Gradually, and with encouragement, more and more parent members of TACA Wisconsin decided that they were willing to try the Madison Mud Run themselves. As word spread, they found support from others near and far; one team member, Tresa Gibson, is flying all the way from Calgary, Canada to participate. TACA Wisconsin members hope that the light-heartedness of the event may help families accomplish a critical activity: laughter. “You need to find a way to laugh, despite the hardships,” said Kate Whelan, Chapter Coordinator for TACA Wisconsin.
Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin recently caught up with Whelan to discuss the impact of autism on children and families in Wisconsin.
Focal Flame Photography: Could you tell us a little bit about the mission and work of TACA?
Kate Whelan / TACA Wisconsin: TACA is a lifeline to parents of children with autism. Particularly when you first receive your child's diagnosis, it can be absolutely devastating and it really helps to have a network of positive, experienced and knowledgeable parents help guide you to find the information you need. We are a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which started as an Autism Diet meet-up group by our founder Lisa Ackerman in California. Initially, there were just 10 families, but TACA now serves over 31,000 families nationwide and that number continues to grow. The CDC's official statistics for autism are still 1 in 88 children, but a recent CDC survey found that number is more likely 1 in 50 school age children (1 in 31 boys). Autism now affects more children than those affected by AIDS, diabetes, and childhood cancer combined. If you do not know someone with autism, you probably soon will. TACA provides a community for parents to connect through meetings with speakers, a resource library, social events, and conferences. We also provide online live chat, parent mentors and medical scholarships for families in need. The biggest thing we offer is real support to families. It's that human connection that's so important.
FFP: As you've mentioned on the Team TACA web site and video, there are a lot of parallels between the perseverance required to live with autism, and how this challenge makes a 4.8-mi mud run seem so trivial by comparison. Are there particular stories of perseverance you'd like to highlight?
KW / TACA WI: Children with autism work very hard every day to communicate, to be heard, to process information, to overcome physical and social deficits. Most of our kids undergo years of intensive behavioral therapy (usually between 20 and 40 hours per week for 4 years and tapering off as needed - some will need therapy their entire lives). They also often need speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision therapy, loads of other therapies, which means they're over-scheduled and really fatigued. Depending on the level of functioning of a child, it can be very difficult for families too. Studies have shown that parents of children with autism often suffer from PTSD due to the need to be ever-vigilant, particularly when they have children who might wander or who have explosive, unpredictable behaviors. We have many children in our TACA chapter who have made significant achievements in terms of overcoming obstacles in communication, making friends, and connecting with their families. Some have gone from a diagnosis of severe autism with a suggestion that parents look for an institution to high-functioning kids in school without much support. The most important thing is to always have hope. With hard work and perseverance and appropriate medical care that addresses each child's individual needs, a lot of kids can recover significantly.
FFP: What do you want the public to know about the work that TACA does?
KW / TACA WI: Having a child with autism can be incredibly isolating. If you know a family where there is a child with autism, please refer them to us. Once you find TACA, you're never alone. We will support you.
FFP: Are there team members or other volunteers you'd like to recognize in particular?
KW / TACA WI: Tresa Gibson is flying in from Calgary, Canada for the Mud Run. Tresa's son has recovered from autism and Lennox-Gestaut Syndrome through [ketogenic] diet. She's also an incredible artist and has auctioned off two of her paintings for TACA. Tresa has raised over $1,400 for TACAWisconsin and she doesn't even live here.
Kylie Van Dyke is 11 years old and running for her brother, Ryan.
Mary Tackett is a grandmother to a child with autism. This is her first mud run.
Margaret Adelmeyer is a personal trainer with a big heart. Margaret donated 10% of all earnings from April to TACA.
Courtney Kleist and Autumn Mazzulla are both therapists with Wisconsin Early Autism Project. They also work with my son, Luke.
FFP: Is there anything else you'd like to share about Team TACA at the Madison Mud Run?
KW / TACA WI: Often parents of special needs children do nothing for themselves, which can lead to all sorts of health problems, and also makes them prone to depression. Getting some physical activity should be a high priority for everyone, especially parents of children with challenges. Some of us will be caring for our children long after their peers have gone to college or the workforce, so it's important that we stay healthy. Finding time to do fun activities as a family and also as individuals is so important. At TACA, we have fun at our meetings, so it's an enjoyable social event and we look forward to seeing each other. As autism parents we often hear the saying "it's a marathon, not a sprint," meaning that you need to pace yourself, but sometimes it feels a bit more like a mud run. Sometimes it feels like you have to crawl through a mud pit and get hit with a fire hose before you feel like you have succeeded. Life with autism is full of ups and downs. We will often see progress followed by regression of skills, which can be frustrating. But, if you keep at it, things get better. Kids do recover. Autism is treatable.
FFP: Where can people go to get involved with TACA Wisconsin?
KW / TACA WI: TACA meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Wisconsin Integrative Hyperbaric Center at 6200 Nesbitt Rd in Fitchburg. To learn more about our meetings, visit the TACA Wisconsin web site.
Support Team TACA as they raise funds to help create educational resources and provide medical scholarships for families with autism. Donate today!
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Athlete Profile: Ultramarathon Runner Darren Fortney
Among the approximately 1,200 runners participating in the 35th annual Lake Monona 20K race on May 4, 2013 was an athlete who is preparing for a race that is itself in its 36th year – a race that is legendary among runners worldwide. Middleton, WI runner Darren Fortney has been invited to participate for the third time in the Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile race from Death Valley to Mount Whitney, CA on July 15-17.
Dubbed as “the world’s toughest foot race,” the Badwater Ultramarathon originated in 1977 when solo runner Al Arnold completed the course after two previously failed attempts. Badwater became an organized race in 1987, although to this day it remains completely unsupported – no aid stations, no water, no food…just the runners and their self-organized, self-supporting crews. Athletes rely on training, logistical preparation, and wits to survive temperatures reaching up to 130 degrees F.
Fortney is no stranger to fortitude, as evidenced by a 2010 athlete profile by Focal Flame Photography describing his role in an annual ultraswimmingevent across Lake Mendota named “Gills for Gilda’s.” Charitable donations raised from the Lake Mendota Crossing helped to fund programs for cancer patients and their family at Gilda’s Club.
This year, Fortney is once again raising funds for Gilda’s Club – with a goal of raising $15,000. Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin caught up with Darren between training sessions to ask him about why he is taking on the challenge again, and what the mission of Gilda’s Club means to him personally.
Focal Flame Photography: As a 2-time Badwater alum, what are your expectations for Badwater in 2013?
Darren Fortney: My goal is really simple this time. It is to work in conjunction with my support crew to fully execute our race plan and run the "smartest" race of our three trips to the desert. I have recently made some modifications regarding my nutrition plan, body management, support team, and overall strategy that I think will ensure some positive results this coming July.
FFP: What made you decide to train for Badwater again?
DF: As one of 90 athletes in the world who are fortunate and healthy enough to be asked to compete, I felt it would be an opportunity missed if I did not once again apply to participate in this amazing event. After battling through some rather serious health issues in 2012, I have once again discovered my passion for running long and pushing my body and mind to new levels. Last fall I competed in the Yellowstone 100-miler and had some decent results. At that point, I know I was back and wanted to give Badwater another run.
FFP: Why did you want to include the Lake Monona 20K as a training event?
DF: I always enjoy the Lake Monona 20K race. Race Day Events puts on an amazing show, not only on the race course, but post-race as well (beer!). I have also found that mixing up various distances and paces helps bring variety to my training and avoids burn-out. I also love the concept of running around an entire lake. How cool is that?
FFP: Tell me in your own words a little bit about your relationship with Gilda's Club - why you are fundraising for the organization, your interactions with the organization, what their work means to you personally.
DF: As a cancer survivor myself, I have a strong desire to give back to the cancer community, especially here in my hometown. I have been involved with Gilda's Club since 2008. I have served on the Board of Directors at Gilda's Club now for about two years and have found not only the organization, but [also] the people to be truly amazing while providing this critical service to those battling this disease. Over the years I have made supporting and fundraising for Gilda's Club part of my life. Leveraging my Badwater experience once again will hopefully result in another successful fundraising campaign. We are once again targeting $15,000!
FFP: From cancer to back surgeries, you've overcome so many physical challenges during your career as a runner. What draws you back to the sport again and again?
DF: Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game, no matter what level runner you are. I am fortunate that my most recent injuries were not directly related to running so my transition from being injured back to running has been easier. I think it also helps that I enjoy running and competing so motivation is not hard. That alone draws me back to the sport. When I am injured, it only serves to remind me how lucky I am to be able to do what I am doing......and makes me work that much harder to take care of my body as best I can.
FFP: What do you want people to know about Gilda's Club?
DF: Cancer can and will affect you at some level in your life. Everyone will eventually need to face this disease on some level in their life, be it a friend, co-worker, family member, or neighbor. Gilda's Club is there for those in need in our community, right here in the Madison area. It is local and that is why I am with them. It offers greatly needed social and emotional support for the entire family. Many people close to me have utilized Gilda's Club and for that we are all thankful. All of its services are provided at NO CHARGE. That alone tells you what kind of a place it is. Fundraising is a critical part of Gilda's Club success and I am grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life to help contribute fundraisers such as the Badwater campaign.
To contribute to Darren Fortney’s fund for Gilda’s Club, visit http://gildas.kintera.org/badwater. Donations of $25 or more made before July 13 will qualify for a $10 coupon off Mizuno shoes and an entry for a grand prize. Focal Flame Photography is proud to support Darren Fortney’s efforts at the 2013 Badwater Ultramarathon.
Actor Headshot Photography: Jason Wilson, Voice Actor
If you think about it, hardly a day goes by without hearing the talent of a voice actor. Whenever you listen to the radio, television, movies, or online videos, professional voice actors make messages come alive and keep audiences engaged, and yet relatively few are recognized as household names despite the importance of their craft. With an uncanny ability to alter their vocal pitch, inflection, and accent, professional voice actors can emulate a wide range of characters and ages.
But does a voice actor need a headshot in their portfolio? Absolutely, said broadcaster and voice talent Jason Wilson, who goes by Jason Ryan on-air. A radio professional with over 16 years experience, Jason said, “Just because I use my voice, doesn't mean they shouldn't see my face, right?”
As afternoon air talent for Lite 107.3 WSJY (Fort Atkinson, WI) and announcer for theNAHL Junior A League Janesville Jets hockey team, Jason realized that he wanted to also pursue additional avenues as a voice professional. “Voice acting is an extension of what I do at my radio station,” said Jason. “I’m able to create with sound and paint a picture using my imagination.”
Selected to be represented by the talent agency Lori Lins Ltd with offices in Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago, Jason found need for an updated actor headshot in his portfolio. One challenge: extremely short notice for the interview with the agency.
No problem whatsoever – Focal Flame Photography was able to book a session that met Jason’s timeline. Photographer Clint Thayer and assistant Josh talked with Jason to determine his desired look. “For my headshots, I wanted to convey professionalism and a very sharp look. I’d like for people to look at my headshot and think, ‘This guy’s got his stuff together. He didn’t fall off the turnip truck yesterday,’” said Jason. “But I didn’t want anything too ‘stuffy’ or ‘formal,’ just something nice and clean.”
The resulting images covered a range of poses and styles, and Jason selected some classic black-and-white images with clean composition for his signature actor headshots. Mentioning that the photo shoot was relaxing and fun, Jason said, “Clint was very easy to work with. He knew what was going to work at the shoot and wasted no time in getting what he wanted.” As for recommending Focal Flame Photography for headshots to other acting professionals, Jason was straightforward. “Of course I would recommend Focal Flame to others. If you want professional pictures, you go to Clint and Focal Flame.”
As Jason anticipates upcoming auditions through the talent agency, he expects a range of opportunities that will allow him to stretch himself creatively. “As I told [agency representatives] at the end of my orientation, ‘Just keep feeding me.’ I’ll do whatever they throw at me because I know I can do it and do it well.”
We couldn’t agree more. Jason’s future sounds great – literally.
Interested in more info about professional headshot photography? Click here to learn more!
Behind the Lens: Going Left When Everyone Goes Right
by Clint Thayer
There are some advantages of doing what everyone else is doing. Life is easy and you don’t have to think about it much. Just follow the person in front of you and watch what they do. If you can’t beat them - join them. Right?
Wrong. At least from a creative perspective. The act of creating means not just recapitulating what others have done before, but putting something new into the world.
Sometimes making something wholly new requires taking a different approach toward a familiar subject matter - one of which (for me) is cycling. If you've never heard of cyclocross, you would likely raise an eyebrow when I describe the nature of what a typical cyclocross racer does on the weekends. Yet it’s strangely captivating to watch and even more so to photograph. Over the years the sport of cyclocross has gained a great deal of popularity in the cycling community, and it’s starting to infiltrate the public’s eye as well. This is wonderful for the sport and for the cycling community as a whole. An entire industry is growing out of the weeds and as a professional visual storyteller - it is a wonderful backdrop.
With this growth, I’ve witnessed first-hand the explosion of like-minded photographers jumping in and crafting some amazing pieces of work. Really great material showing off some exceptional athletes. Welcome to the party!
I started shooting cyclocross a few years ago as a study in motion, light and...essentially, grit. I fell in love with the people, the sport, and most of all the imagery. Turning a corner of the course into a Focal Flame portable studio was a blast and I learned a great deal about my professional craft - lessons that I still use today. When Madison was awarded its bid to host the 2012 and 2013 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, I could not have been happier. What an opportunity to show my love of the sport through the lens - with cyclocross racers from all over the nation coming practically to our backyard!
But at the same time - I wanted to stand out and take some artistic risks. Should I bring more lights? More filters? Climb trees? Each technique could help produce wonderful images and likely push me creatively, as well as push the limits of what can be done with the camera.
And pushing the limits meant that I wanted to go left when everyone else was going right. I woke up on the Saturday of CX Nationals with my sights set on filming, editing, and publishing a ~3 min video that captured the heart of the event. And I wanted the creative process and the production to all be completed within one day.
I’ve never, ever liked rolling with the pack - going with the flow, or taking the easy road. And I find value and comfort in setting my own expectations higher than I did the previous day. I’m not in a race to out-do others - I’m in a race to push myself past my own creative comfort zone with the storytelling process. This was the result:
So how different is shooting video from shooting stills? In many aspects, it’s very much the same. Above everything else, story rules all. With a still photo, the goal is to convey intent and imply story in a way that evokes a conclusion for the beholder in a single frame - not an easy task, yet very rewarding when successful. From my perspective, video allows different creative space as a playground, including additional ways to help develop story. Your perception of time actually changes. Photography forces you into the moment in zen-like fashion. Videography beckons you to consider past, present, and future simultaneously.
And there are so many ways to evoke mood. Sound, dialog, and ambient noise gives a videographer the capability to set tone without revealing a single frame. These are dimensions we all experience when we watch a movie, but when you begin to work with them as an artistic process for visual storytelling, it’s changes your whole perspective. It’s electric. It’s goosebump-inducing.
And I can’t wait for the next opportunity go push myself toward new paths, and new directions.
Thanks, as always, for joining in on the journey.
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Madison Shamrock Shuffle: Profile of Founder Megan Sisson
The Madison Shamrock Shuffle has been in existence for 10 years, long enough that it’s hard to imagine a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Madison without it. But today’s 5,000-racer strong event - an explosion of emerald exuberance – would never have happened if not for the sweat equity of a small group of founders.
One of the three founding members of the Madison Shamrock Shuffle Board of Directors is physical therapist Megan Sisson. "I was inspired to start the run when I was on the St. Patrick's Day parade committee and they wanted ideas on how to grow the event,” said Sisson. “I'm Irish and I love to run so it seemed like the obvious choice.”
Megan’s passion for running and for all things Irish drove many decisions surrounding the Shuffle. Her signature contribution was finding ways to dial up the “fun factor” to 11. “She always looked for ways to make it more of a party. How could we make it more fun for EVERYONE?” said current race directorSteve Donovan.
The way that joie de vivre is expressed has shifted over the years. “In 2005, we were expecting to register about 700 runners,” said Donovan. “It was a growing race but it was only a 5K and we organized it like we organized a party…. That year, Megan was dead-set on getting a ‘Boom Box’ on the course playing Irish music.” From song selection to making sure the boom box indeed had enough batteries to entertain the field, Sisson made certain that the Shuffle stayed true to its Irish roots – and that runners’ spirits were lifted along the way.
Lifting spirits often took a touch of whimsy. “[Megan] wanted the slogan ‘When Irish Thighs are Smiling’ for several years before she was able to convince people that it was a good slogan,” said friend and fellow Shuffle co-founder Lorrie Frautschi. “Her tenacity and good humor kept everyone going.”
And the momentum has kept rolling for a decade. With 5K, 10K, and 2-mile walk courses, the Madison Shamrock Shuffle now draws thousands of runners and is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. When asked what she wanted people to know about the Madison Shamrock Shuffle, Megan said, “I would love people to know that our run shows that you can have fun and get exercise at the same time.”
That mindset – a event that provides simple joy for everyone involved, from racers to walkers to volunteers – persists. “We will always remain true to this standard set,” said Donovan. “Moving into the future, [Megan] will continue to remain active though she's stepping down from the board. Her contributions will always be appreciated as one of the primary founders of this race as well as the person who set the stage for one of the best 5K/10K's in the state.”
And the Irish music scene? Forget the boom box. For the 2013 event, the Madison Shamrock Shuffle will offer not only traditional bagpiping but also the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County Drum Line at the 5K turnaround point and The Kissers, a hometown favorite band of “rock musicians that learned to play Irish music.”
As for Megan’s next adventure? “Bagpipe lessons,” she said.
Follow stories about the Madison Shamrock Shuffle and other rollicking-good-times events on the Focal Flame Photography facebook page, Twitter feed, or on Google+!
5 Reasons Every Small Business Owner Needs a Photographer
At its core, Focal Flame Photography is a small business. We know firsthand the experience of building a new business endeavor from concept development to hiring employees. We understand the sacrifices made, the devotion to developing a quality product and service, and the need to squeeze social media engagement in after the children's bedtime. We've always been a fan of small business owners but over the past few years that respect has deepened even further through personal experience. And since our small business focuses on visual storytelling, we've come to realize how important a photographer can be in the development and promotion of a small business. Here are a few tips on how photographers can lighten the load for business owners.
1. Photos build relationships.
Once upon a time, it was common to walk into the corner market and find Mr. Smith behind the counter day after day. There was a familiarity and relationship in that setting - a familiarity that can sometimes be missing today, especially when your customers find you online rather than at the corner of Second and Walnut.
Photos of you and your staff bring that corner-market intimacy back. Whether displayed on a web site or displayed in your store, showing a recently taken professional headshot of each staff member conveys friendliness and creates an instant connection. It allows for easy recognition when customers need assistance. And it builds your brand image and individual recognition.
Professional headshots allow for integration between a small business owner’s personal LinkedIn account, business web site, and a Facebook Page. This continuity deeps the association between your business and yourself. Keep photos current, no more than two years old. Facial features, hairstyles - they all change over time, and outdated images can be distracting. Let your staff headshots be a reflection of your commitment to customer service: fresh and high-energy.
2. Photos tell a story quickly.
The old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” is very true. Photos can communicate a great deal to others about your business or organization’s core values.
Visitors can assume your organization welcomes diversity if the entry foyer is decorated with oversize photographs of children, teens, families and seniors from a variety of ethnicities.
Professional photos added to a Facebook page album titled “Services” can let a potential client know your landscape company offers weekly summer mowing service and winter snow removal.
Bookmarks made of photos from your last benefit book drive and tucked in each new book purchase lets your patrons know they contribute to a larger community cause by shopping at your store.
The bottom line: photos can tell your small business or organization’s story - fast.
3. Photos Document Events
Whether it's your ribbon cutting grand opening, a class or workshop, a conference, a customer appreciation day, a major product release, a holiday or seasonal event for your customers, or even an employee retreat or board meeting, a lot of effort and resources are spent planning your business events. These events simply can't be replicated. Don't forget to hire a photographer to commemorate these important times in your business' history! Having a photo library of events lets you amplify their effect for a long time afterwards through press releases, social media posts, newsletters to customers, and even internal company communications.
4. Photos Enhance Advertising
The most common reason for a small business owner to need professional photographs is to promote products, events, and services.
Photography can be used to market your company’s product line, the location of your business, or people engaged with your services. These photos can be used for print ads, brochures, mailers, posters, print and digital catalogs, and web pages. High-impact commercial photos can literally stop your customers in their tracks, drawing them into the story of your business and connecting with them on an emotional level.
5. Photos Increase Social Media Engagement
In today’s social-media oriented world,consumers have a desire to interact and engage with brands and they do so with photos more than any other type of post. In his article, “Optimizing Facebook Engagement – Text, Links, Photos, or Videos?” on Social Media Today, Morgan Arnold shares that photos provide the greatest return on investment compared to other types of posts - almost triple the level of engagement compared to text alone. In a study conducted in May, 2012 tracking 8,000 posts by 100 well-known brands, Track Social found a photo received over 6,000 points (1 point awarded per like, 3 points awarded per comment) compared to slightly over 2,000 points on a text status. Simply put: photos rule!
In order to post fresh content on the web, whether it’s a Facebook page or company web site, small business owners need a photo bank showing their products and services. In just a few hours, a professional photographer can often compile an array of photos that you can draw on to promote social media engagement for many months.
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Recipe for Fun: Pet Photography
If the cold and snow has you dreaming of summer, we’ve got a treat for you today. Imagine a park, a sunny afternoon, a Frisbee, and a gravity defying boxer mix named Jet alongside his owners. Pretty fantastic thought, huh? Now add a photographer experienced with action and sports. The result? Some artistically brilliant photographs that tell an energetic story.
“Clint (Thayer) recently stepped away from photographing humans and spent a wild couple of hours at the local dog park with our dogs,” said Lisa Bell, Jet’s owner. “Jet, our lab/boxer, is an air dog and loves to play Frisbee. Clint captured in-flight pictures of him that will be keepsakes in our household! He was able to capture Jet’s true essence with up close beautiful pictures of a super happy dog and his super dirty Frisbee. We are in love with each and every picture!”
So are we. Especially the one of Jet’s aerodynamic flight, mouth open, ready to snatch the disk.
The photograph of Jet’s spectacular mid-air catch was captured at Badger Prairie County Park, one of the City of Madison’s dog friendly parks. The image represents Thayer’s understanding of what it takes to get "that shot" during a split second of activity - even when the athlete has four paws instead of two feet.
Thayer's obsession with action and movement, originally manifested in sports photography, has easily transferred to other genres like pet photography. But this wasn't the only perspective he brought to the park last October.
The old saying “You can’t fool kids and dogs” has some truth to it. Animals are keenly aware of how they are treated. A dog can’t fake emotions, nor demonstrate a comfort level it doesn’t actually feel. Trust is required for humans to be natural around a photographer and with dogs - that need for trust is multiplied one hundred percent.
Capturing emotion would be one way Thayer would describe the afternoon in the park with Jet, Lisa Bell and husband John Wagner. “What I found interesting was how quickly the focus of the session shifted from the pet themselves to the interaction between pet and owner," said Thayer. "I've found the most engaging work came in those brief periods when pet and owner connected, giving me a glimpse of the mutual respect and love they have for each other. That was the story that needed to come out in the photos.”
Thayer’s approach to visual storytelling with dogs and their people was evident in his coverage of The 6 Legged Race in September as well as a custom pet photography shoot with two adorable pups and their owner, Deanna. "These two shih tzu mixes totally lavished love on their owner and received plenty of love right back," said Thayer.
Each of these dynamic dogs represents happiness in its truest form. Memories of their energy and ear-flopping runs across the park definitely makes us long for summer again.
The dog days of summer that is.