Adam
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Your Headshot is an Opportunity
Your headshot is a gift—if you use it that way. Like every part of your brand, your headshot can work for you or it can take up space. But unlike logos and color palettes, it’s personal. It makes an emotional connection—the most important part of business no one talks about. A killer headshot is like…
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Introductions Don’t Happen Twice
Your headshot is your best chance to own your story. You get to tell strangers why they want to meet you—or not. Are you cool or stuffy? Intimidating or approachable? Do you take your career seriously or or take a selfie? Not only do you get to control that moment, you have to. We’re busy.…
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AI Can’t Save Your Profile Pic
The fact that most pictures of you suck is why image generators will always suck at making them. That’s because you tell them what you look like. How many REALLY GOOD pictures of yourself do you have? Ones you post or hold up on your phone and people say, “Damn, you look GREAT.” You make…
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Eye love
Only a close-up photograph gives you time and permission to admire a stranger’s eyes. The eyes are powerful magnets. They’re the center of trust, confidence, inner life. When someone really connects with the camera, you feel like they’re really seeing you. We do call them soul-windows, after all. For a long time I envied people…
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Why pay a photographer instead of an image generator?
Glad you asked! Oh yeah, and authenticity. 😉
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You need a professional bestie
If you’re a creative, you need company. Real human company. (Maybe at a company.) You need a professional bestie. You need at least one person working in your field, at your level, who loves and understands your thing the way you love and understand theirs. Whatever you’re doing, you’ll do it better. When someone knows…
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How to look better in pictures (at any age)
The other day I shared three hacks for managing your age in pictures. Here are three more, this time for selfies or content creation: I hope these techniques help put some light on the dark art of photography.
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How to look younger in pictures
If you’re over 40, your profile picture is a tightrope. You need to own your age… and maybe look younger… but no surprises in person. Here’s how I pull that off: These will work any time, anywhere. Happy shooting!
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What makes a great headshot
Here’s what separates a great headshot from a shitty one. The obvious: Without a genuine smile and presence in the eyes, a viewer can’t connect with you. They move on. It’s why the session pays for itself: Actors cover the shoot with their first booking; office workers get it back hundreds of times over with…
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The Case for Radical Authenticity
You are you. Seems simple enough. You laugh your way, stare off meaningfully your way, remember your grandma your way. Professional photos should be easy. Just be, like, completely vulnerable, and charming, no matter what happens. Sure. Even if you can (lucky you!), there’s a problem: Obviously, we look like ourselves when we’re being ourselves.…
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AI Can Never Be You
Even when AI no longer hallucinates, headshot generators will still have a fatal problem. They can never make an expression that’s uniquely yours. It can make something that LOOKS LIKE you. But you’re not there. So if you’re good with misrepresenting yourself… sure, use a generator. The person in the picture will never be you.…
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Why I Opened A Headshot & Portrait Studio in 2025
I have a habit of bulldozing introductions. Let’s fix that. Hiii, I’m Adam. I designed and art directed at startups, small farms, mid-size firms, and big corporate for 20 years. I ran a poetry press for 10, and a filthy-mouthed guide to Albuquerque for seven. There was a lot of overlap. Everywhere I went, I…
