Adam

  • You can’t generate an image that makes you stand out

    You can’t generate an image that makes you stand out

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    At least not authentically. Even a left-field idea (i.e. holding a bouquet of petunia-shaped cats) doesn’t help because it’s table stakes now. You have to bring what matters. You have to bring style. LLMs can’t offer you style unless you already know what to ask for. They’re averaging machines. And when you let them make…

  • Generative AI isn’t killing portraiture; we are

    Generative AI isn’t killing portraiture; we are

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    Hot take: It’s getting harder to tell a photograph from a generated one. The tech’s not that good; we just set the bar that low. It doesn’t matter that the machines can’t produce soul because we started accepting soulless a long time ago. There are so many lifeless pictures in their training data, what did…

  • Keep climbing

    Keep climbing

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    I’ve run a small business for 20 years. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t saying, “Wait, how am I killing it? Wasn’t it just killing me?” When you’re climbing mountains, the middle third is the true test. Down doesn’t look like progress. If you’re taking real risks, up goes into the clouds. You have…

  • Your Headshot is an Opportunity

    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…

  • Introductions Don’t Happen Twice

    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.…

  • AI Can’t Save Your Profile Pic

    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…

  • Eye love

    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…

  • Why pay a photographer instead of an image generator?

    Why pay a photographer instead of an image generator?

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    Glad you asked! Oh yeah, and authenticity. 😉

  • You need a professional bestie

    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…

  • How to look better in pictures (at any age)

    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.

  • How to look younger in pictures

    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!

  • What makes a great headshot

    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…