ALL YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ON EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SHOOT
There are no stupid questions: ​
if one would not be answered here, fill in the form to receive our brochure or contact us directly!
HOW TO CHOOSE A
TOP CORPORATE HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHER
IN NEW YORK CITY
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A NYC EXECUTIVE HEADSHOT STUDIO
Look for a photographer who understands branding and professional image — someone who can translate your industry, seniority, and personality into a polished, confident portrait.
Pay attention to these key elements:
​
-
Consistency in portfolio: Review their website, Linkedin and Instagram. Do the images feel natural, flattering, and professional across different clients?
​
-
Experience with executives and corporate teams: Photographers who regularly work with senior professionals in finance, law, tech, and consulting understand the expectations for different corporate cultures.
​
-
Studio setup and equipment: A well-equipped studio with different types of professional lighting, backdrops, and space for wardrobe changes ensures flexibility and comfort during your session.
​
-
Professional retouching: Subtle, high-end retouching should enhance your appearance without making the image look artificial.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CORPORATE & BUSINESS HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHER BEFORE BOOKING
Before you commit, take time to ask a few important questions.
​
-
What’s your approach to directing clients during a session? (You want someone who helps you look natural, look like yourself, not stiff or awkward.)
​
-
Do you offer wardrobe or styling guidance? (Some studios provide pre-session consultations or stylist recommendations.)
​
-
Does the package include outfit changes and different look& feels?
​
-
How many final images are included, and what’s the turnaround time?
​
-
Is professional retouching included in the package?
​
-
Can you accommodate on-site corporate sessions for teams?
​
-
Do you deliver square format images as well ? (Linkedin and some other professional networks have a round profile picture cropping and you want to use square photos for it to look neat)
Asking these questions upfront saves you time and ensures your photographer aligns with your goals and schedule.
LOCATION AND ON-SITE VS STUDIO OPTIONS IN NYC
You can choose between studio sessions or on-site executive headshots shoots (on-location fee apply), each with distinct advantages:
​
-
In Studio sessions: Ideal for individual professionals who want a consistent, distraction-free background and controlled lighting. Studios in New York City offer convenience and comfort — perfect if you prefer a timeless, clean, yet elevated look.
​
-
On-site sessions: Great for C-level professionals or founders that want a specific environment for their personal branding photos, as well as for companies updating headshots for the leadership team or the whole team. In the latter, the photographer can set up professional lighting at your office, ensuring consistent results without disrupting the workday.
​
-
Outdoor or environmental portraits: If it makes sense with your personal brand and you want a more approachable, lifestyle-driven image, shooting outdoors can reflect your brand’s personality and the energy of NYC itself.
-
​
Whichever option you choose, make sure the photographer you choose is experienced in creating images in that environment and that it aligns with your professional goals and how you want to be perceived — polished, confident, and authentic.
HOW TO MAKE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE
IN FRONT OF A CAMERA
I ABSOLUTELY HATE BEING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, I DON'T FEEL PHOTOGENIC, IT MAKES ME FEEL AWKWARD & NERVOUS … CAN YOU REALLY DO SOMETHING TO MAKE ME COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA DURING MY EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SESSION ?
Yes, we absolutely can make you feel more comfortable in front of a camera.
As we love to say, our thing is not to photograph perfect people. It is to photograph real people. Ambitious people. The ones who dare to dream big. And most of the real people (me included) do not feel naturally photogenic. Good news, I and my team are here exactly for that.
The portrait studio is a zero-judgment/ happy vibe zone and we are all part of the same team to create your business portraits.
I will guide you all along for you not to have to think a second. It ends up being more of a conversation through which we take pictures, more than a photoshoot per se. Another thing we often say after seeing so many clients experience it: the least photogenic you feel at the moment (we all have times in life when we feel in bad shape or more down than usual), the better the portrait shoot feeling will be! We know (and have witnessed it so many times) how positively impactful a great portrait of you can be. You will walk out of the studio really boosted & ready to tackle any challenges ahead of you!
I AM NOT A HUGE FAN OF THE TYPICAL EXECUTIVE/CORPORATE HEADSHOTS COOKIE-CUTTER LOOK, I WANT SOMETHING MORE ‘ME’, WHILE STILL PROFESSIONAL.
CAN YOU CREATE THAT KIND OF ELEVATED EXECUTIVE PORTRAITS ?
Yes, we love to create elevated executive portraits for our clients.
Our m.o. (modus operandi … in short: how we do things) is to tailor everything around your personal brand needs and your wishes. Alice is fully trained professional photographer and very experienced with professional studio lights, natural light, indoor photo sessions, outdoor photoshoots, in the city, in the green, etc… so we create the photoshoot and executive portraits depending on what you need and want.
​
If your brand and energy are about being casual, super friendly & trendy: let’s go for it! We love it!
Do not worry, if on the other hand you don’t really know what you want and need, we got you covered with the pre-shoot Zoom consultation and a series of questions and discussion over mood boards and other tools.
I AM VERY PICKY & CONSIDERED DEMANDING, SO I AM AFRAID I WILL NEVER BE FULLY SATISFIED WITH MY PHOTOS… ARE CLIENTS LIKE ME WELCOME AT YOUR NYC PORTRAIT STUDIO ?
If you run your own business or have a top leading position in your company, chances are that you are demanding with yourself and with your team to achieve your goals. We are all about serving ambitious and bold individuals and we almost expect you to be as picky and demanding as you wish. It pushes us to serve you even better for your executive headshots. We aim at excellence and your entire satisfaction. We love clients who are demanding and highly selective.
​
We do offer a 'Happy or start over insurance' (ask for details in our form), but truth is that, after 10yrs, we had to use it only twice. 99.99% of all the people we photograph left the studio beyond satisfied with the executive headshots and portraits we created for them.
​I AM NOT A C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE BUT MORE OF A SENIOR MANAGER OR A SOLOPRENEUR.
WOULD AN EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SESSION AT YOUR NYC STUDIO ANSWER MY NEEDS?
Yes, absolutely. You are the c-level executive of your career, your solo business and of your life! You have a brand, you have an audience (either be it your boss, recruiters, etc) you have clients, you have a message to convey through your executive headshots: so yes, book a consultation for us to discuss your needs, targets & personal brand perception, and let’s create the professional headshots you deserve!
WHY OUR EXECUTIVE HEADSHOTS PACKAGE
IS BUILT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY
I JUST NEED ONE BUSINESS HEADSHOT, I DON’T NEED MORE PHOTOS.
DO YOU HAVE A SMALLER PACKAGE?
We want excellence for the people we work with. We want to go beyond average.
We are more than happy to make things smoother with a payment plan. However, by experience with hundreds of our clients, if you have a leading position in your field: you need more than one portrait if you want your personal brand to have the strong impact it deserves.
​
The ‘beginner’ / junior mistake we all make is to use that one professional headshot for all our needs, whatever the platform, project or target audience.
Exactly like the fact that you don’t have just one personality trait, just one expertise, and just one skill, you should not have just one portrait. Having different executive portraits is needed to show all your personality facets through the different media you choose. Having several portraits to use is like a real marketing tool: by adapting their use depending on the project and the target to have a full real impact. (Website, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, press release, Annual report, business plan, speaking engagement at conferences, podcasts, guest blogging, online articles, etc..)
I REALLY WANT TO HAVE A TAILORED PORTRAIT SHOOT AND MODERN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS, HOWEVER I WAS PLANNING ON A LOWER BUDGET, DO YOU HAVE LOW COST HEADSHOTS PACKAGES?
We understand that it feels a bit of an investment. However, it is an investment, not a cost. And the return is a very positive one: your executive portraits won't be the only reason you will land your dream job tomorrow or reach your 6 figures sales target tomorrow, however, in our visual era, your executive portraits will get you noticed & remembered, sets you apart from the rest. It will set your foot at the door. A solid & distinctive foot. One that your target audience will remember for sure, feel impressed about and be left with a powerful first impression and the urge to reach out.
Your executive portraits will very clearly set you apart from your competitors & peers. It will be a solid support for the growth of your career or your business.
We are all about making things easy, so we can definitely organize with you a payment plan at no extra charge. Let’s discuss, make things work for both of us & get your personal brand off the ground!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT PHOTOSHOOT AND A PERSONAL BRANDING PHOTOSHOOT?
In reality, these are the same type of portrait photoshoot but some people refer to it as ‘executive portrait shoot’, and some other ‘personal branding shoot’. They both answer the same purpose: to create professional photos for your personal brand. Your personal brand is, in short, ‘your reputation’ (offline and online) and whether you are leading a career in the corporate world or leading your own business, you need to differentiate yourself from your peers and competitors, offline and online. That’s where your personal brand enters the scene and that’s where your professional executive portraits impact your online reputation.
​
This is not something you want to leave up to chance as nowadays, the first time people see you, is through your online professional profile & presence.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT PACKAGE? HOW MANY IMAGES DOES IT INCLUDE?
We have a base package that includes 5 images to choose among your 20 edited favorite images from your portrait session. The whole Portrait Executive Experience (before, during & after the shoot) starts at 1500$. If you would need more than 5 images, there is a purchasing option. Everything is detailed in our pricing menu in the Portrait Executive Brochure that you can receive directly in your inbox.
CAN I SEE THE PHOTOS DURING MY EXECUTIVE HEADSHOTS SESSION?
Yes, absolutely: A personal branding/executive portrait shoot is all about conveying a message and a story. For that particular type of session, we like to shoot ‘tethered’: meaning you see the images directly on a big screen. What it does is to make sure we build together the professional photos you need through the right body language and expressions… it helps us correct and build up together. You will only leave the studio when you are in full satisfaction with your images.
DO YOU DELIVER RAW/UNEDITED PHOTOS ?
Trust us on that one: You don’t know it yet, but to get the type of portraits you have in mind, you want edited images. Professional retouching is what sets apart an image that looks high standards and very professional (even if casual) to a low-cost cheap-looking average home-made or AI made image.
​
We work with a retoucher who does high-end retouching. What does that mean? It means that when you will receive your business portraits, you will not ‘see’( per se) the editing, but you will fully recognize yourself and be like ‘Wow, it’s me, in a natural, rested, neat, ‘after-vacation’ way !’. It will be you, the absolute best version or yourself. She does magazine type of editing, which requires a lot of time and precision to be as refined as possible.
WHAT ARE ALL THE TIPS TO PREPARE
BEFORE YOUR EXECUTIVE HEADSHOTS PHOTOSHOOT
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SESSION AT YOUR NYC STUDIO ?
Our photoshoot schedule gets busy fast so we would advise booking something like 4 weeks in advance.
However, we do know that executives and business owners have some very hectic & busy lives and sometimes deadlines are much shorter: We always keep some time slots open for last minute bookings.
WHEN DO WE HAVE THE ZOOM CONSULTATION TO PREPARE FOR THE HEADSHOT SESSION ?
It depends how long in advance we got in touch before your portrait shoot but it can be 1 week before the shoot, to minimum 2 days prior to your session. We want you to have the time to get the clothes you want for your session.
HOW LONG IS THE ZOOM CONSULTATION BEFORE THE PORTRAIT SESSION?
Don’t worry, we are all about delivering the best experience in an efficient way: the consultation is around 20-30min but if we need more time to discuss all your different needs, messages, etc, we can definitely take the time needed.
CAN I HAVE MY EXECUTIVE PORTRAITS SESSION DURING THE WEEKEND?
Yes, we can absolutely organise your portrait session during the weekend. There is a $200 weekend compensation fee. During the week, we are happy to also accommodate for shoots early mornings and in the evenings.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR AN EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT PHOTOSHOOT IN OUR NYC STUDIO ?
Seat down, breathe… we got you covered.
First, you can click to some tips on what to wear on professional headshots. It will start to give you general guidelines. Then, the outfit is a topic we cover during your pre-photoshoot Zoom consultation. Last but not least, we will send you a pdf guide before your portrait session to summarize all you need to know about your outfit choice.
Before your portrait session, we will have a pre-shoot Zoom consultation for us to discuss everything you need to know: the message you want to convey and how you want to be perceived. We will also be able to answer all the questions you have and guide you on your outfit choices, colors, styling, etc.
​​WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING FOR MY EXECUTIVE HEADSHOTS SESSION ?
Here is a checklist of what is best to bring for your professional headshot session in studio: ​
-
3,4 clean, steamed tops or button down shits, t-shirts, etc.
-
3,4 clean steamed blazers, cardigans, jumpers, etc.
-
2,3 clean, steamed bottoms (Pants (with pockets) / skirts, dresses)
-
1 pair of shoes
-
Accessories: jewels, belt, scarves, pocket square, cufflinks, etc.
-
all your pairs of glasses
​
Specific to women:
-
different type of bras depending on the type of tops you bring (nude color bras for white or see through tops)
-
your favorite shade of lipstick if you have one
​
We will have discussed everything during our Zoom consultation.
HOW MANY OUTFITS CAN I BRING FOR MY EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SESSION?
There is no real limit to the number of changes as we prioritize results over quantity.
We are here to tailor the portrait experience and create the best photos for you. On average it's around 3-5 outfits, but it will all depend on your needs, objectives, and project.
But again, we are not here to set some strict rules (you already face enough of those in the other areas of your life !), we are here to get a job done with excellence and care.
IS THERE AN OPTION FOR PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP AT YOUR NYC PHOTO STUDIO?
Yes, we have a team of Hair & MakeUp artists available for you at our portrait studio in NYC.
For women, we definitely recommend booking our hair and make up additional options, to make sure the results are neat from scratch. First, it is very time efficient to have everything done on-site: no need for you to run around getting your hair and makeup done. You are already too busy and your time is precious.
Second, it takes all the pressure away from your shoulders and not have that responsibility to handle.
For men, feel free to ask us for a makeup and hair quote if you want that additional service.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AND AFTER
YOUR EXECUTIVE HEADSHOT SESSION ?
DOES ALL THE EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SHOOTS TAKE PLACE IN YOUR STUDIO IN NEW YORK CITY ?
We organize executive portrait shoots at our studio NYC and it is also totally possible to organise your portrait session on-location anywhere in Manhattan, Brooklyn , CT, NJ and the US overall. Travel fee will apply but we will always let you know of the amount beforehand. Let's discuss !
CAN I HAVE SOMEONE COME WITH ME AT MY HEADSHOT PORTRAIT SESSION?
Yes, absolutely. We are all about offering you the best possible experience. If having a friend or a spouse coming along with you to make you feel relaxed: no problem at all! The more the merrier!
​
If you have a business partner and you would like to create professional headshots of both of you separately and together, send us an email or fill in the form and we will prepare you a quote.
WILL YOU USE MY PORTRAIT ON YOUR WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA / BLOG?
We are all about communication and full transparency with our clients. If you absolutely want to keep your images private, just let us know, there is a $150 privacy fee and we will not share them.
We are also used to working with high profile clients who need sometimes absolute confidentiality: we are happy to sign a NDA if it makes you feel safer. Let us know.
HOW DO I RECEIVE MY FINAL SELECTION OF PHOTOS?
We make it super easy by sending you a WeTransfer link: No need to have anything installed on your computer or to have any account somewhere.
"HAPPY OR START OVER INSURANCE": WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Truth be told, since our first day of business almost 10 yrs ago, we had to use it only twice! Your satisfaction is what prevails above everything else, so we prefer to keep that option open. By filling the form, you will receive the portrait executive brochure which details all the conditions of this insurance.
​​​
​
If you have an unanswered question after reading this FAQ, best is to receive our Portrait Executive brochure directly to your inbox, and then, if you still have not found the answer, feel free to contact us directly by email studio@portrait-executive.com
​​​​
​
Looking forward to keeping in touch with you on social media !
