Show Up Like You Mean It: Portraits That Reflect Your Why
There’s a particular energy to August. Not quite the sprint of the new year, not yet the coast-into-holiday-mode of December. Just a slightly quieter hum — enough space to catch your breath, dig into the archive, and ask yourself if that thing you meant to do in March is still relevant (spoiler: it is).
This is usually when I’m deep in portraits. Not the school kind — though I do those, too — but the kind where adults willingly (sort of) step in front of the camera for the first time in years. Business owners. Creatives. Founders. People who’ve built something meaningful and are now tasked with looking like themselves… on cue.
And here’s the truth: most people would rather do almost anything else.
But that’s where the magic happens. I don’t photograph people to chase a polished, freeze-dried version of “professional.” I’m not after the LinkedIn-perfect smile or the standard arms-crossed pose (unless that’s your thing, in which case, great — own it). What I’m really after is honesty. A kind of ease. The moment when something real cracks through the nerves and posturing — a wry smile, a thoughtful pause, a blink of joy or confidence that says, this is me, actually.
Sharon McGlinchey, skincare pioneer and founder of MV Skintheraphy. Bold, adventurous and unapologetic.
When I first started photographing professionals, I thought I had to prove something — with complicated lighting, bold locations, clever tricks to make the shoot feel Important. But over time, I learned to trust the quiet stuff. The subtlety of a glance, the power of stillness, the courage it takes just to show up and be seen. Through all the founders, educators, consultants, and makers I’ve photographed, I learned that a portrait isn’t just a headshot. It’s a chapter of your brand story. A visual cue that says: Here’s who I am. Here’s what I care about. Here’s what it feels like to work with me.
And people feel that. Whether they’re browsing your website or pausing mid-scroll, a strong image — one rooted in truth, not performance — invites connection. It supports the story your business is already telling through your values, your voice, your work. These portraits aren’t just about building a brand (though they help). They’re about showing who you are beneath the elevator pitch. They’re a visual handshake — the kind that lingers long after the page is closed or the profile is scrolled past.
10th generation of sock maker Andrew Lindner. This is what Andrew cares about, almost 300 years of craftsmanship. Yes, I did say 300 years.
A good portrait doesn’t just show what you look like — it reflects what you’re about.
If your services are grounded, empathetic, and thoughtful, your portrait should feel the same. If your business is bold and boundary-pushing, let that come through in the way you’re lit, the space you’re in, the way you hold yourself.
Because when there’s alignment between who you are and how you present yourself — that’s when connection happens. Clients notice. Audiences feel it. Your community recognizes it. And you, perhaps most importantly, feel at ease knowing you're showing up as yourself.
But here’s the part that often gets overlooked:
Before you step in front of the camera, it helps to know why you're doing it.
Knowing your “why” — the heart behind your business — gives your portrait purpose. And pairing that with a well-considered strategy around how you want your business to be perceived makes all the difference. It helps shift the focus from “how do I look?” to “how do I want people to feel when they see this?”
A portrait rooted in your values and strategy doesn’t just sit on a bio page — it works with your brand. It helps clarify your message, build trust, and create recognition. It tells the right story to the right people.
That’s why I often work in collaboration with branding agencies and creative teams. Whether we’re creating images for a website launch, a full rebrand, or a simple refresh, these portraits are carefully crafted to brief — designed to sit seamlessly within your broader visual language. That partnership ensures every element, from tone to setting to energy, supports your brand’s goals and growth.
Because this isn’t just a photo — it’s a piece of your story.
And we want to get that story right.
So, if we’ve worked together this year — thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your story, your process, your awkward pre-shoot jitters. Thank you for trusting me to see you — not just your business card version, but the real, layered human behind it. I get it, and I am grateful.
If we haven’t worked together yet — and you’re thinking about refreshing your visuals or bringing more honesty into your brand’s storytelling — know this: it doesn’t have to feel stiff. Or overly styled. Or like someone else entirely.
It just has to feel like you.
You bring your presence. I’ll bring the camera, the calm, and the coffee (optional, but encouraged).
Let’s tell your story
Jay