When most people think of headshots, they picture a simple portrait with a clean background and a polished smile. While there's absolutely a time and place for that, I love when a session goes beyond the standard business photo and tells a little more of your story.
This lifestyle headshot session was exactly that.
She came to me needing updated images for her professional profile, but she also wanted photos that felt authentic to who she is outside of work. We weren't just creating a new headshot—we were creating images that reflected her personality, her values, and the things that matter most to her.
We started the afternoon at a beautiful studio in Downtown McKinney, where we captured a mix of polished business portraits and more relaxed, personality-filled images. The studio space gave us a clean, modern backdrop while still allowing plenty of room to have fun and create natural expressions.
One of my favorite parts of the session was incorporating several of her cowboy hats. Each one had its own story and sentimental meaning, making them much more than simple accessories. They became part of the story we were telling through her images.
After wrapping up in the studio, we met back up later that evening in Parker, Texas, for a completely different look. The open field, weathered rustic barn, and beautiful Texas sunset created the perfect setting for more relaxed lifestyle portraits. As if the evening couldn't get any better, the clouds put on an incredible show, adding texture and color to the sky that made every frame even more memorable.
She also brought along her Bible, another meaningful piece of who she is. Including personal items like these adds depth to a session and creates photographs that feel genuine rather than staged. These are the kinds of details that make your images uniquely yours.
As someone who photographs seniors most of the time, it was refreshing to step into something a little different. Creative sessions like this remind me how much I enjoy capturing people in every stage of life—not just milestone moments, but the everyday stories that deserve to be remembered too.
Whether you need updated branding images, professional headshots, or simply want portraits that reflect who you are beyond your job title, your session doesn't have to fit into a box. Bringing meaningful items, choosing locations that matter to you, and creating a variety of looks can result in images you'll use for years—and actually enjoy seeing.
If you've been putting off updating your headshots, let's create something that feels like you.
