Why Your Business Portrait Still Matters (Even in the Age of AI)

These days, it’s easy to see why some business owners turn to AI for their headshots—it’s fast, cheap, and just a few clicks away. But as a photographer (and a business owner myself), I truly believe nothing replaces the real thing.

How Business Portraits Help You Connect With Your Audience

When you’re building a brand and trying to connect with your audience—especially online—your portrait plays a big role in earning trust. And trust doesn’t come from a perfect image. It comes from you—your presence, your energy, your personality. And that only comes through when you step in front of the camera.

Whether you need a portrait for your LinkedIn, your website, or your team page, working with a professional photographer makes a difference. You’re not just getting a picture—you’re getting guidance, intention, and someone who sees your brand the way you want it seen.

This past season, I had the privilege of photographing two amazing entrepreneurs—Sallie and Erin—during a pop-up headshot event, plus an entire real estate team at Oakwood Homes. All three sessions were different, but they had one thing in common: they wanted portraits that felt like them.

Let’s dive in and share a little bit more about each one.

Portraits That Bloom: Sallie’s Business Photography Session

Sallie showed up to the pop-up headshot event in the most gorgeous floral dress—which made perfect sense once I learned she owns a flower business! Her portraits are full of warmth and personality, just like her.

She named her business after her grandkids, which I thought was such a sweet and meaningful touch. We even captured a few action shots of her building a bouquet during the session—it was amazing to watch her in her element.

Sallie started her business just about a year ago and has been growing it little by little right from her living room. She’ll be using her new portraits for her website and social media, and I’m so excited to see how they help her share her passion with the world.

If you get the chance, check out her flower arrangements on Facebook—she creates beautiful, heartfelt work.

Building a Travel Brand with Personality: Erin’s Branding Session

Erin is a travel advisor with a passion for curating unforgettable getaways. Whether you’re planning a European adventure or just a quick weekend escape here in Arizona, Erin is your girl.

She actually started out in real estate but quickly realized her heart was in travel. She finds so much joy in researching destinations, creating travel experiences, and helping people explore the world—especially Europe. And let me tell you, she’s great at it.

Fun fact: Erin was the one who planned the pop-up headshot event! She picked the beautiful location in Mesa where we held the sessions, and it was absolutely perfect.

If you’re looking for a quick, fun local getaway—or you’re ready to book that dream trip overseas—I highly recommend connecting with Erin. She brings heart, insight, and a personal touch to every trip she plans.

Clean & Classic Headshots for a Growing Real Estate Team

Oakwood Homes reached out for updated team portraits as part of a website refresh. They knew exactly what they wanted—classic business headshots with a clean gray background, simple shoulders-up framing, and a natural, professional pose. Sometimes, the basics are all you need to make a strong impression.

I worked with Megan to organize the session, and we photographed 19 team members at their office in Tempe. The team was friendly, organized, and easy to work with—it was a quick in-and-out session, but the results speak volumes.

The group photo we captured (which I’m sharing here) shows just how connected and cohesive their team really is. Their new gallery now reflects the professionalism they bring to their real estate work.

I also learned that while their office is based in Tempe, Oakwood builds communities in Surprise and Coolidge.

Why Business Portraits Matter for Entrepreneurs and Personal Brands

One of the most fun and fulfilling parts of doing business portraits is getting to meet so many incredible entrepreneurs. Every session is a chance to hear someone’s story—why they started, who they’re doing it for, and what lights them up.

Sometimes it’s about family. Sometimes it’s a second act after retirement. Sometimes it’s just a spark of joy that turned into something bigger. But one theme keeps coming up: freedom. The freedom to choose your schedule, to follow your passion, and to create something that feels meaningful.

That freedom is what I’m working toward, too. I’m not doing photography and Mary Kay full-time yet, but that’s the goal. I hope they’ll provide the flexibility and fulfillment I dream about—and hopefully, it won’t take too long to get there.

So if you’re a business owner who needs a new headshot for LinkedIn, your website, or social media—or if your whole team needs updated portraits—I’d love to help. We’ll create something professional, genuine, and true to you.

After all, you became a business owner for a reason. You took the leap, built something from the ground up, and you show up every day. Let your audience see you. A real portrait. A real face. Because that matters.