"Hi Irene, I am opening a new interior decorating business and am in need of professional headshots/photos of me for website, business cards, print and online advertisements. I will need high resolution files to use for the above in color and B/W. I have no idea what would make a good background - hoping for some good advice... Thanks for any info. Donna"

That was the e-mail that popped into my inbox, and when we spoke on the phone, Donna went into more detail abut the type of business headshot series she was looking for, as well as her past experience with professional photographers.

"I need a business headshot series for my website, Facebook, Houzz, social media, grand opening flyers, ongoing seminars, and business cards. It's fine for the headshots to be done in a photography studio, as long as they have a feel of a home...

I really liked your website and professional headshots. In terms of the style, I liked your environmental business headshots. I don't have to have a crisp image behind me, but I want that feel... I want to look approachable but professional.

The last professional photographer I worked with was for engagement photography and wedding photography. The engagement photos looked great, but a couple of them were over-retouched. While my mother loved it, my nose looked so different. Sure, I want blemishes to be removed, but I still want these professional headshots to look like me."

In the end, Donna and I had a great time working together, and the end result of her business headshots shows exactly that! Many, many thanks to Donna as well for the awesome recommendation of our business headshot services that she so kindly wrote on NextDoor!