Featuring: Citizen Relations Vancouver--Corporate Editorial Portraits on Location

The last office standing (so to speak) in making my rounds of the Canadian offices of Citizen Relations International was Vancouver.   I've really been looking forward to heading up to Vancouver, as my parents have spent a great deal of time up there and have waxed poetic about the city.  And it certainly didn't disappoint.

Vancouver is a stunning city--feeling city-like and yet homey all at the same time. It felt healthy and outdoorsy and like a place that I could definitely see myself living.  Except for the cost of living!  I heard time and time again, how expensive it is to actually live in Vancouver.  As in, the second most expensive city IN THE WORLD...behind Hong Kong!  Take that California!

But I found the people of Vancouver to be amazingly friendly and helpful.  And as always, the Citizens of Citizen Relations were extraordinary!

At the end, we did a fun group shot.  Well, a serious and a fun group shot.

Thanks for the hospitality, Vancouver!

Think you'd like me to photograph your team? Get in touch!

5 Super Simple Tips If You Hate to Have Your Business Portrait Taken

I get it.

I'm not fond of being in front of the camera either, and that works in your favor, because I GET YOU!  But business portraits are a part of your business--a BIG part.  It's often your first and best chance to make a strong impression and your very best marketing tool.  It should be the best representation of you possible.

So here are 5 super simple tips to make sure we get great images of YOU:

BE YOU!  Look like yourself.  If you wear glasses, wear them!  If your thing is a scruffy beard, wear it with confidence.  Be who you are and not what you think you should be so you can be relaxed in your own skin.

GET SLEEP, WATER AND FOOD.  Party some other time--the night before your portrait, make sure you get sleep.  Eat so you aren't cranky and drink plenty of water.  (Really, hydrating does wonders for the way you look!)

WEAR SOMETHING YOU LOVE.  Wear something you feel smokin' in.  If you feel GREAT, it'll come across.  You might want to stick with simple and classic though, (which doesn't have to mean boring!) because cutting edge fashion tends to look dated quickly.

DON'T BE NERVOUS.  Easier said than done, but remember it only takes one good portrait and I promise you'll have that and more!

HAVE FUN!  I've got tunes, a sense of humor and lots of experience with people who hate to have their portraits taken so relax and let's have fun!

If you'd like MORE suggestions on how to prepare for your business portrait, click here or here.  For great makeup tips when you don't have a makeup artist, click here.

I can't wait to see you!

Featuring: Citizen Relations LA--Corporate Editorial portraits on location

Although I've been in almost all the Citizen Relations offices this past year (I'm coming for you next month Vancouver!) being back in the Los Angeles office of Citizen Relations last week was like home.  I (half) jokingly told Chris Chamberlin, Managing Director Asia Pacific Region, on my first visit to the Playa Vista office that it was going to become my LA studio and was really happy when he told me (and I think, not jokingly!) that I was welcome to it.

The light--the light there.  Gorgeous, beautiful, full wall window light with a fantastic ledge for leaning or sitting.  A huge space, just perfection.  Don't get me wrong--I have loved all of my spaces in all the Citizen offices all over the world.  But how I love my hometown light.  The light came in and out as the clouds broke, giving me some very cool light patterns to work with in the background.

And no matter what office I'm at, the Citizen offices are in the cool parts of town--and the LA office calls Playa Vista home surrounded by the likes of Google, Yahoo, Facebook--so I always feel like a super cool cat when I'm there.

And then there are the citizens of Citizen Relations.  I can't say enough cool stuff about them.  And although I've now heard lots of times how great I made them feel, the feeling is mutual.  Here's a peek at just a couple of the pretty awesome peeps--just for fun I gave them a little bit of matte finish and love how it feels.

When will I take your portrait?

Featuring: Citizen Relations UK--Corporate Editorial Portraits on Location

I'm beyond excited to share my shoot with the global PR firm Citizen Relations UK team.

When the dates were confirmed for me to fly over the pond, I arranged for my family to join me and for us to travel first to Paris and then a week later to London for my shoot. The day before the shoot, we took the Eurostar from Paris to London and got settled in our hotel. A definite benefit to hitting Paris first was the ability to arrive in London, jet lag far behind, ready to shoot.

I arrived at the UK office early to take a look around to find my spot. Although I knew HOW I would be shooting to maintain the consistent look I'd established so far, what I didn't know was WHERE I would be shooting.  All of the Citizen offices have had lovely large windows and lots of white walls and ceilings to bounce light around and happily, the London office was no exception.  I choose several spots near each other that gave me flexibility to work as the light moved through the day.  The sun came and went throughout the day, as might be expected in London and I met and photographed some pretty exceptional Citizens.  Brilliant.

Here's a peek!

This is Immy.  Gorgeous!

This is Lily--I wish I'd had time to take her out and shoot on the streets of London--we had so much fun!

Nadia--those eyes!

Mark is the Managing Director of the UK office by day and farmer by night.  Sort of like Superman!

Tom, British GQ called wondering if you are available for the cover.