J. Gharis Face Photos LLC

05/01/2024

Whether you're athletic or creative, or both...

Telling your story is key. Believable makes buyers.

Picture (no pun intended) coming across a website's about section.

There are two possibilities:

1️⃣ You've got exceptional, expressive and professional team images. They're all consistent with authentic, powerful and purposeful facial expressions. Your entire team look confident, approachable and their images connect with each client who views them. The page aligns with every iota of brand design across your marketing.

The result?

Leads start coming in, with sales to follow closely behind.

2️⃣ The other option would be team images that are a hot mess. Your company decided that investing in the team's visual branding was not a priority. They went the Fast Eddy route. Most visitors to the new site don't know why -only that the page feels "off". Most click through, only to leave and continue searching with your competitors.

➡ Did you really save money? Or did your brand invest poorly and lose out on future sales?

➡ Are you invested in every part of your marketing/branding? If not, I can help create headshot/branding images that align with and tell the story unique to your brand.



I'm Joshua Gharis, expert headshot & branding photography creator, Dad, and life-long creative. I offer "Cheese-Free" Headshots that tell YOUR brand's story. If you want every iota of your branding & marketing to be in synch and speaking the right language, drop me a line soon!

Josh
203-644-4134
[email protected]

Follow my hashtag for additional information and to learn how I can assist you!

04/25/2024

I've Got a Theory...

Perhaps more a hypothesis, but I digress -watch the video
people, you'll get it!

➡ I don't sing in the shower, do people really do that though? If so, what kind of music?

P.S. - If anyone is connected with Maui, let me know; Really trying to get him in for a session soon (watch my last video if you're confused)



I'm Joshua Gharis, expert headshot & branding photography creator, Dad, and life-long creative. I offer "Cheese-Free" Headshots that tell YOUR brand's story. If you want your marketing and images in perfect alignment, drop me a line

Josh
203-644-4134
[email protected]

Follow my hashtag for additional information and to learn how I can assist you!

03/29/2024

"Often times the path is wiggly and wobbly...

You can just be curious, and if you're curious, your dreams will kind of take you by surprise"

-Jacob Collier

I heard those great quotes from Jacob last night and it stuck out to me.

Often times, the path is surely 'wiggly and wobbly". Further, he went on to talk about how not having goals is often freeing. We're all taught to quantify all of our lives. "Once I reach this point, then things will be great" type of stuff.

His point in saying to just be curious, is that when we are truly curious -really wanting to learn and grow each day, all those dreams and goals sort of unfold naturally. Yes, we have to put in footwork, but no, I don't believe we have to have some sort of strict "do exactly this, or else" strategy.

It's not easy to be curious always, but I really tend to agree it's the best way to live. "What's that about?" "How do you do this?" "How did you market and achieve xyz?" For me at least, this mindset is behind my most motivated self. When I am truly curious and eager to learn, doing the "work" comes quite easily.

➡ That's the sweet spot, genuine childlike curiosity. There's no magic "arrival" point in life. It's a topsy-terby, twisting, nutty journey. Enjoy the ride. Stay curious.

➡ What do you all think? Are you really being curious each and everyday?

The photo is of my youngest, Amelia Grace, and her good friend getting ready for her birthday party at our home -in March, for her February birthday. She wanted it like that, why does your party have to be in the same month?

03/20/2024

Four Keys to Discovering Your Branding Value
Attention Marketing Managers (and companies).

Are you maximizing a vitally important asset in branding -your people?

While I don't typically do before and after comparison (I'd rather not feature folks in a way that doesn't match their full potential), I urge everyone to take a realistic accounting of their headshots and personal branding.

A premium, professional headshot can add tremendous value to your overall branding. Further, it is often the first impression/digital storefront for many, many people/brands today. Don't worry, there is a simple recipe to determine whether your visual branding is truly working to your advantage -attracting the clients you want and need.

Question to gage your visual branding's success level:

1️⃣ Are our headshots and branding photos up to date?

2️⃣ Do they represent our people and our brand's identity in the best possible light (being as exceptional visually as the services and teams we provide)?

3️⃣ Would these headshots, on their own, attract and perhaps even win over potential customers or new hires?

4️⃣ Are our headshots and branding photos visually consistent and congruent with our unique brand and messaging?

If the answer to any of these questions is not a resounding "heck yes!" then you may want to consider hiring a professional headshot photographer to help. No, you don't have to choose me. Find an expert though. I'm always happy to have a conversation, whether you're just exploring or ready to tackle a project right now.

I will leave a link below if you'd like to begin your journey towards elevating your brand, while raising everyone's confidence too!

03/13/2024

✨ Five Stellar Benefits of Premium Team Headshots ✨

☎ Calling all Marketing Executives and Office Managers:
📈 Elevate Your Company with Executive Quality Team Headshots!

💠 THE BENEFITS

1️⃣ A Stellar Branding Boost!
Professional team headshots instantly boost your company's brand to a bespoke a premium level -attracting the valuable leads you're after. A hodgepodge of poor quality images is like having a toddler with crayons design your logo -it may have created a result, however it's not elevating your brand to the top!

2️⃣ Creation of Human Connection!
Humanizing your brand with premium team headshots helps clients and partners feel a personal connection with your team members. Seeing the professional and genuine humans behind your brand can foster a sense of comfort, connection and foster deeper, more meaningful relationships

3️⃣ Increased Brand Trustworthiness!
As the old adage goes, "People buy from people they trust"; Having consistent, premium, professional and authentic team headshots really builds trust in your brand. People naturally feel more at ease, and have copious amounts of trust when they're acquainted with your brand's exceptional team.

4️⃣ Enhancement of Consistency!
Consistent headshots across your website, social media, and marketing materials create a unified brand identity, reinforcing brand recognition and strengthening your overall brand image. Nobody would have different fonts, logos and color schemes on each piece of company branding -headshots and visual team branding is no different.

5️⃣ Boosting of Morale!
This is not just a buzzword or phrase. I've personally witnessed the stress melt away as colleagues encourage each other during team headshot sessions. Each member of your team will walk away with increased confidence and self-esteem -feeling truly valued by your company. The infectious atmosphere we create on session days, filled with laughter and smiles, boosts spirits across the entire team!

➡ Investing in professional team headshots is more than just capturing a picture—it's an investment in your company's brand, reputation, and success.

➡ Each human gets an individualized session and expert guidance towards an exceptional headshot image that will enhance your entire brand.

➡ Head over to my LinkedIn profile for more details and for links to my website, pricing, and booking pages. Contact us today to elevate your brand with stunning and impactful team headshots!

(Collage photo for example purposes and is not representative of a specific company's personnel)

03/04/2024

Monday Headshot Tip:

😝 Make faces in front of your mirror...no, you don't have to stick your tongue out -unless you want to!

🤔 I know. I know. It probably feels and seems silly. Like, "Josh, you really want me to make faces and pose in front of a mirror?" My answer is yes. Last week I had a client who wanted something slightly outside of my comfort zone, group portraits. Just like mirror work, pushing outside of your area of comfort can and does pay off.

Full disclosure, they all did a great job and looked professional and genuine. For me, the challenge is in getting everyone in a natural position AND eliciting great expressions from multiple humans simultaneously (without blinks or glances away). I've done this before, so it was totally achievable.

Whether there's 10 people or one on one, when anyone steps in front of my lens it's my job to be your mirror. Similarly to how I get slightly better people skills each time I'm directing another human(s), every time your brain sees how your facial expression looks in relation to how it physically feels it gets reinforced.

💯 Before I began my journey into photographing faces, I genuinely thought (as I'm sure most laypeople do) "how difficult could it be?" That's the thing though, creating a confident, approachable and authentic headshot is literally about millimeters and each detail makes a HUGE impact. A slightly droopy eye can take an amazing headshot and render it pretty terrible.

👔 Of course, that's one of the benefits of hiring an expert like myself; I will be there directing and guiding you -being your mirror the entire time. That being said, if it were me, I'd want to be prepared and ahead of the game.

🧗‍♀️ Practice makes BETTER. So, go ahead, start making every face you can think of -even if it feels totally silly. You'll discover what "feels strange" but looks great and be ready to rock your next headshot.

➡ If you'd like tips and ideas to practice, follow my hashtag, " " for weekly tips and more.

➡ How do you feel about making faces in the mirror (lol)?

02/26/2024

Monday Headshot Tip:

🏖 Take it easy!

🤸‍♀️ Life is busy. We're often wound up, running to the next "to do", and rarely have the time to relax.

🧘‍♀️ One of the most important things in what I do, and the difference between an "awkward" headshot and an exceptional one is being comfortable. While I cannot tell you or your team exactly what to do, finding ways to be as relaxed as possible will make your headshot session much smoother.

😧 Of course, even if you're still a bit anxious or nervous after a soothing meditation, calming tea, or what have you -I got ya covered. From engaging in conversation prior to any photography work, to crazy one liners that help your inner voice stay in the now, a HUGE part of what I do is creating a relaxed, confidence-building atmosphere.

➡ This ensures that you headshots appear genuine, natural, and truly authentic -connecting you directly with your ideal audience. You'll look AND feel as confident as you ought to.

➡ So LinkedIn family, how do you relax in life?

02/23/2024

Happy Birthday Amelia, and big sister, Bella!

If I don't respond today to business related inquiries, it's because we're lucky enough as a family to be spending the whole day celebrating with each other!

Thanks Everyone!

02/22/2024

Sometimes, less really is more.

💎 Everyone, this is the down-to-Earth, hilarious, intelligent and dedicated Andrea Weber, SHRM-CP. She is kicking butt as a top-notch human resources professional with TEKsystems. Andrea is a true gem, and was even willing to try a fun trick I learned from the renowned headshot mentor, Peter Hurley. We pulled that lovely hair out of the way, allowing her killer expression to take centerstage and went to work!

🌠 The goal in doing so is to really highlight the most important part of any headshot -the human being, YOU! Everything should draw viewers to you and your team. This applies in visual branding and headshots, but also in every aspect of any branding. Remember, folks are inodiated with stimuli from everywhere.

📌 My point? Communicating your brand's message effectively AND simply is best. I try to place myself in my ideal client's shoes. Whether they're viewing my social media posts, headshot or website, are they going to feel overwhelmed or drawn in to my brand's message?

📝 Don't worry if this doesn't come naturally; As a bit of a talker, communicating simply and with elegance is something I am constantly improving at. I like to imagine how companies like Apple do branding; Think about those giant iPhone displays and how you're drawn straight towards an almost magical looking iPhone at the center.

➡ What do you all think - Does "keeping it simple" come naturally or is it something you're working to improve upon?

➡ Andrea Weber, SHRM-CP though? She's leading the way in human resources at TEKsystems and generally kicking butt -no matter what hairstyle she's got.

➡ Cheers to Andrea Weber, SHRM-CP in 2024 while wishing her continued success at TEKsystems
(personal ask: please refrain from connecting with Andrea, unless you know her or have a reasonable reason to do so. In other words, don't spam Andrea out of respect to her as my client and a fellow human)

02/19/2024

➡ Monday Headshot Tip:
Stand up. No, really -that's all.

🔑 This is simple, but key. Most folks don't consider posture too much when thinking about headshots. You must have great body position though. It can and will be seen, even in tightly cropped headshots.

🚶‍♀️ Your feet should be about shoulder width apart, comfortable, and with toes facing slightly out (Megan, below, wasn't demonstrating what I would recommend for a headshot posture). Your shoulder blades should be back, and in line with your spine. They should also remain relaxed. Your sternum should be up and out.

02/19/2024

02/19/2024

🧦 The Footwork: Behind the Scenes of Reaching Goals

➡ 2024 Goal: Inspiring the Confidence of 50 Humans through premium branding and headshots 🔹 Update: After a slow January, I have 4 humans who have taken the leap and will be now become part of reaching this goal

🎞 I included this awesome shot of Penny Wickey, president of Saugatuck Commercial Real Estate, a female leader both herself and throughout her professional journey. She bravely jumped on board despite "not having ever taken a good photo" of herself.

🥂 The results? Look at her! Better still is the fact that she walked away more confident -glowing radiantly as she shared them with her daughter who'd just arrived at the office.

🏋‍♀️ What is not seen though, all the work both myself and ladies like Penny put in to end up in a position to experience transformations like this and reach our goals. In Penny's case, she is someone who has been working within her company and with WBENC organizations for a long time. She also had great help in place, like Marianne Adamo who immediately connected Penny and I.

🧗‍♂️ For myself (in general, not just with Penny's story), it has been a long road begin confidently pursing my business and passion for photography full-time. I didn't discover headshot photography until my thirties, and seeing mostly stories online, I thought it was simply a matter of become great at creating headshots. Take class images and people will flock to me, -right?

📝 Anyone in business will realize this is far from the case, and although I lacked the experience to initially realize this - I learned the true extent and footwork my goals would entail. Asking, learning, growing and most of all implementing action consistently over time is what I have found is required.

💯 Having a fantastic product or service is necessary, yet it is only step one of a lifelong path for me (and many of us). The people/networking side of business, the branding and looking premium are equally paramount in creating a successful vision and reaching those business dreams.

📷 Stepping up your visual branding is a simple, but very crucial step towards growing and expanding any professional brand-related goals you have. It will communicate to the world the immense confidence possess, as an expert and professional. Better still, headshots/branding with me will tap into the inner confidence you have.

🎇 Come join me on our journey towards 50 brands and lives transformed. You deserve to impress yourself!

What goals do you have in 2024 and what actions will likely get you closer to them?



A special thanks to Penny P. Wickey, Marianne Adamo and Saugatuck Commercial Real Estate LLC.