N. Lalor Photography

06/11/2026

Headshots might seem simple, but they’re actually a very specific niche. It’s a mix of lighting, technical skill, and a healthy dose of psychology. 🧠

A wedding or landscape photographer is great at what they do, but making a single person feel relaxed and powerful in a one-on-one studio setting is a different beast entirely.

When you work with a specialist, you’re paying for:
- The "Non-Model" Expert: Someone who knows how to pull a real expression and a comfortable pose out of anyone. 📸
- Technical Precision: The ability to set up lighting that matches an existing set of company headshots. 💡
- Tailored Results: Knowing exactly how to make you look your absolute best.

It's about more than just a camera; it's about the experience and the results. ✨

N. Lalor Photography
📍 575 Riverside Ave. Westport, CT 06880
ℹ️ www.nlalorphotography.com
💌 [email protected]
📞 203-490-6673

06/09/2026

We’ve all seen those overly airbrushed photos where someone’s skin looks like plastic. It’s given retouching a bad name, and I can tell you right now: that isn’t the work of a highly trained professional.

My approach is different. I’ve been using Photoshop since 1998, and I’ve put in the time to learn exactly what "going too far" looks like. 💻

I believe retouching is essential to a polished professional headshot, covering things like:
- Stray hairs that need taming 💇‍♀️
- Jacket wrinkles that need smoothing 👔
- Blemishes that appeared the morning of your shoot 🧼
- The "Perfect Night's Sleep" look for your eyes 😴

But the most important part? When you zoom in, you will definitely still have your skin texture, your freckles, and age-appropriate wrinkles, just as you should!

It’s about looking like the best version of you, not a digital filter. ✨

N. Lalor Photography
📍 575 Riverside Ave. Westport, CT 06880
ℹ️ www.nlalorphotography.com
💌 [email protected]
📞 203-490-6673

06/04/2026

Nearly everyone arrives saying, “I don’t know what to do with my hands,” or “My face feels weird.” ✋🤔

That’s totally normal! And honestly? You don't need to know how to pose. That’s my job.

- I’ll guide you through every tiny movement, including:
- Relaxing your shoulders 🧘‍♂️
- Where to point your chin 📐
- Those "tiny two-inch shifts" that make a massive difference on camera.
- Once you see the results, the nerves usually disappear pretty fast. 💨

The key, of course, is having someone who can see what you look like on the other side of the camera and tell you exactly what to do for the best results. This takes years of learning posing, and it makes a huge difference in the final images! 📸✨

N. Lalor Photography
📍 575 Riverside Ave. Westport, CT 06880
ℹ️ www.nlalorphotography.com
💌 [email protected]
📞 203-490-6673

06/02/2026

Your headshot should definitely look polished, but it also needs to look human. A genuine smirk or a relaxed posture makes you look approachable and confident. During our session, we’ll try a range of looks:

- Warm and inviting 😊
- "I mean business" 💼
- Everything in between!

We do this so you can choose the one that feels most authentic when you see them later. A lot of people also prefer a specific expression for themselves, which is where, once again, that collaboration is important! 🤝✨

N. Lalor Photography
📍 575 Riverside Ave. Westport, CT 06880
ℹ️ www.nlalorphotography.com
💌 [email protected]
📞 203-490-6673

06/01/2026

New post on the Blog here:

Your headshot is easily one of the most hardworking pieces of your personal brand. Over the years, I’ve photographed hundreds of professionals here in my Westport studio. I’ve seen it all. The good news? Most headshot "fails" are actually really easy to avoid.

05/28/2026

“Don't all headshots just look the same?” 🤔

If you’ve spent any time on LinkedIn, you’ve seen the "corporate clone" look—everyone on the same white or gray background with the same tilt of the head. 👤

But a headshot specialist doesn't do cookie-cutter. Your session should be built around you:
- The Vibe: A creative freelancer needs a completely different energy than a corporate executive. 🎨
- The Setting: We’ll adjust the background and the mood based on your personality. 💡
- The Strategy: We look at where these photos are actually going to live (website, social, or press).

The goal isn’t to look like everyone else; it’s to look like you. ✨

05/26/2026

A lot of people think a headshot session is just standing against a white wall for thirty seconds while someone snaps a single photo. 📸

In reality, a great headshot is a collaboration. I don’t just press the shutter button and hope for the best.

Usually, I will:
- Adjust the lighting until it’s absolutely perfect 💡
- Fine-tune the angles 📐
- Test out different expressions until we hit that natural, relaxed look (which isn’t easy, actually!) ✨

You will even see the photos on my laptop screen as we go, so you can tell me what you love (and what you don't). It’s a relaxed, conversational process designed to make you look like the best version of yourself—and it doesn’t happen without that teamwork.🤝

N. Lalor Photography
📍 575 Riverside Ave. Westport, CT 06880
ℹ️ www.nlalorphotography.com
💌 [email protected]
📞 203-490-6673

05/21/2026

I’ve always believed that you never truly stop being a student, no matter how long you have been behind the lens. 📸✨

Earning my Associate Accreditation with The Portrait Masters several years ago was a huge milestone, but it was really about more than just the medal. For me, accreditation is about a commitment to excellence and high standards in an industry that is constantly evolving. 🏆

It means my work has been held up to the light and critiqued by some of the best portrait photographers in the world, ensuring that the quality I’m delivering to my clients is consistent and technically sound. 🎨

Even years later, that foundation of technical skill and artistry is what allows me to push my creative boundaries today. I’m always looking for ways to grow because my clients deserve nothing less than the best. 📈

05/19/2026

If your session includes half-body or three-quarter images, avoid hiding your hands completely. 👐 Rest them naturally - on your lap, crossed gently, or at your sides. ✨

We hold tension in our hands, so fidgeting or gripping your hands can make you look tense, sometimes even if they aren’t even in the photo. 🧘‍♂️📸

05/14/2026

Your facial expression actually says more than your outfit ever could. People often assume they need a massive, toothy smile, but that is not always true. What matters most is that your expression feels genuine to who you are.

For LinkedIn, the ideal look usually strikes a balance between confidence and approachability. Here is how to find that "sweet spot" during your session:

✅ Aim for a soft smile with engaged eyes. Think of the expression you would have when greeting a client you actually like! 😊

✅ If you are a naturally "smiley" person, go for the big smile. It is always better to be yourself than to look "posed."

✅ Try a few different vibes, from relaxed and neutral to a friendly grin. It gives you options for everything from a formal bio to a casual post. 👔

If smiling feels forced, try thinking of something that genuinely makes you proud. Real emotion reads beautifully on camera and makes you look like someone people actually want to work with. 🤝