Your session is built to capture confidence and approachability —your digital handshake. I guide micro‑expressions, posture, and angles so you look like yourself on your best day. We review images together as we go, refine what’s working, and zero in on the winners.
Tight framing that prioritizes expression and eye contact. Expect guided coaching, clean backgrounds, and multiple outfit options.
Typical timing: ~45–90 minutes for individuals. For team days, plan ~15-30 minutes per person.
A broader mix of images—headshots, ¾, and portraits—for websites, PR, and social. We vary backgrounds, lighting, and distance to tell a cohesive story.
Typical timing: 2–3 hours, depending on looks.
Executives / Corporate:
Personal Branding:
Actors/Performers:
If you’re unsure about an outfit or styling choice, bring it. Options give us creative flexibility, and we’ll decide together on set.
Bring more options than you think you'll need — if it isn't there, we can't shoot it. Aim for solids and rich textures over busy patterns, and lean on layers like blazers, jackets, and cardigans for instant variety. Tailored beats loose, so steam or iron ahead of time. We plan your looks together and decide on set, so there's no wrong choice — when in doubt, bring it.
Mid-tones and deeper neutrals photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your face. If you want to go bold, bring a neutral backup so we have options. Choose necklines that flatter your jawline (collar, V-neck, or crew), and keep jewelry minimal and non-distracting unless it's part of your personal brand.
Arrive with your hair styled the way you'd like to be seen, and avoid last-minute drastic changes. Makeup is optional and a paid option is available; a camera-friendly, natural base works best and we can build intensity as we go. Bring a brush or comb and any products you rely on, plus lip balm, pressed powder or blotting papers, and your preferred lipstick or gloss.
Hydrate, sleep well, and avoid new treatments or heavy sun exposure 48–72 hours before your shoot. Don't worry about minor blemishes or stray hairs — those are handled in professional retouching.
We follow four steps: Plan (confirm your goals, outfits, and backgrounds), Shoot (Dima directs your expression and posture to capture a range of options), Review (we evaluate images on screen during the session and keep only the strongest), and Select (you choose your finals on set or from a curated proof gallery).
Individual chest-up headshot sessions run about 45–90 minutes. Personal branding sessions with a broader mix of images typically run 2–3 hours depending on the number of looks. For team days, plan roughly 15–30 minutes per person.
Selected images receive professional retouching and are delivered sized for web and print, with a typical turnaround of 3–5 business days. Rush turnaround is available when you're on a deadline.
Bring it. Options give us creative flexibility, and we'll decide together on set. Over-packing is always better than wishing you had a piece you left at home.
Now that you know how to prepare, see how a session works for your service and city across the San Francisco Bay Area.