10 Favorite Beach Sessions of 2021

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Kyra

Throughout our time with Kyra at the beach — in fact, anytime we’re with Kyra at any location — we experience a person who’s always so genuine and open and authentic that any picture we take feels like it was meant to be. Such is the case here with this classic ‘ballet-on-the-beach” shot. What could have been a total cliche feels so free and natural because, well, Kyra is always so free and natural. We’re watching Kyra enjoy a lot of success in the acting and modeling business and we know the secret reason why.

Heather

We’ve done a half dozen sessions with Heather since we met a few years ago and we’re so impressed with how her modeling skills continue to grow. She’s always had the right moves and a wealth of confidence but, lately, we’ve watched that evolve into the kind of stuff you see from A-level models in cities like New York and Paris. This picture from last year’s session at the beach was, to our eyes, a moment when she owned her beauty and her style in way we’d never seen before. She’s truly a joy to photograph.

Some Dude on a Boogie Board

What can I say? I was waiting for a clothing change, saw this guy doing his thing in the shallows and asked if I could take his picture. It took a few takes but we managed to capture him mid-air. (I used to do sport photography so, truth be told, it wasn’t that hard.)

Mya

We’ve been photographing people at the beach for the better part of 8 years and Mya has been with us the whole way. We love this picture because it so different from what we typically shoot in the sand, from the pink glasses (that match her hair) to the sparkly denim jacket to the ‘crybaby’ necklace. Her skin against the gold sand, her jacket against the blue skin, the light falling across her face. Yeah, it’s pretty perfect.

Amara

To us, this feels like a poster for a coming-of-age movie set in the Hamptons or at Cape Cod, sometime in the 80s. There she is: looking to her future. Cue 80s music and that’s a wrap.

Lilian

To us, Lilian is the consummate beach girl. Maybe it’s the way her sparkling blue eyes and golden blonde hair jump out from the beach blue and tan background. Maybe it’s the way she grabs the camera and makes you pay attention (s0mething she’s been doing since we started working with her years ago). Or maybe it’s just because she’s Lilian and she’s fabulous.

Eva

Many a musician has been quoted as saying “writing about music is like dancing about architecture" (or, as Martin Mull once said, “talking about music is like singing about economics".) The same can be said for photos: sometimes they should be left to speak for themselves. And so this one does exactly that. Our only regret about this session was that it had to end.

Kloe

It’s never a question of whether Kloe’s beach pictures will be included in a “best of” collection, it’s a question of how many and which ones. We hate picking just one but, with those rules afoot, we always come back to this one. It is for us a remarkable blend of beauty and innocence with strength and power. It reminds us of the Claudia Schiffer Guess images from the 1980s and, for that we say: cool.

Good News and Positive Vibrations - Summer '22 Edition

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We start our summer edition of celebratory hugs and high fives with congratulations to one of our favorite clients, Kyra Wisely (Ryan Artists), who stars in a new music video by Portland singer, songwriter, producer and Other Lives frontman, Jesse Tabish. The past few months have been busy ones for Kyra, who recently worked with our friend Kate Woodman on the film The Thieving Wood while simultaneously completing training as a Pilates instructor.

While we’re on the topic of music, let’s get props out to our new friend and client, Matt Putnam, on his upcoming album release, Oregon. He’ll be releasing singles throughout the summer with the full album dropping in September. We totally dig his music (and we’re definitely music snobs) so take our advice and hit up his IG or his website and take a listen.

When we connected recently with actor and comedian Matt Berger to schedule headshot updates, he shared news that he scored a commercial booking on a new spot for Freightliner trucks. He’s also taking classes with the folks over at Kickstand Comedy.

It probably seems like we talk about Piper Evenhus (ZT Agency) all the time. All we can say is: when she stops booking we’ll stop talking about her! This past month, along with celebrating her birthday, Piper added a commercial for Langer’s Entertainment Center (see below) to her resume. We’re losing count but we think that makes three commercial bookings for Miss Piper this year.

Piper Evenhus, at our studio, 2021.

Down in Los Angeles, big things are brewing for one of our all-time favorite human beings, Kyra Bissett. Along with being a talented actor, model and clothing designer, Kyra recently styled actress Xochitl Gomez for the world premier of Jurassic World. Hit up Kyra’s IG, scroll down a couple of boxes and see the amazing dress she styled for the occasion.

Big congratulations to another one of our favorite peeps, Neil Green, on his role in Em Weinstein’s film In France Michelle Is a Man’s Name, which recently appeared on Showtime as part of their Spotlights short film series.

Karissa Hamilton

Matt Putnam, entertaining us in the great big field in front of our studio

One of our favorite new clients, Chris Brantley, has been crushing it in his (somewhat new) adventures in acting. He just wrapped the lead role in Twilight Theater’s production of Harvey Fierstein’s Casa Valentino. There’s no rest for Mr. Brantley, though: next month he heads to Montana to film a new TV show, details about which we will share in due time.

Since graduating from CalArts last May, our friend Tristan Boesch has been cast at Classical Theatre Lab, done a Jack In The Box commercial and recently closed work on a show at Experience Theatre Project. Recently signed with ZT Agency, he’s also working at Northwest Children’s Theatre.

Kyra Bissett, Los Angeles, December 2021

It’s been a minute since we’ve seen Option Agency actor Jessica Geffen in front of our camera and now we know why. She’s currently rehearsing the role of Sandy Cho in playwright, director and ‘theatrical violence designer’ David Bareford’s Don Quixote de La Center. The play, which is a semi-finalist in the Market House Theatre’s 2022 New Play Competition, opens locally on August 11. While she’s not busy on the big stage, she’s busy in the small booth, doing voiceover work for an animated series called American Kintsugi.

Over in our kid’s community, our friend Jude Matero has signed with an LA manager while actor Karissa Hamilton has signed with MMG NY and WHO Management and was selected to compete in the California IPOPS (International Presentation of Performers), a singing, acting, and modeling competition. 

Back here in Portland, Michael Morrison, who recently signed with Ryan Artists, booked a feature film called I Need You Dead and is in pre-production on a film called Sol Date. Our friend, Kylie Rose, has been busy co-writing the musical Bad World (produced by Crave Theater Company).

Rounding out of long list of high fives and celebratory hug, big props go out to Kaleigh Macchio, who’s working on the feature film, Somewhere in Montana, with Graham McTavish as well as the pilot for Tavern Brawl.

Our friend Signe Olson (The Option Agency) was recently cast in the short film Further In and longtime client Olga Kratsova, along with her theater grad work in Seattle, spent this past winter producing and performing in Heart of Stone, a “coming-of-age story of famed Russian choreographer Alisher Khasanov, who also directs the play and leads the ensemble theatre group.”

Have some good news and positive vibrations to share? Send us an email here and we’ll shout it from the rooftops.

Featured Photos - June 2022

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Spring is here, summer’s on the way and Portland is ready for new headshots and portfolios.

Katharine, For Fun

Katharine is actually a sales engineer in the medical field but you wouldn’t know it from looking at her pictures. She checked in with us for a portfolio shoot because it was something she always wanted to do. Bucket list item complete. Check! Pictures awesome. Check!

Terri, Parth and Tracy, Moving Forward

Terri, Parth and Tracy are unsigned actors who came to us for new headshots, knowing that a quality image is a key tool in their marketing profile. Each picture feels uniquely personal to them and that means we’re hitting all the cues.

Samantha, Playfully

Ryan Artists talent Samantha came to visit us for a new portfolio as she expands her young career as a model and actor. You can tell from her pictures that she has great range, from fun to serious, that will pay off boldly in the months to come.

Lizzie and Versula, With Sunshine and Rainbows

We photographed these kiddos on the same day and in the same place. For Lizzie (The Option Agency) we did a custom Rockstar Session to celebrate her upcoming birthday. For Versula, it was time for her yearly portfolio update. We learned from Lizzie, a budding singer and songwriter, that she’s way too talented to be so young and, from Versula, we learned all about Little Red Riding Hood … in French!

Chaudrey, Perfectly

We worked with Chaudrey (SLU Agency) on some headshots a while back so we knew when he said “portfolio” we would say “perfect.” This is a preview of what we got: bold and colorful pictures of a handsome, athletic model and actor.

Michael Verity is a Portland, OR-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, models and creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

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Shooting Stars: Natural Woman

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Shoot Title: Natural Woman

Model: Jamie Mack

Team: Claire Verity, wardrobe; Karina Talaro, hair and makeup.

Inspiration: These pictures were inspired by a fashion editorial we did with Jamie about six months ago called American Beauty.

In American Beauty, we combined our love for Ralph Lauren clothing with a pastoral beauty of Jamie’s family farm. For Natural Woman, we stayed even closer to home, taking pictures next to her living room fireplace and in her atrium, where she often sits at her grandmother’s piano and writes music.

The title, Natural Woman, actually came after the fact, while editing a promotional video for the session. Carole King’s “A Natural Woman” came to mind as background music and Aretha Franklin’s version ended up on the soundtrack.

How many shoots we’ve done together: 12, with hopes of a couple more before she skates off to the frozen tundra of upstate New York for her first year in college.

Time of year: Spring 2022

Location: Jamie’s house in Oregon.

Shoot music: Sarah Vaughan’s 1971 album, Feelin’ Good, which actually has a sort of Carole-King-meets-Aretha-Franklin vibe.

Shoot munchies: Our jack-of-all-trades wardrobe stylist, Claire Verity, also does a killer job on craft services, with everything from vegan treats for Jamie to lots of cheeses for yours truly.

Most unexpected turn: The shot through the window wasn’t planned but there it is.

My favorite part of the day: “This shoot was all about great people, great clothing and a great atmosphere coming together and organically offering us beautiful pictures. It’s not the most secure way to do a photoshoot — building a framework and leaving the rest to the artistic spirits hanging around the set — but it’s the ‘letting go of the result’ that makes the magic.”

Camera: Sony A7rIII

Lens: This session was shot with a variety of Sigma ART prime lenses, ranging from 35 to 105mm, depending on the situation.

Propers: Jamie, who is truly a muse; Jamie’s mom, Barb, who supports our artistic endeavors; wardrobe stylist, Claire Verity, for making the vision happen; and makeup artist Karina Talaro, who knows me so well she doesn’t even have to ask.

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

Featured Photos - April 2022

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Spring is the time for new professional headshots and modeling portfolio updates. Here’s a selection of new work from the past month.

Avery, Simply

Sometimes, when the vibes at a session are particularly cool, we’ll shoot a few extra frames at the end, just to see what happens. This image was taken at the very finish of the headshot session with our new friend, Avery. There’s something about the old soul behind those knowing eyes that just captivated us. Add a little black and white magic and you have an image worth featuring.

Hudson, Energetically

Without question one of the sweetest (and most polite!) 3-year olds we’ve ever met, Hudson came to our studio this past month to get his first portfolio for his agency, Ryan Artists. He was so easy and fun to work with we captured his full portfolio — 3 outfits — in the snap of our fingers. Kids portfolios are our jam and kids like Hudson are the reason why.

Alexa, Artistically

For years, we’ve told actors: “If you want what successful actors have, do what successful actors do.” And success actors, like the Damons and the Robbies of the world, do a lot of editorial sessions. So we were totally “chuffed,” as our British friends say, when Alexa said she wanted to do a fashion editorial. We rented out a big studio, put together some great outfits, did some beautiful hair and makeup and crushed this wonderful session.

Jamie, Athletically

We’re both super excited and a little sad that our dear friend, Jamie, will be headed to the other side of the planet for college this fall. So we’re gathering up as many sessions as we can with her, including this wonderful couple of ath-leisure shots, made right in our studio.

Theron, Classically

Theron came to us looking for some senior pictures with a bit of a classic twist. So we took him and his Grandma’s chair out into the field in front of our house and kicked off this wonderful senior session with a wonderfully organic vibe.

Nicolette, Rebecca, Kaylee and Ryan, Creatively

These four people are all actors with Portland ties who posses a variety of skills and experiences, from just starting out to extensive work in film and live theater. One thing they have in common is they know how important it is to have a high quality acting headshot. All four joined us in April to create some new headshots and we’re pretty darn pleased with the results.

Michael Verity is a Portland, OR-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, models and creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

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4 Tips To Get A Great Headshot

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Whether you’re an actor, a model or a business professional, a high quality headshot is essential to your success.

For actors, a world-class headshot is the “calling card” that introduces you to agencies and casting directors. For models, a high quality headshot is the connection between you and those who cast talent for a wide array of opportunities. For business professionals, a warm and engaging headshot connects “the face with the name” and builds confidence between you and your prospective client.

So how do you rise to the top of an increasingly virtual world, where actors audition via Zoom, professionals do business via LinkedIn and everybody needs a profile picture to get started? How do you create a photo that makes you look trustworthy and competent? How do insure your headshot “hits the right notes” and reflects your authentic spirit and individuality? How can you be certain you’re catching your “best side?”

Can you set up a headshot at home with your smartphone? After all: “portrait mode” is pretty cool. Or do you need the experience and expertise of a professional photographer?

If these questions have been on your mind, have no fear. Here are 4 tips to get that perfect headshot. (Spoiler alert: save portrait mode for snaps of your bestie or your bulldog, put aside your DIY dreams and hire a professional photographer to get professional headshots.)

How To Take A Professional Headshot

1. List Your Expectations

Before creating an acting, modeling or business headshot, develop a mental image of what you want and try to explain it to your photographer in as much detail as possible. Even better: find examples of headshots you like and share them with your photographer. Professional photographers are, obviously, visually oriented; a mood board of images you like is an excellent way to communicate your ideas.

Do you want a formal headshot or something more candid? Do you want a traditional studio setting, with a plain color background, or something more environmental? Indoors or outdoors?

How will you use the headshot? For auditions? Casting calls? Press releases? Publications? Social media? Your website?  

Remember, headshots are all about first impressions. The final product will impact potential clients and casting directors and their decision on whether they will book you, hire you or buy from you. 

Have a specific angle you think works for you? While most professional photographers are experienced at reading faces, if you have a side you prefer, tell the photographer. If there are certain things about your face you’d prefer to downplay (scars, moles, etc.), tell the photographer upfront. He will appreciate that information. 

If you explain your ideas to an experienced photographer they will meet your expectations. You’re more likely to get a photo that you will love if you know what you are looking for and clearly communicate your ideas.

2. Dress For The Part

The way you dress will naturally affect the overall look of your headshot. Solid and neutral colors work best as they tend to put the focus on your face, just where you want it. Bright jewelry, clothing with big, bold patterns and shirts with large logos should be avoided. Headshots should be more focused on who you are rather than what you’re wearing. 

That being said, there are exceptions to every rule. Are you a big personality who likes pink paisley shirts? Go monochrome and do your images in front of pink paper. Do you sell country properties? An outfit that says “outdoorsy” (and is preferably shot, outdoors) is the right way to go. Whatever you choose, clothing should be consistent with your personality, look great with your eyes and complexion and work well with your chosen environment.

Need wardrobe help? Always consult with your photographer on what to wear. It will make you more comfortable and help them prepare. (At Michael Verity Photography, basic wardrobe consultation is included with every session.)

3. Pay Attention To Your Posture.

Your body posture says a lot about your confidence so it’s important to get this part right. Good posture insures the right angles and helps show your best features. 

Generally speaking, you should position your upper body diagonally to the camera while keeping your chin toward the photographer. Keep your back straight with your shoulders relaxed and avoid having your shoulders too high, which indicates tension. It’s a good idea to avoid body language - like slouching - that makes you seem unapproachable.

As with wardrobe, however, these are general guidelines. While an “arms crossed” pose doesn’t work well for a therapist, that type of pose from someone in the legal profession is often considered a sign of strength. It also works well for actors who are cast as police officers (and, oddly, for those who are cast as gangsters.) A “slouchy” pose wouldn’t work too well for a doctor but for young fashion models, that sort of approach is acceptable (and sometimes encouraged.)

As with points one and two, thinking about what you’re trying to achieve and communicating it with your photographer is key. An experienced photographer will have ideas, coach you through the process and help you achieve your goals.

4. Smile, No Smile

To smile or not to smile, that is the question. The short story is this: if you’re not someone who smiles “naturally,” don’t expect that to change magically once you step in front of the camera. It probably won’t happen. 

So what do you do? Think happy thoughts. Think about your favorite funny movie. If you think happy thoughts, you’ll look like a happy person. If you think about how you look, you’ll look like a person who’s worried about how he looks.

Another trick is to look at the camera as if it’s someone you love: your best friend, a beloved grandparent, a favorite nephew, your new kitten. Whatever it takes to put your brain in active thinking mode, not passive wondering mode is the way to go.

Pro Tip: change your facial expressions throughout the shoot. Make a great big goofy smile, followed by a huge frown. Make the silliest face you can followed by the meanest face you can. Have fun with it. An experienced photographer will find the “genuine you” in between all the exaggerated expressions. 

Lastly, remember these words: Shy is beautiful. Warmth doesn’t always require a big toothy grin. Start with who you are and see what happens. 

What About Using Your Smartphone For Headshots?

While we admit smartphones have come a long way in recent years, there’s really no debate on the advantages of a professional photographer over the DIY method.

Even the latest and greatest smartphone in “portrait mode” has its limitations: limited lens options, limited zooming capacity, limited images quality. 

More important, smartphones don’t know how to move a light an inch to the left to change your headshots from strong to stellar. They don’t consult with you on wardrobe, show you how to pose, offer you a cup of tea or coffee when you walk into the studio, ask how you how you’re doing today or give you real time feedback on how the session is going. 

This is because smartphones (or even expensive DSLRs) aren’t human. They don’t come with experience and expertise.

Professional photographers understand lighting, how to capture the best angles, what are the best camera settings, how to do the best retouching. In short, they know what you need to get a beautiful headshot. Follow these tips to get a great headshot photo that you’ll be proud to post on your website, your social media or your casting site. 

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade. If you are in the Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA area you can book a session with us.

8 Tips For A Great Business Headshot

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You open your work email and at the top of the inbox is the message you dread: your company’s marketing department has hired a photographer to do business headshots for the sales team and your number has come up. Memories of toothless school pictures in front of musty, mottled backgrounds come rushing in, with visions of bad passport pictures racing through your head.

Have no fear. Business and corporate headshots are easier than you think if you follow these simple tips.

Preparation

1. Get some sleep. 

That’s right: our first suggestion is laying down and doing nothing. Preferably, though, you do it at home the night before and not at your desk that morning. 

You want a good night’s sleep before doing a photo session for the same reason you want to be rested before making a big presentation: you’ll look sharper, feel sharper and perform better.

(Pro tip: hand-in-hand with being well rested is staying hydrated. Your skin is 64% water so give it plenty of what it wants.)

2. Plan your time.

In most cases, your marketing manager will book a block of time with the photographer and parse out 10-15 minute sessions to each person. So, the time of day when you shoot may be out of your control. If not, ask to be scheduled when you’re at your best, whether it’s first thing in the morning, right after lunch or at the end of the day.

Regardless of when you shoot, leave yourself 20 or 30 minutes of prep time to take a breath, check your hair and straighten your tie. You won’t do yourself justice rushing from a conference call to the photo shoot with 30 seconds to spare.

3. That outfit looks great on you (or what to wear for business headshots).

Unlike an acting or modeling headshot, where there’s room for personal clothing styles, your type of business (and the vision of your marketing manager) will play a big role in determining what you wear. 

Whatever their direction, pick something within their vision that works well with your complexion and brings out your eye color (e.g., blue eyes and blue shirts go well together.) It’s always good to wear an outfit that’s fairly new (because newer looks fresher) and to bring a couple of variations, ‘cuz spills happen.

At The Session

4. Remember why you’re there.

You’re not making an acting headshot for Phantom of the Opera. You’re not creating a modeling portfolio. No one expects you to photograph like Matt Damon or Margot Robbie.

You’re there to link a “face to a name,” to show your clients that you’re warm and engaging and trustworthy so they’ll ink that $1M deal you’ve been working on. 

Being warm and engaging doesn’t mean having a fake smile. It means being open and accessible.

5. How to be open and accessible.

Look at the camera like it’s someone you care really care about, who makes you smile, who gives you a warm feeling. If you look at the camera that way, the viewer will pick up on your “affection” and feel you’re a warm and engaging person. It’s pretty simple.

6. Now, about those poses (or, what a business headshot should look like.)

Business headshots, more than any other type of portraiture, are all about the introduction. The way you would approach someone and make an introduction in-person is how you should approach the camera.

Generally that means right shoulder forward, as if you were reaching out to shake hands, but there are variations on that theme that might work better for your body type and face shape. An experienced photographer will point you in the right direction so trust their expertise.

(Pro Tip: contrary to what a lot of photographer’s suggest, don’t bother practicing in front of a mirror. What you see in the mirror is backwards so it won’t look like your picture anyway. And it’ll probably make you ore self-conscious. Better you spend your time doing breathing exercises.)

7. Remember to breathe.

Breathing is a good idea. Doing it keeps you alive. Breathing deeply while in front of a camera is an even better idea. It will relax you. 

8. When all is said and done.

Hopefully, your marketing manager will have picked a photographer with considerable experience and expertise, who makes you feel comfortable, who captures a wonderful picture of you that makes you think “yeah, maybe that modeling contract is a possibility.” But, regardless of whether there’s a Men’s Health cover in your future, if you follow these guidelines you’ll insure your business headshot will be warm and engaging and worthy of your company’s website.

Now get back to your desk and close some business.

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade. If you are in the Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA area you can book a session with us.

Featured Photos - March 2022

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Spring is the time for new professional headshots and modeling portfolio updates. Here’s a selection of new work from the past month.

Claire, Stunningly

The words “beautiful inside and out” get thrown around so much they’ve become cliche. But, in Claire’s case, they couldn’t be more true. Absolutely stunning and resolutely humble, Claire is truly a beautiful person through and through. And, yeah, she takes an amazing picture. Check out this month’s Shooting Stars feature to see a retrospective of all the sessions we’ve done with Claire over the past 2 years. Claire’s outfit is by Free People and she’s represented by Ford/RBA.

Jordyn and Ayah, Adorably

Sisters Jordyn and Ayah are Phoenix-based child actors who work with me every time I head south to shoot amongst the cacti. Along with a national Macy’s commercial this past Christmas, Jordyn recently appeared in the Nicole Kidman project, Roar, on AppleTV. Ayah’s “Make a Wish” T-shirt is by Fabvokab. They’re represented in Phoenix by Ford/RBA and in LA by Dream Talent Management and The Osbrink Agency. Ayah is also represented by DDO Kids, LA.

Jude, Confidently

We were honored that Jude and his family made the 6 hour round trip from Southeastern Oregon to our Vancouver, WA studio to make headshots for his LA acting ventures. He confessed to being a little nervous but you’d never know it by the results. We’re confident of his confidence and appreciate being part of his youth acting journey.

Karissa, Colorfully

Karissa is another local kid with LA ambitions who dropped by our studio to make some kids modeling portfolio pictures. The creative brief for Karissa was quirky and colorful. Mission accomplished.

Lila, Fantastically

We photographed Lila for the first time back in December and have been singing her praises ever since. These images are from our first portfolio together, which we’ll expand upon when we go to the beach this summer. You can see more from Lila’s session on our teen modeling portfolio page.

Nina, Jaime and Whitney, Professionally

No matter what your business, a professional headshot for your LinkedIn, your website and your company’s marketing materials is an absolute must.

Nina (left) is a finance professional who chose a brown palette to compliment her red hair and convey a sense of warmth and accessibility to her clients.

Jaime (center) is a young professional whose company provides venture capital for science and research. She needed a headshot with a clean white background for her company’s website.

Whitney (right) is a real estate agent who specializes in rural and recreational properties. Shot outside, his headshot tells the story of exactly what he does.

Have a professional story to tell? Connect with us and let’s talk about your business.

Magnolia, Chris and Eleanor, Artistically

Magnolia, Chris and Eleanor are all Portland, OR actors with a variety skills and experiences. One thing they have in common is they know how important it is to have a high quality acting headshot. All three joined us in March to work up new imagery for their portfolios (and we know, for a fact, that at least two of them have had significant auditions since we snapped their mugs.)

Michael Verity is a Portland, OR-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, models and creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

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Featured Photos - February 2022

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We squeezed a lot of work into the shortest month of the year. Here are some of our favorites of February.

Taiyah, Colorfully

OK, who are we kidding? We’re crushing on color images, too, and we love these pictures of our new client, Taiyah (who is also with Ryan Artists). We started outside but, when the red noses of winter got the best of us, we jumped inside and had ourselves a dance party.

Nicolas, Um, Quietly?

Make no mistake: this kiddo, who models for The Option Agency, is not the quiet type. From the moment he jumps from the car, he’s all energy and curiosity. When he got done his shoot, he went mutton busting. True story.

A.T., Handsomely

Referrals make the world go ‘round. Well, they make our world go ‘round, anyway. So we’re very grateful our client Kody Harvard (great actor name, right?) referred A.T. our way. We fell right into a groove that produced these nice relaxed images for his headshot portfolio.

Akina and Zendaya, Beautifully

Sisters Akina and Zendaya came back to our studio in February for a fun session that included the requisite number of beautiful glances (and a little bit of horsing around, too.) These pictures, taken for Ryan Artists, are just a few of our fave frames of these beauties.

Alexa, Sublimely

We’re crushing on the black and white photos these days and we’re totally crushing on Alexa, who joined the MVP family this past month with her first portfolio shoot. Next up, an editorial session that will rock the house.

Mya, Colorfully

Mya was probably Taiyah’s age when we started shooting together and she just gets more beautiful with every passing day. This session, inspired by the fashion of Billie Eilish, is our most favorite yet. This marks the first time we worked with Portland, OR hair and makeup artist, Kerrin Birchenough, who simply killed it.

Melvin, Our Stand In

OK so we don’t take pictures of pets but we couldn’t help sharing this cute picture of our man Melvin, underbite and all. He stepped onto the paper as we were setting up for some toddler sessions — they’re about the same height — so we captured Melvin’s mug for posterity.

Featured Photos - January 2022

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From professionals starting anew to fun photos of some longtime favorites, we’ve enjoyed a wide variety of sessions in the month of January ‘22. Here are some of our favorite photos.

Susan, Starting Anew

After a career as a successful attorney, Susan wanted new pictures for her social and professional profiles, images that reflect a new chapter in her life. “I really like how natural these pictures are, wrinkles and all,” she told us ivia email. “These images do just what I hoped for -- they portray me as a more polished, but definitely older (yet still vibrant) version of myself.” Case closed!

Harley and Casey, Polished

Did someone say January was Handsome Guy Headshot Month? It was at our studio. Harley, on the left, is a longtime friend who came to the studio to refresh his portfolio. Casey, who’s a professional nurse, is reviving his love of musical theater, starting with a wonderful set of new headshots.

Piper, In Living Color

Taking pictures of Piper is less like doing work than going to a show. Something WILL happen and it’ll be fun. These images, taken for ZTA are some of our favorite kids portfolio pix of all time.

Jamie, Naturally

It’s no secret Jamie Mack is one of our favorite people to photograph. Her creativity, professionalism and free spirit show in each and every frame. And, in case you didn’t know it, she’s a singer along with being a model, actor and dancer. Dig it.

Lila and Ella, Rockstars

Our kids sing and dance and act and swim and make music. Even when they’re not making music, they look like rockstars, which is what our yearly Rockstar Sessions are all about.

Featured Photos - December 2021

We wrapped 2021 with an eclectic mix of sessions, from jazz swingers to opera singers, kids to adults, at home in our studio and away in LA with friends old and new. Here’s a sample of what we made.

Lizzie, Happily

This Texas transplant, who recently signed with The Option Agency, is a talented signer, dancer, actor and all-around sweetheart. All the charm you see here is what she brought to every minute of her session.

Antone, The Renaissance Man

Every session we do with Antone shows us a different side of his personality. This session, to update his modeling portfolio and promote his newest musical release, combines the ring-a-ding-ding romance of the Rat Pack with the class of Mel Torme and Bobby Darin.

Kyra, Stunningly

One of our most cherished friends, Kyra has been a client since we started this adventure almost a decade ago. Though it’s been a minute since we last worked together, it was like we’d just seen each other yesterday. This gorgeous image was created in downtown Los Angeles.

Emory, Bringing the Love

Charmer. Gem. Sweetheart. What else can we say?

Shawnte, Handsomely

This handsome actor, model and entrepreneur happens to be Emory’s dad. Wonderful kids seem to come from wonderful parents, don’t they?

Laura, Professionally

Personal branding is essential to professional success and a great headshot is a key element in telling your story and selling your services. This headshot of vocal coach and singer Laura Thoreson is the perfect blend of openness and professionalism, exactly what she needed for her new website. PS: We know from experience — our daughter studies with her — there isn’t a better voice teach in the PNW.

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

See our Top 21 of 2021

6 Favorite Records of 2021

Before I was a photographer I was a freelance music journalist who covered every kind of music on the planet. When I started doing photography full-time seven years ago, it was cool to retire from my music writing career. Do you know how nice it was to listen to an album and not have to come up with an opinion about it?

Years later, I’m still a music junkie and, because I spend a whole lot of time in front of a computer, editing pictures, I get to listen to a lot of albums. A LOT of albums. Like 2 or 3 a day, on average.

Though I no longer have to come up with an opinion as my job, like anyone, my opinions still happen naturally and I have my favorites. So here are my 6 favorite records of 2021, along with the brief notes I might have made as I listened.

Strawberry Mansion - Langhorne Slim

My highest rated album of the year (4.5 on a scale of 5) oddly has no notes attached to it. I was probably busy listening and not thinking, which is the best way to go. For certain, there’s a hopeful spirit about this record that transcends the words and music. (If you’d like to read an interview I did with Slim — aka Sean Scolnick — you can check one out here.)

Todd Snider - First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder

The time I first listened, all I said was “I love it,” probably because it’s all soul and funk and acoustic guitars. If I understand correctly, this was inspired by a series of Sunday morning online concerts that Snider did during lockdown (and the spirit shows).

Dave Alvin - From An Old Guitar (Rare and Unreleased Tracks)

“Rare and unreleased” can mean true gems or pure garbage (hence the reason why they were unreleased). In this case, it’s the former that happens here. And you gotta love the guy’s voice.

Tom Jones - Surrounded By Time

Yes, Tom Jones is still alive (he’s 81 years old) and he’s still recording (this is his 41st album) and it went to #1 in the UK, making him the oldest legitimate pop star on the planet. And, to be honest, he sounds AMAZING. My original notes summed it up": “Tom’s a dude.”

Amethyst Kiah - Wary + Strange

I came to this album late in the game — just a few weeks ago, in fact — and though I didn’t rate it as numerically high as others, it probably deserves a 5 out of 5. It’s that good. Or, as I said at the time: “Wow.”

Allison Russell - Outside Child

Pure magic. ‘Nuf said.

Runner’s Up

(aka albums released in 2020 that I just go to this year)

Waylon Payne - Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher and Me

Herman Dune - Notes from Vinegar Hill

Bonny Light Horsemen - Bonny Light Horsemen (probably the best album I’ve heard in the past 4 years)

Justen Farren - Pretty Free

John Craigie - Asterisk The Universe

Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways

Here’s a little sampler playlist

5 Books That Inspired Us in 2021

I’m a massive reader — non-fiction, please — and an addictive collector of books about art and photography. There are always a few that rise to the top and rank among the most inspiring books I’ve read over the previous 12 months. Here they are.

Natasja in Colares

Lachlan Bailey

If I have the story straight, world-renowned photographer Lachlan Bailey and model Natasja Madsen found themselves simultaneously quarantined in the (not-so-horrible) confines of Colares, Portugal.

With the help of Erik Torstensson, co-founder of FRAME clothing, the pair spent a few days at a rented villa, creating the remarkable photos that inhabit this book. While shooting the stars for Vanity Fair and Vogue may be out of my reach, the work in this book reminds me great pictures are always attainable. They don’t require a team of 20 stylists, just the right people, the right place and the right attitude.

The original print run of 2000 — with proceeds to benefit Wildlife Victoria — sold out almost immediately but it looks like a second run is available at the FRAME website.

It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be

Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite

Paul Arden

I discovered “It’s Not How Good You Want to Be …” at Chelsea Books in NYC but, as I was trying to travel light, I didn’t buy it until I got home. Thanks to Amazon, I found “Whatever You Think …” and it’s turned out to be my favorite of the two. No matter though: you can read both in the span of an hour and return for nuggets of wisdom here and there.

My favorite part is page 81 of Whatever You Think …”, wherein Arden talks about reviewing the portfolios of photographers seeking commissions. He said 99% of the work was of a high standard but 98% seemed like something he’d seen before. The two percent that stood out, he said, did so because they had a point of view that was uniquely their own. “These were often difficult people,” he writes, “almost unemployable because you couldn’t tell them what to do. Sometimes it went wrong.” he added, “Sometimes it didn’t. When it didn’t go wrong it more than made for the times it did.”

A great book for anybody who lives a creative life, which is all of us.

Erwin Olaf

I’d never heard of Erwin Olaf before I set about spending my life’s savings this past fall at The Strand bookstore in New York. This is a case where the book was definitely sold by its cover. I’m fascinated that an ordinary (albeit beautiful) girl doing something as simple as sitting with a glass of milk can have such otherworldly qualities. (She looks like an insect, her wings the sofa and her dress.)

ONE + ONE = THREE

Dave Trott

Obviously one plus one equals two. What else could it be? Well, that’s what this book is all about.

Creating Photographs

Albert Watson

This book is actually a condensed transcript of key points from Watson’s Masters of Photography class. The video is better, of course, but it’s also 10X the cost of this book, which is just $14.95. It’s also nice to have the words in front of you, especially when there isn’t a device on which to watch a video (like when you’re on holiday at the North Pole, the only place left without wi-fi). The site also has classes by Steve McCurry and Joel Meyerowitz, a couple other guys who knew what they were doing.

Runners’ Up

Nadav Kander - The Meeting

Craig McDean - Amber, Guinevere and Kate

The last several of Homme Girls magazine

Our Senior Session with Sidney, Music Lover and Kiss Fan

 

Though I don’t advertise myself as a senior portrait photographer, I do the occasional senior session by request (more so lately as many of my earliest child model clients turn into high school seniors). My session this past weekend with my new friend, Sidney, has me thinking I might like to do more.

We started by dancing in between the raindrops of the PNW, November-style, to capture some shots of Sidney cozied-up in her favorite sweater. You wouldn’t know it from her smile but, in the first picture, we actually wedged ourselves between some industrial sized air conditioners to escape the wind and rain. 

It was Sidney’s idea to shoot in a record shop and my idea to do it at 1709Records in downtown Vancouver, WA where Mikki, the owner was totally welcoming, supportive and enthusiastic.

I learned that Sidney is a major Kiss fan (Paul Stanley, preferred) and she learned (from me, a fountain of music trivia) that Peter Criss was laying flat on his back when he recorded vocals for “Beth.”

Big surprise: I also learned I can’t walk out of a record store empty handed — even though I have, literally, thousands of vinyls in my studio. Sunday’s haul was Stephen Stills classic ’76 long player, Illegal Stills; Duo-Glide, the 1978 follow-up to Sanford Townshend Band’s “Smoke From A Distant Fire;” and a repackaged version of the first album by The Raspberries. Check below for a little sampler and hit me up if you need some senior pix.

The Studio Sessions, Season 6

 
 
 

Classic Portraits

Season 6 of The Studio Sessions opens this Saturday with Classic Portraits. Inspired by Rembrandt and Vermeer and updated for today, our Classic Portrait sessions capture the soul of our subject in a timeless fashion.

 
 
 

Fun & Fashion

Speaking of fashion, our longest running studio session, Fun & Fashion, returns in 2022 with all new looks but the same abundance of smiles. Contemporary and colorful, Fun & Fashion is great for kids (and teens and fun-loving adults, too) looking for a quick portfolio update or just to have a good time in front of the camera.

 
 
 

The Retro Sessions

Launched in 2021 and continuing in the spring of 2022, The Retro Sessions pays homage to the classic photography of the 60s, 70s and 80s, styled with a modern twist. Like all our sessions, Retro works for kids of all ages.

 
 
 

The Rockstar Sessions

Our second-longest running and, by far, most popular studio event, The Rockstar Sessions, is about everything we love: music, fashion, beauty and, sometimes, guitars.

 
 
 

Vintage Hollywood

Inspired by vintage Hollywood promotional photos from the 30s and 40s, our Vintage Hollywood Sessions, created in collaboration with Most Everything Vintage in Vancouver, are a truly special event.

 

Credits

Models (top to bottom): Mya Jett, Olivia Heinrichs, Grace Leasure, Kylie Kimball and Jamie Mack

Hair and Makeup (Mya, Grace, Kylie and Jamie): Karina Talaro

Hair and Makeup (Olivia): Becca Olmstead

Wardrobe Design: Carson Verity

Vintage Hollywood wardrobe provided by Most Everything Vintage

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

Featured Photos - October 2021

Some of our favorite photographs from the month of October.

Boris, The Return

Boris was one of our very first clients. We worked together for many years and in many different ways, including a session with his sister, Bela, in the Alberta neighborhood of Portland, still among my favorite shoots. Boris has grown from really cute kid to handsome young man; as always, it was a privilege to create some new images for his portfolio.

Kerry, Fresh Faced

Though not new to being photographed, Kerry arrived at our studio new to us and new to the process of doing headshots. It took a few minutes but, like a true professional, she locked into the session with ease and charm and delivered some fabulous shots.

Michaela, Ready For The Next

Michaela is another longtime friend who has worked with us off and on for many years. This time around it was a portfolio session that combined headshots, for her acting and singing career, and senior pictures, just for fun. I love this picture; it captures perfectly the wit and intelligence of this talented young performer.

John, Magically

Speaking of talented performers, this guy — dancer, actor, YouTube content dude — John A. Mays just oozes talent. This picture, one of a few thousand frames we snapped of this kinetic young performer, beautifully embodies the life of a dancer, at rest but always in motion.

Cortney, Beautifully

This stunning young actress, who came to us thought Studio Northwest, was so relaxed in front of the camera you’d think she’d done a thousand headshot sessions when, in fact, this was her first time. And as I recall, this is one of the first frames we shot.

Mya, Colorfully

What can we say about Miss Mya V? Every time we work with her, which has been many times over the last 5 years, we are stunned by her beauty and amazed by her growth as a model. Truly one of the sweetest people we know, she is a gem through and through.

Hair and makeup (Kerry, Michaela, Cortney and Mya) by Karina Talaro

Mya’s wardrobe by Carson Verity

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

See last months Featured Photos

Shooting Stars: Kloe Armstrong

in
Beach Kloe Armstrong black and white

Shoot Title: Kloe Armstrong

Inspiration: This editorial story was inspired by the famous fashion photographer, Peter Lindbergh. It’s based on a behind-the-scenes video called Ault that was filmed for Vogue magazine in 2014 and features the beautiful models Mariacarla Boscono and Sharon Cohendy.

We traveled to one of Kloe’s favorite places, Arch Cape, OR, with the idea of capturing the same cloudy, misty feeling of Lindbergh’s video. Mother Nature, however, had other ideas. By the time we arrived, the sun was out in full force and the cove was full of surfers.

So our dark and desolate editorial story (originally titled Andata, Italian for “gone”) became a brighter and shinier story named Kloe Armstrong, a simple document of a beautiful person in her favorite place.

How many shoots we’ve done together: at least 10, with two more scheduled for this winter.

Time of year: Fall

Location: Arch Cape, Oregon

Shoot music: The ocean

Shoot munchies: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Most unexpected turn: The sunny weather. (It’s the Pacific Northwest. We expect gloom.)

Kloe’s favorite part of the day: “The atmosphere that we created was absolutely inspiring, especially when it came to really being in that role. I loved the creativity and fun that we were able to incorporate!”

My favorite part of the day: “About 30 minutes before we finished, I watched Kloe’s approach to the camera elevated to a whole new level. Beautiful pictures are great. Seeing greater confidence in the young people with whom I work is even better.”

Camera: Sony A7rIII

Lens: Sigma 105mm f1.4

Propers: Carson Verity, who helped design the initial wardrobe direction; Danielle Armstrong, who made the wardrobe happen (along with providing the peanut butter cups :) and Claire Verity, my always supportive sidekick.

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.