Vivid Oak is a one-stop-shop for digital marketing needs for any sized business.

We provide a turnkey service that includes:

• Web site development
• Content creation
• Media creation (graphic arts, photographs, video and areal cinematography)
• SEO
• SEM
• Ongoing web optimization 

 

Recently, KES Systems, a manufacturer of high tech solutions for the semiconductor industry chose Vivid Oak to provide turnkey services for their digital marketing program.

 

Contact us to discuss how we can help you ramp up your digital marketing program.

 

A few days before your shoot you’ll want to start getting prepared. If you’re properly prepared for the shoot, you’ll not only have an easier and more stress-free time during the shoot, but the resulting images will look a ton better than if you just winged it.

To book your headshot, contact us to schedule your session.  Mention this post and receive 15% off your session fee.

1. Clothes

Clothing is a form of expression and the clothes that you pick to wear will reflect your personality in the images. My best piece of advice when choosing clothes is the simpler the better.

• Solid colors look great in headshots.
• If going with a pattern keep it simple.
• Start with a simple shirt or blouse and slowly add layers.
• Bring a few changes of clothes to the shoot.
• Make sure that ALL clothes are ironed and pressed before the shoot. Wrinkles in clothes are difficult to Photoshop out. Don’t expect the photographer to do this.
• Bring a lint brush or roller with you.
• Don’t worry about shoes if just shooting headshots. Be comfortable.

2. Hair

• Bring a brush and some hair product (gel/hairspray) with you to the shoot to help calm fly-aways. 
• Start with your hair down and towards the end of the shoot put it up in a ponytail for a more casual look.
• If you can afford it hire a hairstylist for the morning of the shoot.

3. Makeup and Face   MUA-1122Makeup artist prepares client for headshot session

• Start natural. Just enough to cover up any blemishes. 
• Build up the makeup as you go. Add eyeshadow and darker lipstick later in the shoot.
• Try not to use matte styles of makeup. It will dry out your skin.
• Bring your makeup and moisturizer with you to the shoot in case your skin does get dry or you need touchups.
• Bring lip balm or lip gloss with you to help keep lips looking soft.
• The night before brush your lips with your toothbrush to help get rid of any dead skin.
• Don’t do any extreme beauty regimens right before your shoot, like facial peels, tanning or extensive exfoliating. Your skin can look very irritated.
•  Get rid of any unwanted hair a few days before your shoot. Clean up brows and upper lip hair.
• FOR MEN. Shave right before you leave for a shoot. A 5 o clock shadow can’t be Photoshopped easily. Use cooling gel or aftershave to help with skin irritation.
• Bring some oil absorbing sheets to soak up any oil or sweat that might build up during the shoot. The studio lights can get hot. Some great sheets are the Clean and Clear: Oil Absorbing Sheets. You can find them at any Wal-mart or local drug store.
• Leave your colored contacts at home and bring clear contacts with you. Colored contacts can look very fake in photographs. Bring eyedrops with you.
• If you can afford it, hire a Makeup artist to do your makeup and stay with you during the shoot for touchups.  Your photographer may offer this as an additional service.  Ask!

4. Practice Makes Perfect  mirror-3Practice smiling and posing in front of a mirror at home before your headshot or portrait session

• Before the shoot look at your face in the mirror and see what side you like better. Everyone has a good side, find yours. Remember though, a mirror will flip your face and the camera won’t so the images might look a little different than you were expecting. 
• If you have one eye that is visibly smaller than the other bring the side of your face with the smaller eye towards the camera. It will help reduce the difference between the two.
• Try different expressions in the mirror. Do you look better stoic or perky? A good photographer will get different expressions from you during the shoot.

 

To book your headshot, contact us to schedule your session.  Mention this post and receive 15% off your session fee.

5. During the Shoot  studio bw-1 Photography studio

• Ask the photographer to put some music on if shooting in a studio. This will help ease some tension. Let him/her know before the shoot starts what you like to listen to. 
• Follow the photographer’s direction. Even if it sounds a little silly. We know the best posing on headshots and the best way to shape your face. You may feel a little funny posing differently but trust me the photos will look great.
• Relax a little. Headshot sessions should be fun. Don’t be afraid to let your guard down.
• Don’t force your smile. It will look awkward in the images and your cheeks will be sore after the shoot. A good tip is to leave a little space between your teeth when smiling, enough to put the tip of your pinky in between. Your smile will look more genuine.
• Squint, Squint, Squint!!! Squinting your eyes just a little will also help the shots look more confident and natural. The deer in headlights look is horrible.
• Relax after a few shots and take a breather. Take a sip of water and step away from the lights every so often.

 

6. After the Shoot

Not only do photographers have different shooting styles, but editing styles, as well. Let them know how you want the photos to be edited.

• Do you want any imperfections Photoshopped out? Some people like everything to be cleaned up in their headshots. (Freckles, moles, scars etc…) While actors and actresses need to be mindful that casting directors want to see any imperfections or distinguishing marks you may have. This shouldn’t be confused with blemishes or acne. This is something that should be discussed with your photographer. If he/she doesn’t bring it up, then you bring it up. Don’t feel awkward asking or being asked about this, if they’re truly a professional then they’ll expect this.
• Everyone asks ‘Can you Photoshop this… or this… I have a double chin; can you get rid of that? Can you make my eyes bigger?’ Well, that depends. Sometimes we can, sometimes we can’t. Every image is different, and Photoshop can be a beast when editing. We will try our best to make you look amazing. If you don’t want any alterations done, please let us know beforehand. 
• If you do want any major editing done, please keep in mind that it may cost extra.
• Do keep in mind that as photographers we spend more time editing than shooting. Please give us a realistic time frame to deliver your photos. If you want major editing to be done, expect that it may take a little longer for them to be finished.

 

Hopefully, this guide will help you prepare for your big day in front of the camera, and will make your experience a little more stress-free.   

To book your headshot, contact us to schedule your headshot session.  Mention this post and receive 15% off your session fee.
 

 

 

pet (6)Pet photography for pet owners in Dallas, Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Melissa, Carrolton, The Colony

Pet photography for pet lovers.   Vivid Oak Photography provides pet photography for pet owners in Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Carrolton, The Colony, Prosper, Aubrey, Denton, and surrounding areas.

With over 3 decades of experience in pet photography, we can provide beautiful images of your pets that you will treasure forever.   Whether you want portraits, playtime or family photos of you and your pets, we can help.

As true pet lovers, we work with you and your dogs to get the best from them.   Call or email us for information on pet photography packages and our current specials.   Call of text, 214 493 7571.  Email us at [email protected] 

 

Artists need professional photography

 

 

  

 

Recently I was asked by a Dallas area artist, a glass blower, to help him.   He creates amazing products but was unhappy with the photos he had taken with his phone for his web site.   After a brief discussion about product photography, he decided to have me photograph his products.   Within a few days, I'd given him images for his web site that delighted him.   He now has great images to share with clients and prospects to help him sell his line of products and get more commissions.    

That's what we do.  We focus on giving you the best images for your products at the price point that maximizes your return on investment.   We serve customers from our location in the Dallas, Texas area, and worldwide.  Contact us to see how we can help you. 
   [email protected] 

 

 

 

 

Food restaurant photography Dallas TexasFood photography by Vivid Oak Photography, Dallas, Texas.

One of the best ways to improve the brand image and business of your restaurant is to have great images for web, social, print and local marketing.   Showcasing the great product and service you offer entices customers to visit, and inspires present customers to return to try something new.   Vivid Oak Photography can help you build the image you desire.  Contact us to discuss how we can showcase your hard work to customers in beautiful images.