Be a Boss Lady

April is the month I turned 39. Holding fervently to my 30s, and looking back at all that has happened in my life and my business, I couldn't help it but look forward at my plans for the coming year. April is also the month I gave myself to think about small businesses, including my own, and how I couldn't have made Lightfolly what it is today without the support of all the strong women in mine and my company's life.

One of the greatest pleasures I've had in the last four years is to have had many of those women in my studio. When compiling my Personal Branding portfolio recently, as I prepared the campaign for my upcoming Head Shots Marathon (on April 24th; have you booked your spot yet?!) I realized that many of these women are business owners, and/or represent a brand/organization, and I was privileged to create their head shots, whether they booked a Personal Branding session with me or not. That's the magic of what we do at Lightfolly: book us and you'll walk away with a variety of images, that you can keep as personal keepsakes and professional images.

I want to share these boss ladies with you today. They are the joy of my business.

Trey Sherwood, Executive Director @ Laramie Mainstreet

Jessica Brauer, Communications Coordinator @ Laramie Mainstreet

Vanessa Stines, Baker @ Sweets Cakes and Pastry

Lori Kirk, Owner @ Cowgirl Yarn

Megan Jhonson, Owner and photographer @ Megan Lee Photo

Audrey Jansen, Market Researcher @ SBDC

Melodie Edwards, Reporter @ Wyoming Public Media

Rebecca Cassity, Owner @ Serendipity Confections

Diana Elterman, Owner and Yoga Instructor @ Ahimsa (previously Hot Power Yoga)

Katie Hogarty, Program Director @ Climb Wyoming

Rachelle Barkhurst, Owner @ Rachelle Rose Design

Emily Brown, Co-owner @ Dirtbags

Kodi Davis, Head Baker and Owner @ Sweets Cakes & Pastry

Carly Ann Carruthers, Historic Preservation Specialist @ Laramie Mainstreet

Shelby Page, Baker @ Sweets Cakes & Pastry

Robin McIntyre, Hair Stylist @ Luna Salon & Spa (and Lightfolly)

Devon O'Connell, Attorney at Law @ Pence & MacMillan

Head Shots Marathon

Our Head Shots Marathon is coming to you Tuesday, April 24th, and we couldn't be more excited! Get all the beauty of our Personal Branding sessions, for almost half the price.

How does it work? Choose a time from 11:15 am to 2:30 pm and call us (307-703-8118) or contact us to book a slot. The first 45 minutes our stylists will do your hair and makeup to enhance that look of the boss you are. For the next 45 minutes I'll direct you in front of my lens, and we'll get that confident inner you to shine through. Each Personal Branding mini session is $247 and it includes a consultation soirée, the hair styling and makeup artistry, 2 retouched digital images of your choice, and a $100 credit towards additional purchases. Which means: bring your little black dress ladies, because there will be time at the end of your Head Shot shoot to get that piece for your mantle, and you will want it!

These sessions are for you, who hate that image of yourself that uncle Bob took and you are currently using on your website. For you, who are ready for invest in your new company but don't want to break the bank because you are just starting. For you, who has been trying to decide between a Personal Branding session and a Contemporary Portrait of yourself. Call us today and book your slot for April 24th, and get your brand to the next level. You deserve it.

Personal Branding: Sweets Cakes and Pastry

I remembered being a child and pretending to be on a photo shoot where my head shot was being taken. I was going to be an actress, and of course that's what actors get, right? Fast forward to 2008 and I am in Grad School working on my resume, which I hated with a passion. It reminded me a little bit of that scene in American Psycho, when the men are at the conference table comparing business cards, except not so cool because we didn't get to choose the paper, and because my adviser would strongly disapproved of a sans-serif font (and there goes my love for Helvetica). I am formally trained as a scientist, and when you are a scientist the image of yourself you present to the world is in your work, not an image of yourself.

I got the privilege of doing the Personal Branding images for the previous owners of Sweets Cakes and Pastry back in 2015. Then Kodi, the new owner, contacted us to get images of her and her employees, an booked one of our packages, including hair and makeup. "The fancy bakery downtown", people call Kodi's store. And it's true, it is fancy and their creations are up-scale (and delicious!). But there is also a fun, playful side to these boss ladies that are part of yet another downtown business where women take the center stage. And I wanted to make sure I could show them in that light.

The day of the session they brought cakes a cupcakes, icing bags and sprinkles, and their iconic bright pink T-shirts with their logo on them. They got to show me (and now you!) their personalities and quirkiness, and we made some great images showcasing them as the talented bakers they are, but also as fierce business owners who serve our community every day.

"I can't wait to work on our company's website now, and add these images to it!" said Kodi to me after she chose her images. Knowing that our images generate excitement in our clients is the cherry on top. Often people ask me "can you shoot a quick photo of me for my website?". The answer, of course, is yes. I can. I am a photographer after all. But if that is what you want, you can ask your uncle Bob or your 5 year old girl to do it for you, and you can even have it for free! If instead what you want are professional images, where we polish your appearance so your true essence and what you have to offer to your clients can shine through, call us for a consultation today. You won't regret investing in your company by getting the best head shots you've ever had.