Professional Headshot Photography
The Loop, Chicago
Entirely Guided Headshot Sessions
For most people, being on-camera is a rare occurrence.
But it doesn’t have to look that way.
Our sessions make it easy for high value professionals to get high value imagery.
Entirely Guided Sessions Take You Beyond “3-2-1 Cheese”
You already have a natural presence. Now, you can capture it.
No Prior Experience Necessary
Even if you hate being on camera - you can get headshots you love.
Whether it be for a billboard or Linkedin, you should look like you - regardless of whether you do well on camera.
Great Headshots Are Not Just For Actors
Professional Hair & Makeup For Headshots
Available in studio and on location.
Not Your Every Day Hair/Makeup
Using hi-resolution cameras and studio lighting means the end results will present far more detail than the human eye would notice in day to day life. This approach makeup differently than we would for a day at the office, specifically for being on camera.
For most people, being on camera is stressful, and the resulting headshots look forced - even awkward. At State Street Headshots, clients have fun taking headshots that look natural.
Featuring Your Features
For individuals looking to go beyond candid shots, you can learn exactly how to control your facial features to create specific looks.
Live Image Review Offers Immediate Feedback — And Goosebumps
Where online galleries bring delays and uncertainty, live image monitoring lets you see exactly what you’re getting - in real time.
Truly Collaborative
Review different images as you go -mixing different wardrobe, lighting, and backgrounds. Browse our look book to see the variety you can expect in one session.
Wardrobe And Style
The colors, textures, and styles that appear in your headshots might not be as prominent as say, fashion photography, but variation in these context clues creates a major impact in how the viewer perceives you as a professional. I can help you make those choices informatively.
Off The Record
Interested in diving deeper into the creative process?
Feel free to explore the topics of coaching, hair and makeup, retouching, wardrobe, and more in the blog.
Crops Formatted For All Contexts
After images are retouched, copies are formatted into standard ratios, so whether your images are needed for presentations, web, email, Linkedin, print design, or something else, you have what you need.
Professional Retouching— Flawless Yet Natural
Promote The Human Quality
When you offer “white glove service” you are selling the human touch - clients are happy to pay a premium to work with you. As soon as retouching looks artificial, or "cheap”, you defeat the purpose of your professional headshot.
Polishing your images to perfection, without the look of a filter.
With an emphasis on expression coaching and directing, there is no need to rehearse different poses or expressions, and you will never have to say cheese.
Images load on the computer as we shoot, so you will know it’s looking good, and at the end of the shoot, we can compare the best of the best to create the perfect collection.
Craft the perfect look for your headshots with professional hair & makeup.
For professionals who offer so much value, we offer the look.
Wide zoom (left) allows for graphic design work, while 4x5, square, and circle crops allow for seamless upload to web, social, etc.
Take The Pressure Off
That’s right - I’m giving you the ‘it’s not you it’s me’ routine.
Because most people have trouble acting natural when a hi-res camera zooms in on their face (sorry for making it awkward).
That’s why I take full responsibility for making it easy to capture headshots you’ll be proud to use for years to come.
No need to force smiles or find your angles - I’ll help you capture range you didn’t even know you had, so you can choose from the most flattering versions of all kinds of expressions. After one session, you won’t have to hide when HR asks for a headshot.
You got this!
Andrew Michaels Owner/Lead Photographer
It’s Not You, It’s Me
FAQ
What do you recommend for wardrobe?
Generally, dress like you are going to the office. For more information on wardrobe, visit read our blog post on wardrobe selection do’s and dont’s.
I am awkward in front of the camera, can you help?
YES. This is what clients love about State Street Headshots. We accept all responsibility for drawing out a wide range of expressions, without sacrificing authenticity and attractiveness. So, don’t worry about posing or making different faces, just bring outfits you love and get excited to see yourself like you never have before.
Can I book with my friend?
Ultimately, this decision is up to you. One key to my sessions is helping people relax, and for most, that means working without an audience. I understand for some, it may help to have a friend tag along. In these cases, I do ask any audience do their best not to interfere. Understand that part of the subject getting the best images is whether or not the photographer can be 100% tuned in.
Do you offer background changes?
Yes, there are a variety of colors and textures to choose from. Solid color on seamless paper work great for headshots, and hand painted canvas works really nicely for portraits. I love layering backdrops whenever possible!
Do you retouch images?
Absolutely. Retouching is as much a part of the results as the photography itself. Using headshot specific processes to retouch skin, eyes, lips, etc., your final images will look polished to perfection, without looking fake/plastic. We are aware of a portrait aesthetic popular in fashion and beauty, which exaggerates skin smoothing, contouring etc., and if you like this aesthetic, we can accommodate but do not always recommend - depending on your industry. Of course, if you just like how it looks and want to have fun with it, go for it!
Can I get a headshot outside or on location?
Yes! Depending on distance and any permits required, there will be an additional fee. Unless you want a very specific location (like the inside of your office) we may be able to achieve the goal you have in mind with a combination of studio production and background replacement in post production. This can save time and money, so for anything beyond our standard looks please reach out beforehand to get a quote.
Do you charge per hour?
No. For full individual sessions, 4 hours are blocked off for 1 AM and1 PM session. On location shoots are either 4 or 8 hours.
Should I get hair & makeup with my session?
This is a personal preference. If you are stressed out about doing your own makeup for your photos, have a professional do it. If you have a look that feels like you, it might make sense to keep that consistent. This is a popular topic, so we put together tips on doing your own hair/makeup for headshots, plus more details on the in studio hair and makeup. Click here : https://www.statestreetheadshots.com/offtherecord/professional-hair-and-makeup
Do you offer packages?
Images are sold a la carte, and various packages are offered in-studio. Rates and availability are subject to change.
How Long Are The Sessions?
All individual sessions include 4 hours of studio time. Corporate clients have access to shorter sessions for new hires, promotions, etc. Depending on time restraints and/or how many images are needed, we can always add or remove time.
What is the rescheduling policy?
All individual in-studio sessions include 1 emergency reschedule, no questions asked and unlimited reschedules when at least 72 hours notice is provided. Any last minute rescheduling after the first will incur a $250 fee. Group sessions can refer to the group guide.
Is there parking?
Street parking is available in front of the building, and secure parking is available a few buildings down the street.
Professional Headshot Photography
The Loop, Chicago
In office / On location / In Studio
Printers Row
Street Parking / Secure Parking
Building Access / Parking Details shared upon booking
Sessions by appointment only.
Premium Headshot Photography
The Loop, Chicago
Entirely Guided | Headshot Sessions
For most people, being on-camera is a rare occurrence.
But it doesn’t have to look that way.
Our sessions make it easy for high value professionals to get high value imagery.
Entirely Guided Sessions Take You Beyond “3-2-1 Cheese”
Ask around - you already have a natural presence. Together, we can capture it.
With coaching, there is no need to rehearse poses or expressions, and you will never have to say cheese.
No Prior Experience Necessary
Expression Coaching Takes The Pressure Off
Even if you hate being on camera - you can get headshots you love.
Great Headshots Are Not Just For Actors
Whether it be for a billboard, or Linkedin, you should look like you - regardless of whether you do well on camera.
For individuals looking to go beyond candid shots, I can show you how to control your facial features to create specific looks.
Featuring Your Features
You might not know it, but you already use your features to convey. I’ll steer your eyes, eyebrows, mouth, and posture in all different directions, resulting in countless moods for you to pick from.
Truly Collaborative
I’ll show you different images as we’re going, so we refine, revert, or recreate more of the good - while mixing different wardrobe, lighting, and backgrounds.
Professional Hair & Makeup For Headshots
Craft the perfect look for your headshots with professional hair & makeup. Available in studio and on location.
Not Your Every Day Hair & Makeup
Using hi-resolution cameras and studio lighting means the camera picks up far more detail than the human eye would notice in day to day life. So we approach makeup differently than we would for a day at the office, specifically for being on camera.
Live Image Review Offers Immediate Feedback — And Goosebumps
Where online galleries bring delays and uncertainty, live image monitoring lets you see exactly what you’re getting - in real time.
Images load on the computer as we shoot, so you will know it’s looking good, and at the end of the shoot, we can compare the best of the best to create the perfect collection.
Wardrobe And Style
The colors, textures, and styles that appear in your headshots might not be as prominent as say, fashion photography, but variation in these context clues creates a major impact in how the viewer perceives you as a professional. I can help you make those choices informatively.
Professional Retouching— Flawless Yet Natural
Polishing your images to perfection, without the look of a filter.
For professionals who offer so much value, we offer the look.
Promoting The Human Quality
When you offer “white glove service” you are essentially selling the human factor - what makes clients happy to pay a premiums to work with you. As soon as retouching looks artificial, or "cheap”, you defeat the purpose of a professional headshot.
Crops Formatted For All Contexts
After images are retouched, copies are formatted into standard ratios, so whether your images are needed for presentations, web, email, Linkedin, print design, or something else, you have what you need.
Wide zoom (left) allows for graphic design work, while 4x5, square, and circle crops allow for seamless upload to web, social, etc.
Off The Record
Interested in diving deeper into the creative process?
Feel free to explore the topics of coaching, hair and makeup, retouching, wardrobe, and more in the blog.
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![Close-up portrait of a middle-aged man with dark hair, wearing a white collared shirt and a dark blazer, against a white background.]()
Great job with helping take our company to the next level! Really appreciate the professional rapport and execution. Was beyond impressed with your work.
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![A woman with blue eyes and shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a blue sweater and matching earrings, against a dark background.]()
Hair and makeup by Amy looked amazing and photo session was professional and fun - landing great headshots that I can use at my firm, on social media, or other situations.
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![Headshot of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, glasses, and a friendly smile, wearing a dark blazer and a light blue checkered shirt against a dark background.]()
The value of the images goes beyond aesthetics—they are a true reflection of who I am and what I represent.
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![A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a light gray blazer and a dark striped top, posing against a white background.]()
I truly feel the finished work conveys his talent of capturing the professional yet authentic look I was hoping for.
It’s Not You, It’s Me
That’s right - the ‘it’s not you it’s me’ routine.
Because as it turns out, most people have trouble acting natural when a hi-res camera zooms in on their face (sorry for making it awkward).
That said, I am fully committed to making it up to you, by delivering headshots you’ll be proud to use for years to come.
No need to force smiles or find your angles - I’ll guide you through the entire process. You will see the most flattering versions of all kinds of expressions. After one session, you won’t have to hide when HR asks for a headshot.
You got this!
Andrew Michaels Owner/Lead Photographer
Present yourself
Exactly as you do in the real world -
For websites, press, advertising, &
Wherever they hang your picture next.