What actually happened at my October Headshot Day at Launchpad, Southend-on-Sea
I run Headshot days twice a year. Usually in Spring and then in Autumn. And every time I do, the mix of people who walk through the door reminds me why I started offering them in the first place.
In the space of a few hours I photographed an equity release broker, a PMU artist, a mortgage broker, a book author, a university graduate applying for her first role in forensic pathology, a personal trainer and a project manager in finance.
And all with completely different brief for their own headshot (I challenge my clients to go beyond friendly and professional).
What is a Headshot Day, exactly?
A headshot day is a series of back-to-back 20-minute sessions at a set location on a set date. You book your slot in advance, turn up, we shoot and you leave with a gallery of images to choose from within the week.
It’s designed to be simple. No lengthy planning process, no scouting locations, no half-day commitment. Just a focused, efficient session that gets you headshots you need.
At Launchpad Southend, we had two location options: the indoor communal space with its brilliant concrete wall backdrop (neutral, versatile and genuinely perfect for headshots) and the expansive green outdoor space for anyone whose business called for something a little softer or more natural. It’s a business centre so there are people around but it’s focused working environment so there is no hustle and bustle. And actually, it’s no more public than shooting on a beach or in a cafe, which is where plenty of my headshot sessions take place anyway.
The questionnaire that makes difference
After booking, each client completes a short form. And this is why a headshot day isn’t a conveyor belt but something more considered.
I ask them to describe their business or a reason for the headshot. How they want their photos to make them feel. Who their ideal client is. How they plan to use their images. What they’re thinking of wearing. Whether they prefer indoor or outdoor.
By the time someone gets in front of my camera, I already know what we’re trying to create together. So instead of spending time at the beginning figuring out what everyone needs, we can get straight into it.
“You really have captured what I asked for in terms of the questions you asked me and my answers,” – from a testimonial afterwards. It’s not by a chance, it’s someone who took time to express their wants for the photos in the form. And sometimes it will be simpler than others, but effectively, everyone wants their photos to tell something about them.
Mortgage and Equity release broker who wanted something that communicated trust and approachability — the kind of photo that makes a client feel safe handing over a significant financial decision but also reflected her great personality and sense of humour. Her 3 words contained simplified, friendly, knowledgeable. We went indoors, clean and professional but still fun.
Kerry’s 3 words: Empowering. Precise. Transformative.
Kerry’s form was a delight, very self-aware and I loved how much she expressed herself in it. She admitted that she rarely likes photos of herself and she didn’t want to cringe at these. But beyond that, she had a specific observation about her industry: too many PMU artists have photos so polished they feel intimidating. She wanted the opposite. Confident, approachable, human. The kind of image that makes a potential client feel comfortable enough to book.
My lovely neighbour who I last photographed seven or eight years ago and she told me that the last ones, which she loved (taken in her kitchen), are now ancient history so a refresh was overdue.
Her 3 words: Writer. Historical. Fiction.
She wanted to look clever (she really is) and approachable, but — in her words — not too approachable (us introverts can relate). If you are interested in emotional historical novels, Sam writes under the pen name Lizzie Page.
A mortgage broker, similar to the equity release broker, needed professional credibility and some press coverage with a warmer edge to reflect how she actually works with clients.
I absolutely love Sam’s bold, striking appearance which is such a contrast to her gentle, soft nature.
Her 3 words: Friendly. Expert. Efficient.
An IT programme / project manager within financial services industry wanted to update his LinkedIn profile and CV to feel confident and potentially interview-ready. His 3 words were professional, confident, approachable.
And then there was the forensic pathology graduate. She’d just completed her masters in forensic medicine and was applying for her first professional role. I loved her idea of a strong headshot that might be the thing that sets her apart from other candidates in a competitive field. And it absolutely might.
Richard, who happens to be my husband, full disclosure as it’s never easy to photograph a husband although he is quite easy going — needed updated images that evoked energy, expertise and his laid back personality. We used Launchpad’s staircase as it coincidentally communicated his values as a coach and had motivational aspects that he could use for social media.
His 3 words: online, knowledgeable, understanding.
Some of the messages and google testimonials from the day
“I do REALLY hate my photo being taken. I’m always really awkward BUT Petra honestly you made it a joy! I’ve never had a photographer actually do the pose and explain it all before I had to do it and it made me feel so much more comfortable!”
“This is the ONLY time I’ve looked at a set of photos of myself and not cringed at any of them, usually it’s most of them.”
“Thank you so much. I hate my face but love your photos!”
“I’ve already changed my LinkedIn, no more catfishing!
Many thanks and much appreciated!”
“I was actually nervous, as I have never been a fan of work pictures, however, I wanted something that captured my personality and not too corporate. I felt that you listened, took on board what I was after and 110% delivered.”
“Thank you ever so much for the photos, they are perfect! I have already added one to my LinkedIn.”
So — headshot day or headshot session?
Here’s what I think.
A headshot day is right for you if:
You need a profile refresh and don’t want to overthink the logistics. You’re working with a budget. You’re happy with a set location that happens to be genuinely versatile. You want to tick it off the list efficiently without sacrificing quality. You’re between brands, between roles or just overdue an update.
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A headshot session (booked individually, at a location we choose together) is right for you if:
You want more time — to warm up, to try more looks, to really settle in. You want complete privacy or a location chosen specifically around your brand. You need a broader range of images across different settings. Or you simply want the whole experience to be built entirely around you.
Alternatively, a brand shoot is right for you if you want a full library of images — including working with clients, in your environment, telling the story of your business visually. But that’s a different conversation entirely.
The headshot day isn’t for everyone. But for the right person, it’s exactly what they need — and this day proved that the right person can be a forensic pathology graduate, a book author and a mortgage broker all in the same day.
Next Headshot Day…
I run these twice yearly. The next one will be updated on my landing page here where you can find all info too and announced via my email list — if you want to be first to know, sign up to waiting list here.
In the meantime, if you’d like to book an individual headshot session or talk through whether a brand shoot might be a better fit, get in touch here.
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I’m based in Leigh on Sea, Essex SS9 1NA
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