Headshots and Portraits
that feel like you.
AS SEEN IN
Headshots that work harder for you.
A great headshot should do more than update your LinkedIn profile. Your images can be used across your website, company bio, speaker page, press features, social media, marketing materials, dating profile, or anywhere you need to show up with confidence and credibility.
I work with entrepreneurs, executives, consultants, creatives, speakers, authors, and professionals who want photographs that feel current and recognizable, but still polished. Depending on what you need, we can create a mix of classic headshots, relaxed portraits, and more expressive images so you have options for the different ways you show up.
Alpana has a way of bringing out something from the inside.
I appreciated the pre-shoot coaching and preparation, from the detailed instructions to the conversations we had so you could really draw out what I wanted. I didn’t fly blind coming into the studio that day.
During the shoot, I loved how you guided me with posing, expression and posture, and somehow brought out something from the inside. It gave me a chance to sink into myself a little and also show myself off.
From the shoot itself to reviewing the photos and making my selections, everything was smooth and streamlined. You made the whole customer experience easy. Start to finish, it was meticulously orchestrated.
– Ellen K
The Portrait Experience
Being photographed can feel a little awkward at first, especially if you’re not used to being in front of the camera. That’s normal. My job is to help you settle in, relax, and bring out the expressions and energy that feel most like you.
Clients have described the experience as a chance to “sink into myself, but show myself off,” and have said that the more we photographed, the easier it became to relax and follow the direction. I’ll guide you throughout, but the goal is never to make you look posed or like someone else. It’s to draw out what’s already there.
Your Session, Designed Around You
Every session is thoughtfully planned so you know what to expect, feel prepared, and can relax into the experience.
Plan your shoot
We start with a conversation about what you need from your images, whether that’s headshots, branding, portraits, or a mix. From there, we plan the look and feel of your session, including wardrobe, location, colors, and the types of images you want to create.
Enjoy your shoot
A lot of the work happens before the camera ever comes out. By shoot day, you’ll know what to bring and what to expect. I’ll guide you throughout the session with posing, expression, and direction so you can relax and actually enjoy being photographed.
PICK YOUR FAVORITES
After your session, we’ll meet to go through your images together. I’ll guide you through the selection process so you can choose the photographs you love most, and your final images will be professionally retouched and prepared for you.
FAQ
What is it like to work with you?
My approach combines photography, coaching, and creative direction. I’m not just looking for a polished expression. I’m paying attention to how you move, what feels natural, and what brings out more of you in front of the camera.
My background in design, branding, and marketing also helps me think beyond the photograph itself, so your images feel aligned with your personality and how you want to show up.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions take place in my East Bay studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Depending on the type of session, select locations may also be available.
WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT FOR A PORTRAIT SESSION?
The session fee is $990 and includes a $300 credit toward your final images. This is a fully guided, personalized experience from planning through your final selections. As one client described it, “Start to finish, it was meticulously orchestrated.”
For clients who simply need a quick, polished headshot update, I also offer a more streamlined mini session with fewer options and less customization.
Do I need Hair and Makeup?
Yes, especially for a custom session. I work with trusted hair and makeup artists who understand how to create a polished, camera-ready look that still feels natural. Many of my clients don’t wear much makeup in everyday life, so the goal is never to make you look like someone else. It’s simply to elevate what’s already there so you still look and feel like you.
What should I wear for my session?
You won’t have to figure that out on your own. During your custom session planning call, we’ll go through wardrobe options, look at what you already have in your closet, and identify what else you need to shop for. That way, you’ll arrive at your session feeling prepared and confident about what you’re wearing.
How much retouching do you do?
My retouching is natural and tailored to you. Some clients want very little, while others prefer a bit more shaping or slimming. One client even asked me to add some of her wrinkles back because the first edit felt too smooth. The goal is for you to feel polished, but still like yourself.