Doctors Headshots in Yonkers, New York
I like to keep the conversation alive when I’m photographing someone. I like to distract them from the fact that we’re taking pictures, so I ask questions.
I do it with professionals, not just with actors. I’ve photographed about 30 doctors, hospital executives, and three groups of residents from St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, NY.
I think these are important shots ... You should never judge a doctor by their headshot. But like any profession, it does say something about them. It’s their calling card with potential patients.
Asking a cardiologist about the heart
I photographed a cardiologist and asked her, why the heart? What’s interesting about the heart as opposed to dermatology, or the skin?
She had a good explanation. She said, if you think about it, that’s the engine. Yes, the brain gives the signal to the heart, but if the heart stops, everything stops. She told me she was very interested in this machine that keeps us moving.
I always try to be interested in the person in front of me. Why this specialty? What brought you to it?
Keeping residency headshots bright and neutral
With residents, I never know where the image is going to go. They’re aiming for a residency somewhere, and they may have some places in mind, but I don’t know what the requirements are. So I can’t do the research, like going to a hospital’s website to see what the colors are.
So I try to keep it as neutral as possible. I use bright lighting, without a lot of drama. I want the person to look approachable. This is someone who will give you a diagnosis, someone you can trust.
When St. John’s hires me for its own materials, it’s different. They tell me exactly what they want. Once, they asked for more drama, with the light coming from the side. Another time, they wanted a midnight blue gradient, lighter on top and darker on the bottom, to leave room for writing.
Thinking about the person in the photograph
I always ask myself, would I trust the person in this picture? Would I go to this doctor? That’s how I approach it.
I’m guilty of judging doctors by their picture myself. I’ve gone on my health insurance website and thought, okay, this doctor is close to me. Let me Google him. Then I see the picture, and I’m like, no. There’s something about this person I don’t trust.
I photographed a nephrologist, a kidney doctor. What was funny is that we did all these shots with the lab coat, of course. Then we did some more relaxed ones, and those are the ones he actually used. He said, I can use these for my dating profile. I said, sure, why not?
Lending an ear to our doctors
Doctors are the ones who do the listening all day long. So during their session, I’m like, okay, I’ll listen to you. Maybe it’s the first time all day someone has asked about them. As they talk, they get into their own skin, and we can see the trustworthy person they are.
If you’re a doctor or a residency applicant looking for headshots at my Beacon, New York, studio, tell me what you need the photographs for.
Just get in touch. And when you’re in front of my camera, I’ll probably ask what brought you to your specialty. I’m interested in the answer.
Headshot FAQ
What should I wear?
Wear what you’d wear to your residency interview. For men and women, I always suggest dressing in your best professional attire... I always recommend suits as the go-to or a smart shirt and jacket. You can wear your white coat, but we'll do shots with and without that so you can decide what's best for the photo. Make sure you have it freshly pressed, bring it in on hangers, and change in the studio. We do keep a steamer and an iron if a client needs it. While we can fix things in post-production, that doesn't mean it will always be perfect, and for something like a professional headshot, it's best not to rely on software to nail the finer details.
Are there colors I should avoid?
Skip bright colors like yellow, orange, and red, and skip busy patterns. Keep jewelry simple... I sometimes will advise removing certain details if I find it is overpowering the photo.
When should I get a haircut?
I'd recommend waiting a week out but I understand that you might do it the day before. Rule of thumb for most people is what approximate time does your hairstyle look the best? A week out or two? Maybe you even like it freshly cut. It comes down to your taste and how you prefer to look.
I don’t like smiling in photos. What if I look stiff?
That’s my job. I’ll ask you questions while we shoot, probably about why you chose your specialty. Most people forget about the camera once they start talking. I’m looking for the approachable version of you, someone a patient would trust.
What should I tell you before the session?
We'll talk and tell me what you are looking to do and the purpose of the photo... Is it for your residence or is it for your photo for the new job at a local New York hospital. I'll also ask you to speak to your marketing person at the hospital if they have specs that we need to meet.
And look at my work before you book. It’s important that you like it, too.
If you have more questions, please get in touch with me, and I'm happy to discuss.
