Military Service Headshots in Pacific Grove
A studio headshot session created on a tight timeline, with attention to detail and a final image ready when it mattered most.
The search for a tie during a headshot session!
William contacted me with a sudden need for a headshot, and not just any headshot, a military service style headshot, which I have actually never done before. Fortunately, I had time in my schedule to get him in my Pacific Grove Photo Studio the very next day. The scramble right up until shooting time was finding a flag to use in the background! William found one last minute, but it was too tall to stand up on its base in my studio even with its high ceilings. So I then had to figure out how to prop it up at an angle so it could first, fit, and second, look like it needed to. There was use of a lot of clamps and a couple of light stands to make the final background happen! But!! Then William had forgotten his tie and there really was not time for him to drive back home to get it. So I thought, let’s check the nearby thrift stores for one. We had to go to three to find one that was close to what he needed, albeit the wrong color. Dark blue was close enough, so that in editing I could adjust it so it looked black like he needed. As you can see, this was not the usual headshot session, but I was glad to be able to pull everything together in a true team effort to make these headshots. Good luck William with your applications!
Headshots that are ready when you need them
If you need a professional headshot on a tight timeline, I keep the process simple, efficient, and focused on getting you a result you are confident using right away.
For military service portraits, you are welcome to bring your own flag. I provide the lighting, stands, and setup to position it properly for a well composed final image.
Studio Setup and Final Result
This session came together quickly, but every detail still mattered. From positioning the flag to refining the lighting and final edits, the goal was to create a strong, professional image that reflects both service and individuality—delivered on time without compromise.
Behind the Scenes
This setup was created in my Pacific Grove Photo Studio using a simple but effective lighting approach. The flag was carefully positioned using light stands and clamps, allowing for a clean and structured background without previously ever having set up my studio for a shot like this before!
Sessions like this are a good reminder that it is often about how everything can come together in a short amount of time to create a strong final image.
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Pacific Grove, California