I'm Lauren Solomon, President of LS Image Associates, and
along with my team of Experts, I'd like to welcome you to
Image-on-the-1's.

It's our pleasure and our goal to use your questions as our guide
to the topics we address in each issue. Please keep your comments and questions coming. Visit us at www.LSimage.com or send your questions and/or comments to AskLauren@LSimage.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers!

Lauren

I'm a huge fan of digital photography. Images in all formats are meaningful to me. I love to take the shot, review it and, later, play in Photoshop correcting my own red eyes (that for decades had me convinced that one of my parents must have been descended from the original red-eyed guy himself). Even with a minimal delay, you can capture the moment and stay in the moment at the same time. These images, like all lasting images, take on important meaning in our lives.
Candid shots are, as they should be, unexpected, unplanned and, all too often, unappreciated when revealing Granny talking with her mouth full or Cousin Sarah looking as bored as can be while listening to Uncle Will, once again, recant his heroic tales of WWII. Therefore, many of these snaps will be saved in electronic form only, never to see the glossy side of a photopaper printout.

However, should you genuinely wish to have a photo of good enough quality to hang on a wall or publish in your business materials, it is well worth the few minutes or hours you invest to design the resulting image of your dreams. At the very least, it should be an image that won't haunt you when you look at it. At best, you will receive unsolicited compliments and feel inspired to repeat the process in the future.

Along with the LS Image Associates team, I often have the opportunity to style head shots, video shoots or TV spots for clients or for myself. It's never lost on me that these images are going to be presented for public viewing and scrutiny for an undefined period into the future. So, here are a few quick tips to help inspire your moment on the screen, large or small as it may be.

-- Always look like yourself in a photo. The comment you want to hear is "Wow, you look even better in person," not, "Gee, I didn't recognize you from your photo."
-- Women and men should plan to use at least a neutralizing face powder or a minimal amount of make up to get a truly natural look. I know it sounds contradictory. Nevertheless, an easy application up front can save hours of retouching fees.
-- The background should never be more interesting than you are. If it is, take a picture of it alone and let it be the star. Otherwise, you are the star and there is no acceptable competition in sight.
-- Your clothes, hair and accessories are the supporting cast. Colors are great and can be used effectively to show you to your very best advantage. Keep your best colors close to your face and your hair away from your face. Minor adjustments can be made electronically, however, entire style changes after the fact will not work.

Whether they're candid or posed, digital, video or film, take your best shot everytime and leave your lasting image for all to see with pride and pleasure.

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Image Matters!
First Steps on the Journey to Your Best Self
by Lauren Solomon

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E-Image Inquiry
Should I have more than one photo for my business materials?

I believe in options. A successful photo session should result in multiple options for you. I recommend a polished professional look, a casual professional look and a casual/chic look to give you the greatest opportunity to use the photos and guarantee a return on your investment. If the casual looks are not relevant for you, stick with 2 or 3 polished professional looks that let your personality and style shine through.