FAQ

I believe great headshots capture who you really are — not a forced smile or a pose you saw on Pinterest. As an Enneagram 7, I bring a lot of energy, encouragement, and playfulness to every shoot. I’ll hype you up, make you laugh, and create a space where you can genuinely relax and feel like yourself. I want you to walk away feeling confident, comfortable, and seen — like you just spent an hour hanging out with a friend who happens to have a camera. My focus is on capturing the spark and magic you’ll bring to every project you book.

I’ve been photographing people for nearly fifteen years, and what I’ve learned is that the camera has this quiet ability to bring out truth — the real, unguarded moments that show who you are. Some of my closest friendships started behind the lens, because photoshoots are vulnerable, connecting experiences that go way beyond the images themselves.

That’s why finding the right photographer matters so much. It’s not just about angles or lighting — it’s about trust, comfort, and how you feel when the camera is pointed at you. I want you to feel comfortable, confident, and inspired every step of the way.

And if that energy isn’t with me, that’s completely okay. There are so many talented photographers in the PNW, and I genuinely want you to find the one who makes you feel most like yourself — because that’s when the real magic happens.

If we do end up working together, I promise you it is my goal for you to feel celebrated, supported, and completely yourself in front of my camera.

I received a minor in photography from Northern Arizona University, where I learned the technical foundations of lighting, cameras, and composition — but my most formative education has come from nearly 15 years behind the lens.

In that time, I’ve refined my craft across portraiture, brand, and lifestyle work, collaborating with hundreds of clients and seeing my photography featured in outlets like Fast Company, Huffington Post, Broadway World, Soulbase Magazine, Oregon Live, and more.

Photography has taken me all over the world — I’ve flown thousands of miles, climbed mountains in the Arctic Circle, and stayed awake until sunrise chasing the perfect light. But even more meaningful than the places it’s taken me are the people it’s connected me to. I’ve had the gift of photographing people in love, marrying the love of their life, welcoming their babies, celebrating newfound independence, and launching their dream businesses. Along the way, I’ve built lifelong friendships and witnessed some of the most intimate, joyful moments of people’s lives.

Alongside my photography career, I’ve also trained extensively in acting, which gives me a unique ability to help clients find natural, dynamic expressions that feel alive, real, and full of emotion.

I shoot with a Canon R6 and a mix of professional lenses that create flattering, cinematic depth — usually a 28–70mm or 85mm prime for portraits. I use LED continuous lighting so I can sculpt light naturally, make real-time adjustments, and keep you comfortable without harsh flashes.

Yes! I can connect you with a few trusted Portland-based hair and makeup artists who specialize in camera-ready looks for headshots. Hair and makeup play a big role in how polished and confident you feel on camera — it’s not about changing how you look, but about enhancing your natural features and ensuring you look your best under studio lighting.

You’re also welcome to bring your own artist to the studio — just let me know ahead of time so I can plan our timing and setup accordingly.

Once you book, I’ll send over a Pinterest board of wardrobe, hair, and makeup inspiration to help you start visualizing your looks and get ideas for what photographs best. I’m also happy to hop on a quick 15-minute prep call before your session to talk through your goals, vibe, and styling.

You’re welcome to send me photos of your wardrobe options anytime for feedback — I love helping clients narrow down what will look best on camera and capture the right tone for their brand.

I recommend bringing a selection of simple, well-fitted pieces in colors that complement your skin tone and eyes. Solid colors photograph best — avoid bold patterns, large logos, or busy prints that can distract from your face.

Think about the message you want your photos to convey. If you’re shooting for your company website or LinkedIn, polished neutrals and tailored layers (like a blazer, button-down, or soft knit) are timeless choices. If you’re building your personal brand or shooting lifestyle content, we can incorporate more personality — like pops of color, texture, or accessories that reflect your style.

And most importantly: iron. iron. IRON! Wrinkles are distracting and nearly impossible to edit naturally, so take the time to steam or press your clothes before arriving. It makes all the difference.

I’m happy to review your options when you arrive and help choose what will photograph best for your goals.

All sessions include fully retouched final images — the number depends on your package. Additional retouched photos are $30 each, or bundled at $125 for 5 and $200 for 10.

Retouching is about polishing, not perfection. I use professional tools in Photoshop to remove temporary distractions like blemishes, flyaways, lint, or under-eye shadows — while keeping your skin texture and features natural. You’ll still look like you — just your most rested, confident, well-lit self.

You are already the most perfect version of you. My goal isn’t to change how you look — it’s to celebrate it. I create a body-neutral, affirming space where you can feel comfortable, confident, and seen exactly as you are.

I know that being photographed can bring up anxiety or self-conscious thoughts — that’s completely normal. My job is to use lighting, posing, and direction to help you look and feel your best, not to change your body or features.

Your headshots should look like you on your best, most confident day — not a filtered or altered version of yourself. I’ll lightly polish your final images in Photoshop to remove temporary distractions (like blemishes or flyaways), but I’ll always keep them honest, natural, and true to who you are.

You can book directly through reedalyson.com/headshotsbyreed

. Once you select your package, an initial non-refundable payment of $100–$200 (depending on the package) secures your session date and time.

After your shoot, you’ll receive an invoice for the remaining balance, which is due upon receipt.

If you have any issues with the booking link or prefer to schedule directly, feel free to email me at hello@reedalyson.com

— I’m always happy to help get you set up.

I completely understand that things come up, and I do my best to be flexible when possible. Rescheduling depends on the location and setup of your session.

If your session is booked at a studio, we’ll follow that studio’s rescheduling policy:

7 or more days’ notice: You’re welcome to reschedule your session (no refund).

Less than 7 days’ notice: Unfortunately, no refund or reschedule is available.

If you can’t make it, you’re always welcome to find someone to take your spot, and the reschedule fee will be waived.

If we need to move your session and the original studio isn’t available on the new date, you’ll be responsible for the cost of booking a new studio space for your rescheduled session.

For non-studio sessions (like outdoor or on-location shoots), I can usually offer a little more flexibility. Just reach out as soon as possible so we can make adjustments if needed.

I’ll always do my best to make the process easy and stress-free. Communication is key, so please keep me in the loop if anything changes.

I accept payment via credit card, Venmo, or bank transfer. Please note that credit card payments include a 3% processing fee. All payment details and links will be included in your invoice for easy checkout.

Working with returning clients truly means so much to me. As a thank you for your continued support, clients who leave a Google review will receive 10% off their next session.

Simply mention it when booking, and I’ll apply your discount.

Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes early to get settled, hang your wardrobe, and do any final touch-ups. We’ll gain access to the studio right at the top of the hour, so arriving a few minutes early ensures we can start promptly and make the most of your session time.

Yes! I’ll show you images directly from the back of my camera throughout the shoot so you can see how things are looking and feel confident every step of the way.

If you’ve booked The Mini Session, you’ll receive a proof gallery of unretouched, watermarked images within 72 hours to select your favorite five for editing (additional images can be purchased if you’d like).

For all other sessions, I’ll carefully edit and deliver a full curated gallery — no proofing required. You’ll receive your final, fully edited images within two weeks of your session (often sooner).

If you need your images faster, rush turnaround options are available for an additional fee.

Your final gallery will be hosted privately on reedalyson.com for one full year, where you can view, download, and share your images anytime.

Only proof galleries will include watermarked images to protect the integrity of your unedited photos while you make your selections. Proofs are not to be shared publicly and cannot be downloaded or used in any way.

Once you’ve made your final picks, proof access will be removed and your retouched final images will be delivered without watermarks, ready to download, share, and post anywhere you’d like.

If you decide to purchase additional final images beyond what’s included in your package, those will also be delivered without watermarks once retouched.

A good rule of thumb is to update your headshots every 1–2 years — or anytime your look changes noticeably. That might mean a new haircut or color, facial hair, major style shift, or even just a natural change in energy or age range.

For actors, it’s also worth updating when your casting goals or representation change. If you’ve recently signed with a new agent, landed a big role, or are leaning into new character types, fresh photos can help align your materials with where your career is heading.

Yes, absolutely — you’re welcome to bring one guest for support!

I just ask that they let us stay focused during the shoot so you can get the most out of your session. (No pets in studio, please.)

Absolutely! I love seeing behind-the-scenes moments — just make sure not to share unedited proofs. If you post, please tag @headshotsbyreed so I can share the love!

You absolutely do not have to, but it’s always appreciated! Tagging @headshotsbyreed helps me grow my small business and connect with more amazing clients like you.

I don’t release RAW files, as they’re an unfinished part of my creative process. Every final image you receive is carefully edited and color-corrected to reflect my style and professional standards.

That said, I always include a generous selection of final images (especially in branding and professional packages), so you’ll have plenty of variety to choose from. If you have specific editing preferences — like a lighter touch or more retouching — just let me know before delivery, and I’ll make sure the final gallery fits your vision.

Yes! I regularly work on-location throughout Portland and beyond. If you’d like to bring me to your company, event, or brand shoot in another city or state, I’m happy to travel. Travel rates vary based on distance, time, and setup needs — just reach out with details, and I’ll provide a custom quote.

Yes! To the best of my ability, I can match your company’s existing lighting, background, and framing style so your new images fit seamlessly into your website, marketing materials, or internal directory. Just share a few sample images ahead of time, and I’ll make sure everything looks cohesive.

Yes! All business and branding sessions include commercial usage rights, so you’re welcome to use your images across your website, social media, press features, and marketing materials.