Brian Gayley Photography

Jeremiah: Division VP

Jeremiah booked his headshot session a LONG time ago! He is, after over a year, the last of my postponed sessions after the accident shut be down for a few months. Jeremiah and his family relocated temporarily to Germany so rescheduling his session was a bit of a challenge. We finally got it booked, shot and completed last night and he did amazing!

Jeremiah had never had a professional headshot session before. His comments when booking were "My current headshot isn't doing me any favors". That meant a great deal to me. It told me Jeremiah was looking for a headshot that not only looked great but worked for him. A headshot should represent the individuals personal brand. Looking at this image after meeting Jeremiah I can honestly say we captured it. He's confident but very approachable and easy to chat with.

Thanks so much Jeremiah for your patience through this whole past year! I hope your first headshot experience was a great one!

Meg: Senior Vice President

Meg booked her session with me to get an updated look. She said her last one was over 10 years old and it was time for an update. She arrived with some great outfits that represented a variety of different looks from comfortable to very professional. Her goal for her session was to get several looks that both represented her in her position as Senior Vice President and could be used in speaking engagements and presentations. She also wanted images that represented her as professional but fun and easy to work with. I believe we checked every box on her list. Her final selection had a great range of look and feel and she did amazing sorting down to her final choices.

Thank you so much Meg for coming to me for your updated headshots! It was a fantastic session!

Jillian needed a photo for her Kansas State University school ID and we just happen to know a headshot photographer so we "booked" a session. The girls met me after last night's photo shoot and we made a date night of it. It still blows my mind that I get to come home ever night to these amazing women! Sara has and continues to be the light and motivation in my less than rational mind. Jillian has grown into an amazing adult woman with hopes, dreams, and goals that make this grumpy old father so incredibly proud. 2023 certainly didn't go the way anyone would plan or hope for, but with these 2 beside me, and Jake just a phone call away we have definitely turned it into some great lemonade!

Leann: Hall Of Fame

Although I cherish and enjoy the time spent with every client who passes through my studio, there are some who go beyond the photography. Leann and I met when I was still in high school. As a very conservative Christian and down home country lady she wasn't sure what to think of this city kid from the big town who made....well....less than sound choices in life. Over the years we became very close. You see, Leann is my Mother-In-Law. At 88 years old she can still work me into the ground. She keeps a half acre garden, is a member of every club in her retirement community, can still walk a mile daily as fast as I can, and has recently been inducted into the South Dakota Senior Olympics Hall of Fame. She asked if I could take a new headshot for her annoucement and the HOF publication. It is such an honor to have a Mother-In-Law who not only asks for my photo services but brags to all her friends about the photos. Congratulations, Leann, for yet another incredible accomplishment. All the love I can give for a very special woman!

Sara: Senior Vice President

Sara is a referral from another client. It was fun working with her as she knew a little insight into my session from her co-worker. She came into the session with an open mind and ready for advice. Sara is a board member with the United Way and wanted new headshots that represented her not only in her professional career but as an ambasador of a national charity. She realized there is a very real difference between the headshot needs of a corporate executive and that of a charity board member. We worked together to develop images that suited both of her needs very well. Sara did amazing.

Thank you so much, Sara, for booking your session and making it so enjoyable! And thank you, Kelly, for the referral!! It means so much that your experience was positive enough to share it with your friends!

Martha: Vice President

Martha was amazing to work with. She said it had been several years since her last headshot update and she was due for new ones. As usual the session led to some great conversation. I was fascinated learning about all the places Martha had lived. While in Germany she met the love of her life, got married, and ended up in the midwest LOL. I always find it interesting where life takes us. It's great to make plans and have dreams, but be flexible because change is inevitable. Fortunately that change brought Martha to my studio so win for me! She did amazing!

Thank you so much Martha, for booking your headshot session! All the best and much success in your future changes.

"Obsessed. In love. Can’t stop looking at my photos! I booked Brian with the highest of hopes that I’d get a professional photo I was happy to share. He far exceeded my expectations in terms of final product and the entire experience. First, I snooped on all of his sites for a while, and he reached out asking if he could answer any questions. His “what to do before and during the photo shoot” was really helpful and easy to follow. I’d like to think I’m naturally as photogenic as I appear in these headshots…but that is all Brian’s skill, guidance, and approach. Absolutely recommend and can’t wait to come back next year. Oh and cost-wise…you get what you pay for! I don’t regret a penny."

Adam: Senior Director

Adam is a fantastic story in living the life you choose. While in a successful medical career Adam realized he didn't feel satisfied...so he did something about it. He pivoted to an opportunity that came up, felt a surge of passion and purpose for it and grew to his current position. Fast forward to today. Adam is the last client who was booked with Brian Gayley Photography before my car accident. We had rescheduled once I had resumed studio bookings, but his schedule changed and we needed to postpone. We finally re-connected and got him book and in the studio.

It was fascinating learning about his career change and how he followed his gut to ensure work life balance and career satisfaction. Hearing how others follow their gut and not their wallet is a great reminder that there are more things important than financial success in the hunt for happiness. Adam's personality and ease to work with certainly reflected this. We had a great session and Adam was very decisive in selecting the images he went home with.

Thank you so much, Adam Hosmann for your business, your patience, and a great session!

Natalie: Executive Communications Writer and Content Creator

As a photographer it is my job to not only make people look great but to create an environment that is un-intimidating, non-threatening and comfortable. When clients arrive for a photo shoot they are nervous and out of their comfort zone. I start the session out with a chat and try to bring down those fear barriers we all have with meeting new people in new places.

In walks Natalie! She has a personality that grabs your attention. She has unlimited energy, a fantastic personality, and was incredibly easy to talk to. I won't lie. At one point I told her to give me an angry (probably not the word I used) look and she threw a look at me that made me question what I'd done wrong today. She couldn't hold it long. She busted out laughing and I caught what I wanted.

I asked her what brought her in for headshots and she told me she had never had professional headshots done. She thought it was time to up her game a bit. She wanted a look that said she was both competent and professional but also represented her fun loving nature in her personal life. I thought that was a great way to describe a good headshot. It's a balance between what you represent professionally paired with who you are as a person.

Thank you so much, Natalie for booking your session with me, and bringing your fun with you! I think your goals were accomplished with these images!

WHAT ARE CLIENTS SAYING
"I chose Brian based solely on his portfolio and how he described his approach on his site. I felt pretty good I’d walk out with a headshot I liked. Didn’t know I’d walk out with so many I loved. Or that I was going to work with someone who was authentic, funny, listened to what I wanted, and delivered. I walked away with far more images than I needed, but got something completely different with each one. Brian was a true talent. If you need your headshot updated or just one that makes you feel like yourself, book him. You won’t regret it."

Kelvin: Attorney

Kelvin recently joined Kevin McManus Law as an accident attorney. As a recent injury victim who required the services of an accident attorney I can tell you first hand it was not only the reputation of the attorney who represented me, but the confidence and understanding that led me to hire then one I did. When dealing with traumatic situations you want someone who not only knows their stuff and but someone who can relate to you and give you the comfort that they are on your side. Kelvin has a very friendly, comforting personality. When he arrived there were no nerves, tension, or uncertainty. That being said, I would not want to be on the other side of the table from him. That was what we wanted to capture in his headshot! Compassion for his client, but confidence that he will represent them to the fullest.

Thank you so much Kelvin for coming in for your headshot! Thank you Kevin McManus for your continued business. All the best in your continued success!

www.briangayleyphotography.com/kansas-city-headshot-photography-blog/where-does-audiance-engagement-come-from

Headshots That Engage — Brian Gayley Headshot Photography Brief summery of how to create branding and corporate headshots that engage with your audience.

Joshua: Attorney

I am always honored and flattered when someone books a session with me. My hope is they have seen the value and authenticity in my work. What is even more humbling is when a client has made some huge life changes and needs new headshots, so books a follow up session to update his portfolio.

Joshua has made amazing changes in his life and needed new headshots to represent the current person he is. As a corporate client he also wanted his group image updated for his law firms website. Using my process to create team images by compositing individual photos taken at different times convienant for the individuals making a change to the team image does NOT require the team to all come in to the studio again. I simply remove the individual from the team image and replace them with the current session selection. In Joshua's particular case I have done this on several occasions. HIs firm lost and backfilled one of their attorneys. It was as easy as booking the new attorney, getting a matching image for the group composition, and positioning to match.

Thank you so much Joshua Scott for coming in for your update and utilizing my studio once again for your law firm! It was great seeing you again! Congratulations on your success, both personal and for your firm!!

Matt: Regional Sales Manager

Matt's job is fascinating. He manages a team that sells and supports medical devices that target specific areas of pain in the body. They can essentially re-program the brain into forgetting the chronic pain. This is especially useful for amputees who have phantom pain. The brain thinks it hurts, so it hurts. In our discussion I said that I not only found it fascinating that such a device and process exists, but that someone was able to develop it. He stated that like most inventions, it was purely by accident...a by product of the intended study.
Matt was a pleasure to work with. He had the confidence of someone who has spent many years growing and developing in his position, and the ease of conversation from someone who is comfortable in what they do. We chatted about kids, careers and commonalities. He had mentioned he loves being in surgery seeing his device used first hand. My wife works in surgery as well so I completely understood where he was coming from. The miracle of modern medicine is amazing!

I asked Matt the same question as everyone....why are we here? He put it simply "My last headshot was 15 years ago". Enough said!

Thanks you so much, Matt for booking your session. All the best in your continued success!

1 year ago today my life took a turn. The first day in the hospital doctors were't sure I would live. Day 2 they weren't sure I would unassisted. During extraction from my Jeep the paramedics nearly amputated my leg to "protect life over limb". My daughter witnessed all of this. She was virtually uninjured physically, and I have no memory of the next 2 days. From April 8, 2023 to today has been interesting. Learning to walk. Learning to live with constant discomfort. Pushing myself to live the lift I lived before the accident. I have been a born again Christian since 2017. But I have not experienced miracles like I have this past year.
This weekend my daughter and I celebrated the anniversary by returning to the area of the accident, off-roading the trails we missed the first time. Seeing the spectacular caves and waterfalls we missed the last time, and hiking 2.3 miles, half down, half up and boulder strewn mountain side. I am grateful my doctors were wrong. I am grateful the fire fighters were able to get me free before the paramedics started sawing. But I am grateful for my family, friends, clients and God that, although different and slower, life has returned to being able to do the things I love with the people I love doing them with. Anyway, enjoy the eclipse. We take far too many moments for granted until they are almost taken away! ✨ 💪

Alissa: Attorney

Alissa booked her session to get a new headshot that matched her current law firm's look and feel. We had a great session! Having done my research prior to her session I found Alissa went to college in the state I have family in and had lived for a couple years. It was an unusual school for someone who is from Kansas City until she explained it is a great equestrian school and Alissa is very involved in equestrian competition, so that school was in fact a great fit. It goes a long way to breaking the ice when you can discuss and sympathize with your client about the LOOOONNGGG, boring drive from KC to her school!!

Alissa brought in a few different outfits but wasn't sure which she would like the best. I advised her that it's easier to decide if you like one outfit over another from images instead of just looking at them on a hanger so let's shoot them all and make that decision at the end. She came away with some great images that will represent her well in her practice. Thank you SO much, Alissa, for booking your session!

Peter: Project Manager

Peter contacted me several months ago about updating his headshot. He was, at the time, between jobs and interested in upping his current profile. Since then he has found his next professional home. We had a great discussion on the importance of work/life balance. I speak with so many people who regret the time not spent with family in the pursuit of success. I love hearing clients talk about when they made the ahh ha moment and realized success comes in many forms.
Thank you so much, Peter, for booking your session. It was a pleasure getting to know a little about you!

David: Partnerships Leader

David is in a re-branding phase of his career and felt it was time to up his personal brand with new headshots. He said he had followed me on LinkedIn and felt my images captured something in my subjects he hadn't seen in other headshots so booked his own session. David is the kind of personality that likes to get out there and meet people face to face, building connections and getting to know the people he is doing business with. It's important that a headshot represents you before meeting someone in person, but it's also incredibly important a headshot doesn't create an impression that doesn't live up to your true self. While reviewing images during our session David made the comment a few times "this one feels like the real me". You can force a smile, or fake a look. In fact, David is also an improv performer so is very skilled in manipulating his expression. The fact is, people can tell when viewing an image if the expression is genuine or coaxed. I think David's new headshots captured the person who walked in my door and shook my hand.
Thank you so much, David, for booking your session, chatting about fly fishing, and working with me to create you new look!

Karen: Attorney

Karen is a HUGE personality! She arrived for her session and it was like and old friend was back in town. She oozed confidents and we probably spent more time than we needed just chatting about this and that before we got down to business. Aside from needing a great current headshot for her various social media platforms Karen has an amazing opportunity lurking in the distant future so wanted images that captured what she needed to portray. I'll let her announce that if or when she's ready but having met her I can say if it pans out she will do amazing!!

Thank you so much, Karen, for booking your session with me! You did amazing!

Loren: Business Credit Expert

One of the things I love about working with my clients is learning. Whenever I sit down and chat with them about who they are, what they do, and what their goals are, I always learn something new about the business world. There is so much to know about being a small business owner.
Loren works with small businesses to create a credit history separate from the owners personal credit. I was fascinated with the process to develop that credit history. If any of you have kids that have tried to buy their first car you'll know they are looking at 20+% interest because a 19 year old has not credit. A small business is the same way. Loren struck me as someone who knows his stuff when it comes to navigating small business credit. It was great chatting with him and getting to know his line of work.
Thank you so much for coming to me for your headshot updates, Loren! It was great working with you!

Nikkie: Fractional CMO

Nikkie recently started her own business as a Fractional CMO. She has started building her website and thought it was a great start to get her headshots updated to kick off the rebrand. Her specialty is in marketing. As she put it "The cobblers daughter has no shoes". She is always focused on her clients marketing but hadn't spent much time on her own branding. She is off to an amazing start with her new images!

Thank you so much, Nikkie for booking with me. I'm excited for you in your new business and being your own boss!!

Jennifer: Attorney

Jenn booked her session without ever having met or communicated with me. On one hand I love these bookings as it shows my SEO is working. On the other I'm still always flattered that someone chose me for my work and I didn't have to "sell" my session.
Jenn arrived with a great selection of outfits. We sat down and chatted about what she wanted, needed, and envisioned. She said she had a pretty current headshot. The only think different was hair length, but it wasn't drastic. Jenn said the previous headshot experience felt cold and mechanical. The photographer made her smile and say words to create a smile. Jenn told me right off she wasn't a big smile person. Her natural look is pretty serious with a grin. I told her the best headshots are ones that make the subject feel confident and natural. It's difficult displaying an image of yourself when you question if it really looks like you at all.
Jenn did amazing in our session! After a few test shots to demonstrate my technique and let her practice some coached items we settled into a great session flow! She has a very confident but warm expression that makes me feel like she is an attorney I would NOT want to be ACROSS the table or courtroom from. I'd want her on my side for sure! After several outfits we sat down and sorted her session down to her top images that worked for her.
Thank you so much for booking your session with me Jennifer! It was wonderful meeting and working with you!

Frank: Law Firm Shareholder

Frank contacted me over a year ago to update his headshots. We chatted about my process and what his particular needs were. Due to his schedule, my being closed for 6 months after the accident, and general phone and message tag we finally connected and got his session completed.
Frank's needs were simple. It had been 10 years since his current image had been shot and he had some less than stellar headshots taken since that just didn't work for him. He wanted some images that were current and represented him now. He of course mentioned getting pictures taken wasn't his favorite past time, and he was nervous so he stated he was glad my session process included a discussion about his needs, coaching for the perfect look, and a pretty painless selection process. You wouldn't know if looking at his headshot! Frank is showing the confidence his position and clients require!

Thanks so much, Frank Koranda, for coming in! I a so happy we finally got it done for you!

Chris: Area Sales Director

Chris is the area sales director for a major wound healing medical device. His customers are hospitals and surgeons. People depend on his product for the health of their patience so a confident headshot was needed to represent Chris to his customers. He nailed it!

Thanks so much for booking your session, Chris! All the best in your professional growth!

Madison: Senior Manager of Performance Improvement

Madison accepted a new position and reached out needing a "more professional" headshot for the corporate announcement. She arrived with a few outfits and right off the bat impressed me with her confidence. She suggested she would be working closely with C-level executives and wanted an image that would represent her well in that audience. It can be nerve wracking arriving for a photo shoot so I generally have a chat with my clients to get to know them but to also allow some time for nerves to calm a bit. Sitting down, explaining my process and my goals for the final images goes a long way to build rapport. Diving right into the meat of a photo session doesn't allow true expressions to come out but Madison was confident and self assured right from the start.
We captured some amazing images and I think Madison is all set for her new challenges. Thank you SO much, Madison, for booking your session! All the best in your new role and future goals!