Headshot Session – Max Markrich

Max Markrich is the head of the D.C. office of Steward Redqueen, a global business management and consulting firm that specializes in impact and sustainability. 

He needed a new business headshot, and it had to match a pre-existing “look” created by their home office team in Amsterdam. It’s important for a collection of staff photos to be cohesive and complementary. The references I was provided show laid back, approachable expressions standing in casual poses in front of  a rich, dark green wall. I think I could technically classify these as portraits, or business portraits, since they include more than the typical head and shoulders of a headshot, but let’s call ‘em headshots. 

A great, simple headshot with a perfect “found backdrop”

Max and I met up at Open Gov Hub and borrowed a small conference room with walls painted in a similar green. I love to turn everyday office environments into something different via photography. I set up two flashes in my go-to Neewer soft boxes; one down low as a fill light and one high and to Max’s right, mimicking a giant window.

I wanted some soft shadow definition for his face, so the fill light was set to a very low power. The idea is to make its impact on the photo almost unnoticeable; it simply hits the shadow side of Max’s face with a little bit of light so the areas that aren’t hit with the key light don’t go to full black. 

I love this setup. It works for so many people and situations. Max immediately settled in to his position in front of the camera and we made a great series of images. The green wall looks beautiful and was a perfect fit for our needs. This simple combination creates a perfect headshot.

Max looks confident but approachable, and willing to listen. Which I think is important for any consultant or advisor. We have to be able to hear people out first and then offer what we can do to help, not the other way around. Conveying that ability in a headshot, which is usually our first introduction to someone, is more important than ever in today’s digital world. 

Contact Andy

Andy DelGiudice is a professional photographer that helps people and businesses look their best. He specializes in portraits, headshots, as well as branding and marketing style photography sessions that are ideal for websites, advertising and marketing initiatives. 

Send him an email or give him a call if you or your organization want to learn more about how he can help you visually communicate who you are and what you do.