Kristina is a friendly face in money management.
As a deposit relationship officer at VisionBank, Kristina values getting to know her clients, understanding their goals, and helping them find the right financial solutions to move forward with confidence.
She sums it up like this:
“At VisionBank, we believe ‘It’s possible here’ and I’m proud to make that belief a reality every day.”
Outside of work, Kristina enjoys flower gardening and cheering on the Minnesota Wild. As the mom of a two-time leukemia survivor, she is also passionate about raising awareness around childhood cancer — a cause that keeps her motivated every day.
Optician Headshot | BRIANNA
Brianna brings style into focus.
She is a mobile optician and owner of Framed Reverie, which provides custom eyewear, directly to you.
Whether it’s your home, workplace, or a coffee shop, Brianna will bring a variety of hand-selected frames to you. She provides an expert fitting for glasses that fit your style, your life and your face.
Brianna brought fun energy to my studio, along with an array of colorful frames.
When she’s not finding people the perfect pair of specs, she enjoys traveling (she’s been to 17 countries), reading, and taking her fur babies to the dog park.
Insurance Agent Headshot | KRIS
Kris provides insurance expertise to her clients.
Kris helps people secure peace of mind.
As an insurance agent, Kris guides her clients in protecting what’s important: their family, home, and auto. She aims to provide the best coverage at the best price — with compassion and ease.
In her free time, Kris enjoys going to the family cabin, golfing with friends, attending concerts and theater, and traveling.
Software Sales Headshot | DANIELLE
Glasses or no glasses?
Danielle chose both looks. As a software sales representative, she helps large corporations automate processes which drives overall company efficiency.
Danielle loves consulting with her customers on the latest trends in technology for the workplace, including generative AI.
When she’s not talking tech, she enjoys being with her family, traveling, and getting a good cross-fit workout in.
Face Yoga: Enhance Your Headshot Naturally
When it comes to headshots, preparing your face is as important as choosing the right outfit or background. Face yoga is a simple and non-invasive way to prep your face for a great headshot.
Yes — face yoga.
There are over 40 muscles in your face, and like working your body muscles at the gym, our facial muscles benefit from movement as well. Face yoga is a series of exercises and stretches that target and tone facial muscles to define your natural features, giving you a fresher appearance.
Suzie Heiam is a face yoga enthusiast based in Minneapolis.
Suzie Heiam, a Minneapolis face yoga specialist with The Lift Within who is currently working on her Face Yoga Method teaching certification, suggests daily 5-10 minute workouts for best results. Regular practice can lead to a more youthful and refreshed look for your headshots in several ways.
Face Yoga Method photo provided by Suzie Heiam of The LIft Within
Released Tension
As with any workout routine, it’s important to warm up your muscles. Face yoga warm-up exercises can release the tension we unknowingly hold in the tongue, jaw and shoulders, resulting in a more relaxed appearance.
Improved Circulation
Several face yoga techniques increase blood flow to the face, such as tapping and breathing exercises which deliver oxygen to your skin cells to brighten your complexion.
Lymphatic Drainage
Many warm-up exercises include facial massage and acupressure points which can help increase lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness.
Face Yoga Method photo provided by Suzie Heiam of The LIft Within
Muscle Memory
Through building awareness of how you move your face, you can correct your face posture to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by strengthening facial muscles to lift and sculpt.
“Though results vary, you’ll see a brighter complexion in as soon as three weeks with increased blood flow to the face with certain exercises,” Suzie explains. “Fine lines and wrinkles can be reduced in 4-6 weeks with daily practice. Transformation takes time, but you’ll definitely see results with the Relax, Release and Retrain methodology. It’s pretty amazing — and all natural!”
Photograghers use lighting, angles, and composition to create flattering headshots, but nothing replaces natural confidence that comes from feeling good in your own skin. The next time you update your headshot, give face yoga a try.
To learn more about face yoga, contact Suzie at suzie@theliftwithin.com.
Personal Stylist Headshot | CANDEE
Candee with a few wardrobe staples
Candee’s photos reflect her fun, warm personality
Candee is a personal stylist who helps women feel confident and look amazing. She came into my Minneapolis studio for engaging brand images for her website.
Whether it’s a fresh new look or refining your true style, Candee makes fashion feel effortless and fun.
What’s one piece every woman should have in her closet? A pair of jeans that fit well and you feel good in. Candee can help you find it.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking on the north shore with her husband and dogs and traveling with her family. In style, of course.
What to Bring to Your Branding Session
Bahar brought in candles to promote her organic candle company.
Dr. Abbie brought in a stethoscope which she uses in her healthcare practice.
What do cowboy boots, a stethoscope, and a yoga mat have in common?
These are some items that clients brought into my Minneapolis studio recently for their branding photos.
Whether it’s your laptop or your Labrador, I encourage clients to bring in something they use at work or that is meaningful to them in life. It helps me tell your story.
The most popular thing people bring?
Their favorite coffee mug. (Bonus points if it’s in your brand color.)
The most unusual item brought in?
A pelvic bone. (That one was from a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor strength.)
Don’t worry if you come empty-handed.
My studio has a variety of furniture, books, plants, and decor to choose from so your images reflect your unique style.
Home Organizer Branding Photos | VALERIE
As a professional organizer, Valerie can help you achieve a clutter-free and well organized home.
Valerie often talks with her clients on Zoom.
She is a whiz at decluttering, finding storage solutions, and space planning. Valerie guides empty nesters looking to downsize, people going through life transitions, or anyone looking for an organizational refresh.
Valerie needed personal branding photos for her website that convey her as approachable and kind. My Minneapolis studio has a variety of decor and we included a pop of green (her brand color) through plants.
Valerie enjoys helping people declutter and organize their homes.
In her free time, Valerie enjoys reading (she is currently enjoying chef Ina Garten’s memoir), working on DIY projects, and spending time with her family and golden retriever.
Sales Director Headshot | SARA
Sara is a sales director for a cybersecurity software company. She came in to my Minneapolis studio for fresh headshots that show her as an enthusiastic and approachable professional.
The best part of her job? Sara likes meeting new people and protecting the companies she works with.
When she’s not at the office, she enjoys hiking, pottery and volunteering with dog rescue.
Healthcare Headshot | JESSE
Jesse’s career is at the intersection of healthcare and innovation.
He is an administrative fellow at Allina Health, where he focuses on projects pertaining to market operations and the strategic positioning of healthcare services. Jesse values his ability to have a direct impact on patient care.
Jesse came to my Minneapolis studio for fresh headshots that convey confidence, approachability, and professionalism.
When he isn’t at the office, Jesse enjoys reading, writing poetry, being outdoors, and participating in the performing arts —from stand-up comedy to immersive theater.
Health Coach Headshot | JESSICA
From salads to sweets, Jessica believes all food fits in our lives.
As a certified health and wellness coach, Jessica helps women ditch the diets and find food freedom — so they can spend time and energy on the things that truly matter.
Jessica wanted branding photos that convey her as a trustworthy and kind coach who believes food is fun. Jessica brought a variety of food to my Minneapolis studio. We added purple flowers to some images as purple is one of her brand colors. I left negative white space in some photos to allow room for her logo.
With 15 years of experience in healthcare, combined with her warm personality, Jessica is a strong support for women who have a complicated relationship with food. She uses neuroscience with nutritional rehab to create lasting change for her clients.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys yoga, knitting, and watching the tv show Bluey (it’s not just for kids!) with her husband.
It was a fun photoshoot and we celebrated with donuts after. Yes, there is even room for donuts in a healthy lifestyle.
Home Organizer Headshot | RENEE
From kitchens to playrooms to garages, Renee transforms spaces.
As a professional home organizer, Renee helps busy people declutter their stuff and reclaim their homes. She came to my Minneapolis studio for fresh headshots and branding photos.
Renee prioritizes listening to her clients’ needs and concerns. In addition to decluttering, she empowers them with systems to keep their home organized. She creates calm amid the chaos.
In her free time, Renee enjoys reading, music, yoga, cuddling with her cats, and cheering for Iowa Hawkeye basketball.
Talent Acquisition Headshot | NICOLE
In this branding image, Nicole relaxes with a cup of coffee.
In-studio headshot for a talent acquisition specialist.
Nicole is a connector.
She loves to connect people with their dream jobs and with others. Nicole is on the talent acquisition team at Northeastern Mutual. She enjoys working for a company that exists to help people be financially secure while allowing them to pursue the things they love.
It was fun having her in my Minneapolis studio when she came in for a fresh headshot. Her warm personality shines on camera.
Out of the office, Nicole enjoys trying new restaurants (Josefina and Dexter’s are favorites), going for walks, and spending time with friends and family.
The weird trick that takes your headshot from good to great
In this headshot, Jade smiled naturally. Her jawline is not as defined.
In this headshot, Jade did the out-and-down trick, defining her jawline.
Want to know a trick that will have you looking your best in your next headshot?
Here it is.
As I guide my client through posing, the jawline is really important. I like a defined jawline. No one wants a double chin.
To get that look, I use the “out & down” method. I ask my client to push their chin (or their forehead) OUT toward the camera. Then tip it DOWN.
It’s subtle but makes a big impact.
In the first photo, Jade is smiling naturally. In the second photo, she did the “out and down” before smiling.
See the difference?
Pushing your chin straight out and then down a bit stretches the skin under the chin, accentuating the jawline — taking your headshot from good to great.
5 Tips for a Great Headshot
Claire wore her favorite band t-shirt to add a fun, personal touch to her headshot.
Apparel
Wear what you feel confident in! Bring a variety of outfits. Avoid distracting patterns or graphics. Make sure clothes are wrinkle free. (I keep a steamer in the studio just in case!) Check for lint, especially if you’re a pet owner like me. And don’t forget to wear shoes that complement your outfit. Your session includes a complimentary consultation with my personal stylist who can help you look your best.
Bill looked sharp in a suit and he opted for no tie for a more casual look.
Hair + Makeup
Hair should be neat and not hanging in your eyes, causing shadows. I work with a team of awesome hair + makeup artists and encourage my clients to use them. But DIY is good too. I will remove any stray hairs and skin blemishes during the editing process, for a natural and polished look.
Bahar owns a candle company and she brought in one of her candles for a calm, peaceful brand image.
Trust
Trust the process. Your photographer will guide you in the flow of posing, using flattering light and angles. Will it feel weird? A little. But as I tell my clients, “If it feels awkward, it looks great!” You will look confident, approachable, and professional.
Props
Headshots don’t have to be boring or stuffy. They can reflect your personality, profession, and personal interests. You might bring a product you sell, a book that inspires you, your favorite coffee mug, tools of the trade (like a camera for a photographer), or even your dog. My studio is pet-friendly!
Laughter is welcome in my studio!
Attitude
Let’s be real — most of us dread having our picture taken. Photographers rank right up there with dentists in how people feel about going to them. But a skilled photographer knows how to make you comfortable and at ease in front of the camera, which results in genuine expressions, emotions, and smiles. You might even have fun!
Nonprofit Team Photos | AMPLIFY
Where matchmaking meets business:
that’s Amplify Mission Network.
Amplify connects experienced business leaders with emerging faith-based nonprofits. Business leaders share their time, expertise, and connections to propel young organizations to new levels of growth and impact.
When the Amplify team came in to my Minneapolis studio for fresh headshots and team photos, I witnessed their energy and passion for the work they do — connecting the Twin Cities’ brightest minds and biggest hearts to tackle our community challenges together.
Financial Advisor Headshot | PETER
Outfit 1: a casual sport coat without a tie
Tie or no tie?
That’s the number one question my male clients ask. I say bring a tie and we’ll get headshots with and without. Like Pete did.
Pete is a Minneapolis-based financial advisor who came to my studio for a fresh headshot as he considers a career transition.
With decades of experience in wealth management, Pete goes above and beyond for his clients – providing comprehensive wealth management to families and companies to help them maintain and grow their wealth.
Outfit 2: a suit and tie
Whether it’s setting goals and planning how to achieve those, managing their investments, or putting together strategies for passing on their wealth and legacy, he partners with them tailoring advice accordingly.
Outside of the office, you’ll find him on the golf course, pickleball courts, fishing, or enjoying time with his kids as their biggest cheerleader.
Student Headshot | SYDNEY
Sydney is wise beyond her years.
She works with a financial advisor to invest money.
She has her college major decided (actuarial science). And now she has a new professional headshot for her LinkedIn profile.
And she’s still in high school!
Her favorite subject in school is math. When she isn’t studying, she is competing on the speech team, working out, playing pickleball, and caring for the dogs her family fosters through a hospice rescue program.
Her ambition and compassion will add up to success.
Engineer Headshot | DAVID
David is an engineer, an entrepreneur and an adventure seeker.
Whether he’s solving problems in a Minnesota boardroom or conquering mountains out West on his skis, his passion for innovation and exploration shows.
David’s company recently sold and he is considering new ventures, so he came to my Minneapolis studio for headshots.
David built a company that designs and installs machine vision systems and camera lighting as well as 3D laser stitching systems. He holds 11 patents, with 2 more pending!
He works hard but always makes time for outdoor adventure — whether it’s skiing, scuba diving (he recently dove at a shipwreck), traveling with his family, or taking nightly walks with his wife.
In business and in life, the adventure continues.
Financial Advisor Brand Photo | LAVINE GROUP
Congratulations to the LaVine group on being named a Forbes best wealth management team in Minnesota!
The advisors at LaVine Wealth Management Group came to my Minneapolis studio for updated team photos for their website.
These advisors seek to understand each client’s financial goals and how they view their legacy. Finding financial strategies built to a client’s unique and ever-changing situation is key to their mission.
The LaVine group is part of Stifel, one of the nation’s leading financial services firms.