Larry is driven by purpose.
As a former college athlete, he knows firsthand the challenges athletes face on and off the field. Larry is on his way to becoming a lawyer so he can advocate for them and help protect their futures.
When he isn’t working or studying, you’ll find him working out, watching sports (go Vikings!) and spending time with friends.
Debbie offers personalized peer support services for traumatic brain injury (TBI) caregivers, easing the struggles they face every day.
Debbie came to my studio for headshots for her business, Your TBI Ally. She wanted images that convey compassion and trust which are crucial to client relationships.
Utilizing her lived experience as a TBI caregiver, she guides and counsels others - navigating health and community-based services, advocating on their behalf, and empowering caregivers to feel seen, supported, and equipped for the many stressful choices and events they encounter.
In her free time, Debbie loves to travel, make jewelry, and hunt for treasures while thrifting.
She’s also passionate about fashion — especially when it comes to the latest shoe trends. Her collection spans many styles, but sneakers will always be her favorite.
With over 20 years of experience assisting attorneys, Laura is a paralegal focusing on family law. She advocates for her clients in divorce and custody matters.
She came into the studio for an updated photos for the firm’s website. As the first point of contact doing client intakes, Laura knows how important first impressions are.
Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family and watching Minnesota sports, especially the Timberwolves.
As a film editor, Luke knows how to tell a story.
Luke’s role is to prepare footage that will be put together in a final product: a documentary series. He uses his creativity, curiosity, and work ethic. His degree in cinematography and film/video production from UC-Boulder comes in handy too.
Luke came to the studio this week for fresh headshots. It was fun to hear about his career goals.
His dream job would be to create a film that raises awareness of and protects the Boundary Waters from threats posed by mining. The Boundary Waters is a special place to Luke and he likes going there with family and friends.
In his free time, he enjoys downhill skiing, golf, camping, cheering on the Vikings, and watching a good movie. Among his favorites: “Parasite” (he’s a fan of director Bong Joon-ho) and “The Goonies” (he appreciates the way it captures friendship.)
I look forward to seeing how Luke’s work will inform and challenge perspectives, through the powerful stories he tells.
The team from SmartGrowth CFO came to the studio last week for headshots and brand photos. I enjoyed capturing their energy and collaborative spirit.
SmartGrowth provides fractional CFO, accounting and bookkeeping services to a variety of industries.
The team empowers business leaders to fully understand and take control of their company’s financial wealth so they can make confident, data-driven decisions that propel their organizations forward.
Plus, they are genuinely nice people.
Finding the right home is about more than square footage — it’s about helping people start their next chapter with confidence.
As a realtor, Jeremy brings energy and focus to every client he works with, from first-time home buyers to empty nesters looking to downsize.
It was a pleasure having Jeremy in the studio this week for updated headshots.
When he’s not helping people navigate the housing market, you can catch him going for a run, hitting the golf course, and spending quality time with his daughter.
As president of the Hennepin County Bar Association, Jessica is committed to fostering a strong sense of community within the legal profession. It was a pleasure having her in the studio for headshots.
Jessica is a litigator with the Minneapolis law firm Bassford Remele. She defends clients against consumer protection, malpractice, and professional liability claims.
Outside of the courtroom, she enjoys being on the lake, running, and having dance parties with her daughters.
With every brush stroke, Caitlin brings beauty to life.
She is a Minneapolis-based hair and makeup artist who came to my studio for fresh brand photos for her business.
Caitlin loves to pamper women and create a look that makes her clients light up when they look in the mirror. She helps women radiate beauty and confidence.
In addition to her skilled artistry, it’s all about using the right tools. “Using the right brush creates a whole different look,” she says.
In her free time, Caitlin loves being with her family, traveling, painting, and cooking.
As a fractional CFO, Javier works with private equity firms and other global organizations to drive financial stewardship and organizational growth as a strategic partner.
From strengthening decision-making to mitigating risk, Javier is a finance leader who contributes to sustainable growth.
Outside of the office, Javier enjoys cycling. He has a collection of bikes and even some bike art. He also serves on the advisory board for Teach for America.
Natasha’s superpower is helping organizations turn losses into profits while building a culture of accountability, openness, and trust.
Natasha is a global business and finance executive with expertise in the agri-food industry. She came in to the studio last week for a fresh headshot.
In her free time, she enjoys yoga, speed walks, and boating with her family.
Megan helps clients build strong brand awareness.
Megan helps brands grow.
Megan enjoys creating bold marketing strategies.
As owner of Megan Elizabeth MKTG, she creates digital marketing strategies, builds engaging websites, and improves SEO for her clients— so they can reach their target audience efficiently.
Megan came to my studio last week for updated headshots and brand photos for her website.
When she isn’t designing scroll-stopping brand strategies, Megan enjoys watching sports (especially the Packers and Timberwolves), traveling, and trying out new restaurants in Minneapolis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
