What is the SCP Headshot Mini Marathon?

I’ve been in the photography industry for over a decade now. Five years into my career as a wedding and family photographer, I started craving a new challenge and creative outlet. While I still love the motherhood and family sessions I shoot periodically throughout the year, the past seven years have shown me that the joy I get working with portrait and headshot photography clients surpasses that of any other photography style I’ve tried. 

Not to mention, personal branding photography has pushed the boundaries of my creativity and led to incredible opportunities for myself and my clients. Since 2018, I’ve honed my unique style and approach to personal branding, posing, and headshot composition and, as a result, developed a unique service I can’t wait to share with you. 

Introducing: the Sara Coffin Photo Headshot Mini Marathon. 

Asian woman wears a dark wash denim jumpsuit and sits in front of a white backdrop in a photography studio during a professional headshot session | Sara Coffin Photo Headshot Mini Marathon session experience

What is the Headshot Mini Marathon?

The Headshot Mini Marathon is a once-monthly day of back-to-back headshot minis hosted at my Sanford, NC, photo studio. 

When you book a headshot mini session, you’ll get access to professional hair and makeup and my expertise in photo composition, styling, and art direction. 

In the spirit of constantly evolving my business to meet the needs of my small business clients, ​​I felt it was time to create a new and improved headshot experience. This service encompasses all the elements I feel are crucial to a successful photo session.

Who is this service meant for?

This session is for the busy female entrepreneur who doesn’t have hours to invest in sourcing and booking vendors but wants a curated, trusted team to show up on shoot day and make her look and feel amazing. 

Instead of spending her evening reviewing her online proofing gallery and overthinking hundreds of (almost identical) images to make her selections, she wants it all done the same day. In a normal session format, those extra hours represent precious time spent away from her business and family. 

After a Headshot Mini Marathon, she can walk away knowing she has amazing images selected to brand and market herself and her business. She can head home to spend time with those she loves, confident she made the most of her financial and time investment. 

Get on the books! Click to book your spot at the next Headshot Mini Marathon!

What can I expect during my photoshoot session?

First and foremost, you can expect this to be unlike any other portrait experience you’ve ever been a part of. I’ve spent countless hours planning every aspect of this experience to make sure no detail is overlooked! 

As soon as you arrive at the studio, you’ll get started with hair and makeup and I’ll pop in to say a quick hello ASAP! Once hair and makeup are complete, we’ll review the wardrobe options you brought and select your first look together. I recommend bringing up to three full looks, or two full looks and one change in outerwear. An alternative jacket or blazer is always a good choice!

We will take the time to compose professional portraits that speak directly to your target audience and reflect your personality and brand. I will shoot tethered to a laptop so you can see specific poses in action and select the images you love as we go.

Personal stylist Taylor Puryear of Style Me Tay wears camouflage cargo pants and oversized white sweater as she positions a necklace on model wearing lightwash jeans a black bodysuit and oversized olive green blazer

My goal is for you to leave this session with photos you’re so excited about that you won’t even make it out of the parking lot before wanting to share your experience. Please don’t post and drive, lol.

How do I select my favorite headshots?

After the photoshoot portion of your session is complete, we will cull your gallery together on-site. Basically, we will go through all the images we captured and pinpoint your favorites, which I will eventually edit. If you’re torn and need to sleep on it, I’ll send over a proofing gallery after your session to go through in your own time. You’ll indicate the images you’d like me to edit, plus any additional images you’d like to purchase a la carte. 

When will I get my edited headshots back?

My current Headshot Mini Marathon image turnaround time is approximately 10 days from your session date. My fastest turnaround timeline occurs when final images are selected on-site during your session. If images are selected from a proofing gallery, my turnaround time will be delayed by several days to accommodate.

When are Headshot Mini Marathon Sessions held?

I will announce each upcoming HMM date via email the month prior. Sign up for my monthly newsletter to be notified of upcoming Mini Marathon dates. You’ll also get early access to claim your spot before dates are released on social media! Limited spots (up to four!) will be available every month.

You can also check out my booking site for sign-up availability here!

Where will my portrait session be held?

Your session will take place in my private photography studio in Sanford, NC, just 40 minutes from downtown Raleigh, NC. On the day of your session, you can access to the studio one hour before your session to start hair and makeup. 

Headshot Mini Marathon Session Time Slots:

  • 9:30 a
  • 10:30 a
  • 11:30 a
  • 12:30 a

Sara Coffin Photo Studio Address:

108 N Gulf Street

Sanford, NC 27330

Your session will last approximately 40–45 minutes, with an additional 15-20 minutes for final image selection. The studio is fully set up with a backdrop, stools, and mirrors for you to use. There is also a hair and makeup station, clothing rack, and dressing corner for you to change into different wardrobe options.

Black clothing rack holds various pastel colored workout clothes on hangers

How long is a portrait session?

The entire experience will last two hours from start to finish, between hair and make-up, session time, outfit changes and make-up touch-ups, and image viewing and ordering social. The photography portion of your session will last 45 minutes.

Who is involved in my portrait session?

Over the years, I’ve put together a dream team of experts to create the most luxurious and seamless portrait experience possible. On the day of your headshot mini-session, you will work with one of my preferred hair and makeup vendors and myself as your photographer.

Below are several resources from my immediate partner network to prepare for your session & make the most of your images once you get them back!

READ: How To Select a Killer Outfit for Headshots and Personal Branding Photos

READ: How To Use Your Personal Branding Photos on Social Media in 2024

Metal light stand holds white paper backdrop inside professional photography studio

How much planning goes into a portrait session?

The goal of this service is to cut down on the unnecessary stress, overthinking, and overplanning that go into a lot of photo sessions. We’ll keep planning and communication simple and straightforward so you can be in and out of your session in no time! Before our session, I will send you a planning email to review your hair and makeup call time, logistical details, and FAQs.

What is the Headshot Mini Marathon investment?

All-inclusive pricing for your portrait session begins at $490. This is inclusive of my time, your final edited images, and professional hair and makeup. Additional image collections are available for purchase if you can’t pick just two and a price list for additional images will be available on site.

What’s included in the Headshot Mini Marathon?

  • Professional hair and make-up
  • Bring up to (3) outfit selections
  • 1/hr session (includes post-session, on-site image selection)
  • White photo backdrop
  • On-site image selection for faster image delivery
  • (2) hi-res, retouched digital images 
  • online gallery for image proofing, delivery, and archival
  • Additional image collections are available for purchase
  • Print and marketing rights included with your digital files
Woman wearing a black blazer and top poses in front of white backdrop for a professional headshot | Sara Coffin Photo Headshot Mini Marathon session experience

If you’re ready to book your Headshot Mini Marathon, visit my booking site now to reserve your spot!

Asian woman wearing a dark wash denim jumpsuit leans back against a chair in front of a white backdrop in a photography studio during a professional portrait session

What is the SCP Headshot Mini Marathon?

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