At Longroad Studio, we offer two distinct types of portrait experiences for women: the professional business headshot and the empowerment portrait session. While both sessions are designed to help you feel confident, beautiful, and seen, they serve very different purposes and offer unique emotional experiences. The headshot styles.
Purpose and Intent- headshot styles
A business headshot is all about your professional image. It’s the photo you’ll use for LinkedIn, your company’s website, speaking engagements, resumes, and anywhere else where a polished, credible appearance matters. It communicates professionalism, trust, and competence—essential in today’s digital-first world. The session is quick, efficient, and focused on delivering one or two perfect images that reflect your business brand.
An empowerment portrait, on the other hand, is a deeply personal and expressive session. It’s not about your job title or resume—it’s about who you are as a woman. Empowerment portraits are designed to celebrate your strength, individuality, and the many facets of your identity. Whether you’re marking a personal milestone, reclaiming your confidence, or simply exploring a new side of yourself, this session is about more than just photography—it’s about transformation, healing, and self-celebration.
Style and Experience
Business headshots are structured and minimalistic in style. The goal is clarity, consistency, and approachability. You’ll be posed in a professional but relaxed way, with clean backgrounds and natural expressions. The emphasis is on making a strong, trustworthy first impression that aligns with your career goals.
In contrast, an empowerment session is more relaxed, artistic, and expressive. The tone is creative and soulful. These sessions often feel more like a fashion or editorial shoot, allowing you to experiment with emotion, movement, and styling. We explore different poses, lighting setups, and moods—from soft and serene to bold and powerful. This session gives you the freedom to show up fully as yourself, without rules or expectations.
Wardrobe and Styling- headshot styles
Wardrobe choices for business headshots are clean and simple. Think fitted blazers, solid color tops, structured dresses, or blouses in neutral or jewel tones. The focus is on creating a timeless, professional look that’s not distracting and works well across multiple platforms.
For empowerment portraits, wardrobe becomes a form of self-expression. We encourage you to bring a variety of outfits that feel true to your personality and the emotion you want to convey. That could be a flowy dress, a bold statement top, an asymmetrical jumpsuit, or something edgy like a leather jacket paired with boots. The goal isn’t to be overly revealing—it’s to be authentic, daring, and unapologetically you. We work closely with you to choose looks that feel stylish, sensual, and empowering without leaning into boudoir styling. headshot styles
Makeup and Posing
For business headshots, makeup is natural and professional. We focus on even skin tone, defined eyes, and a soft lip color that complements your outfit. It’s subtle and polished, helping you look fresh and put-together without appearing overdone.
During an empowerment session, makeup can still be light and natural—but with more flexibility. You might opt for a radiant glow, a bolder lip, or more defined eyes depending on your mood and style. The makeup enhances the mood of the portrait without masking your natural beauty.
Posing also shifts between the two sessions. In a business headshot, we aim for classic, flattering poses that convey confidence and approachability. In an empowerment portrait, we explore more dynamic and expressive poses. Whether it’s a soft gaze over the shoulder, a playful laugh, or a fierce stance, you’ll be guided every step of the way to help you feel comfortable, beautiful, and free.
Final Images and Overall Impact
A headshot session typically includes one fully retouched image, ideal for business use. You’ll walk away with a clean, professional portrait that you can proudly display on your resume, social media, or professional materials.
With an empowerment session, you receive 10 fully retouched images that tell a deeper story—about where you are, how far you’ve come, and the woman you are becoming. These portraits are often cherished keepsakes, displayed in albums, framed in homes, or simply kept as a reminder of your strength and worth.
At Longroad Studio, located in St. Louis, we believe that both types of portraits have the power to uplift and empower—but in very different ways. Whether you need a polished image for your career or a soul-stirring experience to reconnect with yourself, we’re here to create something beautiful and meaningful for you.
Contact us today to schedule your session or learn more about combining both experiences into one unforgettable day of transformation and confidence.