by Kirsten McGoey | Mar 10, 2025 | Ajax, Bowmanville, Brooklin, Business Content, Copyright, Corporate, Durham Region, Editorial, Markham, Oshawa, Port Perry, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Whitby
..”Broadview is an independent Canadian magazine featuring award-winning coverage of spirituality, justice and ethical living. As a registered charity, Broadview challenges and inspires readers seeking to live a purpose-filled life.” (Broadview website)
We were tasked to create an image to support the Disruptor section which is the end sheet to the magazine each issue.
Below: Omar Elgazzar, Disruptor in print.
Kirsten McGoey | Trinity Design | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Feb 14, 2025 | Acting Headshots, Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Corporate, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Portraits, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
We are going to “shed some light” on the kinds of light photographers use to make your branding/headshot images. Light is everything in our work and it can shape the look of your brand, so knowing a few basics is essential in finding the look that aligns with you and or your brand.Â
Natural Light
This one sounds just like it is, we use the natural light in a scene or building to create your image. There are no extra lights on our cameras or off the camera to aid in creation of the images. We may use natural light at golden hour or open shade, where the light reflects softly in the shade of a building or tree. We may bounce light with a reflector but that light is still natural light.
Sometimes we pose subjects indoors using the light from windows – after all this is Canada and we have a sizeable winter season so we cannot always work with you outdoors. It is a softer light and best used in a space connected to you and your brand, it might be nature or the city – indoors or outdoors.Â
On Camera Flash
This is not one I often use for branding/headshots as I tends to give you that paparazzi vibe, which can be used intentionally with the right brand. I am going to show some examples but they are from events as I really don’t use the technique (or had clients who needed that look).
Events in dark rooms often require a flash on your camera to be effective but it would not be a first or second choice for professional work. You could use this technique effectively to create cool fashion brand on white backgrounds for that high key image look but the brand would need to align with this to make it work.
Off Camera FlashÂ
Given that we do have a sizeable winter season and many businesses have specific headshot and image requirements light the studio can be a popular or starting option for images.
There are a variety of different ways to employ studio lights with and without backdrops. For example, in the case of the image of Mika Modolo we took in 2017, there was one studio light in a cramped hallway, next to a coffee station and adjacent the newsroom and the computer graphics room. we also bounced a little of the light using a reflector on her right side to get this image.
In the case of the Mayor Roy and Council’s images we used a grey backdrop and then edited each image also as a .tiff so the file could be used on a responsive grey background gradient on the website itself.
We also create images that are high end music style like country music protege Riley Wheater’s image below and more fun images like the SNL inspired image of Greg Frankson flying into the frame.
The world of studio lighting gives realtors a fresh all white look and makes them easy to cut out for a variety of realtor signs, website and pamphlets applications.
Business Images
When it comes to successful business images we have spoken about the value of making your own images in our article Are there drawbacks to stock photography?. Stock tends to under perform on searches so creating it is in your best interest.
Business images are a great way to build brand recognition as it’s essential to keep a consistent look across your social media through to your website. A hodgepodge of images can be confusing for customers who are inundated with content 24/7. Every time a consumer visits you it’s important to show you are a serious brand and keep them engaging; branding images help you achieve that all important goal.
When telling a story a business images – be it a headshot or brand specific images – are essential to telling an effective and understandable story. They help you build trust with your customer base by creating a good first impression and subsequent impressions along the timeline of engagement with you and or your brand. For example, a headshot that looks like it was cropped from a wedding photo presents differently than a planned professional headshot in a studio or on location.
Images Shown : (Above) Local MP Ryan Turnbull engaging with Seniors at a local Seniors Centre in town. (Top Left) Yoga Jungle (Middle) Enjoying a promenade with a friend on Marito’s Coffee at Pearson Lanes (Top Right) Creating a tea cup flower arrangement with blogger Craftberry Bush.
Images Shown : (Top Left) Shopping at the Makers Hub (Middle) Exploring the greens growing pod at Durham College in Whitby (Top Right) Getting your eyes checked at Brooklin Optimetric.
Take charge of your brand
I know that my own brand is like my fourth child, it has grown over the last twelve years and that is why working with clients on their brands is so exciting. We are growing a special part of your work story – be it as a local MP, a trusted eye expert or a local maker’s hub – connecting you to your customers is essential.Â
What story do you want to tell?
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Mar 12, 2024 | Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Corporate, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
How It Started
When Mark came to ask me to create images for his new business I was so excited. I had already worked with his wife on her massage business. So we got to work finding a spot to shoot, gathering models and creating content for his website and social media campaign which is managed by RainSpark Media Group Inc..
We knew right away that a clean, modern look would suit his brand and showcase the business which trains technical reps in skills that will elevate their effectiveness. Effective training starts with a skilled staff at V Specs which work with you to create training that aligns with your goals, portfolio, determine product market jurisdiction fits; all to align with your sales goals and targets. The content we made is designed to be used in a larger plan that stays on brand and on message throughout V Specs entire social media and online precense.
How It Went
Images were captured in Ajax at the The Work Hub is a standard white room, with brand focused items to add that clean and modern look to all the images we created. We also had use of an adjacent lounge area which we used for some of the additional training options to give some extra looks for the brand.
A clean slate room was perfect for us to offset the red, black and white of the brand. The client came very prepared with items in brand colours, mockups with the new branding and a series of staff and models to allow us to build scenes that showed how working with them would feel.Â
How It’s Going
Mark’s business is hitting all the right buttons for a new business, his social media images combine with his brand to create a cohesive experience on all touch points. It was a delight working with him and the team.
To connect about your story: CONNECT FORM
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Mar 12, 2024 | Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Corporate, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Portraits, Scarborough, The Corporate Group Experience, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
Needing a newly refreshed headshot was top of mind when I was first approached about this headshot session in my studio in Whitby. Kiron came to me he was job hunting and needed a refresh not only for the search but for his Linked In Profile and all social media image touch points.Â
Headshot sessions start with the key question we ask on all our business cards:
What story do you want to tell?
We spent some time reviewing how the images would be used – mainly for social media touch points such as Linked In. Picked a solid blue backdrop so his portraits are modern and kept away from mottled backgrounds which shout Sears Portrait studio from the turn of the century and my own childhood portraits.
 Kiron is tall, over 6 feet, so posing is key to showcase his height. We even pushed the rules aside to allow him to mix patterns with a favourite shirt and his checked suit. No need for a tie for that one – I like that it shows his personality in balance with more corporate styling in the other two images.
Our studio carries some dress shirts in sizes M to 3XL but we always suggest bringing in a few options for suits, sports jackets and casual wear when attending a headshot session. As Kiron shows one suit can do it all but we are happy to help you figure out which choices will highlight you best from a wider range of wardrobe selections. There is no right way but your session fee includes our consultation so feel free to send us options.
Are you looking to refresh your headshot in 2024? The investment is essential in this post pandemic world as we continue to Zoom, frequent social media and connect often in digital form before we get to meet in person.
What story would YOU like to tell? Connect to us using our CONNECT form to start the process: Connect Form
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Jul 3, 2023 | Ajax, Bowmanville, Brooklin, Business Content, Corporate, Durham Region, Local Business, Magic, Modern, Oshawa, photographer, Photography, Plant based eating, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Vegan, Whitby
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the REVISED Whitby Digital Food Guide 2023.
We created content for the following amazing businesses in town which you can find below:
@brunchand_co
@maritos.coffee
@manhattin.eatery
@bangrakca
@thestationbake
@thejerkhousewhitby
@baltiindian
@osakafoodmarketwhitby
@surf_kitchen
@thethirstyjester
@bigboysburgerwhitby
@smashkitchen
We created fresh new content for these amazing local Whitby businesses and launched this DIGITAL ONLY publication in early June 2023. Grab a meal after perusing the pages which then link you to the establishment of your choice to book a reservation, order pick up or delivery. After the pandemic eating in person is back in fashion and these amazing entrepreneurs are delighted to have you back in the seats.
As a food destination Whitby has become well known in the Greater Toronto Area and the Durham Region for our food selection – from fine dining to gourmet doughnies and so much more.
Our craft breweries are a breath of fresh air with owners collaborating with other local businesses to make unqiue libations. You just cannot beat Whitby for a night out or a meal in with family and friends.
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller | Trinity Design Photography
by Kirsten McGoey | May 20, 2023 | Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Art, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Corporate, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Scarborough, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
After a long pause due to the pandemic we got to return to PACE Technical. They have a new office, lots of new amazing staff and ownership and were prepping for a website refresh. Joining the team we created content for the advertising agency to use in the new reactive website design which just launched this week.
Each headshot created was provided as a .tif file as well as a 5×5 for social media using a background provided by the agency. Team members were asked to wear PACE wear or professional wear, making a mix of looks that all work well together. For team members who didn’t want to be online we noted this in their files when handing them off, they will be used in the internal systems only.
Are you looking to refresh your team? We work with small, medium and large sized businesses in the Greater Toronto Area to ensure a fast, painless experience. Not having to “choose” after the session makes a faster experience for administration and a more connected portrait for your staff.
To connect send us a form: CONNECT
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
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