Headshots & Hops: When Updating Your Headshot Felt Easy (and Even Fun)

Last month, I set up a small portrait studio inside Bright Ideas Brewing in Westfield, MA, and something quietly wonderful happened.

I called it Headshots & Hops.

People came in for a beer and a bite, lingered with friends, talked shop, talked life—and, somewhere in the middle of it all, stepped in front of my camera. Just for a minute or two. No stiff poses. No overthinking. Just an easy way to get some updated headshots.

I photographed over a dozen folks that night. A recent college graduate getting his first professional headshot to start his career. Others finally refreshing a LinkedIn photo that had long overstayed its welcome. More than once, I heard, “I’ve been needing a new headshot, so I’m glad I came,” and: “Well, that wasn’t too bad at all!” And, after one person saw her photos, I got this simple message: “OMMMGGGG!!!”

That’s the point.

A good headshot matters. It opens doors before you’re in the room. It introduces you when you’re not there yet. But getting one doesn’t have to feel heavy or intimidating. It can feel… easy. Even fun.

This event reminded me how powerful it is to meet people where they already are—relaxed, social, curious—and give them something genuinely useful in return.

I’d love to do this again. In other breweries, studios, community spaces across New England. If you’re interested in collaborating on a future headshot event, I’d love to hear from you.

I’ll bring the lights.
You bring the people.
The confidence will take care of itself.