A really good photograph captures your personality and takes the first step in establishing a relationship; something that is essential when so many of us ‘meet’ online through networking sites like Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and Ecademy.

My business card says ‘professional photographer’; my clients tell me ‘transformational’. Not sure about that, but I do know that to draw someone’s character out, you have to inspire confidence, and that’s exactly what I do best.

Someone described me recently as the ‘Gok Wan of the headshot’, in that I can make people look great without the aid of radical Photoshop surgery!

Passion and people

For me, people photography is 25% photography skills, 75% people skills. I get a real buzz when I’m behind the lens, this allows my clients to relax so their true personality can shine through.

I’m proud to say that I’ve never had a client that I didn’t bring out the best in. Even die-hard non-smilers and camera-phobes respond after 30 minutes in the studio and, by the end of the session, they’re definitely ready for their close-ups.

The proof of the ‘pudding’ is in the polished images they leave with.

I’ve built up an enviable portfolio of images that have been published internationally and have photographed celebrities from Sean Connery and David Beckham to Catherine Zeta Jones and Victoria Pendleton. Yet their portraits are no more interesting or creative than the ones I could do for you.

The track record

With a career spanning over 25 years, I cut my photographic teeth in the RAF and have some spectacular shots of fast jets from 17 years in the service – although there are a few that are highly confidential (and probably not very exciting to anyone who isn’t a spy).

Once I arrived in civvy street I carried on doing what I love – taking photographs of all kinds from PR shots and CEOs to sporting icons. I’ve been one of those much-maligned paparazzi, having freelanced for The Times for ten years – although of course, being The Times, it was all in the best possible taste!

Not all of my photojournalism was hounding the rich and famous; I’ve found one of my fortes is drawing out the individuality of directors and executive board members of big corporations so their professional portraits are less starch and suit and more drive and dynamism!

Being a photographer is an incredibly rewarding profession. You see the results of your efforts, you get pretty instant feedback and you have a life full of variety and, often, excitement. What more could anyone ask?

So talk to me – if you’re an entrepreneur, an author, a public speaker or a businessperson . Likewise, publicity photos, actors’ headshots and models’ portfolios are all in a day’s work, while producing personable and engaging images for online networking and dating profiles is a real passion of mine.

If you’d like to have a chat and find out what’s possible give me a ring on 07768 401009 or email johncassidyphoto@mac.com – it’s the first step to making you look the better than you might have thought possible!

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