Monica Simmons is a 38-year-old woman with light blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a warm personality. She lives in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio, Texas, with her husband and their young child. Recently, Monica experienced an unexpected turn in her professional journey. She had worked diligently as a company bookkeeper for several years, but the business she supported decided to begin downsizing due to economic shifts. Unfortunately, Monica’s position was eliminated. Like many professionals facing a career transition, she understood the importance of updating her personal brand—starting with a fresh, professional headshot.

Monica discovered Richard’s Photography through a combination of glowing online reviews and a trusted friend’s recommendation. Her friend had previously had a great experience with us and encouraged Monica to schedule a session. When Monica reached out, she explained that her current LinkedIn photo was over eight years old. She knew that a new image was essential if she wanted to stand out in the modern job market, where first impressions—especially online—can be crucial. Her goal was to present herself in a way that reflected her experience, confidence, and readiness to embrace new opportunities.

Why Monica Needed New Headshots

Like many professionals navigating a job search, Monica recognized that her old profile photo no longer represented the person she is today. With nearly a decade passing since her last professional picture, Monica understood that her updated appearance, combined with her recent job experience, needed to come across clearly in her image. She also felt that her previous photo lacked the polish and personality she wanted employers to see. In preparation for her session, she selected a solid red blouse—an intentional and bold choice to convey strength, passion, and decisiveness. She hoped the color would draw the right kind of attention to her face while keeping the image simple and focused.

Navigating the Nerves and Questions

Like many of our clients, Monica arrived a little nervous. It’s natural to feel unsure in front of a camera, especially when the stakes are high. She had a few questions for us before we got started: “Can you help me choose poses?” “What colors usually look best on camera?” “Can you help me pick the best image for my bio?” and finally, “Would you be able to do some light retouching to help me look just a little younger?” We assured her that we could help with all of these. At Richard’s Photography, we guide our clients throughout the entire process—posing, facial expressions, outfit choices, and even professional editing to enhance natural beauty while keeping the image authentic.

Working Through the Session

During her 20-minute session, we took the time to help Monica relax and feel confident in front of the camera. We started with a few basic standing and seated poses and gave her guidance on how to hold her head and shoulders for the most flattering angles. As the session progressed, Monica became noticeably more comfortable. Her body language softened, her smile became more genuine, and her personality began to shine through. The red blouse turned out to be an excellent choice—it complemented her skin tone and brought just the right amount of visual focus to her expressions. Lighting, composition, and subtle direction all played a role in capturing images that looked both professional and true to who she is.

The Final Results and Her Reaction

After reviewing the images, Monica was thrilled with the results. We presented her with a curated selection of headshots that captured different expressions and angles so she could choose the ones that best matched her job search goals. Her favorites were the shots that showed her smiling gently, eyes engaged with the camera, exuding approachability and strength. She expressed gratitude for how we made the process easy, stress-free, and even enjoyable. She appreciated that our editing preserved her natural look while softening fine lines, resulting in a polished image that didn’t feel overly retouched.

Sharing Her Experience With Others

Monica told us she would be leaving a glowing review and that she already had plans to refer friends and colleagues to us. She was especially impressed by the professional yet down-to-earth environment we provided. During the session, we chatted about life in San Antonio, parenting, career changes, and staying hopeful during uncertain times. That connection helped her feel more relaxed and reinforced that Richard’s Photography isn’t just about snapping pictures—it’s about helping people feel seen, understood, and supported during transitional moments in life.

Final Thoughts

Monica Simmons’ story is one we see often. Professionals—especially women—navigating major life or career shifts want to present their best selves to the world. And they need images that do more than show what they look like—they need photos that express confidence, experience, approachability, and readiness for new opportunities. We were honored to help Monica capture exactly that. If you’re in a similar place, whether you’re reentering the workforce, switching careers, or simply updating your LinkedIn, we’re here to help you look and feel your best.