The Blog

Photography Tips & Stories

342+ articles written by Chris McCarthy — practical, field-tested guidance from 500+ real sessions across Boston and the South Shore. Headshot prep, wardrobe, location guides, retouching, and the actor casting market.

500+ sessions shot · 342+ articles published · 77 ★ five-star Google reviews · Rockland, MA — serving Boston & the South Shore · Updated May 16, 2026

About the Author

Chris McCarthy

Professional photographer based in Rockland, MA, specializing in headshots, boudoir, senior portraits, and model portfolios for clients across Boston and the South Shore. About Chris →

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Featured Reads

Four recent pieces covering senior portraits, headshots, boudoir, and modeling — representative of what the rest of the archive is like.

Senior Portraits

20 Cute Senior Picture Ideas with Photography Shark Studios

20 senior picture ideas from Photography Shark — cap and gown, sports, instruments, florals, pets, and South Shore locations like Duxbury and Hingham.

September 2023

Headshots

The Morning-Of Checklist Before Your Headshot Session

A concrete do-this-not-that checklist for the morning of your headshot session — wardrobe, grooming, food, and timing for Boston professionals.

April 2026

Boudoir Photography

How Much Does a Boudoir Session Cost in Boston?

A transparent breakdown of boudoir session pricing in Boston — session fees, what's included, album and print costs, and what drives the total investment.

February 2026

Photography Tips

Model Mayhem & Submission Platforms: What Actually Works in 2026

What's working for Boston models in 2026 — which submission platforms land bookings, which are dead, and how to submit effectively.

April 2026

Browse by Topic

All Posts Headshots Senior Portraits Boudoir Photography South Shore Locations Actor Headshots Photography Tips

Photography Tips

Headshot Session vs Portrait Session — Which Do You Need

Headshots and portraits look similar but serve different purposes. How to tell which one fits your goal — from the lighting setup to the deliverables to the price.

May 2026

Headshots

Modeling Headshots vs Actor Headshots — What is Actually Different

Modeling and actor headshots look similar but are calibrated for different markets — lighting, expression, wardrobe, and submission specs all differ. How to know which one you actually need.

May 2026

Photography Tips

Studio Headshots vs On-Location Headshots — Which to Choose

Studio sessions vs on-location sessions both produce professional headshots, but the right choice depends on lighting control, environmental context, and what the image needs to do. How to decide.

May 2026

Headshots

Headshot Sizes Explained: Print, Web, LinkedIn

Headshot size reference: 8x10 acting prints, LinkedIn 800x800, casting specs, modeling comp cards, aspect ratios, and the crops that ruin good headshots.

May 2026

Headshots

Are AI Headshot Generators Worth It for LinkedIn?

AI headshot generators (Aragon, HeadshotPro, BetterPic) produce passable thumbnails but fail at LinkedIn's specific scale and trust requirements.

May 2026

Headshots

Tips for Professional Headshots: A Pre-Session Checklist

Practical pre-session preparation for professional headshots — what to do the week before, the day before, and the morning of your session.

May 2026

Headshots

Headshot Poses for Men: A Practical Guide

Posing guidance for men in professional headshot sessions — body angle, shoulder position, jaw and chin, hand placement, expression.

May 2026

Headshots

Graduation Headshots: A Studio Photography Guide

Graduation headshots for college and graduate-school students entering the professional job market.

April 2026

Headshots

What Hiring Managers Notice About Your Photo

Hiring managers form impressions of candidates from photographs faster than they can articulate.

April 2026

Headshots

Headshots for Career Changers

Career change is an information problem on top of a job search. The role of the headshot in repositioning, and how to calibrate it for the new field.

April 2026

Headshots

The Hidden Cost of a Bad LinkedIn Photo

A weak LinkedIn photo costs recruiter outreach, profile views, and connection acceptances. The specific costs and what they add up to over a career.

April 2026

Headshots

Celebrity Headshots vs Standard Professional Headshots

How celebrity headshots are made, who shoots them, and what techniques translate to standard professional photography. From a Boston-area headshot studio.

April 2026

Headshots

How Your Headshot Affects Your Job Search

Recruiters and hiring managers form impressions from LinkedIn photos in well under a second.

April 2026

Boudoir Photography

Male Boudoir Photography: A Guide for First-Time Clients

Male boudoir is a real and growing genre — intimate studio portraiture for men who want to document themselves at this stage of life.

April 2026

Actor Headshots

Actor Headshots for Beginners: What to Expect

What new actors need to know before their first headshot session — what to bring, how to prepare, and what makes a headshot actually book work.

April 2026

Headshots

Headshots for Teachers: Connection Before Day One

Teacher and educator headshots have to do something specific — establish connection with parents and students before any in-person interaction.

April 2026

Headshots

Actor vs. Corporate Headshots: Why One Size Does Not Fit All

Actor vs. corporate headshots: lighting, expression, framing, and wardrobe diverge for specific reasons. Why one size does not fit all.

April 2026

Headshots

DIY Headshots vs Professional: An Honest Comparison

When DIY headshots actually work, when they fail, and what you give up by shooting your own. Practical comparison from a Boston-area headshot studio.

April 2026

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics does the Photography Shark blog cover?

The Photography Shark blog covers headshot photography, senior portraits, boudoir, actor headshots, photography tips, and South Shore Massachusetts location guides. Articles are written by Chris McCarthy, a professional photographer based in Rockland, MA.

How often does Photography Shark publish new blog content?

Photography Shark regularly publishes new photography tips, session guides, and location articles covering Boston and the South Shore of Massachusetts.

How do I book a photography session after reading the blog?

Visit photographyshark.com/contact-me/ or call (781) 312-8824. The studio is at 83 E Water Street, Rockland, MA 02370. Studio headshots from $395, senior portrait packages from $1,500, boudoir sessions from $1,295.