The Blog

Photography Tips & Stories

365+ 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 · 365+ articles published · 78 ★ five-star Google reviews · Rockland, MA — serving Boston & the South Shore · Updated June 11, 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 Dating Photography Photography Tips

Actor Headshots

Actor Headshots and Your Resume: Sizing, Formatting, and What Casting Expects

How actor headshots and resumes pair together — the 8x10 standard, trimming and attaching the resume, digital submission on Actors Access and Casting Networks, theatrical vs commercial, and the formatting mistakes that get you passed over.

June 2026

Photography Tips

Bad Headshots: 12 Things That Make a Headshot Look Unprofessional (and How to Fix Them)

The 12 most common reasons a headshot reads as amateur — bad lighting, cluttered backgrounds, wrong crop, phone distortion, over-retouching — and the specific fix for each, from a Boston-area headshot studio.

June 2026

Photography Tips

The Boston Student's Guide to Job & Internship Headshots

A definitive, school-by-school guide to professional job and internship headshots for Boston college students — what makes a good one, what to wear by industry, common mistakes, and budget reality from a Boston-area studio.

June 2026

Headshots

Headshots With Glasses: How to Avoid Glare and Look Your Best

A practical guide to professional headshots if you wear glasses — how photographers kill lens glare, which frames photograph best, whether to use anti-reflective lenses or empty frames, and how to prep for your session.

June 2026

Headshots

JCPenney Portraits vs. an Independent Photographer: An Honest Boston Buyer's Guide

A straight comparison of JCPenney portrait studio pricing versus booking an independent Boston photographer — what each actually costs, when the chain makes sense, and when it doesn't.

June 2026

Headshots

LinkedIn Cover Photo Ideas: Banners, Quotes, and What Actually Works in 2026

A practical guide to the LinkedIn cover photo (the banner behind your profile) — sizing, design ideas, when to use a quote, and how it should pair with your headshot to build a coherent professional brand.

June 2026

Photography Tips

Model Digitals and Agency Polaroids: What They Are and How to Shoot Them

A clear guide to model digitals (agency polaroids) — the bare, unretouched shots agencies request to see the real you. What they are, how they differ from a portfolio, the standard shot list, and how to get them right in Boston.

June 2026

Headshots

How to Prepare for Pageant Headshots: A Complete Prep Guide

Everything to do before your pageant headshot session — wardrobe, hair and makeup, format requirements, expression, and a day-before checklist — so your competition photo scores its best.

June 2026

Headshots

Personal Brand Photos for Your About Page: What to Shoot and Why

Your website About page needs more than a headshot. A guide to the personal brand photos that actually convert visitors — the shot mix, settings, wardrobe, and how to plan a session that gives your whole site a coherent look.

June 2026

Headshots

Studio Photographers Near Me: A Boston & South Shore Local Guide

How to find the right studio photographer near you on the South Shore or in greater Boston — what a real studio gives you over an in-home setup, drive times, parking, and how to vet a local studio before you book.

June 2026

Dating Photography

Best Hinge Profile Photos: What Actually Works in 2026

A photographer's guide to the Hinge six-photo lineup — first-photo rules, the video prompt slot, what to wear, common mistakes, and where pro photos beat selfies for getting more likes and conversations.

May 2026

Dating Photography

Best Tinder Profile Photos: A Photographer's Guide to More Matches

What actually works on Tinder — first-photo rules, the six-slot lineup, what to wear, smile vs. serious, common mistakes, and where professional photos beat selfies, from a Boston headshot studio.

May 2026

Dating Photography

Dating Profile Photos for Men: The Complete 2026 Guide

What actually works in a men's dating profile lineup — first photo, full body, expression, wardrobe, what to avoid, and why the lineup men think works usually doesn't. From a Boston-area headshot studio.

May 2026

Dating Photography

How to Take Good Dating Profile Pictures: A Photographer's Guide

Lighting, camera angle, expression, wardrobe, and lineup design — exactly how to take dating profile photos that actually work, whether you shoot them yourself or work with a friend, from a Boston headshot studio.

May 2026

Headshots

Dance Headshots: What Dancers Need for Auditions and Companies

What a dance headshot is, how it differs from an acting headshot, what to wear and how to pose, and what companies and agencies look for — a studio guide for dancers.

May 2026

Headshots

ERAS Photo Guide: The Residency Application Headshot, Explained

What an ERAS photo is, the AAMC requirements, what to wear (white coat or not), and how to prepare — a residency application headshot guide from a Boston-area studio.

May 2026

Headshots

Headshot Poses for Women: A Practical Guide

Posing guidance for women in professional headshots — body angle, posture and the S-curve, head tilt, neckline and shoulders, hands, hair, and expression by use case.

May 2026

Photography Tips

How to Avoid a Double Chin in Photos: A Photographer's Guide

Why double chins show up in photos and the camera angle, posture, jaw, and lighting fixes that remove them — practical guidance from a Boston-area headshot photographer.

May 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 $395, boudoir sessions from $1,295.