success
"Valentina is great! She is easy to work with, friendly, and professional. Her session is nicely organized, with opportunities to review and adjust -- but it's also efficient and to the point. And on top of that, the process of booking a session couldn't be simpler! Highly recommended!"
Jim Stopher - conductor, pianist, composer, and educator
http://www.jimstopher.com/
My name is Igor, SF Walker and I am a Life Coach and an International Best Selling Author. My aim in life is peace, inspiration, health and wellness, harmony and abundance. Everything I do is driven by these thoughts.
© 2017 Valentina Sadiul Photography
Time you wake up: 6:30 (if not exactly 30 minutes before the Sunrise)
Morning routine: Glass of Alkaline water with Intention - Gratitude Journal: 10 thing I am grateful for - Lifestyle, existential questions and quotes I connect with: ("it is what it is, accept it, harvest the good, forgive the rest", "what they think of you is none of your business", "are all of my habits serving me, if not which ones do I have to change"...) - Visualization Meditation of my LIFE (total of 30 minutes)
Best habit: Walking
Worst habit: Alcohol
Personal philosophy: Slow Down, Reduce the Noise, Listen, BE before you DO, Gratitude
Book you are reading now: I am reading a book a week for this year, part of a project for my own book and I just finished "Zen Mind, Beginners Mind" - Shunryu Suzuki
Most used apps: Kindle for Iphone, Youtube App, Communication Apps, Social Media Apps
Time you go to sleep: Varies and is driven by the body, not mind
Re-connecting with my true self and my core, it was very clear that I always was and always will be a life coach and I simply realigned my path. It only took a 14 year old relationship ending, 16 year old healthcare career ending and a motorcycle crash to realign me, but this is why I am here now, so that other people do not have to go through what I went in order to discover true self and realign www.sfwalker.com/webinar-registration. Most unique part of the SF Walker coaching experience is the WALKING itself. It is a walking, listening and talking, for mind, body and soul coaching session. I do not have your answers, you however do and WE will discover them together. What I have is a never ending stream of caring, curious, "nothing is off limits" questions that will shift emotional states, provide different perspectives to be considered and most importantly guidance for you in finding your own answers. I am a grateful co-pilot and a co-creator in your own story, humbled to be invited into your space.
Learning and teaching. Raising awareness. Every single interaction I approach as being a student just as much as being a teacher. Being able to ask that right question that gives you your answer. Priceless.
Understanding the difference between "I need a coach" and "I want to work with a coach." NO ONE needs coaching, I myself only work with my own mentors and coaches because I want to. I want to GROW and in doing so I want to CONTRIBUTE. I am the only one that can guarantee any benefits, as I am the only one taking the steps to get there. There is no question that new knowledge is gained, new understandings and new levels of awareness that all drive wanted change. In the end, it is all about habits and habits are programmed. I love saying to my clients, "Connect to knowledge, respect the teacher." The teacher is simply a vessel, and as the student is ready the teacher appears, regardless of the form.
Awareness and presence in the NOW.
Love, Beliefs, Relationships, Time, Career, Money, Clarity, Habits, Purpose, Success, Creation of Reality, Acceptance, Forgiveness, Effectiveness, Listening, Public Speaking...
My children's book was one of those things that started it all for me, it was where I finally said to myself "OK Igor, let's take this from thoughts and only just talking about it, from daydreaming to reality. Let's obtain these amazing titles, published author and international best selling author." It sounded incredible and impossible, however because of focus, discipline, accountability and vision, today this is a reality. I understood everything in life is about programming, about education, about messages, and since words are spells, and people are more often than not "under a spell" I wanted to share a simple message "Beauty is everywhere, it's in you and it's in me, how I wish everyone would see" I chose a hummingbird to be the storyteller and wonderful sights of San Francisco to be the backdrop. The original page used to run a campaign to become an international bestseller is here: http://www.worldthroughmyeyesbook.com/ and my own personal story and the link to the book is here http://www.sfwalker.com/mystory
Home Page: www.sfwalker.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sf_walker/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesfwalker/
Amazon Book: https://amzn.to/2BRmNVU
“Working with Valentina is truly a joy! I get camera-shy and lose confidence easily during photo shoots, and she always manages to make me feel comfortable and help me take photos that I feel really proud of. I’ve worked with Valentina twice, and know that I will again!”
Alexandra Sessler - Opera Singer
http://www.alexandrasessler.com/
"Working with Valentina is an easy process as I have experienced. From picking an outfit, to posing, to actual photography, she makes everything comfortable. The results speak for themselves. Stunning photos!"
Brad Walker - Opera Singer
© 2017 Valentina Sadiul Photography
1. Personal Brand. You are your own personal brand and your headshot is your sign/label/logo. It needs to look good, well put together, and professional.
2. Professional online presence. With so much networking taking place online these days, a handshake isn’t always viable. Having a professional headshot gives the impression that you are professional, you are dedicated, and you are confident in your ability to get the job done.
3. First impressions matter. Your headshot may be the first thing people see regarding your business – whether online or on a business card. You need to look qualified and confident.
4. Stand out from the crowd. You are not the only one who does what you do. No matter what type of work you do – there is always someone else who does so, as well. That is why it is so important that you stand out from the crowd. Be original. Be professional. Be the difference.
5. High standards. Who wants to show themselves professionally with a selfie? What does this photo state to your potential clients or employers? Selfie photos are for personal social media sites – not the workplace. A professional headshot speaks volumes about your high standards. It shows that you go above and beyond to get the perfect picture and speak the perfect image. You were willing to take the time to do things right, rather than grabbing an old photo on your phone of you at the concert you went to last week. You took the time to create an appointment, attend it punctually, and purchased the professional headshot so that you can brand yourself in the proper, confident, competent manner.
6. Get that job interview or audition. A professional headshot can give you a chance to prove your capabilities just by the poise displayed in the photo. You will exhibit strength and sureness of yourself and your abilities. This gives you a better chance at grabbing the attention you need to get your foot in the door for that interview or audition. Don’t be just another number!
7. Get a self-esteem boost! We all need to feel good about who we are and what we do. Having a headshot photo session will make you look your best which will, in turn, make you feel your best. And what happens then? Your confidence and self-esteem will soar.
Now that you know why you need one – schedule your professional headshot photo session today!
My name is Sascha and I’m the owner of Tree of Qi Acupuncture Clinic in San Francisco. My interest is in bringing health and healing into the world and I feel very grateful to be able to provide my services to the lively and diverse community we have here in the city.
I focus on helping patients heal the underlying imbalances in their bodies and minds, thus creating what we call “flow” in Chinese medicine. Flow is what ensures movement that is free of pain as well as a state of mind that is free from suffering.
With health costs on the rise and an emergence of many acute and chronic health concerns ranging from pain, digestive issues, women’s health, to stress, anxiety and depression, I believe that acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are valuable resources for people during this time, especially for those who’d like to take a more active role in their healing journeys.
I use acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, cupping, reiki and nutritional counseling to help my patients find balance in their lives and I’m excited about what I do.
© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography
Time you wake up: 7:40 am
Morning routine: I meditate for 20 minutes, then I have tea and listen to either NPR or a podcast. Recently I’ve been detoxing from politics (not always successfully), so I’ve been listening to spiritual talks.
Best habit: Daily meditation
Worst habit: I binge watch TV shows if they’re good.
Personal philosophy: Serve others; do the best I can
Book you are reading now: “Understanding Power” by Noam Chomsky
Most used apps: Sonos for music
Time you go to sleep: Between 10 pm - 11 pm
I’ve always liked the look and smell of Chinese Herbs and have been fascinated with Eastern Philosophies and ways of treating the body even years before practicing Chinese Medicine. I used to live in New York City and would go to Chinatown often to be immersed in the colorful world of Chinese food and herbs and products.
I started my practice out of my apartment, because I was operating with a very low budget. This was surely one of the biggest challenges in the beginning. However, within 6 months I moved into a nice big clinic space here in the Mission and today, almost 7 years later, I practice in a fully equipped 3 treatment room clinic.
Being my own boss has been a wonderful experience. I set my own schedule, take 3 day weekends, travel, and I get to do what I love most, which is to help people feel better.
A challenge of being my own boss is that I have to oversee all aspects of my business, even the ones that don’t come so easily, such as bookkeeping and marketing. For this reason, I hired a business coach, who recommended getting professional headshots. This is where Valentina comes in: she’s been an integral part in my public appearance - her images not only portray the true essence of who I am and what I do, but also the space and surroundings I practice in.
Having a community of talented friends and colleagues around me has been key to the success of my practice.
In order to balance the demands of running a clinic I take long weekends, and often I leave the city and go into nature. In my spare time I also like to play music, read, go on long walks, go on meditation retreats, do archery, and visit the many naturally occurring hot springs in California.
A goal of mine for the future is to open up a tea house in the San Francisco, a place where people can come to relax and ground, a place of community and respite of the city hustle and bustle. A big part of my spirituality and inner growth is to make an impact on the community that lasts even after I’m long gone. It is my hope that my clinic and my future tea house will provide the community with resources for many years to come.
Contact Information:
Address: 2460 Mission Street Suite 104 in San Francisco CA 94110
Web: TreeofQi.com
Tel: (415) 424-3479
Yelp
"Thanks so much for doing such an amazing job; for taking fantastic, creative photos that took advantage of the location; and for making it all fun and easy! It was a real pleasure to get to work with you."
Laura Rennert, Executive Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency
http://www.laurajoyrennert.com/
I have always been a minimalist who enjoys organizing my surrounded environment to create balanced, functional and sophisticated space. I know that my lifestyle, neatness, and need for everything to be well organized played a strong role in my growing success as a headshot photographer.
When I first moved to the US, I was in a culture shock from how much stuff people had (especially clothes!). I witnessed closets breaking apart, garages that were filled from floor to ceiling without any room for a car, and hundreds of pillows on couches and beds...
I met Kaylee at a Wealth Entrepreneurs Event and learned that she is a professional organizer and owner of CLOSETED. I was very interested to find out how she transformed her lifestyle into an exciting business. We live in a heavily consumerist era. It is so easy to become a slave of materialism, and to get trapped in the disorganization of everything that you didn’t need in first place.
Here’s what Kaylee says in her bio:
Kaylee’s business philosophy resonates with my lifestyle and I can’t wait to share this interview so you can benefit from having less clutter and more room for creativity. I’m thankful that Kaylee found time to stop by my portrait studio for my Creative People in Business project and share her knowledge of organizing.
© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography
Time you wake up: Between 5-6 A.M.
Morning routine: Shower, make-up, cook breakfast while I empty the dishwasher, eat, brush teeth, style hair, get dressed.
Best habit: Meal planning. I always recipe search, shop and cook ahead of time so when it comes time to make breakfast or pack lunch I always have options to choose from. I make healthy food choices and never skip a meal which allows me to stay on my A game.
Worst habit: Worrying. On some level I know my clients appreciate that I worry about things so they don't have to but spending time worrying doesn't change an outcome. I know I'm capable of handling problems big and small so someday I'd like to evolve out of the worry-about-it step.
Personal philosophy: Be kind, do the right thing. Being nice to people is free AND easy. People who choose to have a bad attitude waste a lot of time and energy and that is not a way that I want to spend those precious resources. I find that I can diffuse difficult situations with a vendor or installer by staying calm, respectful and friendly.
Book you are reading now: I just started The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. I like to switch between novels and informative literature rooted in subjects like organizing, nutrition and personal growth.
Most used apps: I am not a big app downloader but I use Uber and Lyft a fair amount as well as Pandora and Whole Foods.
What you do before going to bed: Wash my face, brush my teeth and pack any items I will use the next day at work.
Time you go to sleep: 10 P.M.
My degree is in interior design and I was working for a designer (turned friend/mentor) who handed me my first organizing job because he noticed I was good at it. I organized as a side job for several years and then my husband pushed me to make it a full time business.
It's really different for every home but I like to start with smaller areas because usually once a client sees how much we can accomplish together they feel excited about moving on to larger areas.
Some clients are extremely mentally ready to purge their homes, they just need a little hand holding and someone to validate that their instincts are correct, for these people my advice is to trust yourself. Others need to really talk through each item, with these clients I ask them a lot of questions about why they feel the need to hold onto specific items or an excessive amount of stuff in general. I never make anyone give anything up but I will make strong suggestions. If we are sorting a lot of sentimental items I ask clients to share their memories with me, sometimes re-living a memory about an object is enough to make you feel ready to set it free. My clients see that I am passionate about what I do so they learn to trust that I have their best interested at heart.
We are already trapped in a heavily consumerist society. I try to remind people that shopping is fun but it becomes not fun when you have no where to put the things you buy and/or you can't find things you know you purchased. That's a sure sign you have a problem. I think being more aware of what you are buying (online and in stores) is part of the process, the other part is to always be thinking of what you don't need anymore. I have a "donation box" in all of my clients homes, as soon as you realize you don't need something you throw it in the donation box, when the donation box is full you seal it up, put it in your car and take it to be donated, then you start another donation box.
I try to use wall space as much as possible to get things off the floor and I also like using furniture that can double as storage.
Sometimes couples use me as a wedge, they want me to help gang up on their spouse and shame them into an organized lifestyle, I don't go in for that type of thing. Itry to develop a bond with each family member and that means asking everyone about their goals for the space. Knowing that I have multiple interests at heart makes clients more amenable to hearing my ideas and doing the work to clear their space and make room for a plan that encompasses everyone's goals.
Files are a non-negotiable. If you are an adult person you need a way to manage your paperwork (I created my personal filing system at age 11.) Some of my clients run a business out of their residence, they are probably going to need a tall file cabinet or a chest of drawers dedicated to files. For clients like home makers I can get away with smaller solutions but when you consider the paperwork you need to run a house (insurance, taxes, each family member's medical/school records just to start) it adds up fast and if you want an organized home you need a system for paperwork.
The other thing I do for almost every client is to organize their bathroom products in clear plastic shoe boxes. I sort like items then I label each box so when you cut yourself all you have to do is grab the first aid box and your band aids will be right there or if you are going on a trip then you pull the box that says travel toiletries and anything you may need is at your fingertips.
Hire me! Organizing is not a magic bullet, it's work and at some point something's got to give and if you spend so much time working that you have very little time for organization then it might be time to admit to yourself that organizing is not your favorite thing and it's worth it to you to hire someone to help. For my clients that go through the initial organization process and still have trouble taking time to stay organized I offer "touch-up" sessions which usually happen quarterly.
I love to cook. If I feel too tired to cook an entire meal then I just prep my next meal and when I go to make it the next day my job is much easier. If I am feeling very overwhelmed I will organize something small like the fridge or my desk. That small achievement helps me clear my head and prepare myself for the bigger achievements that await me in the near future.
Always unpack as soon as you get home. If it's your gym bag, purse, groceries, the clothes you bought online and received at work, unpack everything right away. If you spend a little time picking up after yourself daily you save a lot of time in the long run because you have less picking up to do and you don't spend time trying to find things you failed to put away.
"Working with Valentina was not only a great experience because she's so easy to get along with and is an incredibly talented artist but because it was, in a way, empowering. I know it sounds silly but while in our session her rapport made everything positive and NOT awkward and her words (and sneak peek photos) made me feel beautiful -- when she showed me a photo she had just taken I literally said "is that ME?!" In an environment where I normally feel awkward, I felt comfortable in my own skin. Valentina is a magician and a master behind the camera and I cannot recommend her highly enough. Thank you, Valentina!!!"
Jessica Golden - Actress & Singer
http://www.jessicamariegolden.com/
I was introduced to Daniel at the Grand Opening of Dr. Chow’s Surgical Clinic in San Francisco. He kindly showed me around and explained the architectural details and the challenges involved in this project. I have always been interested in architecture and interior design, so I found the conversations very exciting. Daniel’s open minded and easygoing personality allowed us to become friends. I have visited a few more grand openings of his projects and feel very proud of his hard work. I would like to introduce Daniel to you and share an interview for the Creative People in Business Project.
© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography
Time you wake up: 6:00 am
Morning routine: My alarm is set to classical music so that I can wake in a peaceful mood. I shower, eat breakfast, and comb NYT, WAPO, Politico, and the Guardian to see what is happening around the world.
Best habit: Swimming and yoga
Worst habit: Drinking a lot of beer at my weekly softball game.
Personal philosophy: Live each day to the fullest and do to others as would have them do to you.
Book you are reading now: We are Pirates by Daniel Handler
Most used apps: NYT, KCRW, NextBus, & Uber
What you do before going to bed: Brush my teeth, floss, pray, and try to count my blessings.
Time you go to sleep: Usually 11:00 pm but sometimes later.
I was one of those kids that knew I wanted to be an architect since I was seven years old. I used to draw house floor plans and elevations for my sister’s girlfriends that I had crushes on. At the age of 10 my family briefly moved to Illinois. I recall going on a tour of the John Deere headquarters designed by Eero Saarinen and being in awe of the building. I didn’t know anything about Saarinen at the time but I recall thinking about how beautiful the building and the landscaping was. On television shows that I watched as a kid Mike Brady of the Brady Bunch and Elyse Keaton in Family Ties were architects. The architecture storylines on these shows weren’t particularly inspiring but it made me think this is a profession I could really pursue. I took a drafting class in high school and then applied to the architecture program at Arizona State University.
The path to becoming an architect is a very long road. There are the educational requirements; I spent five years at Arizona State University earning an undergraduate degree and another two years at Berkeley earning a Master’s degree. Three years of apprenticing under a licensed architect are required before you can begin to take the licensing exams to become a registered architect. At the time I took the exams there were nine exams plus an oral exam here in California. I passed five of the nine exams in my first sitting but it took me a number of years to complete the remaining exams. I have been a registered architect for sixteen years. Along the way, there have been personal challenges like physics or structures classes I found difficult or taking exams three times to pass. I overcame these challenges by learning from my mistakes and failures. My undergraduate physics classes at ASU had 500 students. I decided to look for class sections that were smaller in size and where more individual attention was available. I took calculus classes as a summer class at a community college in Idaho with twenty-five students and got straight “A’s”. For exams that I was having difficulty with I took seminars or looked for tutors to learn the material. I learned that if at first, you don’t succeed look for ways in which you can succeed.
Architecture is called a noble profession but it takes more than passion to succeed. Education is certainly an important aspect of learning to become an architect but schools do not teach everything that is necessary to become a qualified professional. Many architectural programs are heavily design-oriented. Design is important but there are so many other aspects of the profession that are important for preparation to practice. Some schools are more well versed in providing more well-rounded learning. Learning about building codes, construction law, marketing, contacts, business, and communication are also important, especially for someone considering being a sole-practitioner. Some of these skills can be acquired in the workplace and this is where it becomes important for an individual to determine the best workplace for themselves. This is certainly where mentorship becomes important. The profession has a long history of apprenticeship and this is where individuals can become successful by finding good mentors. When I completed my undergraduate degree I moved to New York City. I decided that I would work for three years before continuing with a Master’s degree. I worked for small firms, medium-sized firms, and for a large corporate firm. I decided that for me I liked working for a small and medium-size firm because it allowed me to wear more hats. Ultimately this is what gave me the confidence to start my own business. The work hours are long in the architectural profession so having a personality that enjoys doing what you do is useful. It is also useful to have a personality that can strike a balance in professional and personal life. As with anything in life, a little bit of good luck never hurts. I consider myself lucky for finding a profession I enjoy.
I love learning and this is my overarching motivation for running a business. I didn’t know everything I needed to know to run a business when I first started so a dose of naiveté was also useful. Every year I have learnedand continue to learn about something new. Whether it is marketing, bookkeeping, invoicing, or employee management there is always something new to learn. I don’t necessarily enjoy every aspect of running a business but this is where you can hire someone that is equipped and enjoys doing those tasks. Being a member of the American Institute of Architects requires that continuing education units are fulfilled on a yearly basis. This is an opportunity to continue to learn about emerging technologies, best practices, materials, etc. The profession of architecture continues to evolve so as a business owner I need to continue learning.
Architecture is about solving design problems from a multi-faceted approach. I have adopted this idea of problem-solving to life in general. I analyze what is causing the problem or stress and then determine what are plausible solutions for resolving the problem or mitigating the stress. I have found physical exercise extremely useful in dealing with stress. I find working out at the gym as therapeutic and while it may not directly resolve stress, it helps me to better cope with a stressful situation.
I survived the biggest recession since the great depression as a sole-practitioner and I give myself a pat on the back for that. My office has been in operation for nearly eleven years. When I started my office I had a thought that if I had to go back and work for someone after running my own ship that I would make a better employee. Being a sole-practitioner has given me better insight in the risks businesses take to stay in business. I find the problem-solving approach I mentioned earlier in dealing with fear and insecurities in taking a risk. In think the best approach in dealing with fear and insecurities is to take them head on.
My father is one of my first mentors. He began immigrating to this country when he was eighteen years old without knowing a word of English. He taught me through his words and actions that if you put your mind to something you can and will succeed. Throughout my education and in the work place I have had mentors that have guided me along the way. Architecture has a strong history of mentorship in the profession. I have had many mentors and continue to seek mentors in my life and to also be a mentor. I am a committee member for the AIA SF Mentorship program and was co-chair of the committee for two years. This program groups 5-7 professionals at all stages of their careers to meet over the course of a year for dialogue and professional exchange.
This is a daily challenge and admittedly I have been better at it sometimes and not so good at it at other times. This is where I have to remind myself to live each day to its fullest. It is a work in progress and I have to say this year I am having better success in striking that balance.
I go for a swim on Friday evening or Saturday afternoon. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and getting some form of exercise.
I was recently asked this question by the parents of a young man while I was on vacation on the Galapagos Islands. His parents were concerned about his ability to support himself financially as an architect. I told him that architecture is not one of the highest paying professions but if he really loved architecture, had a passion for it, and liked working really had then he should pursue it. I also advised him to make good friends with people studying business, law, and computer science. These folks will be his future clients.
It is an oldie but a goody. If at first you don’t succeed then try, try again.
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.studioperez.com/
E-mail: dperez@studioperez.com
Phone: 415-503-0329
My name is Italina, and I’m an Online Presence Expert & Speaker. My team and I specialize in helping the Real Estate Community’s Top Realtors and Lenders upgrade their presence online via Social Media & Email Newsletters.
Our Online Branding & Marketing Firm helps such business owners by relieving them of the time consuming task of managing their social media accounts and email newsletters. www.ItalinaImage.com
© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography
What time you get up: I applaud people who get up at 4 and 5 in the morning. I’m just not one of those people…yet. I’m a young woman, I play tennis competitively and work out on a regular basis. Plus I enjoy my social life. So I maintain a regular sleeping schedule of 10:30pm - 6am.
All my life, I described myself as not being a morning person. Today, I am a morning person. When my eyes open with the realization that it’s morning, I’m excited at what the day has instore for me.
Morning Routine: I immediately hop out of bed excited to get started. My 1st stop is the kitchen where I drink a full glass of water with apple cider vinegar. Then I’m off to enjoy an outdoor run.
My morning ritual also includes affirmations, meditation, visualization, reading, and journaling. In getting these things done before I hit the shower and start my work day, I already feel accomplished, empowered, centered and grounded. I basically feel like Super Woman, lol.
Best Habit: Mastering My Calendar is my best habit. I schedule things in my calendar, and I live by that schedule. I do not let seemingly pressing things interfere with that schedule. For example, every Monday and Wednesday morning, 1 or 2 hours is blocked out for making prospecting calls. Nothing interferes with that, and I schedule everything else around that blocked out time. Mastering my calendar is my best habit because this prevents me from having a hectic schedule, it prevents me from being stressed (which affects every other area of my life), and it prevents me from needing to cancel or accidentally forget meetings with others.
Worst Habit: My worst habit is eating and drinking a little heavy at night, lol. I have a fun social life.
Philosophy: My philosophy is to create your own rich life. I also believe that in order to do that, we must affect others. Affect others and create your own rich life. But what do I know, lol?
Like a lot of people, I started off on the corporate path. I thought I wanted to be an Attorney, but you don’t really know what something is like until you actually try it.
During law school I had great internships working with Attorneys and Judges. But the truth is, I didn’t love it. I thought I should just push through, give it a fair shot, in hopes it would grow on me.
Then I got sick, literally. One day I was in the office by myself, I put my hand on the edge of the desk, and I bent over in excruciating pain. I clutched my stomach, the source of the pain. I had an ulcer that continued to flare up with each week I tried to give this job a fair shot.
That day in the office all by myself, I decided I’d pursue another path. Not wanting to be stuck with debt and no degree, I stayed in school, completed my degree, and then taught law long enough to pay off my law school loan.
Being a law professor, teaching classes, captivating students (I had no disciplinary issues in my classroom) groomed me for being a public speaker now.
I also worked in a tax firm in their Marketing Department. That’s where I got a lot of hands on experience creating compelling marketing campaigns. When it became clear to me that online marketing was an essential addition to other forms of marketing, I decided to go out on my own focusing on Online Branding & Marketing.
Now with my law degree, Juris Doctorate (J.D.), and marketing experience, I get to work with fun people, helping them create and promote their brand online, providing them more visibility on sites like Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Yelp.
And I haven’t been sick since.
My passion is creating brands from scratch. The journey of helping an individual discover and hone in on their brand has been a delightfully creative and inspiring process with the individuals I’ve had the fortune of working with.
Once it’s time to promote their brand online, I’m just ecstatic. I love Branding, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and Marketing your brand.
When I first started this company, I thought I would just be making a living and living my life under the radar. Then I started getting calls, emails, and facebook messages from people saying how I’ve inspired them to leave a job they hated but felt they needed to keep for all kinds of reasons- this is what my family expects of me, this is what I went to school for, I need to finish what I started etc.
That’s when I realized this business isn’t about me. I was inspired to create a Mission Statement- To Inspire others to become aware of and act on their ability to accomplish.
The work I do with Realtors, Lenders and other Business Owners inspires other professionals to take a step beyond what they thought they were capable of. I’m showing audiences that they really can create the life they truly want for themselves.
Create your life by design, not by default. As a Public Speaker giving over 40 talks per year, I blend this message in with the ‘Leverage LinkedIn for Leads’ and ‘Facebook for Business’ talks I give. Through my business and the way I live my life, I convey this message.
The problem today is most professionals are on LinkedIn, but don’t know how to use it for Business. Business owners should be using LinkedIn to Promote and Market their services, versus merely accepting Connection Requests and Endorsements from people you don’t even know.
Here is a quick VIDEO giving you 3 Powerful Tips for networking with professionals who have the Power and the Connections to help you come in contact with the opportunities you're looking for.
Naturally, there are people who’d rather just have their Online Presence managed for them, rather than having to post or market on social media themselves. This is why we offer 3 Done For You Services:
Profiles - Most people just slapped a profile onto LinkedIn. We’ll recreate your profile so it clearly conveys the services you offer, what set’s you apart from your competitors, and ensure it’s Search Engine Optimized (SEO) so you show up higher on Google.
Posts - For those who don’t have the time, desire, or know how, my team and I create customized posts/content just for you that no other person will have and post for you each week on your social media sites.
Email Newsletters - my team and I create customized content for your email newsletter and send it out for you either monthly or quarterly. If you don’t have an email newsletter set up, we’ll set you up and even help you organize your database.
Coaching - If you enjoy doing these things yourself or if you have an assistant that you want to have trained in best practices in these 3 areas, Profiles, Posts, or Email Newsletters, you can take advantage of Coaching Calls with me directly to better your Online Presence and increase your social media skills.
© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography
We all want to talk to someone who is friendly, approachable, and easy to talk to! While in real life you may be all of those things, if your photo is too serious, too formal, or your body language is closed off, you may be turning off potential clients. Whereas people may respond to a more serious photo when choosing a lawyer or financial advisor, when choosing a mental health professional, a friendly, confident, and kind headshot is the way to go.
Dated headshots with out of style hair, makeup, and clothing can turn off potential clients as well. It may sound superficial, but clients want to see that you are up to date on the goings on of today’s world. If your headshot is from 5 or more years ago, potential clients may worry that you won’t understand the finer points of their modern lives. Your look shouldn’t be “trendy”, but it should be well fitted, classic, and stylish.
If your headshot was taken by a friend, family member, or amature photographer, potential clients may subconsciously think of your work as amature as well. Having your headshot taken by a skilled photographer who is experienced with headshot photography for professionals in your field, sends the message that you are a professional who invests time and energy into his or her craft. Remember, a great photographer will be able to capture the essence of who you are and what makes you great at what you do! With a great headshot, potential clients will feel like they know you already.
Hiring a professional photographer for your headshots or portraits is a wise investment, and one that you want to get the most out of! Good preparation will ensure a smooth and efficient experience with images of you looking your absolute best. Here are some of the most frequent questions that clients ask me, and some of my tips for preparing for your next photoshoot:
Valentina Sadiul Headshots in San Francisco Bay Area
What clothing should I bring to my photoshoot?
Bring more options than you need. If you are planning on using 2 looks, bring 4 or 5 choices so you and your photographer can choose the best ones. If you are wearing a suit, bring a few shirt and tie options so you can create a few different looks.
First and foremost, all outfits should fit you well and make you feel powerful, attractive, and well put together! Avoid outfits that are too baggy or too tight, and make sure that everything is neat, clean, and pressed. Make sure your shoes are shined and match your outfits, as your photographer may take full-length shots. Check your outfits for holes or tears and try on anything that hasn't been worn in a while to make sure it still fits you the way you like.
Choose colors that make you feel your best! If you always get compliments when you wear green because it brings out the green in your eyes, bring green! If wearing a red dress makes you feel powerful and beautiful, bring your red dress! Solid pieces in dark colors or jewel tones generally photograph very well and compliment most skin tones and coloring, but feel free to have fun with bright colors and subtle patterns and textures as well. Large, loud patterns can be distracting, so choose pieces that don't compete with you for attention. Ladies, bring tops, skirts, and dresses with different necklines and different silhouettes.
Is there anything else I should bring?
Ladies, bring your make-up with you in case you need to do any touch-ups. Have your lipstick, hairbrush, and a few bobbypins close by for fast fixes! If you do not feel confident with your make-up skills, consider hiring a make-up artist. Men, bring hair product and a comb and have them close by as well.
What questions should I ask myself or others before the shoot?
If you are going to be taking photos for your website, poster, business card, advertisement, or anything else specific, think about what what you want that to look like and what orientations you need. If your website needs landscape oriented shots, you want your photographer to know that so you get the shots you need. What is the color scheme of your website or poster? Do you want a specific colored background to compliment that? If you are working with a website designer, agent, or publicist, ask them to be specific about any preferences or requests that they might have.
Most importantly, make sure you arrive at your shoot well rested and ready to let loose and have fun!
Visit BOOK NOW page to schedule your Headshot Session with Valentina Sadiul Photography. For more information contact at ValentinaSadiul@gmail.com or call 415.400.9212
I have always been inspired and intrigued by the beauty and individuality of the human spirit. In fact, I was immediately attracted to photography for the opportunity it provided to capture the unique spark within each person in front of my lens. Photography also provided me with countless opportunities to meet and collaborate with interesting and creative people, and to hear their stories and experiences. Now as a professional headshot and portrait photographer in the San Francisco, I provide headshots and promotional portraits for the Bay Area’s most fascinating artists, musicians, dancers, CEO’s, and entrepreneurs; as well as for start-ups, real-estate brokerages, and other corporations who are seeking to create a professional and successful, yet personal brand image. I also provide glamorous portraiture sessions for women of all ages. I feel so strongly that every women should have the opportunity to feel like a celebrity, and it is my mission to empower every woman to love her own individual and unique beauty.
In fact, empowerment is a lot of what drives my work. My portraits represent my clients as their most successful and intriguing selves. Though many of them are just at the start of their careers, their photographs make people take notice and view them as successful, confident, and accomplished. I love maintaining relationships with the people I have photographed, and watching their careers flourish.
This blog is dedicated to readers who are looking for balance in their professional and personal lives, and focussed on achieving career success, financial freedom, good health, and strong relationships.
