Headshot Photographer Calabasas
Headshot Photography & Portraits Agoura Hills
The Headshot Photographer Calabasas & Agoura Hills Professionals Trust
Karen Vaisman is a professional photographer and Master Retouch Artist
with over 30 years of experience based in Agoura Hills,
serving Calabasas,
Westlake Village,
Woodland Hills,
Camarillo,
Los Angeles and the
Greater Los Angeles area.
She holds a BFA in Photography from Syracuse University
and specializes in headshot photography & portraits — executive headshots,
corporate portraits, and professional retouching.
Agoura Hills Photography Studio
Serving Calabasas
& Greater Los Angeles
Call (818) 991‑7787
Karen answers her own phone
Book Your Headshot Session →
Key Takeaways
Professional Headshots & Head Shots Near Calabasas
- ✓Studio based in nearby Agoura Hills — serving Calabasas, Westlake Village, Woodland Hills & the Greater Los Angeles area
- ✓Corporate, LinkedIn, actor, realtor, personal branding & online dating sessions available
- ✓Expert lighting & expression coaching — fully retouched sessions available — what to wear guide
- ✓ 30+ years experience — BFA Syracuse University — Master Retouch Artist
- ✓ 300+ 5-star reviews on Google & Yelp
- ✓ Trusted by executives from Forbes-listed companies, Bain & Co. & Dell
- ✓By appointment Mon–Sat
Karen answers her own phone
“Karen coached me through the whole headshot experience. I am SOOO pleased!”
Corporate Headshot
Client Testimonial
Amanda Flaum - shares her enthusiastic experience getting a Business Headshot with Karen Vaisman Photography.
"I've worked with two photographers previously and they were nowhere near as organized, skilled, or professional. Karen was prepared, efficient, and made the entire session feel seamless. Her retouching is excellent and worth the extra fee."
— CPA, Simi Valley
Read this review on Google
"Karen's ability to understand the subtleties of body language, body positioning, and facial expression and then bring those to life into the lens of the camera is just phenomenal. She produced a set of beautiful images that look exactly like me."
— PhD, Published Author
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"She made me feel immediately at ease in front of the camera, turning what could have been a nerve-wracking experience into something enjoyable and even fun. The investment I made in her services was undoubtedly the best decision I made for my brand."
Read this review on Google
"Karen made the whole process extremely comfortable and easy. She truly listened to the message I wanted to convey — boosting my confidence the entire time. Karen went above and beyond to make sure I was thrilled. I ended up purchasing multiple images."
Read this review on Google
"Karen is very talented at figuring out how to get me to relax and capture the true me. Her touch-up skills are excellent — just the right amount, never overdone. Even if you aren't local, she's worth the drive!"
— Corporate Board Member
Read this review on Google
A weak headshot costs you the interview, the client, or the role —
before you ever get a chance to make your case in person.
Real, Not Forced
The Step Most Skip
Your LinkedIn Headshot Is Seen Before Your Resume
- Natural, confident — authentically you, not stiff or over‑posed
- Every shot shown to you instantly on an 13‑inch iPad — review your images and refine as we shoot
- Karen reviews and selects favorite images with you before you leave
Your Executive Headshot Starts Working Before You Walk In the Room
Executives & Professionals
- Tailored to your industry and personal brand
- Real-time expression coaching — confident and approachable, not stiff
- Every image reviewed together before you leave
Best Headshot Testimonials
“Out of 50 pictures, 50 came out MARVELOUS!”
BUSINESS HEADSHOT TESTIMONIAL VIDEO (1-Minute)
Pam McCoy’s excitement over the results of her photo shoot is almost palpable! She loved them and was truly pleasantly surprised by the experience! No need for a makeup artist or professional makeup, Karen did it all in post production!
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Professional Retouching - Digital Slenderizing
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Professionally Retouched - Skin Smoothing, Teeth Whitening, Hair Repair
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Retouched - Hair Clean Up, Face Slenderizing, Skin Smoothing, Clothing Wrinkle Repair
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Retouched - Face Slenderizing, Double Chin Repair, Undereye Circles, Hair Repair, Teeth Whitening
In Calabasas Real Estate, Your Headshot Is On Everything
- Warm, approachable, and trusted professional
- Indoor studio or outdoor palm tree setting — your choice
- 30+ years photographing Calabasas area realtors
Dating Profile Photos That Tell Your Story
- Natural and authentic — not stiff or over‑posed
- Works on Tinder, Hinge, Match, Bumble, and any platform
- Karen guides you through everything — wardrobe to final image
- Dress simply — clean, classic clothing that doesn't distract
- Be present — the more relaxed you feel, the better your photos
Not someone else. Not airbrushed.
You — just better.
- Digital makeup — included in retouched sessions, no makeup artist needed
- Skin smoothing — natural, not plastic
- Digital eyelashes — subtle, elegant
- Hair cleanup and color correction
- Teeth whitening — natural, never blinding white
- Under-eye improvements — refreshed, not altered
What to Expect at Your Headshot Session
Most people have never had a professional headshot session before. Here's exactly what happens when you book with Karen — no surprises.
Not Sure What to Wear to Your Headshot?
Calabasas businesses and professionals understand that quality headshots aren't optional — professional corporate photography is a business asset that works for you around the clock. Financial advisors, attorneys, executives, real estate agents, physicians, and entrepreneurs in Calabasas know that a strong professional image opens doors — and that working with an experienced professional headshot photographer pays for itself. Karen is trusted by headshot photographers' clients across greater Los Angeles because her work speaks for itself.
Karen Vaisman Photography serves Calabasas professionals from her private appointment-only headshot studio in Agoura Hills. Close enough to feel like a neighborhood studio. Far enough from the noise of Los Angeles to feel like a completely different experience.
Corporate professionals and executives in Calabasas know that trust is built before the first meeting — and strong headshot photography for LinkedIn, company websites, and a strong professional image is where that trust often begins. Karen works with individual clients and group sessions for corporate teams, offering head shots that communicate expertise at a glance.
Attorneys appearing in court, on firm websites, and in bar association directories need headshots that project both authority and approachability.
Real estate agents need real estate headshots that stand out — on signs, Zillow listings, and personal websites.
Healthcare professionals, therapists, and small business owners all benefit from headshot photography that communicates expertise at a glance.
Karen has photographed executives from Forbes-listed companies, CPAs, published authors, corporate board members, and entrepreneurs — all of whom chose her because great work speaks for itself.
Personal Branding & Corporate Headshots
Coaches, consultants, entrepreneurs, and executives need head shots that work across LinkedIn, company websites, and personal branding campaigns. Karen works one-on-one — not in bulk like other headshot photographers — delivering work that reflects your unique brand.
Actor Headshots, Theatrical Headshots & Commercial Headshots
Performers at every level — from kids headshots to seasoned professionals — trust Karen for actor headshots, theatrical headshots, and commercial headshots that capture their range and get them in the room.
Calabasas Corporate Photography & Headshots — A Market That Demands Quality
When Calabasas professionals need quality headshots — for a promotion, a rebrand, a speaking engagement, or a LinkedIn refresh — they choose Karen Vaisman Photography because results matter.
The studio is at 5624 Silver Valley Ave, Agoura Hills. Ready to book your Calabasas headshot session? Free parking available directly at the studio.
Have questions?
Frequently Asked Questions — Professional Headshots Near Calabasas & Agoura Hills
Karen Vaisman Photography serves professionals throughout Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Hidden Hills, Malibu, and Thousand Oaks from her private appointment-only studio at 5624 Silver Valley Avenue, Agoura Hills — just minutes off the 101 Freeway. Sessions are by appointment Monday through Saturday, 9am–5pm.
Karen answers her own phone — call (818) 991-7787 to ask questions before you book, or book your session directly online →
Yes — a professional headshot is one of the highest-return investments you can make in your personal brand. Your headshot appears on LinkedIn, your company website, business cards, and anywhere a potential client or employer searches for you online. A confident, approachable image communicates credibility before you say a word.
For executives, attorneys, financial advisors, and entrepreneurs in Calabasas and Agoura Hills, the quality of your headshot directly impacts how you are perceived. Karen Vaisman Photography has helped professionals across greater Los Angeles upgrade their image for over 30 years. See modern professional headshots, female professional headshots, and professional headshot examples. Call Karen at (818) 991-7787 — she answers her own phone.
Yes — your LinkedIn profile photo is seen before your resume, before your pitch, and before you walk in the room. LinkedIn profiles with professional headshots receive significantly more connection requests, profile views, and messages than those without.
For executives, attorneys, financial advisors, and entrepreneurs in Calabasas and Agoura Hills, strong LinkedIn headshots and LinkedIn profile pictures communicate credibility and authority instantly. Karen specializes in LinkedIn headshots that look natural and confident — with expert posing and expression coaching so you never look stiff or over-posed. Book your LinkedIn headshot session →
Yes — Karen's studio in Agoura Hills offers both professional indoor studio lighting AND a beautiful outdoor setting with palm trees and natural light, just steps apart. You can get a polished corporate indoor headshot and a warm, approachable outdoor headshot in one session at no extra charge.
No travel, no weather delays, no running around town. Most clients love having both options for different uses — LinkedIn, company website, speaking bios, and social media. See our outdoor headshots for executives guide. Book your session →
Yes — virtual background headshots are a specialty at Karen Vaisman Photography. If you need a specific environment — a corporate boardroom, a branded backdrop, a city skyline, or any other setting — Karen can add it seamlessly in post-production.
Virtual backgrounds let you get multiple completely different looks in one session without leaving the studio. The results look so realistic that clients say colleagues assume they traveled to five different locations. Learn more about virtual background headshots →
You can take a photo yourself, but it rarely achieves what a professional headshot session produces. A trained headshot photographer controls studio lighting, lens selection, expression coaching, posing, and professional retouching — none of which can be replicated with a phone, a ring light, or a selfie.
The difference is immediately visible to hiring managers, casting directors, and clients. Karen coaches your expression during the session — so you don't just look good, you look like the best, most confident version of yourself. See our before and after retouching gallery to see the difference.
Solid, medium-to-dark toned colors photograph best. The most reliable choices are:
- Navy blue — projects authority and photographs beautifully under studio lighting
- Charcoal grey — classic, versatile, always professional
- Burgundy or deep red — strong and confident
- Forest green or slate blue — distinctive and polished
- Black — classic, always works
Dark colors also have a slenderizing effect under professional studio lighting — another reason they're a smart choice.
What to avoid: tight patterns, fine stripes, herringbone, small checks, and busy textures. These create moiré patterns in digital cameras — a distracting optical interference effect that is very difficult to remove in post-production. Solid fabrics always photograph cleaner.
Bring 2–3 outfit options — Karen will advise which photographs best under studio lighting. Read our complete guide to the best colors to wear for headshots and our what to wear for headshots guide.
Every headshot session at Karen Vaisman Photography includes:
- Pre-session style consultation so you arrive prepared
- Professional studio lighting calibrated to your skin tone and goals
- Expert expression and posing coaching throughout the session
- Multiple looks and outfit changes
- In-person image review — 30–50 images reviewed side by side before you leave
- High-resolution and web-size JPG files optimized for LinkedIn, your website, and print — web-size and LinkedIn size are the same file
Retouched sessions also include professional hand-retouching, digital makeup, and digital eyelashes — all natural-looking. Unretouched sessions include web-size JPG files. Karen is a Master Retouch Artist with 30+ years of experience and a BFA from Syracuse University. See full session details and pricing →
Choose clothing that reflects your profession and personal brand. Well-fitted, polished outfits always photograph better than baggy or overly casual clothing. A few key rules:
- Bring 2–3 outfit options — variety gives you more choices in your final images
- Stick to solid, neutral colors — avoid busy patterns, tight textures, and logos
- Make sure everything is freshly pressed or steamed — wrinkles are very visible on camera
- Avoid transition lenses — regular glasses or contacts keep the focus on your eyes
- Keep jewelry simple — nothing that competes with your face
Read our complete what to wear for headshots guide and our color guide for full details.
The best background keeps the focus on you. Options include:
- Studio backgrounds — solid colors or textured walls give a sharp, polished result
- Outdoor locations — natural settings with soft, blurred backgrounds add warmth and approachability. See our outdoor headshot guide for executives
- Virtual backgrounds — add any environment in post-production for multiple looks in one session
- Environmental backgrounds — your office or an architectural setting can reinforce your professional brand
Read our ultimate headshot background guide and our professional headshot background guide for more.
Looking natural in a headshot is harder than it sounds — but Karen coaches every client through it during their session. A few things that make the biggest difference:
- Your smile — relax your face and let it come naturally. A forced smile reads as insincere immediately
- Approachability — a relaxed, engaged expression connects with the viewer and builds instant trust
- Posing — small adjustments to posture, chin, and body angle make a dramatic difference. Karen directs all of this
- Confidence — looking directly into the lens with a calm, confident gaze is the single most powerful thing you can do
You don't need to figure any of this out before you arrive. Karen guides every client through the entire process.
Yes — actor and talent headshots are one of Karen's specialties. Your headshot is your calling card — it's the first thing casting directors see when considering you for a role. In a competitive industry, a standout headshot can mean the difference between getting the audition and getting passed over.
Karen understands what casting directors look for and coaches actors through expression, range, and character during their session. Book your actor headshot session →
Yes — Karen Vaisman Photography has photographed realtors and attorneys across Calabasas, Agoura Hills, and greater Los Angeles for over 30 years. Real estate is a relationship business, and your headshot is on everything — signs, cards, Zillow listings, and your website. It needs to communicate trust and approachability instantly.
Karen specializes in realtor headshots that position you as the expert you are. Book your real estate headshot session →
Yes — online dating photography is a specialty at Karen Vaisman Photography. In a sea of selfies, a natural, confident professional photo makes you stand out immediately and attracts the right match.
Karen creates dating profile photos that feel relaxed and authentic — not stiff or staged. Virtual backgrounds are also popular for dating sessions — Karen uses them to help tell your story, creating multiple looks and settings that show your personality and lifestyle in one session. Also see Karen's dating photographer Los Angeles sessions. Book your dating photo session →
Yes — personal branding photography goes beyond a single headshot. It's a full suite of on-brand imagery for coaches, consultants, speakers, and entrepreneurs — everything you need for your website, social media, press kit, and marketing materials.
Virtual backgrounds are especially popular for personal branding sessions — Karen can create multiple completely different environments in one session, giving you a full library of on-brand images without leaving the studio.
Karen works with you to understand your brand, your audience, and your goals — then creates images that tell your story. Call Karen at (818) 991-7787 to discuss your personal branding session.
Professional retouching refines your final images after the session — balancing skin tone, removing temporary blemishes, sharpening eyes, and ensuring the overall image is polished and publication-ready. Karen is a Master Retouch Artist with over 30 years of experience.
Retouched sessions include digital makeup and digital eyelashes — all natural-looking. The goal is never to make you look like someone else — it's to present you at your absolute best. See real examples in our before and after gallery. See session options →
Preparation makes a real difference in your results. Here's what Karen recommends:
- Get a full night of sleep the night before
- Arrive with freshly washed, styled hair — as you would for an important meeting
- Apply makeup as you normally would for a professional setting — read our makeup for headshots guide for camera-ready tips
- Bring 2–3 outfit options — read our what to wear guide before you arrive
- Avoid a brand new haircut right before — wait 1–2 weeks so it settles
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early to settle in and relax before we start
Karen will walk you through everything else during the session. Questions beforehand? Call Karen directly at (818) 991-7787 — she answers her own phone.
Karen Vaisman Photography is located at 5624 Silver Valley Avenue, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 — just off the 101 Freeway, approximately 10 minutes from Calabasas and Agoura Hills. Sessions are by appointment Monday through Saturday, 9am–5pm.
Karen answers her own phone — call (818) 991-7787 for a free consultation before you book. Or book directly online: Book your headshot session →
See all the areas we serve across Los Angeles and Ventura County.
AI headshots are improving but still produce generic, slightly-off results that most professionals can spot immediately. They cannot coach your expression, adjust your posture in real time, or capture the natural confidence that comes from working with an experienced photographer who knows how to bring out the real you. Read our guide: 10 ways AI-generated headshots could hurt your career.
Eye contact is where AI consistently falls short. Connecting with your audience is paramount — your eyes are the first thing people see in any headshot. AI-generated eyes have a glazed, vacant quality — the “deer in the headlights” look that immediately signals something is off. Karen directs every client’s gaze during the session, coaching the subtle difference between a blank stare and a confident, engaged connection with the lens.
A professional headshot session with Karen produces images that look unmistakably human — because they are. See the difference in our before and after gallery or call Karen at (818) 991-7787 — she answers her own phone.
Yes — Karen Vaisman Photography is a full-service professional passport photo studio. Many clients combine a headshot session with passport photos in the same visit — it's a great way to get everything done in one appointment. Book your passport photo appointment →
Karen produces passport and citizenship photos for:
- US passport photos — zero rejections, ever
- Canadian passport & citizenship photos
- British passport photos
- French passport photos
- German passport photos
- Irish passport photos
- Spanish passport photos
- Italian passport photos
- Polish citizenship photos
- Schengen visa photos
- Many other countries — call Karen at (818) 991-7787 to confirm your country's requirements
Agoura Hills Photography Studio
Serving Westlake Village, Lake Sherwood & the Conejo Valley
Call (818) 991-7787
Karen answers her own phone
Book Your Headshot Session →Karen Vaisman is a professional photographer and Master Retouch Artist with over 30 years of experience based in Agoura Hills, serving Calabasas and Greater Los Angeles. She holds a BFA in Photography from Syracuse University and specializes in executive headshots, personal branding photography, and professional retouching.
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- Posture — stand straight, shoulders back, chin slightly forward
- Angle your body — slightly to the side adds depth and dimension
- Eye contact — relax your face and let your smile come naturally
- Look approachable — a relaxed expression connects instantly
- Off-camera look — glancing slightly off‑camera feels more natural
You're Proud Of?
the real you.
What Our Clients Have to Say …
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Mish Polak
“Karen is the most amazing photographer. For someone who hates having their picture taken, she actually had me loving my own photo. She has such an amazing eye with everything from the background color, what you’re wearing, make-up, to how relaxed you are so that your smile looks natural. Thank you Karen for flawless headshots!”
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Brenda Guess
“I flew in from the Bay Area for Karen to take my photo. I can never adequately express what a wonderful experience it was having my picture taken by her! She helped me prepare and I felt so comfortable. She took incredible shots! I loved how she touched up my photos and provided my photos so promptly. I highly recommend Karen!”
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JR Rackley
“Karen made this experience very comfortable and fun. The final photos came out perfect and the retouches were spot on. I would recommend Karen Vaisman Photography to anyone.”
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Terry Benzel
“I am not photogenic but Karen is very talented at figuring out how to get me to relax and capture the true me. She knows how to apply just the right amount of touch up to make me look great without overdoing it. Even if you aren't in the area she is worth the drive!”
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Miranda Frederick
“My experience with Karen was tremendous. We were having such a good time our session - we laughed like old friends. Not only did she do a great job, I requested a Rush and I received the photos in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend Karen for your next photo shoot. She's a true professional.”
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Bill Richardson
“Karen puts her clients at ease and captures the essence of who you are and she makes it fun. Her photography and retouching skills are outstanding.”
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Susana Cabrera
“From the moment I walked into her studio, it was clear that Karen is not only an incredibly talented photographer but also an absolute professional in every sense of the word.”
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Tina Thomas
Working with Karen was an exceptional experience from start to finish — and the final photographs are nothing short of stunning. What truly stood out was her skillful retouching: she strikes the perfect balance, enhancing the images just enough to bring out their full potential while still maintaining the natural essence of my appearance. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of top-notch photography services.
Enjoy our Blog …
Dreading your next professional headshot? Fear not! As a veteran Los Angeles photographer, I've helped countless camera-shy clients shine in their photos. With the right techniques and a supportive environment, anyone can look confident and approachable in their headshot – yes, even you who just thought, "But I'm not photogenic!" Let me show you how to transform your headshot experience from nerve-wracking to enjoyable.