LA Tech Week is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited! As a photographer deeply embedded in the LA tech scene, this is a great time of year. The energy, the innovation, the connections being made—it’s all happening right in our backyard.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come
Last week, I attended a pre-LA Tech Week event at BLANKSPACESDowntown Santa Monica, and it reminded me why I love this community so much. Walking into that room felt like stepping back into the golden days of Silicon Beach—the same electric energy, the same genuine excitement about building something meaningful together.
I ran into Jerome Chang and Luetrell Toler, along with so many other familiar faces from the LA startup ecosystem. The crowd chatted about ideas, shared updates on their projects, and reconnected in that effortless way that only happens when you’re face-to-face. No Zoom windows, no “you’re on mute” moments—just real conversations and authentic connections.
It struck me then: this is what makes LA’s tech scene special. Yes, we have the innovation and ambition you’ll find in any major tech hub, but we also have something else—a sense of community that brings people back, year after year. There’s a little magic that happens when founders, creators, and innovators show up in person, and that magic is exactly what Tech Week is all about.
Where You’ll Find Me
Throughout Tech Week, I’ll be working out of BLANKSPACES coworking in both Venice and Downtown Santa Monica. I work out of BLANKPACES year round and love to connect with others in tech. These locations are hosting some incredible events this week, and I love being right in the middle of the action.
How I Can Help Your Team
Whether you’re hosting a panel, launching a product, networking at a happy hour, or just want to document your team’s presence at Tech Week events, I’m here to help. I specialize in:
Event Photography – Capturing the energy, candid moments, and key highlights of your LATech Week gatherings. From intimate meetups to large-scale conferences, I know how to tell your event’s story.
Professional Headshots – Getting your team camera-ready with polished, professional portraits. Perfect for updating LinkedIn profiles, press materials, or your company website during this high-visibility week.
On-Location Service – I can travel anywhere in the LA area to meet your needs. I have offices in Venice, Santa Monica, Culver City and can travel throughout LA to wherever your event is happening.
The best part? You don’t have to worry about the logistics. Just focus on making connections, sharing your vision, and building relationships—I’ll make sure those moments are documented beautifully and authentically.
Why This Matters
In a world where so much happens online, there’s something powerful about having professional photos that capture the real, in-person moments of your company’s journey. These aren’t just images—they’re proof that you showed up, that you were part of something bigger, that you contributed to the vibrant ecosystem we’re all building together.
When Tech Week 2025 becomes a memory, you’ll want to remember what it felt like to be there. You’ll want to show your investors, your team members who couldn’t make it, and your future hires what your company culture really looks like. That’s what I’m here to create for you.
Let’s Connect
If your team is attending an event and needs photography coverage, let’s chat. I’m just a call or text away and ready to bring my camera wherever the innovation is happening. And if you see me at BLANKSPACES or around Venice and Santa Monica during Tech Week, come say hello! I’m always up for meeting new people and hearing about the exciting things happening in our community.
Steven Hankins Photography 📍 Serving Santa Monica, Venice & all of Los Angeles 📞 323-493-2552
You just wrapped your session with me (and I’m so glad you chose to work together!). We nailed the lighting, found your best angles, and captured images that truly represent who you are as a professional and looks like you too. But here’s the thing—those beautiful photos sitting in your downloads folder aren’t doing you any favors yet.
So what comes next? Here’s your game plan for maximizing the investment you just made in yourself. These are the steps I walk all my clients through, because I want to make sure your new headshots actually work for you:
Update All of Your Profiles (Yes, ALL of Them)
This is the big one, and it’s where most people stop after updating just LinkedIn. But here’s what I’ve learned after photographing hundreds of professionals throughout LA: your image shows up in way more places than you realize.
Start with the obvious: LinkedIn is priority number one—it’s often the first place people look you up. But don’t stop there. Update your company website or About page, your email signature (both internal and external), and any professional directories you’re listed in.
Then hit the platforms you use daily: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Discord—anywhere colleagues, clients, or prospects might see your face pop up during a call or in a message thread. Having an outdated or unprofessional photo in these spaces sends the wrong message, especially when you’re trying to make a strong impression.
Don’t forget the unexpected places: Your Calendly or scheduling link, your CRM profile, industry association memberships, speaking engagement platforms, your Medium or Substack account if you write, your podcast artwork if you host one, and even internal company systems. I’ve had clients discover their photo was still from 2015 in places they’d completely forgotten about.
Pro tip from someone who’s been doing this for years: Make a list as you go. Open a note on your phone and jot down every platform as you update it. You’ll be surprised how many there are, and this way you won’t forget any.
I photographed Stuart at my Venice location recently, and when I checked LinkedIn and Instagram today, I noticed he’d updated both profiles with his new headshot. That’s exactly what I love to see—a client who understands that great photos only work when you actually put them out there.
Keep It Consistent Across Every Platform
I see this mistake all the time: someone uses their professional headshot on LinkedIn, a casual snapshot on their website, and a cropped group photo on Zoom. This fragmentation confuses people and dilutes your professional brand.
Here’s why consistency matters: When someone meets you on LinkedIn, then joins a Zoom call with you, then visits your website, they should see the same person. That visual consistency builds recognition and trust. It signals that you’re intentional about how you present yourself, which translates into professionalism and reliability.
Think of it like visual branding: Just like Nike always uses the same swoosh or Starbucks always uses the same green, your headshot is part of your personal brand identity. When people can instantly recognize you across different platforms and contexts, you become more memorable.
Use the same photo everywhere—or at least photos from the same session. During our time together, we captured multiple looks and backgrounds for exactly this reason. Maybe you use the more formal shot with the gray background for LinkedIn and your company bio, and the slightly more relaxed version with the white background for your personal website or Instagram. Both are professional, both are recent, and both are clearly you.
The practical benefit: When someone searches for you online or tries to connect the person they met at a networking event with your online presence, consistent imagery makes that connection instant and effortless. In LA’s competitive business environment, that kind of seamless professionalism sets you apart.
Use It Beyond Social Media
Your headshot isn’t just for LinkedIn—it’s a versatile tool that should be working for you in multiple contexts. After shooting hundreds of sessions across Culver City, Venice, Santa Monica, and throughout LA, I’ve seen clients use their headshots in creative ways I never expected. Here are the essentials:
Speaking engagements and conferences: Whether you’re keynoting a conference, sitting on a panel, or leading a workshop, organizers will ask for a headshot and bio. Having a high-quality, professional image ready to go makes you look polished and prepared. It also makes their job easier, which means they’re more likely to invite you back.
Press and media opportunities: Journalists, podcast hosts, and bloggers need photos when they feature you. The last thing you want is for them to screenshot a grainy image from your Instagram or, worse, skip featuring you because you don’t have a professional photo available. Keep your headshot easily accessible and ready to send at a moment’s notice.
Business cards and marketing materials: Yes, people still use business cards—especially in LA’s creative and entertainment industries. A professional headshot on your card makes you infinitely more memorable than text alone. Same goes for brochures, one-sheets, media kits, and any printed materials.
Your email signature: This is such an underrated move. Adding a small, professional headshot to your email signature personalizes every message you send. It helps recipients put a face to the name, which builds connection and makes your emails feel more human—especially important when you’re corresponding with people you haven’t met in person yet.
Company directories and team pages: If your company has an About Us or Team page, make sure your photo matches the quality and style of everyone else’s. If you’re the founder or principal, your headshot often becomes the face of the company itself.
Social proof and testimonials: If clients feature you in case studies or testimonials, having a professional photo elevates the credibility of that content. Same for guest blog posts, contributor profiles, or any content marketing where you’re positioning yourself as an expert.
Proposals and pitch decks: Including your headshot in business proposals, investor decks, or client presentations adds a personal touch and helps build trust before you even walk in the room.
The bottom line? Your headshot should be as hardworking as you are. Don’t let it collect dust—put it to work in every context where you’re showing up professionally.
Haven’t Updated Your Headshots Recently?
If you’re reading this and thinking “my current headshot is from 2019” (or worse—I’ve seen some from the early 2000s), it’s time for an update.
As a business headshot photographer serving LA’s professional community, I make the process easy and comfortable. Whether you prefer to come to one of my studios in Culver City, Venice, or Santa Monica, or you’d rather I come to your office or location anywhere throughout Los Angeles, I’ll work around your schedule.
During our session, we’ll capture multiple looks and backgrounds so you have options for different platforms and uses. My goal is simple: create images that make you look confident, approachable, and authentically you.
Ready to update your headshots? Call me at 323-493-2552 and let’s set up a time to create headshots that represent who you are today—not who you were five years ago. Your career has evolved. Your headshot should too.
The holiday season is just around the corner, and there’s no better time to capture your family’s story through beautiful, timeless photographs. As an LA-based photographer with offices in Santa Monica, Venice, and Culver City, I’m passionate about creating stunning family portraits that you’ll cherish for generations to come.
Why Book Your Family Photos Now?
The fall and early winter months offer some of the most beautiful lighting and backdrops for family photography. The weather is perfect, the colors are rich and warm, and there’s a special energy in the air as families come together to celebrate the season. Plus, booking now means you’ll have gorgeous photos ready for holiday cards, gifts, and décor.
The Joy of Watching Families Grow
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is getting to photograph families as they grow and change over the years. I’m especially excited about an upcoming session with repeat clients who first came to me when they only had one child. We shot at UCLA – their alma mater – and captured such special memories on that meaningful campus.
Now, they’ve welcomed their second child, and this year we’re heading to the Venice Canals for their family photos. It’s actually my first time shooting there, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! There’s something magical about growing alongside the families I photograph, documenting their journey and exploring new locations together. These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do.
Endless Location Possibilities
One of the best parts about photographing families in Los Angeles? The incredible variety of stunning locations! I travel across LA to meet clients wherever they feel most comfortable and inspired. Here are just a few options:
Beach Sunset Shoots – Nothing beats the golden hour glow along the Santa Monica or Venice coastline. The soft sand, rolling waves, and spectacular sunset create a dreamy, relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for capturing genuine family moments. In fact I’m really excited
Park Sessions – Los Angeles is home to countless beautiful parks. Whether the charming paths of Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, or the palm tree-lined beauty of Palisades Park, we can find the perfect natural setting for your family.
Your Own Home – Sometimes the most meaningful photos happen in the comfort of your own space, where your family feels most natural and relaxed.
What to Expect
My approach to family photography is all about capturing authentic connections and genuine smiles. I work to make sessions fun and stress-free, especially for little ones. We’ll take our time, play around, and create images that truly reflect your family’s unique personality and love.
Book Your Session Today
Don’t wait to secure your spot! Give me a call at 323-493-2552 to discuss your vision and schedule your family photo session.
