Hello there and welcome!

My name is Amy Wu (she/her/hers), and thank you for visiting Clinical Impressions! I am a marriage and family therapist based in the Chicago area, and I created Clinical Impressions to provide high-quality headshots to mental health professionals.

It is more important to click with people

than to click the shutter.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt

As therapists, we have been taught to think that the most important part of our work occurs in the room with our clients, away from the public eye. However, in our digital world, our headshots are the first forms of connection that we build with our current and potential clients, other mental health professionals, and referral partners.

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Anyone can take a photograph these days, especially with our increasingly advanced phones. I created Clinical Impressions to bring my experience as a practicing therapist to the photographs that I take of other therapists. As a therapist myself, I understand the importance of having a headshot that conveys warmth, empathy, and authenticity.

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My approach as a photographer is parallel to my approach as a therapist. To me, it's not just about the end result of the photo; it's also about the experience of being photographed. I aim to create time and space to connect with the people I photograph, helping them feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Instead of choosing people's photos for them, I empower people to be actively involved in creating their own headshots. With affordable packages and high-quality images, I hope to help therapists increase accessibility to their desired client populations. 

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I have been both a film and digital photographer for almost 20 years, and when I'm not meeting with my clients, I love to go on photo adventures, collect film cameras, and make prints in the darkroom. My photographic style is natural, bright, and warm, and my goal in my portrait work is to help each of my subjects feel and look like the most authentic versions of whoever they are choosing to embody in that moment.

Photo by Anjali Pinto

SOLO PRACTITIONERS

Package price: $250

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• 45-minute shoot

• 2 digital files of your choice 

• Complimentary website design consultation

SMALL GROUP PRACTICES

(2-5 clinicians)

Package price: $175 per clinician

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• 25-30 minutes per clinician

• 1 digital file per clinician

• Complimentary group photos

• Office photos available for additional cost

MEDIUM GROUP PRACTICES

(6-9 clinicians)

Package price: $150 per clinician

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• 15-20 minutes per clinician

• 1 digital file per clinician

• Complimentary group photos

• Office photos available for additional cost

LARGE GROUP PRACTICES

(10 or more clinicians)

Due to scheduling and other details to coordinate with larger practices, I create custom contracts with larger practices. Please message me to discuss your needs, or check out my special partnership package!​

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Are you still booking clients during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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I am booking new clients! I have been fully vaccinated as a healthcare provider, and I also get regularly tested. I ask that clients inform me if they have recently traveled, or if they or anyone in their household have had any COVID-19 symptoms for the previous 14 days. I am also flexible with scheduling and accept any last-minute cancellation if it is related to COVID-19 symptoms. During both indoor and outdoor headshot sessions, I wear medical-grade masks for the entire duration of the session. If you have any questions or specific concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.

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What location options are available for headshot sessions?

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I offer multiple options for your headshot session:

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Outdoor sessions

I am available to meet you at an outdoor location of your choice. However, generally I do not recommend doing outdoor sessions if the temperatures are below 40-50° F. Outdoor sessions are also subject to change with weather conditions.

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In choosing a location, consider whether you would like to have a natural backdrop or a cityscape. This can be dependent on the location of your office and the clientele you typically serve.​ For nature locations, I frequently go to Garfield Park Conservatory, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago Botanical Gardens, or parks and beaches. For city locations, I have met clients at Millennium Park, the Bloomingdale Trail, or Ping Tom Park.

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Please note that sessions located more than 10 miles outside of the 60625 zip code will be charged an additional $1 per mile round trip. Any additional parking fees, tolls, or travel costs will also be billed to the client.

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Indoor sessions

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• Option 1: Location of your choice
  
  I have studio lights and am available to come to you for the session, provided that you and your household do not have a positive COVID-19 test or symptoms for the previous 14 days. If you have your own office, this could be a good option for our headshot session. I request photos of your office as well as a general size estimate to ensure that I will have sufficient space to set up my lighting equipment.
   

• Option 2: Rented studio
  
  If you do not have an office or do not think the space is appropriate for headshots, we also have the option of renting out a studio through peerspace.com. (Unfortunately I do not have my own studio space yet, but I'm hoping to have one in the future!) I look at listings with my clients and we agree on a space together. The cost of the rental would be added to your invoice.

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What should I wear?

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The most important consideration is for you to feel comfortable and relaxed—what helps you feel most "you"! Bringing a blazer, cardigan, scarf, or other accessories can be a quick and easy way to switch up your look and have more options without changing your entire outfit.

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Your headshots can be a way to represent important parts of your identity that you wish you convey to clients and colleagues. Examples include patterns, colors, jewelry, or fabric that have personal and cultural significance, clothing that shows off body art or piercings; or different hairstyles and makeup.​

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Most importantly, find something that you feel good in! Don't wear something new that you haven't worn before. Clothing that requires a lot of adjusting will make you feel self-conscious, and that will likely reflect in your facial expressions and body postures.

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Should I get my hair and makeup done?

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This is entirely up to you! Some folks like being in charge of their own look; for others, it can help ease their nerves to have professionals take care of them. If you'd like referrals, let me know and I'm happy to send you suggestions for hair and makeup artists.

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What can I expect during the session?

After introductions, I will direct you to appropriate locations to begin the shoot. I often chat with my clients throughout the session to help them feel comfortable, adjust hair and clothing as necessary, and direct body postures and facial expressions. I typically do a variety of close-up and farther shots with different angles and poses so that you have plenty to choose from. Throughout the session, I also check in with my clients on the photos we've taken to ensure satisfaction. I am collaborative and believe feedback to be an important part of our headshot session, just as it is in therapy!

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What are next steps after we finish shooting?

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After our session, I will send you a link to a Google album your photo proofs within 5-7 business days. These are unedited, watermarked files from which you will choose the photo(s) you wish for me to edit and retouch. I make recommendations for photos based on my experience, but you are certainly free to make your own choices as well! After you finalize your choices, I will then send you the high-resolution edited files via Dropbox for your own usage within another 5-7 business days. Clinicians in group practices will also receive their files to keep for their own use.