Because a wrong image costs more than that. Every day your LinkedIn profile shows an outdated photo, a low-quality headshot, or an image that does not reflect the executive you have become, it is working against you. Deals that go cold, introductions that do not land, speaking opportunities that go to someone who looks more credible online — these are not hypothetical losses. They are real. A $2,500 investment that corrects your visual presence is not an expense. It is a correction that pays for itself in the first new relationship it helps you close.
The return is direct. A strong executive headshot increases LinkedIn profile views and connection acceptance rates, which translates to more conversations and more pipeline. It increases credibility in proposals and pitch decks where clients are evaluating you against competitors. It positions you correctly in press, speaking, and media appearances. And it signals to every room you walk into, digitally or in person, that you operate at a certain level. Executives who invest in their visual presence close more business. That is not a claim. That is what happens when your image matches your actual authority.
A $300 session delivers photographs. A session with Icon By M delivers a visual authority strategy. Marian does not point a camera at you and capture what is there. She makes deliberate decisions about light, framing, expression, wardrobe sequencing, and composition, all designed to communicate something specific about who you are and how you lead. The output is not a gallery of 400 images to sort through. It is a curated set of precision assets, each one built to work across LinkedIn, your firm website, proposals, press, and speaking engagements. The difference shows up in the room before you speak.
Because your image does not age on a schedule you control. Partners get promoted. New hires join. Your LinkedIn content needs fresh images. Your firm website shows people who left two years ago. Ad hoc booking means your visual presence is always reacting rather than leading. A retainer means it is always current, always consistent, and always handled. The strategic value compounds every quarter, because every new image matches every previous image, and your firm’s visual identity becomes a genuine competitive asset rather than an afterthought.
Your experience begins before you arrive. After booking, you receive a preparation guide covering what to wear, how to prepare, and exactly what to expect. On the day of your session, Marian guides you through every element, wardrobe sequencing, posing, expression, and framing. There is nothing to figure out on your own. Most executive sessions run between 60 and 90 minutes from arrival to completion.
Most photographers deliver images. Icon By M delivers a visual authority strategy. Marian holds an MBA and spent 15 years in corporate sales and consulting before building Icon By M. She understands what you are trying to accomplish commercially, not just photographically. Every decision in the session is made with your business outcomes in mind. You receive a curated selection of precision images, each one a positioning decision.
No. Most Icon By M clients say exactly that when they arrive. Marian directs every element of the session, posing, expression, angles, wardrobe transitions. You do not need to know how to pose or what to do. You arrive and she handles the rest. The preparation guide, the private studio, and the full direction are all designed so that someone who is not comfortable in front of a camera walks away with images that look like they were born for it.
Individual executive sessions run approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Team sessions for groups of three to ten run two to four hours depending on the number of people. On-site firm sessions are scheduled by half-day or full-day blocks. That said, Marian is skilled at working efficiently under time constraints. If your schedule is tight, let her know — she will get what you need without sacrificing the result.
After you book, you receive a detailed preparation guide covering wardrobe specifically. In general, bring options. A well-fitted suit or blazer, a crisp shirt or blouse, and at least one alternative look. Avoid busy patterns, neon colors, and clothing with prominent logos. Solid, deep, or neutral tones photograph strongest. Marian reviews your wardrobe when you arrive and sequences your looks for maximum variety and authority.
Get a good night’s sleep, stay hydrated, and avoid major haircuts or new grooming changes in the 48 hours before your session. Arrive rested and allow a 10-minute buffer. Rushing into a session affects how you photograph. Marian handles everything else once you arrive. The preparation guide covers all of this in detail.
No. That is the point of the session direction. You do not need to know which looks you want, how to pose, or what style you are going for. Marian takes you through all of it. Bring options, a few wardrobe choices and 90 minutes. The strategy is handled.
At Icon By M, individual executive sessions begin at $2,500. This includes full pre-session preparation guidance, expert direction, a curated final image selection, and professional post-production. For teams and firms, on-site sessions begin at $4,500 for teams up to ten, and $6,500 for larger organizations. Retainer partnerships begin at $2,500 per quarter for individuals and $5,500 per quarter for leadership teams.
Every session includes pre-session preparation guidance, complete wardrobe and expression direction, and professional retouching on all delivered images. The Executive Portrait session at $2,500 delivers 15 professionally retouched final images licensed for all professional platforms. There are no hidden fees and no gallery of unedited images to sort through. You receive precision assets, curated, retouched, and ready to use.Get a good night’s sleep, stay hydrated, and avoid major haircuts or new grooming changes in the 48 hours before your session. Arrive rested and allow a 10-minute buffer. Rushing into a session affects how you photograph. Marian handles everything else once you arrive. The preparation guide covers all of this in detail.
In most cases, professional photography for business use, headshots, firm photography, personal brand imagery used in marketing, qualifies as a deductible business expense. Consult your accountant to confirm the treatment that applies to your situation. Icon By M provides a detailed invoice for every engagement.
A single session is the right starting point for an executive who needs a precision result now. A retainer is an ongoing partnership for leaders and firms who understand that visual authority is not a one-time fix. Retainer clients receive quarterly sessions, priority scheduling, consistent visual direction replicated precisely, and a branded delivery gallery that keeps their image as current as their performance.
Annual retainer programs are invoiced quarterly rather than as a single upfront payment. For firm-level engagements, billing structure is discussed during the discovery call and can be aligned with your organization’s standard vendor payment cycle.
Yes. On-site sessions are available for teams of five or more. Marian arrives with full portable studio-grade lighting and backdrop equipment and creates a consistent, professional environment within your space, a conference room, lobby, or office setting. On-site sessions eliminate the logistical challenge of moving your entire team and are particularly effective for larger firms. All images maintain the same visual standard as studio work.
aThis is exactly what a retainer is designed to solve. Every technical element of the original session is documented, lighting setup, camera position, background, post-production treatment, and replicated with precision at every subsequent session. A new partner photographed 18 months after the original team session will match seamlessly. Consistent firm photography signals operational excellence. Inconsistent photography signals the opposite.A single session is the right starting point for an executive who needs a precision result now. A retainer is an ongoing partnership for leaders and firms who understand that visual authority is not a one-time fix. Retainer clients receive quarterly sessions, priority scheduling, consistent visual direction replicated precisely, and a branded delivery gallery that keeps their image as current as their performance.
Yes. Icon By M conducts on-site sessions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. For firms with partners across multiple locations, we build a session schedule that covers each office while maintaining the same documented visual standard. The result is a firm gallery where every partner looks like they belong in the same organization, regardless of where they were photographed.
Icon By M works with professional service firms and individual leaders across Dallas-Fort Worth, law firms, financial advisory and wealth management groups, executive consulting firms, real estate and development companies, accounting and CPA firms, and executive search firms. We also work with individual C-suite leaders, founders, and experts building a thought leadership presence.
Yes. Rebrands and new office launches are two of the highest-leverage moments to invest in professional firm photography. New brand identity needs new imagery to match, on the website, in proposals, in press, and across LinkedIn. Icon By M can deliver a comprehensive visual package, individual portraits, team compositions, office environment photography, and campaign-ready imagery, in a single coordinated engagement.
The first step is a discovery call, a short conversation to discuss your current visual presence, your goals, and which Icon By M service is the right fit. Book directly from any page on the site. No obligation, no pressure. If it is not the right fit, Marian will tell you plainly. The Executive Portrait session can also be booked and paid for directly without a call.
Marian personally reaches out within 24 hours to confirm your booking and begin the planning conversation. Before your session, you receive a full preparation guide. Your session is then built around your specific goals, platforms, and brand. Every detail is handled between booking and arrival, so when you show up, your only job is to be present.
Booking in advance is ideal. Individual sessions typically schedule a few weeks out, and team or firm sessions benefit from four to six weeks of lead time to coordinate properly. That said, Marian takes last-minute work when availability allows. If you have an upcoming event, announcement, or urgent need, reach out and ask. The answer may surprise you.
Yes. An Icon By M session is one of the most strategically meaningful gifts a firm can give a new partner or senior hire. A new partner whose headshot matches the rest of the firm from day one signals belonging and investment. Gift sessions are arranged through the booking inquiry form. Marian coordinates all details personally.
Session deposits are non-refundable, as your date is held exclusively for you from the moment of booking. Reschedules are accommodated with a minimum of 48 hours notice, subject to availability. For firm-level and retainer engagements, scheduling terms are confirmed during the discovery call.