Free Headshots: Glenview Photographer To Help Unemployed

Eric DeGrechie
·3 min read

GLENVIEW, IL — Along with a solid resume, a professional headshot can go a long way in landing someone a new job. During the current COVID-19 crisis, many Americans are searching for employment. Photographer Sari Pina, of Glenview, is hoping to help.

Pina is joining a nationwide effort on July 22 to create 10,000 complimentary professional headshots in an effort organizers are saying is "meant to get America back to work." She will be producing the complimentary headshots from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Road Northbrook.

The "10,000 Headshots" effort is being spearheaded by Headshot Booker and Brookfield Properties Retail Group, the latter which oversees Northbrook Court.

"Our community, like so many others, was hit hard by COVID-19, and I was looking for ways to help our neighbors get back on their feet," Pina said. "I heard about what Headshot Booker and Brookfield Properties were doing across the country and wanted to be a part of it. I am excited and grateful to be able to contribute to such a great initiative."

Illinois Coronavirus Update July 17 — Don't miss updates about Illinois' response to COVID-19 — Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Pina noted that according to resume-builder website LinkedIn, people who include headshots receive 21 times more profile views and nine times more "connection" requests.

For the July 22 event, headshots are open to anyone currently unemployed, but participants are asked to visit HeadshotBooker.com for details and schedule a time to be photographed. More than 200 photographers will participate across all 50 states, creating pop-up studios at nearly every Brookfield retail location nationwide, several in Chicagoland, according to Pina. Headshots will be provided to participants on site through event photo sharing platform SpotMyPhotos.

The initiative is the brainchild of Tony Taafe, who co-founded Headshot Booker with renowned portrait photographer, Peter Hurley, and national event photographer, Lauren Lieberman.

"We are proud and excited to host the 10,000 Headshots initiative across our portfolio," Michelle Snyder, chief marketing officer of Brookfield Properties, in a statement. "As we continue to welcome guests back to our centers, we are grateful for this opportunity to help the members of our communities that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic."

With safety for all participants a core focus, each photographer will follow specific protocols to ensure safe distancing and hygiene practices throughout the day.

The base price for a high quality, professional headshot starts around $250, which equates to more than $2.5 million in collective services these photographers will provide through this initiative, according to Headshot Booker.

In her career, Pina has worked with several Chicago area small businesses providing professional imagery to help them connect to their ideal clients. With this initiative, she is excited to be able to provide professional imagery to individuals to connect them back into the workforce.

To learn more about Sari P. Photography, visit www.saripphotography.com.

Sari PIna (Sari P. Photography)
Sari PIna (Sari P. Photography)

Stay Patched In!

This article originally appeared on the Glenview Patch