Business: Elevated Headshots
Address: Naperville
Phone/website: 843-446-7203, www.elevatedheadshots.com
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Owner: Mila Craila, 38, of Naperville
Years in business: Eight
What does your business do? Craila takes photos — headshots and others — to help people seeking work or promoting their businesses. “It could be business owners or individuals looking for a job. We help them elevate their online presence and their personal brand. … There’s a headshot on a business card or a website. The first thing (people) look for is, ‘What does this person look like?’ It’s your chance to make a first impression. … You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,” Craila said.
What does your business name mean? “It takes you to the next level.”
Where do you work? “I do a lot of locations. If a company needs 50 headshots, I go to them. If it’s less than five, I ask them to come to me. (For) those, I rent a studio from another photographer or do it in my home.”
Where are you from? “I’m from Belarus. Life is not easy there. Right now, it’s terrible. A lot of people (have) moved away. … When I was 19, I moved to America. Half of my life, I’ve been here. I also moved my mom here as well.”
Were you a photographer there? “My dad, Alexander, was a photographer. I was 11 when he died. He was 40. … He wasn’t a professional photographer. He was more of a hobbyist. He had all the equipment. The darkroom. I was so fascinated. That’s when my interest started in photography.”
Why did you start this business? “About 10 years ago, it just hit me. There are so many professional photographers and I’d been doing this as a hobby. I was a college professor, a Spanish instructor. A couple classes in this college, in that college. I was at Daley College, Harold Washington (College), Dominican University. … I was fascinated by peoples’ faces. I was curious how I could portray their personality. So, I started doing that. Business owners. Friends looking for a new job. It got rolling from there.”
How do you approach your work? “First of all, I need to find out what their profession is. Certain professions may want to look more serious. I want to portray their personality. So, I talk with them. … As a general rule, anybody wants to look approachable, professional, trustworthy. Confidence is super important.”
For example, if you were shooting a car mechanic? “I’m not going to photograph him in a suit, all serious, with a tie. I’d just go with his surroundings, at his (car repair) shop. I want to see them in action.”
So, it can be more than a headshot? “Exactly. … I may do a headshot. but I always recommend a few shots of them in action.”
Do you suggest what they wear? “I send them a digital guide that has some general rules about which colors work.”
Do you enjoy your job? “Oh, my goodness, I love it. … I just joined the Naperville (Area) Chamber of Commerce. It’s a great resource.”
How did the virus impact your business? “Two weeks after the pandemic started, I found out I was pregnant. For a few months, we were not allowed to do anything (for the business). It worked out perfectly for me. The goal was to not get sick with COVID. Here’s the lockdown. It worked out.”
How’s the baby? “He’s great. Two years and three months. Maximilian. We joke that we chose the longest name that exists.”
Is it good to be based in Naperville? “We are proud to be a Naperville business. … We absolutely love it. It’s amazing.”
How do you find clients? “Word of mouth is my biggest source. But, also Google.”
When are you busy? “The last quarter and the beginning of the year. … Summer, too. Good weather puts people in a good mood. ‘Let’s do this.'”
Any challenges? “There are a lot of photographers in the area. However, I’m not afraid of any competition. … They don’t have my qualities, my personality.”
What about pricing? “I’m on the higher side. Those clients who work with me value good photography. … Basically, it’s a $300 session. Images are separate. They are $100 each. So, if you want one headshot, it’s $400. … If it’s more of a branding photo, full body, it’s $100 more because it takes a little more time.”
Any future plans? “I’m in the process of getting a studio. There are specific requirements. Space. Lighting. High ceilings, preferably.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Make connections. As many as possible. Network as much as possible.”
If you know of a business you’d like to see to profiled in Down to Business, contact Steve Metsch at [email protected]
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.Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.