Kat's Esthetician Shoot

Gone are the days of those formal, sterile headshots. Enter Personal Branding Photography: a holistic, visual representation of you and your business. From portraits, to product shots, to behind-the-scenes footage and more—creative imagery can build an emotional connection between your audience and your brand.

I had the opportunity to do a personal branding photoshoot with Kat Lakhan—an Advanced Practice Esthetician here in Minneapolis, MN. Scroll to see a few images from our session and to read my Q&A with Kat!

Q: What inspired you to become an esthetician?

A: I’ve always been passionate about skincare, but I never really saw anyone that looked like me in the industry. I want to be the person that is here to genuinely connect with you and knows how to work with a variety of skin concerns. 

For example, treatment plans for scarring and hyperpigmentation are curated based on each individual's needs. It's important to have the knowledge on how to treat all skin types and skin tones, which can also help with building trust and relationships with diverse clients.

Q: What kind of experience are you looking to provide for your clients?

A: I like to create a warm, inviting, judgment-free atmosphere. Going to see an esthetician can be an intimate experience. I want my clients to feel safe—like they can be vulnerable about their insecurities and reach their skincare goals with me.

I also want the environment to feel relaxing. Whether we have a no-talking session or a mini therapy session, I will always respect what the client needs out of their time with me. I will ask about preferences at the beginning of a service, but I am also good at picking up social cues along the way and will mirror my client.

My services are also results-driven, so leaving my client with a bit of education is important. I want to empower them to keep working towards their skincare goals outside of the spa. I like to recommend things like custom skincare routines, or share information on what products and ingredients to shop for.

Q: What’s one step in your skincare routine that you never skip?

A: Serums! As a dry-skin girlie, our skin needs to be treated the same as mature skin. Adding moisture back into the skin + preventing future damage is key. I like to use Hyaluronic Acid, which is very plumping and hydrating for the skin. 

I like to apply to serums twice a day, but everyone has different needs. And I would recommend Hyaluronic Acid for any skin type (dry, oily, or combination)! It’s important to find a product that can repair your skin barrier and is easy to incorporate into your routine.

Q: What are some of your favorite things to do outside of the spa?

A: I love spending time with my fur baby, Willow. We like being outdoors and going on walks. I also like spending time with my man, Myles. We’re always binge watching a TV show (with Willow cuddled on the couch with us, of course). Lately, it’s been The Lincoln Lawyer or The Rookie, but I also love a good throwback like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

I’m also interested in anything involving food. I like going out to new restaurants, bars, boba shops, cooking at home, and baking. I love to nurture my friends and family with food and I enjoy making them pasta, cookies, and cakes!

Q: How can clients connect with you?

A: The best place to stay up-to-date is my Instagram, @aestheticsby_kat. The link to book a service with me is in my bio, and if you have questions I would love to connect over DMs!

More photos from our in-studio session can be found here in my portfolio! Thanks for reading! —Amanda