Heather Mladek 12/19/25 Heather Mladek 12/19/25

Is it Live? Or is it AI??

Remember the ad for cassette tapes comparing them to live music? Is it live - or is it a cassette tape? Suggesting that these cassette tapes were so good that you couldn’t tell the difference between music played live and music recorded and played back on a cassette tape. Not a CD, but a cassette tape.

Have you ever listened to a cassette tape? Ok, great. Sounds like music. You can sing along. You get to pick what music you listen to in the car. Cool. There’s a use for cassette tapes.

Now. Have you ever been to a concert and heard live music? Think about both experiences. Is there really any comparison? Especially when open your eyes for the full experience; lights, vibrations, and energy. Presence.

To me, that’s the difference between booking an in-person portrait session and using some AI tool to create images for you. Sure the AI tools are getting better and it’s an easy way to get your images quickly and cheaply. But they can’t give you the experience of partnering with a portrait artist to create a personalized portrait session that captures your vision and essence and elevates your confidence along with authentic images of you showing up in your business and in your life.

AI portrait of a smiling woman. It’s a good representation, but not a real person. Do you agree?

An AI creation that resembles a business portrait made using your favorite selfie works for some things. The AI tools can create images that look like you. Kinda. And they are definitely quick, easy, and cheap. AI certainly has its place helping to fill photo needs quickly and cheaply. (Ignoring the negative impacts on the environment and potentially society - I’m not discussing that here - no judgement for the end users from me).

But, whether or not they fix the problem with extra fingers appearing out of nowhere and the like, an AI portrait creation can never compare to the experience of being in front of the lens of a competent and experienced photographer who’s focus is on making you look and feel your absolute best.

There’s something about the authenticity of photos from a real portrait session experience that help you level up and see yourself in a new light.

Hi! I’m Heather, a real live photographer with over 20 years of portrait photography experience. What can we create together for you?

Business women and artists leave my studio with photos they LOVE to use to market their businesses and artwork, but also a readiness to show up in their marketing, a new confidence in their business or artistic identity.

Women who are nervous about their beauty session, are eagerly adding a boudoir outfit to their session by the end of that session, and sharing selfies on their social media profiles for the first time in their lives.

Something happens to a woman when they let go and allow themselves to be guided by me and begin to see themselves through my lens. It all starts with a conversation.

What in-real-life photo experience can I create for you?

Email or text to set up a consult call to chat with Heather about your photography needs.

Heather Mladek 8/5/25 Heather Mladek 8/5/25

I have Nothing To Wear!

No worries! I’ve got you covered. First, decide on the look (or looks) that suits you. Perhaps a classic denim style, a glamorous evening gown, or a more traditional elegant ensemble? Once you’ve identified the style(s) you want, I’ll help you style your portrait wardrobe to create images that you love.

We’ll talk colors, styles, clothing fit and more during the consult call where we custom design your photo session for you.

Your photo session is the perfect opportunity to wear that outfit that hangs in the back of your closet that you never get to wear. Even if it doesn’t quite fit - the camera can only show one side of you at a time! If your dress isn’t quite zipped up all the way or is clipped together in the back to take up the extra fabric, it won’t show in the portraits.

Besides buying new, you can borrow clothes from a friend or even rent a dress! (Ask me how.) If you are looking for a specific gown or style, let me know and we can work together to find it.

For your session, don’t forget to pack underwear that works with each outfit - along with jewelry, scarfs, hats, shoes, and belts. Along with any other accessories that you love or want to highlight - grandma’s brooch, perhaps?

You’ll also have access to the items in my client closet ranging from vintage dresses to lingerie, shoes, hats, jewelry, and other accessories for you to use.

This is a chance to play dress up again like when you were a girl!

This new black “infinity” dress, one size fits most, just came in and I cannot wait to play with all the different styles! (Stay tuned for pics!)

There are a few vintage dresses and fur items that belonged to my grandmother - who happened to own a dress shop right here in Caribou selling designer dresses she brought to Aroostook County from New York City herself starting in the 1950s! (That’s my grandmother’s Caribou shop and my aunt modeling a smart looking pantsuit for the advertisement.)

Grammy Bea taught me style and poise. Now, I may not always live up to her ideal - but I share her love of beauty and fashion as well as her entrepreneurial spirit. When I’m helping a client buckle on some high heels, I feel connected to her and to my childhood in a way that feeds my soul.

There are limited sizes available of these vintage dresses, but again, I can help you source something in a similar style. It all starts with a consultation.

If you’re thinking you might like to try some boudoir photos, I’ve got a few pieces of lingerie available for you to use. I can also help you find a source to purchase your own if you would like. But you may not even need them - a white sheet or an oversized button up shirt are simple sexy options and I’ve got both, along with some fun, sexy robes.

Never let a lack of wardrobe options keep you from booking a photo session with me! Even if you have absolutely NOTHING to wear - I’ve got you covered.

Schedule your consult call for more information.

Heather Mladek 6/30/25 Heather Mladek 6/30/25

Why choose heather mladek photography?

Portrait photography is about more than just capturing your image—it’s about revealing who you truly are.

Portrait Photography by Heather Mladek Portraits of beautiful women and girls

For over 20 years, I have been honing my craft and developing my art. Photographing women in a way that is empowering, confidence-building, and deeply personal is rewarding to me in a profound way.

More Than a Photoshoot—It’s a Transformation.

Many of my clients walk away with more than just stunning portraits—they leave feeling stronger, more confident, and seeing themselves in a way they never expected. They tell me that their session wasn’t just about looking beautiful—it was about reconnecting with themselves.

Expertise That Elevates Your Experience

Starting with pre-session design consultations, client wardrobe, professional lighting equipment, expert posing, to luxury products from high-end printing labs, your session isn’t just another photoshoot—it’s a custom luxury experience tailored to YOU.

I make sure you feel at ease, pampered, and radiant and look your best.

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, stepping into new confidence, or indulging in a glam or boudoir session, I make sure you feel at ease, pampered, and radiant and look your best.

Heather Mladek 6/1/25 Heather Mladek 6/1/25

Healing in process…

Through these images, I hoped to mark my resilience and rejuvenation, to see myself once more in the frame of my own life.

I took these unusual self-portraits during a time of healing and renewal—recovering from major abdominal surgery and yearning to feel human again, to reconnect with myself. Through these images, I hoped to mark my resilience and rejuvenation, to see myself once more in the frame of my own life.

Over the past two and a half years, I have revisited these portraits, each time struggling with the edits—never quite satisfied, never quite able to capture the essence of my vision. This time, I am determined to share them. They feel close to what I imagined, yet still fall just short.

In many ways, that imperfection mirrors my own healing process. I am facing new health challenges, and yet the emotions remain familiar—echoes of fear, pain, and uncertainty. Sharing these images now brings vulnerability and apprehension, but also a quiet resolve.

Life is rarely perfect, but it is often beautiful. Healing takes many forms and arrives in unexpected ways. What heals you?

Heather Mladek 4/6/25 Heather Mladek 4/6/25

What’s a Folio Box?

An image of a folio box full of matted portraits — A Folio Box

is my favorite product option to store and display your most loved portraits from your photo session.

When you select a package (available with 10, 15, or 25 images), you can choose between a beautiful album or a matted print collection housed in a Folio Box crafted in Italy.

An image of an open folio box surrounded by matted portraits.

Each Folio Box is handmade by skilled craftsmen and is enriched by high quality materials, such as authentic Italian leather or a beautiful linen fabric made from natural fibers. A variety of colors are available for your Folio Box and I’ll help you design your box to match your decor during your ordering session.

An image of a folio box full of matted portaits. — The Folio Box

transforms a simple collection of photos into a dynamic display, allowing you to change the featured image whenever you like!

You will love being able to store and display your photos in this stand alone Folio Box with the ability to change out the featured photo as often as you wish.

An image of an open Folio Box with matted portraits inside. — The Folio Box

features a transparent, anti-scratch, acrylic plexiglass window set within a rigid frame that matches the box's materials.

While an album is a wonderful choice for your favorite images from your photo session - my favorite package selection is the Folio Box for its elegance and versatility. With either choice, your package purchase includes the corresponding digital images.

Remember - you only purchase what you love. Client investments vary, from $400 to $4000, allowing you to choose what best suits your needs. The $350 session fee (for first-time clients) is partially applied towards your product purchase. Folio Boxes begin at $1250. If something for your wall is more your style, we offer various options of wall art, which I'll highlight in a future post. Currently, prints start at $175 for an 8x10.

Interested in learning more? Book a complimentary consult call now for more information.