J. Henry showed students that creating a professional headshot doesn't require expensive equipment or a studio—you can use the tools you already have, whether that's an iPhone or Seattle University's Media Production Lab. Through analyzing a variety of portraits, from Satya Nadella's corporate headshot to a personal portrait J. Henry took of his husband, students explored how lighting, composition, expression, and styling communicate different messages.

They we applied these insights to create intentional headshots that reflected their personal brand, while embracing the broader lesson that you don't need permission or perfect resources to start pursuing your goals. The workshop reinforced the idea that you don't need permission or perfect circumstances to begin pursuing your goals; making the most of the resources you already have is often enough to get started.