Photographers to take free headshots for job seekers

Need a headshot to apply for a job? You can get one taken for free next week on the North Side.

For nine hours, in 10-minute increments, photographer Annie O’Neill and Post-Gazette staffer Nate Guidry will make professional portraits of unemployed people who reserve a slot between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday at 435 E. Ohio St. in the historic Deutschtown neighborhood.

The point is to give people who are unemployed a photo that they can use for jobs and social networking, Ms. O’Neill said.

“We are taking all precautions,” she said, noting that the photographers will shoot their subjects from a distance and wear masks. “We will have hand sanitizer, and we are asking people not to show up too early and not to linger.”

She got the idea from photographer Peter Hurley, who has a studio in New York City and teaches the fine points of headshot photography.

“He does things like this, too,” she said. “I’ve been on his email list over the years, and he put out a call to action.

“We’re trying to help people with something that’s basic but empowering. We’re going to focus on one person at a time and really try and make a great photo for them. I just feel like with so many people helping others in so many ways, this is something I can do.”

To reserve a time, go to headshotbooker.com, click on Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh. Ms. O’Neill said most times are filled, but there are slots available between 5 and 7 p.m.

Annie O’Neill/Post-Gazette A portrait Annie O’Neill took in 2002 of Tom Pastorius, the late founder of Penn Brewery, when she was a staff photographer for the Post-Gazette.