We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Woodland a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Michael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

When I retired after 22 years in the Army as an Infantryman, I did not immediately set out to become a headshot photographer. At the time, I launched a firearms training company called M-W Tactical. I was teaching firearm safety, helping citizens in South Carolina obtain their concealed weapons permits, and competing in shooting events. That was the lane I thought I would stay in.

Then something small happened that changed everything.

One of my sponsors asked me to create a product review video for their new coffee brand. I do not even drink coffee, but I knew how to tell a story on video, so I produced the review. They loved the final product. Then they asked a simple follow-up question, “Can you take some professional photos of the product?”

I confidently pulled out the camera I had purchased for video work, and in that moment realized I had no idea how to properly use it for photography.

That was the turning point.

Instead of pretending I knew what I was doing, I went looking for help. I drove to the University of South Carolina campus and found a photojournalism student who was willing to help me capture the images correctly. I paid them for their time, studied what they were doing, and asked questions. Then I went straight to Midlands Technical College and enrolled in a photography class in October 2022.

That was the shift from idea to execution.

The next few months were not glamorous. I was learning exposure, lighting, composition, and editing from the ground up. I practiced constantly. I photographed products. I photographed friends. I photographed anyone willing to step in front of my lens. I invested in education before I invested in marketing.

As I improved technically, something else became clear. I enjoyed photographing people far more than products. More specifically, I noticed how uncomfortable many professionals felt in front of a camera. They would tense up, overthink their smile, or say they hated being photographed. That resonated with me. I had spent decades leading soldiers, building trust quickly, and creating confidence under pressure. I realized that same leadership mindset applied directly to photography.
That insight shaped the business model.

Instead of becoming a general photographer, I narrowed the focus to professional headshots. Not just taking pictures, but helping people feel confident in front of the camera. That is when ESNTL Headshots was born.

From there, the process became structured.

First, I handled the foundation. I invested in lighting equipment designed specifically for professional portrait work. I studied posing, facial expression coaching, and color theory. I practiced workflow so delivery would be consistent and professional.

Next came positioning. I did not want to compete on price. I wanted to compete on quality and experience. So I focused on serving corporate clients, on-site team headshots, and professionals who understood that their image is an investment. I began networking intentionally in Columbia and surrounding areas, building relationships rather than chasing quick sales.

One of the most important decisions I made was to treat it like a business from day one, not a hobby. Clear contracts. Clear expectations. Clear pricing. Professional delivery timelines. That discipline created trust.

Over time, companies began to see the difference. Word spread. On-site corporate sessions grew. Branding sessions expanded. Testimonials started highlighting not just the image quality, but how clients felt during the session.
Looking back, the transition from idea to execution was not one dramatic leap. It was a series of disciplined steps.

An uncomfortable moment of not knowing.
A decision to learn instead of pretend.
Formal education.
Relentless practice.
Narrowing the focus.
Building the infrastructure.
Networking with intention.
Refining the client experience.
That is how ESNTL Headshots launched.

It started with not knowing how to take a proper photo on a camera I already owned. It turned into a commitment to master the craft, serve people with integrity, and build something that solves a real problem, helping professionals show up confidently and authentically in front of the camera.

Michael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Michael Woodland, and I am the owner of ESNTL Headshots. I am a United States Army veteran, having served 22 years as an Infantryman before retiring and transitioning into entrepreneurship. That chapter of my life shaped how I operate today, discipline, integrity, consistency, and service.

Photography was not my original plan.

After retiring from the military, I started a firearms training company. Through that business, I was creating video content for sponsors. One sponsor asked me to produce a product review for their coffee brand. After completing the video, they requested professional images of the product. I pulled out a camera I had purchased for video work and quickly realized I did not actually know how to use it for photography.

Instead of avoiding that moment, I leaned into it. I sought guidance from a photojournalism student at the University of South Carolina and then enrolled in photography classes at Midlands Technical College in October 2021. That decision marked the true beginning of my journey in photography.

As I developed technically, I discovered something deeper. I was not just interested in taking good images. I was drawn to helping people feel confident in front of the camera. Many professionals shared stories about bad past experiences, rushed sessions, or images that did not feel authentic.

That is where ESNTL Headshots found its mission.

We specialize in professional headshots, on-site corporate headshot services, branding sessions for businesses and entrepreneurs, and event photography. Our focus is serving professionals who understand that their image reflects their leadership, credibility, and personal brand.

The problem we solve goes beyond lighting and posing. We address the discomfort and uncertainty people often feel in front of a camera. Many clients believe they are not photogenic. What they truly need is guidance, direction, and someone who knows how to bring out genuine expression. My military background taught me how to build trust quickly and communicate clearly. That carries directly into every session.

What sets ESNTL Headshots apart is our commitment to experience and consistency. We do not rush sessions. We review images together. We make subtle adjustments that elevate the final result. For corporate clients, we provide streamlined on-site setups that maintain brand consistency across entire teams. Our communication is clear, our delivery timelines are defined, and our standards remain high.

I am most proud of the trust clients place in us. When a company chooses ESNTL Headshots to represent their leadership team, or when a professional selects us to create the image that will appear on LinkedIn, websites, speaking engagements, or book covers, that responsibility is never taken lightly.

This business is veteran-owned and rooted in service. Service did not end when I retired from the Army. It simply shifted direction. Today, it means helping professionals show up with confidence and authenticity.

At ESNTL Headshots, we are not simply taking photographs. We are helping individuals present themselves at their highest level. We believe a professional headshot is an investment. We believe connection matters. And we believe quality should never be compromised.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, for me, is witnessing the shift.

It is the moment when someone walks into the studio unsure, maybe even guarded, and then leaves standing a little taller.
At ESNTL Headshots, I do not see photography as simply capturing a well-lit image. I see it as capturing alignment. When a professional sees themselves on screen and says, “That looks like me, but at my best,” that is the reward. Not because the lighting was perfect or the background was clean, but because their confidence shows.

Many of our clients come in with hesitation. Some openly say they dislike being photographed. Others have had rushed experiences in the past where they felt like just another appointment on a schedule. The most rewarding part of this craft is changing that narrative.

There is something powerful about helping someone see themselves differently. A strong headshot can influence how others perceive you, but it can also influence how you perceive yourself. When a client updates their LinkedIn profile, launches a new website, publishes a book, or steps into a leadership role using an image we created together, that is meaningful.

I am also deeply rewarded by the trust involved. Photography, especially headshot photography, requires vulnerability. People are placing their professional identity in your hands. When they trust me enough to guide them, adjust them, and coach them through subtle expressions, that responsibility matters.

On a personal level, I find fulfillment in mastering the craft. Continually refining lighting, improving workflow, studying expression, and elevating the client experience keeps me sharp. There is always room to improve. That pursuit of excellence is something I carried from my military career into this industry.

But if I narrow it down to one thing, it is this.

The most rewarding part is helping professionals show up confidently and authentically. When someone leaves a session not just with a great image, but with renewed confidence in how they present themselves to the world, that is what makes this work meaningful.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, there is a very clear mission driving my creative journey.

It is to help professionals show up with confidence, credibility, and authenticity in every space they enter.
At ESNTL Headshots, the goal is not simply to create beautiful images. The deeper mission is to remove the fear, hesitation, and negative self-talk that many people carry into a photo session. Too many professionals settle for images that do not represent who they are because they believe they are not photogenic or that a quick snapshot is good enough.

I believe your image should match your level of excellence.

My mission is rooted in service. After 22 years in the Army, service is not something I turn off. It simply changed form. Today, service looks like coaching someone through expression so their confidence is visible. It looks like ensuring a leadership team has consistent, polished imagery that strengthens their brand. It looks like helping entrepreneurs visually communicate their values before they ever speak a word.

There is also a long-term goal that drives me.

I want ESNTL Headshots to be known not just for quality images, but for consistency, professionalism, and trust. I want companies to know that when we walk into their office for an on-site session, the process will be efficient, the experience will be positive, and the final product will elevate their brand. I want individuals to feel that they are investing in something that has lasting value.

Another part of the mission is education. I want professionals to understand that a headshot is not an expense. It is a strategic investment in how you are perceived in a digital-first world. Whether it is LinkedIn, a corporate website, a speaking engagement, or a book cover, your image often speaks before you do.

Creatively, I am driven by refinement. Each year I look for ways streamline workflow, elevate client experience, and strengthen brand positioning. Growth is not optional. It is expected.

If I had to define the mission in one sentence, it would be this.

To create images that reflect the highest level of who you are, while building an experience that makes you feel confident long before the shutter clicks.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ESNTLheadshots.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esntlheadshots/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESNTLheadshots/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esntlheadshots

Image Credits

Photos by Michael Woodland