10 key points for the perfect headshot
Your Perfect headshot for work
The Perfect Headshots for business
The headshot check list
1. Preparation
Decide what the headshot is for! Sounds like a stupid thing to say right, but you would be surprised. Knowing precisely where and how the photo will be used will naturally determine the look and feel of the headshot. So many people used holiday snaps for their Linkedin profile photos, Incredible!
2. Contact a professional photographer.
Call the studio and have a chat with the photographer, letting them know what you would like and where the headshot will be used. You may have one idea of what you would like but one thing is for sure an experienced photographer will know what you need.
The photographer will run through some ideas that might work for you, whether in the studio or on Location. What kind of lighting, what kind of background. (I personally do a few options in the session)
I often find it easier for both patrties for me to bring the photo studio to the office- It takes up little space and is less disruption for the client.
Check you are happy with thie costs.
3. Presentation
It’s a good idea to get your hair cut a few days before. Have a shave if you are a man.
If you are a woman you might even get your hair styled on the day. Its often nice to get your make up done to, it relaxes some people to be pampered, it can make you feel good; feel more confident.
We work with make up artists on some shoots and generally people love being pampered; but its not essential (in my opinion)
4.Practice
Before the shoot, look in the mirror and practice a little…It may feel ridiculous but it will make you feel less self conscious on the day. Practice how to smile, how to look serious, how do do something in between. It can also make you feel a little more comfortable on the day.
5. Clothing
Largely this is common sense. Take clothes you feel comfortable in. Avoid busy patterned shirts. Make sure the clothes are ironed and everything fits well. If that’s your look.
Maybe consider taking a tie and having shots without to. Perhaps, take a few outfits
For women perhaps avoid low cut tops. They can look odd when they are cropped tightly, to head and shoulders portraits that are often used. You may even look naked! Think about the neckless, does it work? Any neck scarfs- do with and without just in case.
Clean your glasses
Your company may have a way of dressing that they’d like to emphasizes. Maybe its no tie, or very relaxed. Perhaps you want some smart, suited and booted and others more casual, open shirted?
6. Arrive on time
With anything, if you arrive late you are immediately placing yourself under undue pressure. This doesn’t help when you want to look relaxed and ‘natural’.
7. Relax.
Feeling uncomfortable in this situation is actually ‘normal’. Everyone in my opinion feels this way. Try and relax if you can. A good photographer will help you to relax as much as is possible in this odd situation (strange man/woman in a new place with a large lens pointing at you with lights going off, not to mention the expectation of the on-line world waiting!!) . Take deep breaths and don’t worry about a thing. I think if you don’t take things too seriously and try and have some fun things will go well.
8. Be open!
The photographer will suggest things for you to do, ways to sit or stand that might well feel odd to you. Trust them! But also ask questions and make suggestions!
I usually show people what I am doing and explain why, so you are as much a part of the creative process as me. In my experience if you engage with people and include them in your thoughts and what you are doing , then enjoy it so much more. It can even be fun!
9. Review the images-ask opinions.
After the shoot each photographer will work differenly but they will essentially edit the photos from the shoot and show you them to you. Some will physically show you in the studio, I like to send them to the client to mull over either via a website or via a PDFcontact sheet (thumbnails of the images edited from the shoot).
Most like me will then suggest making a choice. At this stage take your time. Look at them and then review them few days later (if you have the time).
Share them with a friend of family member as we all see ourselves differently.
send the selections to the photographer
10. Retouching
The photographer then should send back the images retouched. If you have any specific requests for things to be changed ask the photographer. I presonally do what I imagine the client would want but am happy to do more if needs be.
Without being told, I would remove spots and get rid of shinny skin, smooth wrinkles a little. Retouch out anyting distracting from the skin or clothing.
The photographer will send the images to you via dropbox or wetransfer
If you need the images to be a certain pixel size for a specific use, let them know and they can do that for you prior to sending.
10 key points to for a perfect headstot
Preparation- what is the headshot for / where will it be used?
Professinal photographer-Source a Professional photographer
Presentation-Get hair cut/ styled
Practice-the poses
Clothing-Wear the right clothing for you and the company
Arrive on time- Don’t put yourself under undue pressure
Relax-if you are nervous take deep breaths
Be Open to suggestions-Let the professional guide you
Review images-Take a look at what the photographer is doing so you are happy
Retouchimg of images-Are there an specific needs you have (spots on the day)!