Headshot Photographer – how to prepare for your headshot
Finding the right headshot photographer can be tricky
All photographers have their own style. It is very important you find a headshot photographer with with a style you like and that appeals to you. All photographers have a portfolio which shows their shooting and editing style. It is vital that you check that portfolio out before you book. That portfolio is the representation of their style and best work, If you like what you see then go with it. If not, then keep looking. I would strongly advice you agains asking a headshot photographer for a ‘different style’. If you don’t like said photographers style, then move on to the next, until you find one you like.
Price matters!
Price matters to everyone. I see it over and over again “can someone recommend a photographer who doesn’t break the bank”. However, as a rule of thumb, you get what you pay for. Some photographers do it for free, others charge $1000. Please look at the portfolio before you book, them make sure you are OK with the price. It sure is cheaper to find the right photographer first time around, rather than having to reshoot, because you have selected your photographer base on pricing.
Lastly, please double check what you pay for! Do you get high resolution digital images? Low resolution images? Are they edited? It is important to understand the exact package you pay for.
How many images do I need
I often see the request of a ‘good headshot photographer who doesn’t cost and arm and a leg and who can give me 100 digitals tomorrow by noon’. In this case I would like to remind you that less is more. You need 3-5 good headshots to cover all social media platforms and a website. If you run your own business you may consider an extended shoot for personal branding, to show yourself with different expressions and in different environments. If you need personal branding. please get in touch to chat about your options and what I can do for you.
What style should I do?
I get this question all the time, and unfortunately I cannot give you the answer. Simply because only you know the answer to this. However, here are a few pieces of advice that I give to everyone who have booked a headshot session with me.
Stick to your own style!
You need to dress according to who you are. You need to match your brand and what you do. If you are an artist you would most likely be more relaxed in style, yet still looking professional in a good choice of colours.… If you are a criminal defence lawyer you would wear a suit.… You should keep your style in line with your brand and your profession. If you wear relaxed attire every day for work, then do the same for your headshot portrait. People will find it odd if you are wearing a suit and formal attire in your picture and you rock up in jeans and t-shirt when they meet you. Of course you want to look your best. So you go with ‘the best outfit’ within your normal work wardrobe.
Ask your friends how they see you.
Ask them which colours look good on you. If you are considering buying new clothes for the shoot then send a picture to someone who know you really well and ask them what they think. Close friends / family are often ruthlessly honest. If they give you that OMG face, well then that new top is not the one you should wear for your headshot. If they say ‘oh that is just you’ then that is exactly what you should wear.
Iron your clothes!
Not much to elaborate here, but why pay for a headshot and wear a wrinkled top. Make sure your clothes is clean and ironed.
Dress comfortably!
It is so important to feel comfortable with what you are wearing. I always recommend people to wear their favourite clothing items as they will 100% feel comfortable. This is much better than new outfits bought for the purpose of a headshot photo shoot.
I often see people who have bought new clothing look uncomfortable.
If you are concentrating on sucking in your tummy or not showing your upper arm, it will show in your expression. And lets make this clear, your expression is so much more important than what you wear. So make sure you wear something that makes you feel at ease and happy.
What colours should I wear for my headshot.
This is entirely up to you. Again, go with your style and your brand. And most importantly go with a colour that suits you. You will definitely have a dominant colour in your wardrobe, most likely because you love that colour and it suits you. Just pick that colour. Again it is more about looking relaxed, and you won’t look relaxed if you are not wearing a colour you love.
If in doubt, go for solid colours! Solid colours always photograph well. I would avoid very colourful tops with heavy patterns, as it takes away the attention from your face. At the end of the day the headshot is about your face and not your outfit.
However, if you are a colourful top kind of person then absolutely go for it, you would look odd otherwise!
You can always spice it up your outfit with layers… A top with a light jacket is a great ida. You can then easily make a shot a more formal with the jacket if you want.
Bring one extra outfit!
I strongly recommend you to bring an extra outfit / top to make a more diverse range of images. When you book your headshot session with me, we shoot for five images, in this case two outfits will be perfect. With different lighting techniques and two different outfits you will get a good varied range of styles.
Please don’t bring a suitcase full of clothes. Again a headshot session is five images. Two outfits is absolutely perfect. If you would like a more diverse range of images and more styles, you should consider a personal branding session where we shoot for more images.
Don’t worry about shoes!
A headshot is a headshot! Unless you go for an extended personal branding shoot where we do full body images, then don’t worry about your feet – they won’t show in the image
Chill out! Relax!
We live in a digital day and age. We can delete images we are not happy with. Relax your shoulders and smile your smile. Don’t try to put on a face that is not yours for the sake of the camera. Once the camera is gone, it is that face of yours, that smile and that expression that is selling you and your service. Some people do big smiles, that is just them – its their thing to give a wide smile. Some people don’t do big smiles, looking content and relaxed is their thing. Do your thing, smile your smile!
A few practical notes a out your session
80% of my my headshot sessions are done on a grey background. This is the most versatile background. It matches all skin types and any colour of clothes. It puts the focus on you. A headshot is about you and not the background.
Some people request for a certain background as their image is to match a pre determined style on a website. That is absolutely fine. We can do that, just tell me beforehand if you have any specific requirements for the background.
I love to do unconventional headshots. Flowers, colours you name it. We do this if that is something you need and if it fits your brand. Again any such requirements and wishes, just let me know and we will create something special for you.
How long does it take?
A headshot shoot with me takes around 45 minutes. There is no time limit, but this is the time you should set aside for the shoot. Headshot sessions for women include one hour professional hair and makeup before your shoot, hence you should set aside 1 hour 45 minutes for the total session.
Hair and makeup is done in exactly the style you want. Having this done professionally takes the stress away from having your headshot done. You can turn up as you are and the makeup parties till make sure your makeup and hair is done in exactly the style you want it. Your style. Just tell her how you want your look.
After your headshot
Unless otherwise stated, you will get your images maximum 5 working days after your shoot.
Any skin imperfections and stray hairs will be edited. However, if you want freckles, moles, scares removed please state this at your session.
Any skin imperfections and stray hairs will be edited. However, if you want freckles, moles, scares removed please state this at your session.
Don’t feel afraid of asking or being asked about photoshop requests. I photograph people all the time and would much rather hear your requests for photoshopping so I can deliver some images that you will love and use.
yes, pretty much 90% of my clients ask me to reduce their eye bags! There is no shame in that. It is normal! We all have eyebags and we all would prefer to reduce them a bit:)
Major editing such as making eyes bigger, colour changing clothes, removal of double chins may or may not be possible and can be subject to additional fees depending on the request.
It is important to state all editing requests at your shoot and not after. Any reedits of the images are subject to a fee of $80 per hour of editing.
Reach out
If you have any questions, are in doubt what to wear or just want to tell me how you would like your headshots, then reach out. I am always at the other end of the line 9754 1759
