The first step is to think about what kind of self image you want to portray. Do you want to project confidence, professionalism, or just look approachable?
If you don’t know, ask yourself why you want to have this photo. It could be for business purposes, but it could also be for personal reasons too.
For example, if you’re applying for a job, you may want to show off your skills. Or maybe you want to show off your new haircut. Or to project your business in a new direction and refresh it’s Branding, raising capital or simply for your personal or LinkedIn profiles that need updating.
Pre Searching:
Before you start searching on Google for a Headshot professional photographer, ask yourself a few questions such as;
- Are they local to me or where I work?
- What is the main purpose of the headshot.
- What budget am I going to allocate to having the photo session?
- What type of setting do I want in the background?
- Where’s my business or personal direction heading?
Pre Booking:
Now that you’ve answered the questions above or most of them. Start your search. Questions to ask while searching for a Corporate Headshot.
- Does the photographer have a website and not just Instagram?
- Is it easy to navigate and find enough information?
- Do I like their style?
- Do they travel to me at home or office?
- Do they have lots of examples in different places so can shoot out of a studio?
- Or are their photos all the same and may not be ok in my office or home?
- Do they bring lighting and equipment?
- Budget that looks fair for the work required?
The Day Before the Photoshoot:
If you’ve got a busy schedule the day before your shoot, it’s important to plan ahead. Make sure you’ve got enough time to apply makeup, brush hair, and dress appropriately and be crinkle free, so get that blouse or shirt dry cleaned today. Jackets are lint and pet hair free.
If you are due for a hair cut or re colour a day or two beforehand is perfect.
For optimal headshot experience think about;
- Hydration
- Allergies
- Sleep well
- No networking and drinking
- Early to bed
Morning of the Booking:
A corporate headshot should be taken with only light makeup applied. This ensures the best results for women.
Men, don’t apply too much or any moisturiser. We don’t want shiny spots on your cheek bones, nose, forehead or scalp. For Men’s headshots, are you going with the clean shaven or slight shadow look, decide now.
Clothing; are the jackets and tops crinkle free, and importantly lint free. Especially if you have pets. Pet hair can be a real problem in post production.
At the Shoot:
The first thing to consider when the photographer arrives is; What is my frame of mind right now.
Mind Setting:
Clear your mind of the schedule ahead for the day. Right now you will allocate the hour specifically to this task and enjoy the process. Our photographer will set up the lighting and equipment and make nice friendly conversation to help you feel at ease.
One of the questions is about what your vision or need for the headshot is again. Good to clarify this in email before the shoot but also double check it’s what you really need and want. And don’t be critical of yourself which is easy to do. You have unique standout features, let accentuate them and have you being easily remembered.
Location Assessment:
Background and lighting considerations will also come up especially if its using a natural outdoors location. Always pay attention to the direction the photographer takes with regard to lighting.
Consider together with our photographer what kind of lighting style you’ll be using and it’s effect on the final image.
Is the background simple and non distracting. Does it provide supplementary context to the main subject (that’s you) in other words, does it help tell your story.
If you’re indoors, then you’ll definitely need a professional lighting kit to be used. Natural light will give you good results but off camera lighting augmentation is still needed to fill in the shadows or balance any bright highlights. Our professional photographer will be equipped and prepared.
NB. Some Studio only photographers may not be as adaptable in mixed variable lighting so keep that in mind too.
Outdoor Headshots in the Hot Summer months
If your session is outdoors on what might be a warm day, a few extra pointers.
- Avoid shiny skin due to humidity by staying cool and in the shade
- No sweat on the face
- Having a tissue or paper towel to dry the face before each shot is highly recommended.
- Runny makeup doesn’t look good, stay cool
- Portraits and headshots are only recommended from a shady spot outdoors
Framing and Composition:
Finally, think about composition with the photographer’s help. We will make sure that you are framed well so that you look your best. We’ll also try not to include any distracting elements like people walking or cars driving by.
Typically we shoot from upper waist to above the head and hair. Not so much the old style headshot where it’s only shoulders and head. Full body photos rarely turn out flattering so should be avoided.
We’ll also make sure about perspective correct angles as many headshot photographers can have you with a larger or small head proportionally with poor choice of perspective. Yes, we go to great lengths to have you looking your best.
After the Photo Session
Congratulate yourself is the first thing you should do. Being in front of the camera is not something that comes natural or we are trained to do.
For some bookings you will get a choice of a short list of photos, while other simpler shoots you may be sent 1, 2 or 4 completely processed and retouched photos ready for use. Refer to your package offer for clarification.
Photo turnaround typically is a few days for proofs and a few more for ready to share photos. Although quite often we provide photos for press releases and media blasts much quicker.
Supplying both web size and high resolution files is standard.
See below for more detailed Tips on Clothes Selection, Smiling for Camera and a lot more.
