Headshot Tips

I’m back again with a few headshot tips for clients. I may rehash a little of what’s been explored in the blog thus far. In fact most everything should be summed up here. If your looking for a basic tips overview, no need to go digging through the blog any further.

Pre Shoot

First, ask questions. Let me know what you want, what you’re looking to achieve. Let me know of any questions or concerns. Because really, what you’re paying for when you hire a professional photographer is guidance—the ability to let go and know you’re in good hands. You’re worries behind you, the photographer should be left to take care of most everything. All that should really be required of you is to show up, hopefully normally rested, with whatever wardrobe and/or accessories, and a decent attitude. With the exception of a few common sense tips, and industry specific standards, that’s really it.

• Bring or wear clothes you want to shoot in. If you’re an actor, especially,  you’re wardrobe should not challenge the rest of the image.  This is true too for corporate, personal branding, or any portraiture really. In typical portraiture, you are the star of the photo, not your shirt. Ask if you have questions.
• Be normally rested. By this I mean you don’t need to take off work or go on a week long vacation, just try not to come in totally exhausted if you can help it.
• Don’t worry. I’ll position you and guide you through the process.

During Shoot

• Just relax and let me guide you through the process. Again, I want to emphasize communication, if there’s anything in particular you want to achieve, let me know. It’s really that simple. If you’re experienced in front of the camera, or know exactly what you want, feel free to pose, or suggest things. But knowing how to model or pose is in no way a prerequisite. You’re perfectly welcome to walk and in and simply take a few directions. You’re images will not suffer.

After Shoot

What I normally do (unless some kind of rush is specified)  is upload all images, the good and the bad, to a password protected gallery. I usually get them up with in a day or two after the session. I try to remove the unusable stuff. You’re free to choose or let me do the choosing. I would suggest the latter. But I leave it up to you. Here again, communication is the thing.
There’s a lot I can do in photoshop. Don’t skip over a photo because a piece of equipment pokes into the frame, or a blemish stands out. If you like a photo, but otherwise have an issue with some aspect of it, let me know. A lot can be altered: exposure (how light or how dark) can often be adjusted, color can be adjusted. Blemishes can be removed. Clothing can be altered. Just know that a lot is possible and before tossing an image, ask if it can be corrected. After a choice is made, expect to get your image(s) back in a couple of days.

If you enjoy reading about this kind of stuff, there’s plenty of it in the blog. And please contact me with any questions.

Thanks for reading!