15 Quick Headshot Tips

 15 Quick Tips for Better Professional Headshots



Headshots are typically the first impression a prospect has of you and your brand. The images are used on business cards, websites and literature or brochures that may be in use for several years. You’ll be seeing that photo a lot and it’s important that it be the best professional representation of you possible.

There are so many ways to maximize your headshot but there's no room for every point here.  You'll get better results if you integrate a few of the following tips.  Do them all and you're a super star.
  1. Drink water and get plenty of rest at least 48 hours before the photoshoot.
  2. Avoid alcohol during that same 48 hours. It can actually impact skin tone and circles under your eyes.
  3. Stay away from light colors though pastels are OK if they don't blend with your skin. White can be too bright and glare in the final photo.
  4. Darker shades are most flattering but black can lack detail.
  5. Wear clothes that are appropriate to what the purpose of the head shot will be used for.  Having them crisp and clean should go without saying.
  6. Unless arms are extremely toned it's best to wear mid or wrist length sleeves.  Sleeveless arms are an element that can distract from the face. 
  7. Dress simply. Too much jewelry, loud ties, sleeveless tops and big bold patterns distract from your face.
  8. Smile or don't just make it your own. If you smile with your mouth closed don't be convinced that a big toothy smile will win you more admirers, it won't.
  9. Ladies it's OK to exaggerate your makeup. Avoid shimmer powder.  What you want is skin that isn't shiny. 
  10.  Women take a razor and lightly 'shave' the peach fuzz off your face. No it will not grow back thick and dark. Tiny peach fuzz shows up in close headshots.  PS I've been doing it for years and yet no beard!
  11. Stay away from wearing an undershirt under your shirt if you want an open neck shirt photo.
  12. Guys should shave early that day to let any razor-burn dissipate. 
  13. Men stay away from wearing an undershirt under your shirt if you want an open neck shirt photo.
  14. Be happy with your hair which means get it cut a week or so before the shoot rather than the day before.
  15. Glasses are no problem. The professional photographer will know how to avoid the glare. 
Enjoy the process. It's fun and rewarding getting a new headshot that you'll be proud of. 

 Give me a call at 480-353-9415 for questions and to schedule your headshot. 
PS Send me an email for more information, visit my website for a portfolio of many headshot samples and please follow me at Facebook   Instagram  LinkedIn   YouTube   GoogleBiz




Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Part 2 of 2 Thoughts for Better Visuals During a Virtual Meetings

Image
This 2 part blog addresses the professionalism and your personal brand that you can project in a virtual meeting. Don't waste the opportunity or other attendees' time if you aren't going to respect who they and you are. In Part 1  we discussed paying attention in a virtual meeting, dressing professionally, and staying in one place sitting still. The next 3 thoughts address the environmental setting. Backgrounds - Is it as difficult for you as it is for me to concentrate on the person when the background is like a storage facility? OK, that's harsh. But even though not all of us have the luxury of devoting a spiffy space to where we meet it wouldn't hurt to clean up the mess behind. Solution: have your logo, product photos, etc. ( professionally shot if possible ) printed by a retail printer and hang them up behind you. Make sure the photo size is large enough or close enough to your screen that your viewers can appreciate what's behind you. Optional...
Read more

3 Bright Ideas For Better Visual Branding During Virtual Meetings

Image
  In the past, I've written a lot about virtual meetings and the visual impact on your brand.  As a  virtual photographer , my eye starts to recognize opportunities for improving how you appear at a virtual meeting.  The tweaks are subtle.   Following are the three next level suggestions for improving your image during a virtual meeting.  💡Color of light. The most common color on an attendee's face on a virtual meeting is yellow, followed by orange. That often means the lights used are incandescent. Solution: Soft white lights are a good solution. A techie option is to go for a light rated close to 5500k (kelvins), a neutral. Many ring lights have options that include Warm White, Cool White, and Daylight. 2. 👀 Glasses. I wear them. Half of my clients do as well. They are a challenge. Solution:  Look straight at the screen. Do not have the screen positioned so that you have to look up. Have lights slightly above your screen an...
Read more

Everyone Else Is Posting A New Headshot. Are You?

Image
  How did you feel that last time you posted a new professional headshot? I'm guessing pretty good. What I've noticed on social media is when a client posts a new headshot the comments like these start to explode.                                                        Love it Gorgeous Wow You're so pretty Very professional... You look younger than ever Fabulous as always only more so... Awesome So handsome. Keep up the good work. You're looking good... Who took that photo? I want to look like you. When I read the comments and see clients' social media likes it's an endorphin rush. There are so many reasons why you'll want to update your headshot.  It will attract new viewers. Have you ever bought a book twice because the cover was changed? You get the idea. An updated headshot will keep you in front of clients and prosp...
Read more