Information About Headshot Photography
Business executives, entertainers and those with frequent media interaction should have a current professional, well-composed headshot on file. Whether you're headed to the studio for a classic head-and-shoulders pose to update the family photo album or you need a professional headshot to market your talents, think ahead. A few simple steps will guarantee a professional photograph that complements your skin tone and conveys your personality while presenting a true likeness of your physical attributes.
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Decisions
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Ask business colleagues what studios and photographers they admire and frequent. Then, ask the candidates where they take the headshots. Determine if you want a well-lit studio portrait or a casual, wind-blown profile of you overlooking a lake. Each style is perfect for a headshot, with the first conveying a professional business appeal and the second suited to artists, authors and environmental activists.
Style
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Headshots can take on a variety of options and styles. Vertical, horizontal, studio lighting or natural light are all acceptable factors when considering the look of your headshot. Plan a consultation with your photographer to determine what style conveys your needs. Choose a look that represents you.
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Preparation
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Look like yourself. A headshot is a close-up portrait of you from the chest up. Avoid trying a new hairstyle, a new brand of makeup or out-of-the-ordinary clothing choices. If you need a haircut or want to try a new style, do it several weeks before the photo session to make sure the style suits you. Wear a favorite outfit that fits comfortably and expresses your purpose for the headshot. A real estate agent might wear a pantsuit or collared shirt and tie, while a ballet dancer may opt for a simple leotard.
Appearance
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No matter what style of headshot you choose, always bring the focus back to your face. Wear solid-colored clothing, or muted pinstripes, rather than distracting patterns. Choose medium tones such as olive green or burgundy if you have fair skin. Solid dark clothing is dramatic and works well on most people. Avoid washed-out pastels if you have fair skin. Very dark skin tones are accented by bold hues such as robin-egg blue or lemon-yellow. Wear limited jewelry, unless, of course, you're a jewelry sales associate and are promoting your products. Makeup should be understated with a clean, natural look for most business purposes, even headshots for theater auditions. Lip gloss to highlight the lips and concealer to hide minor blemishes are good options. Have temporary blemishes retouched by the portrait photographer.
Product
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Know what final product you need and will receive from the photographer. Some studios give full reproduction rights to the client. This makes it legal for the headshot to be published in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or other media without the written consent of the photographer. Entertainers and models often require hard-copy prints of their headshots to leave with their potential employers. Anyone planning for a headshot should inquire about purchasing a compact disc of the headshot images. This makes it convenient to email and post the image with electronic resumes. Hard copies of the prints can be made at a later time.
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References
- Photo Credit Pretty woman headshot image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
