How to Take Headshots in Photography

Found on business cards, passports and advertising media, headshots are tight close-up photos of a person's head and neck. Headshots are used extensively in promotional advertising, press kits and models' portfolios. Provide good headshots for your clients by following some easy guidelines.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Provide potential models and actors with flattering headshots designed to enhance their features and minimize their flaws. Choose clothing and makeup carefully before shooting and allow several wardrobe changes Ask the models what look they are trying to capture.

2. Move your camera back and zoom in to prevent barrel distortion. A phenomena caused by photographing a subject too closely, this is prevented by keeping the camera at least 10 feet away and zooming in for a headshot.

3. Light your subject from different angles to erase harsh shadows. Using light sources from at least two opposing directions will reduce facial shadows and improve your subject's appearance.

4. Turn your subject's head and request that he sit up straight to reduce a double chin and create an alert look. In addition, notice any facial flaws and adjust the model to minimize them in the finished photos.

5. Focus on your subject's eyes. Have your subject remove their glasses or take the lenses out if their eyes appear distorted. Headshots look better when the focus on the eyes is crisp and other features slightly blurred.

6. Offer professional touch-up services in an image-editing program to smooth out wrinkles and remove blemishes from headshot photos.