If you have ever gotten a headshot taken at work, you probably found it was a very boring experience, similar to getting a passport photo. I hear you; I’ve been there too. The photographer quickly gets you in front of a white screen and says “smile,” taking 2 or 3 photos quickly so they can get on to the next person.
It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, a headshot session should be fun and relaxed so that you get the right expression in your photo—an expression that tells others who you are before they even meet you. So, what makes a boring headshot session a great one, and what should you look for to make sure it is?
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Find a photographer that wants to get to know you and how you would like to be portrayed. A professional headshot photographer will take the time to understand who you are and what you need before you get behind the camera. This can be done with a pre-shoot questionnaire or a short consultation phone call. The photographer should ask you what the reason is you want a headshot. They should also ask how you will be using the headshot because it makes a difference in how they should be instructing you at the shoot. For example, if you are a fitness trainer you may want your headshot to show strength and commitment to detail. Other roles, like an accountant, demand the person to appear confident, trustworthy, and relatable. Perhaps you are a real estate broker, so you want images showing that you are warm, fun, and friendly. It is important that your photographer knows what values you want portrayed before your shoot.
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Explain your line of business or profession to your photographer. This will allow them to prepare for your session, looking at headshots of some of your competitors to see what they are conveying. You might also want to take a few screenshots of headshots that you like and share them with your photographer. Your headshot will uniquely be you, however this will give them some ideas of your preferences.
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Think about messages you want to convey in the headshot. You can do this by thinking of 3 words that others use to describe you like friendly, caring, happy, etc. Then think about how you will use your headshot and give 3 words that the image should convey about you or about your business. This is a critical step in helping the photographer capture the “real you” in your headshot.
· Pull together any specific requests for your session. You can describe past photos of yourself that you like, share online images of others, or tell the photographer what you love/hate in photos. List them so the photographer can be sure to capture everything that’s important to you.
These are just some tips to help you have the best experience with a photographer that will work for you and things you should look for in a photographer. If I can help in any way, please let me know by contacting me here. I want you to have a fun headshot session that delivers images you love.