PREPARING FOR YOUR BUSINESS HEADSHOT AND PORTRAIT SESSION
After nearly a decade of working with people and photographing business headshots and portraits, I’ve found that I need to tell my clients many of the same things to prepare them for their sessions. So here is a quick break down of the topics I feel will benefit my photography clients and help them to prepare better for in studio headshot or portrait photo session
YOUR BRAND AND AUDIENCE
1. KNOW WHO YOUR CLIENT IS.
First things first, think on your intended audience.
Who are the groups and individuals you want to appeal to? Who is your dream client? How will they receive the message of your business headshot?
Knowing answers to those questions will help you present your personal brand. Read my blog post about the differences between headshots and portraits here.
2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE. KNOW YOUR STORY.
Next, let’s talk about who you are presenting yourself as.
What is it you want to express about yourself to your audience? What do you want them to see when they look at your headshot or portrait?
Your business headshot or portrait should be able to immediately tell a potential client or employer what to expect when working with you.
It can be helpful to think of a list of characteristics you want to convey, such as “Approachable, Friendly, And Trustworthy”, or “Powerful, Competent, and Determined”.
3. PLAN ON WHERE YOU WANT TO USE FINAL PHOTOGRAPHS.
Think where the photo will be seen. Is it for a social media platform? Business website? Does it need to match an existing headshot or portrait color scheme?
Planning it all in advance will help us together to make choices about orientation (vertical vs. horizontal vs. square), background (clean vs. environmental), lighting setup, etc.
4. BUILD A MOOD BOARD AND SHARE IT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER.
If we clearly know what we’re going for, other’s no need for a mood board. But for something nonstandard, a mood board can be a great way to keep you and myself on the same page, and to keep expectations for the visual direction in check.
It doesn’t have to be a finely curated Pinterest board. An email with screenshots, low-res photos, or links to examples will work just fine.
YOUR BUSINESS HEADSHOT APPEARANCE
5. YOUR CLOTHING MATTERS.
When choosing clothes for your headshot, the most important aspects are comfort, repair, and fit.
Notice how the outfit makes you feel. Do you feel happy with this version of yourself? Do you feel constricted or have to stand perfectly still to keep everything in place?
If something’s off, it’s likely a sign to choose something else.
Whether it’s a contemporary casual look or a suit and tie, it should be appropriate to your brand and something you would wear to meet a new client.
Look out for visible wear and tear on your clothes, as well as signs that something doesn’t fit quite right. Little details like hole, buttons stretching, or excessive bunched fabric can ruin the first impression that you’re trying to make.
In other words, keep it comfortable, clean and current.
When it comes to colors, I recommend staying away from busy patterns, logos, and very bright colors. If you have trouble deciding, bring options and we will figure it out together. When bringing options, try to thing in broad terms. As an example, black and dark navy shirts are dark shirts. So if you’re looking for more variety, grab something on lighter side instead. If concerned about how colors will interact, check out check some color palette board on Pinterest and see what works and what doesn’t.
Keep in mind, that changing room in my studio might have minimal accessories such as lint roller (for pet hair and small speckles), hair spray, brushes, clippers, etc. but its not guaranteed. Please make sure to bring your own toiletry/makeup!
6. HAIR AND MAKEUP.
You know your skin and hair better than I do. If you think you can handle it, go for it.
If you think you’ll need help, don’t expect me to be the fixer. These are not my area areas of expertise. If hair and makeup is important to your business image, I suggest seeing a beauty specialist before your business headshot or portrait session.
If you need any recommendations, shoot me an email via my contact page and I will forward you to good people who do it well.
On the other hand, for additional fee, hair and makeup artist might be available at the studio.
Changing room in my studio might have minimal accessories such as lint roller (for pet hair and small speckles), hair spray, brushes, clippers, etc. but its not guaranteed. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR OWN TOILETRY/MAKEUP.
DAY OF THE SESSION
7. FEELING YOUR BEST.
You want to look your best, so taking steps to feel your best on the day of will serve you well.
First of all, it is important for everyone involved to stay safe and healthy. So, if you are feeling ill, let’s reschedule. Rescheduling will give you time to recover and keep you from passing something on to someone else. See my photography studio policy and response to Covid-19.
Taking care of yourself beforehand, by getting plenty of rest, hydration, nutrition and exercise, will go a long way. This self-care helps not only improves your complexion, but also will help you keep your confidence and good mood. As well as easier and more productive session.
In fact, if you’re available, go ahead and schedule your shoot for the morning, when you are at your freshest and most vibrant.
8. CLEARLY COMMUNICATE YOUR INSECURITIES.
Many of the people that come into my studio feel uncomfortable in front of the camera.
Often, they have feature that they don’t like on themselves or know that they have a better side. Please share any concerns you have with me.
I will use posing and lighting to downplay troublesome points and accentuate your favorite features.
DURING THE PHOTO SESSION
9. EXPECT ME TO BE YOUR GUIDE THROUGH THE REST OF THE PHOTO SESSION.
Business headshot or portrait session is a process. Mine usually last 45-60 minutes. This gives us enough time to warm up and relax, while creating variations from which we can choose the best images.
Importantly, by taking our time, we give ourselves a chance to catch mistakes in looks, lighting, posing, and wardrobe.
In the studio, I shoot with the camera tethered to a laptop, so that we can see the high-res photos as they come in. As a result, you and I are able to communicate with each other and give feedback in real time. Ideally, you’ll leave the studio with a clear understanding of how your final images will look like.
10. TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE, THAT IS THE QUESTION…
There is no rule that says your business headshot or portrait has to feature a big gregarious smile or a steely eyed stare. It all depends on the desired mood and what you are comfortable with.
Even if you don’t want a serious look, you may feel self-conscious about an open smile. And that is totally fine! Instead of forcing a smile, let me know how you are feeling, and we will find an expression that suits your needs and leaves you feel confident.
For a free estimate or to schedule your business headshot or portrait session, call at 608-239-4199 or use this contact form.
