Headshot Photography Guide
Headshots were traditionally taken and printed black and white on 8x10 inch photos used by actors and celebrities to send to casting directors, or used in publications and promotion.
Now most professionals need profile photos to introduce themselves to clients and customers. Sometimes a selfie will suffice. Sometimes a picture taken on a phone by a friend, while you both try and resist a fit of the giggles, will do the job. Sometimes you need to call it quits and find a photographer who can take a simple photo that conveys your persona.
Do I need to say cheese?
Some people love to be in front of the camera but for many it can be awkward and a touch intimidating. A photographer will be use to dealing with extrovert or of people and put you at ease. Knowing what you expect from a headshot can help the photographer a great deal and they can set lighting and help direct you accordingly.
Actors, Models and Performers
Agents and bookers tend to be looking for quite simple natural shots that give a honest interpretation of your look and physique. For publicity you may need something with more character and personality, a touch more ‘editorial’.
Standard headshots will be sized to 8x10 ratio. If you need photos for web sites you may need some that can be cropped to letterbox shape or hold a full screen.
For Business and Profile
Your company may have a ‘house’ style, someone in HR will have it on file, this will have specific instructions on the clothing, background and lighting required. If there is nothing specific, show the photographer photos of others in the company so they can keep them consistent.
Freelancers and the self-employed can run riot, but its best to be conscious of trends in your sector. Will clients expect to find you suited and booted or bond with your choice of super cool retro band T - shirt? As a rule, keep things simple, patterns and stripes can over power an image. If in doubt a pale blue shirt or blouse is a good stand by.
Studio or Location?
Will depend on where you feel most comfortable. You might want something slightly different from previous photos or you may want to keep things consistent.
Studio’s are more predictable and private, with good lighting and hobnobs on tap. You wont have an audience of bunking off school kids or Nigel from accounts popping his head round. Studios take money to run so it can add to expenses.
Location can be pretty much anywhere, a simple studio style can be achieved in most reasonable sized rooms. If you want the location to add a more editorial element, consideration needs to be made to space and lighting. When shooting outside, too much light can be a problem, squinty faces with shadowed eye sockets are not a good look. So early in the day, late in the day or in the shade is generally most favourable.
In Short
Have a good idea of what you want and need before the shoot. Know who you want the photos to appeal to and were they a going to be used.. may be a life size cardboard cut out for the foyer or the dust jacket of your autobiography?
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There may be no better way to communicate what we do than through images. As you browse our site, take a few moments to let your eyes linger here, and see if you can get a feel for our signature touch.
