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Headshot
Photography
Tips
| Packages | Gallery
Tips
For Great Headshots
Be
On Time
This
may seem like a simple one, but please be on time. If you’re late, it cuts
into our shooting time. So please arrive on time and ready to go. If you
need to get your hair and make-up ready here, please come early to do them
here.
Clothing
This one depends on what type of shoot you are doing.
Acting
Headshots
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Bring
a couple of outfits. It is OK to bring to many – it gives us options and
choices. But make sure each of the outfits is different – don’t bring
the same shirt in 5 colors. Likewise, don’t bring different outfits in all
the same color. Variety is good.
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Solid
colors work best. Avoid stripes, plaid, patterns, logos, tie-dye or anything
that will distract from you.
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Avoid
clothing that is loose and flowy. It make hide that extra bit of bulge on
your tummy when you wear it, but it will make you look larger in your
portraits. Tighter fitting clothing is better.
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Wear
long sleeves. Your arms will distract from your face (which is where we want
the attention). By wearing long sleeves, it keeps the focus where we want
it. It also hides larger arms, too.
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Bring
the correct undergarments. If you need a strapless bra, bring it. Don’t
wear bright colored underwear – just in case it shows though.
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Undershirts
are important. A dark undershirt with darker clothes and a white undershirt
with lighter clothes are amazing. Bring them. Ladies, color is ok.
Professional
Headshots
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If
you want the traditional business portrait, a suit and tie work amazing.
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Solid
colors work best. Avoid stripes or busy patterns
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Business
casual also works well, too.
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Bring
a couple of outfits. It is OK to bring to many choices. It’ll give us some variety to
work with.
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If
you want to show more personality or want a casual portrait, bring
appropriate clothing for it.
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A
company uniform is always OK for a professional headshot.
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It
is also OK wear standard work clothes for your profession.
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Undershirts
are important. If your clothing is dark, wear a black undershirt. If it
light, bring a white undershirt.
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A
few jacket choices can easily add variety.
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Don’t
forget your shoes – if we end up doing a full body shot, you’ll want
your shoes to match the rest of your outfit
Glasses
Most glasses glare. If they have a special coating, the glare will be
reduced, but may not be gone all together. Transition lenses will make
it look like you are wearing sunglasses in your portrait – which isn’t
good. Most optometrists will “loan” you a pair similar to yours with the
lenses removed for your photo session. If you wear glasses all the time,
please borrow a pair.
Blemishes
We retouch blemishes; so don’t worry about minor breakouts. For headshots,
we don’t do major airbrushing – we want it to look like you. We’ll
make sure to make the photo “pop” though.
Make-Up
It is OK to wear make-up for your portrait. You can go a little heavier than
you normally do, but don’t go crazy overboard. Wearing a little bit of eye
liner can make your eyes pop, which is good. Lipstick and bright or light
eye shadows can distract from the photograph. Foundation can be good
for balancing out skin tones, but don’t cake it on to cover a blemish –
I’ll retouch it.
Jewelry
Jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Often times it will distract focus from
you. Small studded earrings or a petiete necklace work great. Wedding bands
are OK, too.
Hair
Try not to change your hairstyle or cut your hair right before your session.
Give your new do a few days before you set your headshot appointment.
Generally, you’ll keep your same hairstyle for the entire headshot
session. If you do want shots of your hair both up and down, then start with
your hair down and pin-it up mid session (not the other way around). If
you want your hair curled or styled, please arrive at the session with your
hair done and ready. Curling your hair during your session will cut
into your shooting time.
Shaving
Guys, please make sure you are clean-shaven – rough stubble does not
photograph well and can’t easily be retouched or removed. Facial
hair is ok, but please make you you maintain it neatly. If you want
shots where you have a beard and no beard, you are welcome to shave
mid-session.
Fingernails
Your fingernails might be in some images. It is best not to have bright
colors or unkempt nails. Generally non-painted nails work best. If
you want to have your nails done, French manicures work best.
Weather
If we are doing a location portrait or shooting outdoors, rain is very bad.
Overcast days are the best we can hope for. Sunny days can be nice, too. If
it is raining on the day of your session, give me a call. We can do an
indoor shoot or we can reschedule for another day.
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