What You Need To Know When Considering Headshots
Maybe your employer asked you to find a local headshot photographer and get an updated headshot taken. Or maybe it’s time to update your profile photo but you don’t exactly know (or care!) what goes into an excellent headshot… you just want it to look gorgeous, personalized and professional.
Here’s what you need to know when considering headshots.
How should you select a photographer for a professional headshot shoot? What qualities should you look for?
You want to find a headshot photographer with a fresh, up to date portfolio full of diversity: skin tones, face shapes, body types, lighting scenerios, and poses. It’s my job as a Saratoga Springs, NY and Portland, OR headshot photographer to highlight your best features and honor your true-to-tone skin color. I’ve studied how best to edit dark vs. medium vs. light skin tones and think it’s super important to be aware of that skill when you’re in post-production.
What should you wear to a professional headshot photoshoot? How is that determined by the industry you work in? A suit vs. a business casual/semi-casual look, for example.
Research the industry standard for headshots for small business owners in Saratoga Springs, NY or Portland, OR. Look into what your fellow creatives or company’s CEO is wearing in their LinkedIn profile picture. How about your favorite, most stylish colleagues?
Next, think vibes. You want to give off the vibe of the type of clients or customers you want to attract. If your brand is sophisticated, go for a stylish blazer. If your brand is rugged, wear a lightweight outdoorsy jacket. If your brand is approachable or casual, you can’t go wrong with a fresh, crisp tee. You get the idea!! Who your ideal clients are and what they wear to work can be a super helpful method for styling your own headshot outfit.
How does personal branding come into play when you are deciding how you want your professional headshots to look?
An excellent photographer will tell you that personal branding and headshots are not created equal. If you need a quick portrait with a monotone backdrop… that’s a corporate headshot. If you want to evoke connection, personality, and professionalism… that’s personal branding. The way your Portland, OR or Saratoga Springs, NY headshot photographer photographs you matters!
Are there any patterns or colors you should avoid for professional headshots?
I always recommend EFP headshot and personal branding clients avoid red, oranges and greens (for light-skin tones). They can color-cast onto your face which accentuates redness or makes light skin appear pale/sickly. Neutrals (think: creams, grays, tans, whites) and navies photograph well!
Where should you shoot professional headshots? Are in-studio shots better for corporate, outdoors better for creative industries?
There are no rules! I’ve taken doctors’ headshots outdoors and travel specialist headshots in a studio. When you’re ready to book a Portland, OR or Saratoga Springs, NY professional headshot, we’ll talk about your industry standard and personal branding. EFP Portland studio headshots are some of my favorite to shoot because we can control the climate, lighting, and add a wide variety of backdrops and chairs for personality. On the other hand, I love capturing headshots for clients in the spaces and places with which they work.
For example:
Real estate agent headshots outside of a for sale home of theirs.
A florist in her flower shop.
A chef in her kitchen.
An athlete in their gym.
