Professional headshots are essential for any modern career. They are a great way to show potential employees, investors, or clients that you’re the right person for a job. But finding the right photographer can be difficult. There are many things to consider, including background, location, cost, hours of operation, and more.
Don’t worry! This guide will help you through the process of choosing a photographer and make your decision much easier. From considerations before the shoot to what to wear and how to prepare yourself in advance, read on to find out how you can choose the right photographer for your professional headshots today!
What to Consider Before Your Professional Headshot Session
Do you need headshots for your job?
Is your company paying for your headshots? How many images are they paying for? Do they require a certain look(background, clothing choice, mood)
What is your budget?
If your company is paying for a portion, how many images does that cover? Most people think they will only want one photo, then they see their images and want more of a selection to use across the various social media sites or marketing materials..
What is the turnaround time for receiving your photos?
Professional photos require retouching, normally you can expect a turnaround from a couple of days to more than a week.
How do you want to work with your photographer?
Do you want on-location shots, environmental(outdoor) shots, or studio shots?
What do you want to wear for the shoot?
We can and do offer several suggestions for clients after they book, usually based on the requirements of their company. Usually corporate casual(polo for guys, plain blouse for ladies) is a safe start. We do prefer to go a bit dressier with a shirt, tie and jacket or blouse and blazer.
Is makeup necessary for the shoot?
We suggest light makeup and hairstyling for your session. It’s important that your headshots resemble you so that there is no disconnect during a face-to-face first meeting.
Location and Lighting
The most important part of a headshot is lighting. Harsh light or dark shadows make your face look unpleasant and fatigued. You should also be placed far enough away from the background so that it doesn’t have any harsh shadows, especially behind you.
One of the most important things to take into account is the story you want to share. You want to choose a place that will look professional, with neutral tones and a great background, of course, any background can be made to look really great with proper cropping and depth of field(making the background blurry).
Investment and Hours
The investment and hours of operation are two important things to consider when choosing a photographer. Great headshot photographers can vary in price, so it’s important to have an idea of what you can afford before shopping around. Other factors that can contribute to pricing are the duration of the shoot, the number of images included in any packages, and if professional retouching is included or an add-on.
Additionally, make sure you find out about their hours of operation before committing to anything. Does the studio only operate 9 to 5 or do they have evening hours? Would they be willing to shoot on location during a weekend, and what are the additional feed if any?
Wardrobe and Hair
Hair should also be neat and styled well. If it’s too short, straighten it as much as possible with styling products like mousse or gel. If it’s long, curl it to give it more volume and shape your face better.
Before you start looking for a photographer, it’s important to consider what type of look you want. Your desired look will help determine the best location and cost for your shoot. For example, if you’re going for a clean professional look, then you might want to find someone in an office setting or with neutral props that don’t distract from your outfit. On the other hand, if you are going for a natural style, then it might be best to find someone who uses nature as their backdrop.
The Day of the Shoot
The day of the shoot will likely be one of your most important days. Your professional headshots are not only going to represent you, but also the company you work for and the industry you’re in. This is a big deal that deserves time and preparation.
At least a week before your shoot, it’s best to call your photographer to discuss your needs and set up an appointment time. You should know what clothing you’ll wear for the shoot so that if there are specific colors needed or specific clothing styles wanted, you can provide this information.
On the day of your shoot, it’s best to arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment so that you can walk in with confidence and be ready on time. Remember that being punctual is always important!
The day of the shoot is a key part of the process. You will want to tell your photographer about any specific preferences you have for clothing, background, and more.
If you have an idea in mind for what you’d like to wear, let your photographer know beforehand so they can prepare accordingly. And if there are specific locations or backgrounds that you would like to use, this information can be helpful as well in order to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day of the shoot and you get exactly what you want.