A great headshot is much more that just a portrait that is technically perfect! You should have headshots you love and which reflect your personality, the vibe you want, are of high quality, and will help you stand out from the crowd.
That is why I send all my headshots clients a short questionnaire, it helps me know more about their field of activity and the reason why they need this portrait. They also receive my Headshot Session Guide to answer most of their questions and help them prepare.
There are a few characteristics of a great headshot apart from the light, the angle and the pose that your professional headshot photographer will take care of. Sticking to these simple guidelines will help you leave your session with the pictures you were looking for!
what makes a great headshot
Laure Pascal-Glorieux from Laure Photography is specialized in brand and headshots photography. Laure lives in Atlanta GA.
If you have any question on brand photography or if you want to know more about my sessions, Contact me! I would be happy to help you have an easy and relaxed experience as well as provide you with images you will be proud to share.
I also have other blog posts that will interest and help you!
1) Stay simple
The purpose of a headshot is to show who you are in a professional manner. The best way to do so is to keep your headshot clean and simple with nothing to distract from you. That includes the background and your outfit.
Find more about me and my brand photography sessions
2) Confidence and approachability
Showing your personality leads others to feel confidence in you. They feel they already have a sense of who you are by just looking at your picture.
The Association for Psychological Science reports that your decision to trust someone is made in a tenth of a second of seeing their face! A tenth of a second… It might be a good idea to take advantage of it and put your best self out there!
3) Personality comes first
Your headshots should look like you. Do not overdo it with the make-up, hair, clothing or expression. Just be you!
4) Conservative colors
We don't want the colors you select to take out the focus from where it should be, on you and your personality. So stay away from neon or too bright colors!
5) Hair and makeup
It is up to you to decide if you want a professional hair and makeup appointment or not prior to your session.
Keep in mind that your headshot will probably be your first impression for employers, clients, or coworkers. You should keep it natural but still look like your best self.
6) Reduce oily skin & Skip the spray tan
A lot of us have oily skin that reflects light. It results in noticeable shiny spots that often show up on the forehead, cheeks and nose. To limit it you can either use blotting paper and ask a professional makeup artist to help you.
Despite your best efforts, your skin may still look a little shinny on your headshots. Don’t worry, it is something your headshot photographer should be able to tone down while editing your portrait after the session.
Although it might seem counter-intuitive, I recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session (even a few days prior) as it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional.
I hope that those few tips will help you prepare for your next headshot session. If you want more tips and advices, go to my blog!
People often ask me what are the differences between headshots and branding pictures. So let’s dedicate a full blog to it!
Headshots and branding photo sessions are very different, in terms of preparation, content, duration and price! They have one common thing tough. Headshots are included in a personal branding session but your personal brand session will include so much more than that.
You are going to get a lot lot of information here under but don’t worry, I have resources to help you through both your headshots and branding journeys!
HEADSHOTS PICTURES
I usually deliver 3 to 5 high resolution edited images after a headshots session. The pictures will mostly be taken from the waist up. You can select two outfits, combine standing and sitting poses, in one location. I will dedicate another blog to the different headshot backgrounds options!
BRANDING OR PERSONAL BRANDING PICTURES ARE VERY DIFFERENT
A personal branding session is 100% customized to your needs. Each element, such as the outfits you will wear, the locations we will select and your brand colors, will be carefully studied. They will help showcase the uniqueness of your brand and personality.
It will include headshots, your work environment, your business vibe, some lifestyle shots, pictures showing your personality, your creative process, details… and so MUCH more!
As your session is unique, planning is crucial. It helps me understand what you need, your business, your brand, your goals and the messages you want to share. I will also get a better view on how you will use the images, what makes you unique, who your ideal client is.
On the session day, my goal is to understand your brand so well that I can articulate everything as if it was my own.
Personal Brand session typically last half a day or a full day and include different outfits and locations.
It also includes a commercial right to the images. It means that you can use all the high and web resolution edited images for any business communication without restriction.
LEARN MORE!
As you can see, the differences between headshots and a branding pictures are huge! If you feel overwhelmed, this is totally normal. I have create, for my headshots and branding clients, two dedicated 15 pages Welcome Guide to explain the specificities, the process and what to expect. It will answer all your questions!
You can also go and check the dedicated sections on my website for more information: Branding / Headshots
And read this blog to know more about Laure Photography!
