7 Tips For An Amazing Headshot
It all begins with a seriously great headshot.
Your headshot portrays your personal brand and is more important than ever in today’s digital world. Presenting an image that captures your confidence, approachability, and a genuine smile is the goal, and I look forward to helping you achieve this. Here are 7 quick tips to ensure an amazing headshot…
1. Get plenty of sleep the night before.
We know it’s tempting to stay at the networking event for one more drink. Or to watch just one more episode on Netflix. We all know that getting an extra hour or 2 will make a considerable difference the following day. If you’re feeling relaxed and positive, you’ll look that way for the photo session. This will also help reduce bags under your eyes and generally make you look more radiant.
2. Choose the right colors for your clothes.
Plain colors are your best choice. Patterns or prints distract and date your photo. Choose mid-tone colors in blue, green, wine and purple because they are universally flattering. Avoid wearing tops in flesh tones (cream, beige, pastels, peach or yellow) as they can blend your face into your clothes. Unless you’re feeling super confident, pass on bright red or orange. Stark black and white are not good choices either because they play havoc with the camera’s exposure or the studio backdrop. Substitute black with richer neutrals like chocolate, navy, maroon and forest green -these color blazers and jackets look best with a white top because of the high contrast. Black is sombre, safe and guarded, not likely the vibe you want to project.
Pick a top that accentuates your eyes. That’s why jewel tones work so well.
3. Wear the right amount of makeup.
Yes, lots can be done with retouching. Blemishes will be removed and skin tones evened out. There is no need to put on tons of makeup. You want to look like yourself on your best day and not look like you tried too hard. Be yourself. Do your hair the way you would for every audition or interview. Bring some blotting papers if needed to take down the shine. Some women spend way too much on makeup, only to have to get their headshots redone because they look fake in all the photos.
4. Plan your persona.
First of all, think about the persona and tone you’d like to project. Depending on the culture of your company, you may want to convey an air of formality, knowledge, and trust. Or, maybe the look you want is creative, friendly, hip! Either way, decide the tone you’re going for before the day of the shoot to nail down the feeling you’d like to convey for yourself and your company.
5. Wear comfortable clothing you love.
Make sure the outfit you choose is something you love and feel completely comfortable wearing. Something that’s comfortable in the fit as well as comfortable with the look and style. Ill-fitting clothes can make you look heavier than you really are, especially if the fit is too loose or too tight. If the clothes are too loose, your shape will be lost in the photo. Even in a headshot, it will make a difference to the look of your shoulders and neckline. Too tight, and you risk showing button holes pulling and seams stretching.
6. Wear your hair in the way you feel most confident and beautiful.
If you want to vary your hairstyle during the shoot, please do! We can try some shots with your hair tied up and some with it down. When it’s tied back, it will look better with volume rather than being pulled back too tight. Remember to bring a hairbrush for last-minute adjustments. Do not schedule any major hairstyle changes or cuts within a week of your session.
7. Glasses on…glasses off.
Glasses can bring instant credibility and trust, so it’s fine to wear glasses for your shoot. If they’re part of you, then they need to be included. We will photograph glasses on and off. But they need to be spotlessly clean because any fingermarks or dust will show up on the final image. If you wear them at your desk but won’t be wearing them for the photos, please make sure that you take them off at least half an hour before the shoot. The last thing you want is those little red marks on the side of your nose showing up in the photo.
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