A professional headshot can do so much for your career. It can add interest and personalisation to your company website, social media profiles and marketing campaigns, and it can give you a serious advantage over others in your field who don’t have headshots on their profiles.
However, it’s not enough to simply have a professional headshot taken – you must have your headshot taken in a good location and in a suitable style. This will contribute to your unique headshot, capturing your individualism and drawing positive attention to you as a business person or employee.
Choosing Your Headshot Style And Location: How To Pick The Right Spot
Professional headshots are generally taken in two distinct styles: environmental-style photos and studio-style photos. Both styles have their advantages. The right option for you will depend on what you need and your personal preferences, and you should discuss your goals with your professional photographer to discover which style is best for you.
Studio-Style Professional Headshots
These photos are taken in with a plain background behind the person being photographed.
- Keeping The Focus On You. The plain, clean background keeps the focus of the photo entirely on you, without any potential distractions.
- Clean, Professional And Straightforward. Studio-style headshots are very professional, without the need for anything other than yourself. For best results, listen to your photographer for direction on posing, expressions and other important factors.
- Versatile Usage. Professional headshots are fantastic tools to use across various platforms. Along with your social media profiles and your company’s ‘Meet The Team’ page, you can also use it for marketing purposes. Studio-style headshots make this easier to do, as the simple background is easy to remove.
- Simplifying Your Location Choice. If you choose a studio-style photography session, then you won’t have to stress about choosing another location. The plain background can be set-up in most offices or homes and the time of day is not important as all light comes from the photographic lights, not the sun.
Environmental-Style Professional Headshots
As opposed to studio-style photos, environmental photos are taken in a location that suits your field. These photos show subjects in their workplaces or in a location relevant to your career, connecting your headshot to your place in your industry.
- Interesting Backdrops. Your environmental-style photo can be taken at your office space, company building or an outdoor location that has a connection to your work. For example, a professional basketball player could have their photo taken at a basketball court, and an expert landscaper could use a beautiful finished landscaping project as their backdrop.
- Adding Dynamic Interest To Your Photos. Environmental-style headshots have a unique, personalised appeal to them while still keeping the focus on yourself.
- Unique Lighting. If you choose an outdoor location, then natural light will be mixed with photographic lighting to balance light and shadow and make you look great in the image. If you choose an indoor location your photographer will mix the interior light with photographic lighting to ensure the most flattering light for your headshot.
Choosing your location for your environmental-style photo may seem difficult at first, especially when you have so many beautiful Auckland locations to choose from. The best way to find the best setting for your photo is to talk to your professional photographer for guidance. Talk about important qualities like:
- Locations Relevant To Your Industry. Think about your career and what you do. What kind of location suits your field the most? Identify the best kinds of areas for you, and then work with your photographer to figure out which locations are best for taking professional headshots.
- The Ability To Get A Good Photo In That Area. It could be a challenge to get a good photo in an outdoor location that’s frequently very busy. Search for locations that have good areas for taking photos without people or distractions in the background.
- Timing And Lighting. One challenge of taking photos outside is getting good lighting. You and your photographer must time things correctly to ensure good, flattering lighting.
Tips For Having Your Headshot Taken
Once you’ve selected your preferred headshot style and your location, consider the following tips to make the most of your headshot session:
- Choose An Appropriate Outfit. You want your headshot to encapsulate you, so you should avoid anything that could draw from you as a professional. Choose an appropriate outfit and present yourself in a way that suits your profession.
- Take Direction On Posing And Expression. A forced, unnatural smile can look awkward. Listen to your photographer about how you should stand, sit, pose and so on. They will help you look approachable and relatable, taking headshots that make it easy for viewers to form a connection with you.
- Care For Your Appearance. Be sure you take care of yourself before your professional headshot session. You can shave, care for your skin and hair and do what you can to ensure you look your best during your photo session.
Getting A Perfect Headshot Taken In A Stunning Auckland Location
An eye-catching corporate headshot is more than just a nice photo – it’s a first impression, a marketing tool, an encapsulation of you as a businessperson and so much more. To learn more about professional headshots in Auckland, visit this page.
To reach me, you can call on +64 0204 0988 474 or use my contact page.
Stay ahead of your competition with a beautifully-taken professional headshot.