Working with a professional photographer to produce a great headshot of yourself is more than simply standing in front of a quality camera and photographer and smiling – a headshot isn’t just a photo; it’s a first impression, an invitation extended out to potential clients and business partners. It can capture your personality, professionalism and confidence and show the world that you’re a unique individual with plenty to offer.
Because of this, when having your headshot taken by a professional NZ photographer, you need to do your part to prepare yourself. Your new photo could be perfect for your company’s website, marketing, LinkedIn profile and many other places, so it’s best to do everything you can to get things right.
Capturing The Perfect Headshot
What should you consider before you step in front of the camera? Here are a few key points to reflect on:
Understand The Purpose Of Your Headshot. First, why are you getting a professional headshot? Are you going to use it as a profile image? Is it going to be used in your company’s marketing campaigns? Once you know why and how you will use it, think about what you want to convey. A serious photo could be great for corporate jobs, but friendly marketing campaigns may call for a relaxed and casual feeling.
Dress Appropriately. Naturally, you’ll want to dress appropriately for your photo. For a professional studio-style corporate photo, you may want to choose solid colours without busy patterns. A well-fitted suit or business top can convey professionalism, showing others that you take your work seriously.
If you’re considering an environmental-style corporate photo or a photo where you’ll be in the context of your workspace, you can consider wearing something that makes sense for that space. Of course, you should still take steps to stay appropriate, professional and tidy. Try to avoid accessories that can be too distracting, as the main focus should be on you.
Stay Clean And Tidy. Make sure you properly take care of yourself before your headshot session. Keep your hair clean, neat and well-styled, and control any flyaway hairs as best you can. If you have facial hair, ensure a clean shave or that your facial hair is well-groomed. If you wear makeup, you may want to invest in a professional makeup session to ensure a professional and polished look. This does cost a little extra but can take your portraits up a level.
Regardless of what you do, be sure you don’t overdo it – the aim is to enhance your natural features and show off you as a person, and too much makeup or accessories can mask that.
Ensure Good Posture. Great posture exudes confidence and can make a significant difference in your headshot. If you’re slouching or posed awkwardly in your headshot, your headshot won’t form the best impression of you.
Be sure to stand or sit up straight. Don’t worry if this all sounds like a lot to remember, I will walk you through all of this while taking your headshot.
Focus On Your Expression. Your face is the main focus of your headshot, so an appropriate expression is key. Most people choose to smile, but being in front of a camera can be daunting, so some struggle with smiling naturally. No smile can make you seem distant, but an over-the-top smile can feel forced and awkward. Instead of extremes, try to find the middle ground, and your smile should reach up to your eyes to add warmth and authenticity to your expression. Think about something that makes you happy and try to relax to create a lovely, natural smile.
You may want to practise smiling naturally in front of a mirror before your photography session, and get feedback from a friend about how you’re doing. There are plenty of ways you can perfect your natural smile, such as staying comfortable, changing your posture, smiling with your eyes and so on.
Confidence is also an important factor in facial expressions. Think about something that makes you feel self-assured and positive so you can convey that feeling through your photo. If you’re still having trouble, don’t worry, work with your photographer to ask about tips and tricks to achieve a natural looking, approachable smile. They can help you walk through your smile, and overall demeanour, during your headshot session.
Practise Different Angles. Do you have a ‘good side?’ Try out different angles to see which one highlights your best features. Tilting your head or turning it slightly can add depth to your headshot and make it more dynamic. When practising, or working with your photographer during your session, get creative and explore different angles and poses to make your photos more unique. If you try a few different things during the shoot you can choose the one/s that work out best when choosing your images for retouching. If you don’t try different things you’ll be stuck with the one look.
Communicate With Your Photographer. For all of these tips and any other concerns you have, feel free to talk them over with me. I have taken headshots for about as many different people as there are different kinds of people, and am able to draw from all of these sessions to give you tips and tricks which will work best for you to achieve your perfect headshot.
Capturing Your Confidence With A Professional Headshot
As a professional photographer in Auckland, I’m excited to help you experience the many incredible benefits of high-quality headshots. I have experience with corporate photography, as well as photography for products, food, weddings and more. Regardless of what I’m photographing, I’m committed to capturing the perfect image.
Are you ready to discuss your headshot? Reach out to me on +64 02040988474 or use my website to get in touch.
Adam Firth Photography: Tell your story with a single photo.