HOW TO GET THE BEST HEADSHOT
HEADSHOT
A headshot is an image of a person (singular) where only the top half of the body is in the photograph and often only the head and shoulders. Whether you are taking a headshot photograph at home with your cellphone, or you are in our studio, these tips are sure to help with getting the best shot.
GOOD LIGHTING
Lighting is the most important part of any photograph. If you are having your headshot taken in our studio, you will be beautifully lit with professional Profoto lighting. We also make use of reflectors to lighten shadow areas, giving you a flattering image. If you are taking your own photograph using your cellphone at home or work (or anywhere else for that matter), look for a place where the light falls softly on your face. Window light with a sheer curtain will achieve soft lighting. Direct sunlight will form hard shadows and not be flattering. Choose a well-lit area without direct sun falling on your face.
MAKE UP
We suggest professional make-up (yes, even for men) for a refined look. Make-up should enhance your features and prepare your skin for studio lighting. Always have a matt finish so that your skin does not shine. There is a big difference between looking oily and glowing. A professional make-up artist knows best.
BACKGROUND
The background should not be distracting. We use various backdrops, depending on the client’s requirement. They range from hand-painted canvas to plain paper backdrops; all are suitable for headshots. If you will be using your phone for a headshot and do not have a plain background, set the camera phone to portrait mode with a low f-stop. Most modern cell phones have this function. It’s best to play around with the settings until you find the one that has you perfectly in focus and the background out of focus.
POSING
Face the camera directly on, or turn your body slightly away with your head turned towards the camera. In both instances the body should be nicely upright, shoulders back. Lean forward a little with your chin protruding slightly. This will create a flattering image and avoid a double chin. You can experiment with tipping your head both down and up and turning your head from one side to the other. Always look directly into the lens. Take a few shots of each angle to see which works best for you When having your headshots at our studio, Emil will guide you through the posing to get the best angle with a variety of options.
SMILE OR SERIOUS
We suggest you take photographs of both a smiling and serious look. Remember to smile with your eyes and mouth! A serious pose should be strong without looking annoyed or frustrated. If you are taking your own photograph it may take a few shots to get the right look. In our studio you would not need to worry as you will be given great directions to give the right impression with your headshot.
If you follow these simple tips you are sure to get stunning headshot photographs.
Visit our website for more information by clicking the link: Headshots