Here's a quick breakdown of a headshot process and what to expect on a photo shoot.

 

Subject

The subject is the person who is being photographed, that is - you! After an initial greeting, I'll typically have a brief chat with you asking quick simple questions about your preferences, headshot needs, background color and clothing options. Depending on whether you are an actor, model or professional, we will discuss our options for the best look. This is the time when I take a couple of test shots and show you the images, asking for your feedback and answering your questions. 

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Composition

At this point our headshot session will start officially, where I will begin guiding you for the best composition. Headshots are usually composed with the person's head and shoulders in the frame and the composition is thoughtfully chosen to highlight your features and personality while minimizing distractions.

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Background

Whether your photo shoot is outdoors or in-studio, the background of a headshot will most often be simple and unobtrusive to allow the viewer to focus on you! Common choices include plain colored backdrops, neutral indoor settings, or outdoor environments that complement your features and style without overpowering you.

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Lighting

Lighting is crucial in headshot photography as it can dramatically affect the mood and appearance of the person being photographed. In most cases, I prefer soft, diffused lighting to minimize harsh shadows and create a flattering effect on my client's face.

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Expression

Your facial expression is a key element of a headshot. Depending on the intended purpose of the photo, I will experiment with a variety of expresions since those convey different emotions or moods, such as confidence, warmth, approachability, or seriousness. Together we will work on achieving the most natural to you flattering expression. This is when my clients start seeing what they like and begin getting more and more confident in front of the camera.

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Angle and Pose

The angle at which the headshot is taken can significantly impact how you are perceived by others. I continually guide you on how to tilt your head, shoulders, body, and how to position your arms, hands, and sometimes even feet to choose the best angles and capture the most flattering body posture. Your pose, including the tilt of the head, positioning of the shoulders and hands, plays a huge role in building the overall look and impression conveyed by the headshot. Normally, it is easy and super fun, which adds a few laughs and relaxation to our shoot!

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Focus and Sharpness

A well-crafted headshot will have your eyes sharply in focus, because they are typically the focal point of the headshot. The rest of your face will also be clear and sharp, with any background elements appropriately blurred to draw attention to you only.

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Post-processing

After our photo shoot, I will do post-processing of your images. This process includes color correction, retouching like flyaway hair or whitening teeth, and cropping (if necessary) to enhance the final look. The goal of post-processing is to create a clean and professional-looking headshot while maintaining the natural look in your overall appearance.

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This is a typical process for most of my headshots. I always work with you before, during and after our photo shoot to achieve the desired goal for you, because your compelling headshot is a powerful tool for building you up and making positive impressions on your professional contacts. I find it most rewarding in what I do as a photographer.

 

I look forward to meeting you on one of my photo shoots!

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