Headshots are an essential part of being an actor or a model. It’s a way for clients to see what you have to bring to the table. They are made to be simple and showcase your natural beauty. If you are taking a headshot for someone, you want to do a good job to help them get hired. Here are 7 tips on taking professional headshots.
1. It’s all about the clothes
People want to stand out in a headshot. For that reason, they might consider wearing something showy with a lot of different colors and patterns. However, that might not be the best idea. The client doesn’t want to showcase their clothes- they want to showcase themselves. Convince the client to wear solid colors that help accentuate their best features. You don’t want the clothes to overwhelm, and the same goes for makeup. Female clients should know that they should go with a natural look.
2. Consult with client in advance
You and your client need to be on the same page when it comes to their headshot. For that reason, you should take the time to talk with the client before the session. You can either have the client come into your studio or talk on the phone for a bit the day before the photo shoot. During the conversation, you can discuss their goals with the picture. When you know what they want to accomplish, you can go into the session with the right mindset. You can also talk about background color, clothing, and everything else you need to discuss.
3. Make the client stand out against the background
Your client needs to pop against the background you select. You can do this by selecting colors that mesh well with what the client is wearing. Don’t forget to take hair color, eye color, and skin tone into consideration when making your background choice. For more examples on how to make yourself stand out, get professional tips from Nancy Etz.
4. Take some silly face pictures to begin
Clients can be nervous when they come to get a headshot. You need to do everything you can to help make them comfortable and relieve tension. One of the best ways to do this is to have them make some funny faces while you take their practice shots. This will help loosen them up. The rest of the pictures will be much easier after a couple of funny faces.
5. Try natural light
Every photographer knows how important light is to a great picture. That’s why most studios have plenty of lights. However, you may want to try going natural. If it’s a bright day, go outside to take the pictures. You’ll have to schedule the appointment for in the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak, but you’ll notice that the natural light can really make a headshot shine.
6. Capture Personality
Many people use their headshot to get jobs. The headshot may be the first impression the client has of the actor/model. It needs to be able to say a lot in just one picture. You don’t want to capture just the client’s beauty but also their personality. Much of this comes from the client, but your job as a photographer is to bring out what the client has inside of them in the photo. Allow the client to be themselves. You may even try to take a couple of candid shots. You also want to do your best to bring something out from the client’s eyes. After all, that’s where the soul is.
7. Be positive
You want your client to have a good experience when they come in to get a headshot. In order to make the experience, you should be positive and friendly throughout the session. Keep a smile on your face and be approachable. When you are easy to work with, the client will be comfortable enough to express themselves. Plus, if they are having fun, you will be able to see it on their face.
Headshots are rather straight forward, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are easy to do. The little details matter a lot, so it’s your job to make everything as perfect as possible. If you need lessons or need a headshot yourself, reach out to professional photographer Nancy Etz.