Your Guide to a Great Headshot Photo Session
Aside from meeting you in person, professional headshots are the first introduction to you, your business and your personal brand.
To find quality candidates, around 93% of HR professionals and recruiters turn to LinkedIn, 2 in 3 turn to Facebook and more than 50% use Twitter. This just proves that a headshot plays an important role in your professional life. Your headshot should be a powerful, compelling and confidence-instilling headshot that makes prospective clients, employers and partners want to reach out and connect with you.
Before you head to the studio for your professional headshot photo session, think about and list the things that you want others to see when they view your profile page.
Some things to think about are the characteristics that embody your personal brand. Are you a writer, instructor, self-employed business owner? Jot down some keywords and phrases that come to mind. And bring your list to your session along with any props that could help tell your story.
We will usually take a few different shots using various outfits so that you have a good selection to choose from. If you’re going to be using your headshot on a specific social media platform, you might even want to tailor it to fit that site.
Decide on what to wear by thinking about the importance of your look matching the image you’re trying to convey. What you wear on a daily basis is a great place to start. Solid colors are always a good choice, as are tops with strong collars and necklines. We suggest that you wear clothing that compliments your skin tone and eye colour and it’s best to stay away from very bold colours too. Even though you’ll only be photographed from the shoulders up, it’s important that your entire outfit is professional as you may want a three-quarter shot or two that is taken further away and incorporates more of your body.
Lastly, even though this is a more professional shoot, remember to relax and have fun. A relaxed, comfortable subject naturally exudes confidence.
Terrill Bodner, MPA SPA is an Accredited member of Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) and nationally qualified judge, and is one of a very few professional photographers living in Prince George who have achieved the designation of Master of Photographic Arts from Professional Photographers of Canada.
Terrill specializes in Family Portraiture, Personal Branding and Headshots (in studio and on location), and Fine Art photography.
Her Accreditations include Portraiture, Fine Art/Photo Decor, Image Manipulation, Animals, Wildlife, Nature, Ornithology/Bird, Botanical, Pictorial/Scenic, Travel Illustration, Stock, and Night Photography.
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