A few tips to make sure you have a great headshot session with us!
1. PLAN AHEAD: It is important to be prepared for the day of your shoot if you will want to get the most out of your photo session and give the Photographer the best chance to do their job effectively and easily.
- Look at your old pictures as well as images from other sources that you find inspiring. If possible send them to the photographer ahead of time or bring them to your session. When looking at images, think about what you like and why? Are there things you don’t like and why? Communicating this to information to the photographer is extremely helpful. You can arrange a consultation with your photographer to discuss your goals, and ideas as well as possible wardrobe, hair, and make-up.
- Schedule your hair appointment so that you are ready for the day of your shoot. (Get your roots touched up, etc.) If possible have your hair styled and your make-up done on the day of your session.
- Drink lots of water the day before and get a good night’s sleep.
2. BE COMFORTABLE and BE YOU: When it comes to clothing, make-up, and hair, your headshot should look like YOU! And you should look comfortable.
- Clothing: Try your outfits on BEFORE the day of the shoot to be sure everything still fits and that there are no defects. I've had clients show up with clothing that no longer fits either because it is too big or too small. And make sure the fit is COMFORTABLE! I can’t emphasize this enough. If you are uncomfortable or self-conscious about anything you are wearing it will show! And the reverse is true as well if you feel good and feel comfortable that will come across in your images. Once when working with a client who appeared barefoot after a clothing change, she asked, "Do I need to put on my shoes since my feet don't show?" My answer is, "Whichever makes you feel better." After a few shots, she went to put on her heels and said, "I just feel sexier in heels."
- Avoid really small patterns such as checkerboard, polka-dots, and stripes. If it's too small it can look strange in a photo. Textures can be nice. Look at collars and necklines that are unique and will "frame" your face nicely. Most importantly, think about your personality and what you want to communicate to your audience. Are you are really outgoing and fun, then a bright color can be fun. If you are a little softer, then think about something more subtle or subdued. Are you business casual or should you come across a little more conservative? Bring a couple of outfits with you so the photographer can help you choose what's best. Better to bring too much than to not have options.
- Make-up: We have a make-up artist that will work with you before we start our session. PLEASE do not apply moisturizer that has SPF or Titanium Dioxide in it on the day of the session as it will reflect the light and create hot spots as it reflects the light back to the camera. We want the images to look like you, but you'll need to wear a little extra make-up. The camera has a tendency to remove make-up. If you normally don't wear make-up, KEEP IT SIMPLE: a little blush, a little mascara, and some lipstick will do. If you can use a small line of eyeliner on your top eyelid (this can help the eyes pop a little more). But if you don't feel comfortable putting on make-up at all, check to see if your photographer has a make-up artist and discuss the fees. Or your local hair stylist might be able to point you in the right direction. Just let the make-up artist know how you want to look and that this is for a photo shoot. A qualified make-up artist will know what to do!
- Bring your make-up kit with you so you can make adjustments and touch-ups as necessary.
- Hairstyle: Again, you want to look like you, so there is no need to do anything special or out of the ordinary for your hair. You might opt have your hair styled that day, and oftentimes your stylist can do make-up as well. But make sure you don't end up with a strange hairdo that does not look like you!
3. HAVE FUN: The most important thing you can do is to decide to have fun on your shoot. Relax. Take a deep breath. Enjoy yourself, you’re not at the dentist! If you have fun, it will show up in your images! 4. Avoid being overly re-touched! Again, it is important that you look like yourself. It is standard to remove dark circles under the eyes and a blemish or two and to smooth the complexion a little. But make sure you don’t end up looking plastic or like you got a facelift. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that we’re getting older. But we are. Try to remember you're picture perfect!
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If you're looking for great business portrait headshots, look no further! Call Tanya Boggs Photography today! 843.743.8596
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