So you have booked a headshot appointment. Now what? Here is some advice for a fantastic headshot!
The clothes you wear convey information about your identity and significantly impact what others believe about you. Studies show that how you dress influences the beliefs of hiring managers, coworkers, and clients. Your wardrobe impacts what others believe about how much power you have, how smart you are, or even how much money you make. Your wardrobe even impacts whether others think you are trustworthy and reliable.
First, your wardrobe is essential to making that great first impression. Before meeting you in person, most people will see your professional headshot. What you wear in your headshot will help establish your professional identity and the right professional pose and portrait style.
Many people have a love/hate relationship with having their photo taken. This information will help you determine what you want your portrait results to convey and how to get it.
The Right Clothes: Do’s and Don’t
Specific colors influence moods, behaviors, and thoughts. Colors can control what others believe about you. For example, red conveys energy and confidence, and navy blue and black give others a sense of authority and dominance. Stay away form white shirts unless you have a jacket to wear over it.
Think about the message you wish to convey when choosing colors for your professional headshot.
- Darker colors: these are seen as dominant colors, more authoritative and formal
- Lighter colors: make you appear more approachable and friendly
- Brighter colors: some of them make you appear to have energy and confidence
- Muted colors: make you appear less threatening and more conservative
- High-contrast pairings like a dark jacket and white shirt can create a powerful image that conveys influence and authority
Stick with Solid Colors
Bold and busy patterns distract and draw attention from your face and sometimes even create unpleasant visual side-effects of repeating patterns.
Regardless of your portrait style and setting, simple colors and subtle patterns usually look best on everyone. Bold or busy patterns distract from your face and can create an unpleasant visual side effects.
The Do’s to a Fantastic Professional Headshot
Headshot colors: dress in more neutral colors with solid colors preferable.
- Plain necklines that are modest
- A suit jacket that fits you properly, one that you can cross your arms and fits your shoulders well
- A sweater that is a solid color and not bulky
- Timeless dresses that are simple are optimal
- Clothes that fit you well as looser clothes can make you appear larger than you are
- Pick flattering sleeves
- Choose jewelry that does not distract or overpower your portrait
- Lastly, wear appropriate clothing showing what you want others to think of the professional you and reflects who you are.
The Don’ts of a Headshot
- Bold patterns, including stripes and plaids should be avoided.
- Avoid fabrics that are shiny. They are reflective and create an illusion you don’t want.
- Shirts that show your bra strap
- Shirts that pick up lint easily
- Clothing that is too loose
- Clothing that is too tight
- Sheer or thin fabrics are not considered professional. Even if your shirt is light sometimes everything underneath can be seen.
Timeless is always the way to go. You can search on Pinterest or Google for “outfit ideas for professional headshots” and see what inspires you. Please keep it simple; the focus will remain on you, allowing your personality to shine.
Before your Headshot Session
1-3 days before your headshot:
- Sleep: make sure to get enough hours of sleep to ensure you look rested.
- Bring a headshot essentials kit to your photo shoot: such as some bottled water, your change of wardrobe (for multiple looks) make-up, and hair supplies.
- Nails and eyebrows should be done about five days before your appointment to let your skin recover.
Other Grooming Tips
These tips may seem obvious, but sometimes simple grooming gets overlooked!
- Shave (and moisturize). Beard stubble cannot be edited out.
- Oily skin – use no shine powder to tone it down.
- Have your hair clean and cut.
- Wear makeup or have it done professionally. The right eye makeup and color on your lips will do wonders for bringing out your features. Use a good foundation to even out your skin tone.
Some Other things you need to tell your Professional Photographer
There are a many ways a headshot can be cropped. Some of the cropping factors include:
- What will you use your picture for? Business headshot? Corporate headshot?
- Will you post on Facebook or LinkedIn? Or a social media profile?
- Will you use it on any printed items or your business card?
- Will it be featured on your professional website and need a few photos
- What is your profession?
- What adjectives do you want to convey? (think what do I want people to describe when they see my portrait)
Should I invest in a Professional Headshot?
A lot of work goes into one portrait. You are also paying for the photographer’s time, professional equipment, studio rent, and much more.
You will also receive professional retouching of your portrait. Making you look perfect and not plastic. The best studio lighting choices to make you look great. And the photographer will help you to relax because really, most people abosultely hate to get their photo taken!
Your professional headshot says a lot before people even meet you! What do you want your photo to convey?
EXECUTIVE HEADSHOTS
BDK Photography, located in Cleveland, Ohio, with a studio in Mentor, can painlessly walk you through the process of getting a beautiful headshot. Over the last 18 years, BDK Photography, has found a way to capture the individual’s personality and have them comfortable in front of the camera.
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