Corporate Headshot Tips: Preparing for your Corporate Headshot Session
5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Corporate Headshot Session:
Simple preparation goes a long way! If you’ve made the decision to get a professional corporate headshot taken, start with these 5 tips to make sure you get the most out of your photography investment. You can only benefit from proper planning! A professional headshot is incredibly valuable, but it does require some thought on your end too!
1. Start with getting to know your photographer.
1. Start with getting to know your photographer.Begin by getting to know your photographer, and tell them a little more about yourself too. Getting photographed by a complete stranger can be really intimidating – especially if you’re a shy person or aren’t all too keen on having your photo taken. A simple chat via phone or the email can go a long way.
It is important to start a professional relationship with your photographer – make sure you will get along, and find someone you can trust!
Many photographers have an about page on their website, as well as social media profiles. I have a few blog posts about me, and my other projects too. You can generally get a feel for someone through their online presence, or through a chat on the phone. If you’re not comfortable getting photographed by a stranger, get in touch with your photographer and tell them a little about you too. Don’t be shy to ask them questions as well. Not only will you know each other a little more, but you’ll have some great conversation points too!
2. Know What You Want!
There are so many different options for headshots! You don’t have to go for ‘traditional corporate headshots’ on stark white backgrounds, wearing a shirt and blazer. This works well for some businesses and professionals, but not for all.
Know your brand – if you’re not sure, start discussing with your photographer. Consider how you act, present, and dress in front of your clients. If you dress casually, wear something casual. If you’re bubbly and fun – show this in your expression and pose. Or if you love colour – think out of the box for your background!
Find headshots that you love. This can be with competitors, friends, websites you’ve googled, or images on pinterest.
Most of all: Communicate all your ideas with your photographer!
3. Think About Clothing, Shoes, Hair, and Makeup.
These things all contribute to the overall appearance of your headshot and branding material. If you are getting full length shots, remember to consider your shoes. If you need to portray your sense of character and personality, your fashion choices go a long way. Link everything back to your branding, and what you want to say.
For hair and makeup, you can choose to go to a professional, or take care of it yourself. My biggest recommendation is to keep yourself looking natural. You want to avoid cakey makeup that the camera can see. Looking like yourself is vital to stay recognisable, and keep trust.
Remember: if you don’t look like your headshot, clients trust quickly diminishes when they meet you.
Tracy’s (left) clothing attire directly relates to her being a meditation teacher. It is a completely different look compared to Veronika (right). Each portrays different personal branding that suits the individual.
4. Look At Visual Examples:
Finding visual examples will allow you to consider how you want to look in your headshot. This covers things from your smile, pose, angle, and crop length.
The more you research and consider, the more your photographer can give you the shots you want.
Practicing any smiles and poses in the mirror before you go isn’t a bad idea either. In all my headshot sessions we review the images as we go, so you can see what you like and don’t like. This makes us ensure we are on the right track.
This moodboard example shows professional headshots who really want to show bubbly, outgoing and fun personal branding. It is a look that wouldn’t suit everyone, but being able to communicate that look to the photographer will go a long way in getting shots that will work for you.
5. Plan What You Need:
Where will you be using your headshots?
Think about the various uses. Will they be used for social media? Marketing material? Just your website? Will you be adding text? All these things are great considerations. If you plan on adding text to your images for online or printed marketing material, communicate your ideas to your photographer so that they can allow for extra space in some of their compositions.
If you have specific cropping or ratios (eg: square, banner shots), have a think about these too and find some examples of what you love.
Think about how your images will link back to your current branding too. Simple choices in lighting, composition and colour can tie a brand together, or if done incorrectly it can create brand confusion. Do you want all your images to match in terms of lighting and style, or do you want vastly different looks? Think about the pros and cons of these options, and decide what will work for what you need.
