characteristics
of a great
headshot
You have your look, you have chosen your photographer, and you have booked your photo session. Now what? How do you ensure that your headshots reflect the vibe you want, are of high quality, and will help you stand out from the crowd? These are five characteristics of a great headshot. If you stick to these simple rules, you will leave your session with headshots you love.
CLEAN AND SIMPLE
When it comes to professional photos, a headshot is often the first thing that comes to mind. These photos are used for a variety of purposes, such as on social media profiles, business cards, and resumes. The goal of a headshot is to show who you are in a professional manner, and the best way to do this is to keep them clean and simple.
One of the most important aspects of a headshot is the background. A solid color background, such as white, or black, is a great option because it keeps the focus on you. Alternatively, if the photo session is conducted outdoors, consider blurring out the environment to minimize distractions.
Another important aspect of a headshot is your appearance. While it's important to look your best, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on makeup and hair. The point is to look like yourself on a good day, so keep it natural and avoid heavy makeup.
When it comes to clothing, neutral outfits are a safe choice. They are timeless and professional, and they won't distract from your face. Avoid busy patterns or bold colors that can take away from your face.
In summary, a headshot should be clean and simple, with a solid color background and a natural, neutral appearance. Avoid distractions, and remember that the goal is to show who you are in a professional manner. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a headshot that is sure to make a great first impression.
CONFIDENCE & APPROACHABILITY
Your headshot is often the first impression people have of you, whether it's on your professional website, social media profile, or business card. That's why it is crucial to make sure your headshot portrays both confidence and approachability.
Confidence is key in any headshot, as it shows that you are self-assured and comfortable in your own skin. This can be achieved by good posture, a natural smile, and a relaxed expression. When you exude confidence, it automatically leads others to feel confident in you as well. This is especially important for professionals, as it can help build trust and credibility with potential clients or employers.
Approachability, on the other hand, is about making yourself relatable and friendly. This can be done by showing a genuine smile, having a natural and relaxed pose, and avoiding a stiff or posed look. When people can see that you are easy to talk to and approachable, they are more likely to want to connect with you.
At the same time, it is important to remember that a headshot is not just about how you look, but also about who you are as a person. That's why it's important to head into your session with self-love and positivity. This will help you to feel more relaxed and confident in front of the camera, and will also help to show off your personality in your headshot.
We encourage you to have fun, play with your facial expressions and be bold. A headshot session can be a great opportunity to experiment and try out different poses and expressions. You never know, you might surprise yourself with a look that you never thought would work.
Confidence and approachability are key when it comes to headshots. A good headshot should not only show off how you look, but also who you are as a person. Remember to have fun, be yourself, and exude confidence and approachability in your headshot. This will help to build trust and credibility with potential clients or employers, and will also make you stand out in a sea of headshots.
SMILE WITH YOUR TEETH - AND YOUR EYES!
Smiling with your eyes, also known as "Duchenne smiling," is essential when it comes to taking a great headshot. A genuine smile is one of the most attractive expressions on the human face, but standing in front of a camera can often feel tense and uncomfortable. This can lead to a forced, fake-looking smile that can make you appear nervous, uncomfortable, and even submissive in your headshot.
One way to avoid this is by focusing on smiling with your eyes. A genuine smile is visible in the eyes, and smiling eyes are relaxed with raised cheeks and a subtle tension on the side of the eyes. When you're genuinely smiling, the people looking at your headshot should be able to tell, even if you're wearing a mask.
To practice smiling with your eyes, try this simple exercise: look in the mirror and hold a pen or pencil between your teeth. The act of smiling with your mouth closed will naturally lift the muscles around your eyes, creating a genuine, relaxed smile.
While we will also help you in creating a relaxed environment during your session, another way to achieve a genuine smile is to think of something that makes you happy and focus on that while taking the photo.
So next time you're getting your headshot taken, remember to focus on smiling with your eyes. Not only will it make you look more relaxed and approachable, but it will also give your headshot a genuine, authentic feel that will help you stand out from the crowd.
PERSONALITY OVER GLAMOUR
When it comes to headshots, it's important to remember that they should represent who you are as a person. While it's tempting to go all out with makeup, hair, and clothing to look as glamorous as possible, it's important to remember that your personality should shine through in the image.
One of the main reasons for this is that headshots are often used to represent you in professional contexts, such as on your business website or social media profiles. If your headshot looks nothing like you in real life, it can create confusion and mistrust among your clients and colleagues.
Another important reason to prioritize personality over glamour in headshots is that it allows your unique qualities to shine through. Everyone has their own unique look, and by embracing that look in your headshot, you can stand out from the crowd. A headshot that looks like you will be much more memorable than one that looks like a generic model.
When it comes to makeup, hair, and clothing, it's important to strike a balance. You don't want to look too made up or overly styled, but you also don't want to look like you just rolled out of bed. It's best to keep it simple and polished, allowing your personality to take center stage.
In summary, when taking headshots, it is important to prioritize your personality over glamour. This will ensure that your headshot accurately represents you and allows your unique qualities to shine through. Remember to keep it simple and polished, allowing your personality to take center stage.
OUTFITS
When it comes to taking a headshot, it's important to remember that the focus should be on you and your face. This means that your outfit should be simple, clean, and not too distracting. Bright colors, logos, and text should be avoided as they can draw attention away from your face. Additionally, busy patterns, such as stripes or polka dots (such as the image illustrated above), can also be distracting and should be avoided.
Tailored clothing is recommended as it gives a professional and polished look. Long sleeves that cover the arms are also recommended as they have a slimming effect on the arms.
Another tip is to wear clothing that fits well and is comfortable. Avoid anything that is too tight or too loose as it can create a unflattering look. Ultimately, you should feel relaxed in your outfit as any uneasiness can potentially come across in your headshot.
For a slimming effect, remember the following:
Darker colors are slimming; light colors are not.
Solid colors are slimming; bold patters will expose shape.
A single color from head to toe (i.e. a suit) is slimming.
Vertical lines are slimming; horizontal lines are not.
The v-neck shape is slimming. This is achieved by the cut of a sport coat, jacket, blouse, shirt or sweater.
Single-breasted jackets are more slimming than double-breasted.