Name: Professional Headshot Template Photoshop
Brand: Magazine Mama
Price: 49.0 USD
Availability: InStock

5 Tips for Headshots Photography

5 Tips for How to Take Headshots Photography

Taking a headshot may seem simple enough - after all, it’s just photographing one person, close-up. There’s no action to capture, and aiming a camera at someone’s face can’t be that hard, right?

Wrong! Getting the perfect headshot is a fine art. There are so many things to consider, from angles and lenses to backdrops and clothing, from lighting and timing to the subject’s comfort level, there are many things that factor into getting the perfect headshot. This type of photo is very important, because clients who come in for headshot sessions are investing in their public image and their career. They are depending on you to help them project an authentic, well-presented image of themselves and their brand, so headshots should not be taken lightly!

1) Get to Know Your Subject

Who are you photographing? What do they do? Why do they do it? It’s important to know as much as possible about your client, for a variety of reasons. People usually feel more comfortable when others show an interest in them. Talking about their passion will usually help people open up and feel at ease. A great way to do this is at a pre-consultation meeting.

Finding out more about your client may also influence the location of the shoot. The backdrop and general feel of the photos will vary depending on profession and desired outcome. For example, a naturopath or massage therapist may wish to have a natural background shot outdoors, maybe even with greenery as the backdrop, whereas an accountant or lawyer would want a more corporate, polished look like a plain white backdrop or even a well lit high end office. Send a standard questionnaire to clients before the shoot. If you're able to arrange in-person consultation to allow the client to connect face to face with you before the shoot, that's even better. The bottom line is that the more you know about the client, the better the photos will turn out.

2) Play Stylist

Many people get stuck on what to wear for their headshots, and this is important, because the goal is to looks polished and professional, with nice, clean clothing that doesn’t distract from the face.

Talk to your clients about wardrobe choices, get a sense of what they’re looking for visually, and recommend what works across the board: neutral colors with nice textures, no logos or pattern, colors that complement the client’s skin tone. Keep it as simple as possible and it’ll be smooth sailing.

3) Lighting is Everything

You generally want to avoid mood or artsy lighting with headshots. Stick to shooting in a space that’s evenly lit. Garages work well for this if you don’t have a studio. A classic beauty lighting setup is perfect - that means one light or reflector comes from below your subject, acting as a fill, with another light placed above the subject. This will help eliminate shadows and glare, making for an evenly lit photo. Outdoor shooting on an overcast/partly cloudy day also allows for beautiful light.

4) Choose the Right Lens

Lenses matter, and if you're shooting portraits, it only makes sense to use a portrait lens. Portrait lenses are usually 85mm f/1.8, and that's the perfect focal length for this type of work. These lenses perform well in studios, outdoors and even in low light conditions, so it's really a good idea to invest in a good portrait lens, especially if you plan on doing a lot of headshot photography.

5) The Eyes Say it All

Eyes are everything in a headshot - they are the most powerful facial communicator we have, so feature them! Bright, clear eyes make all the difference in a photo, so make sure you focus on the eyes first.

Headshot photography is fun, rewarding and a great way to earn income as a photographer. Hopefully these five tips have helped you. And if you need tips for getting more headshot clients check out these headshot photography marketing tips.

Looking for a Welcome Guide Template for Your Headshot Sessions?

Use code HP29 to get this for just $29!

Turn pages to profit with Magazine Mama’s mini magazine template “Headshots”. This 8-page 5.5x8.5 magazine style template is a must-have for promoting glamour headshot sessions, social media headshot session, business profile photos and more!

This minimalist design will easily fit into any branding scheme. You can change the color blocks to match your business colors or leave the grey for a neutral look and feel.

Professionally written text and articles outline the importance of professional headshots to your clients.

Titles include:

*”Put Your Best Face Forward: Professional Headshots and Your Business”
*”What to Wear”
*”Getting Ready for Your Headshot Session”

Specs & Other Information:

This template has been designed for print specifications at McKenna Pro. Download their Easy Order software and look for “Press Brochure” within the “Press Printed” catalog.

Photos Featured in this template are courtesy of Amy Shuman Photography and Fifty Cent Love Photography and are not included in download.

Pre-Written Text Sections Included

What to Wear

Pre-Written Text

Put Your Best Face Forward

Professional Headshots and Your Business

Getting Ready for Your Headshot Session

Photos above featured by Amy Shuman Photography and Fifty Cent Love Photographie

Purchase Your Headshots Welcome Guide Today

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you need to contact us with questions, feedback, testimonial or a suggestion, please send an email to info@magazinemama.com. All emails are typically responded to within 24 to 48 hours, except weekends and holidays.