Note: this article provides tips for maximizing your preparation for a corporate/business style headshot. (Think suits and power poses.) Artists, musicians, tech industry professionals and others may have different expectations for clothing, hair, and makeup than what are discussed here.
Despite the fact that photographers like to think that we “make photographs,” the real truth is that any formal portrait of a human being is a collaborative effort between the photographer and subject with each contributing equally to the success or failure of the session. Both the subject and the photographer must be fully vested and present during the session if the resulting photographs are to be useful to the subject. And while the photographer should lead the effort at connecting emotionally and individually with the subject, that collaboration between subject and photographer is the responsibility of both. Further, that collaboration can be just as important than the seemingly endless combinations of fstop, aperture, shutter speed, composition, and post processing that the photographer chooses during the shooting process.
Here’s how YOU can do your part in making sure your upcoming corporate headshot session is fun, engaging, and (most of all) a success.
First of all, consider your audience. Remember: your headshot is one key way you are choosing to communicate who you are to the world. You wouldn’t write an article or a corporate presentation without first taking your potential audience into account, so taking the same approach with your headshot is wise as well. What industry are you in? As an example, experience tells me that corporate lawyers and accountants will likely have different headshot needs than musicians and artists. Keep that in mind as you’re deciding on what you’ll wear and how you’ll present yourself during your headshot session.
Ladies: corporate, business-style headshots do not have to be stale and boring, nor do they simply have to be a “female-version” of a man’s headshot. With the correct preparation, your corporate headshot can simultaneously convey confidence, professionalism, and femininity.
Let’s start with hair and makeup. Model your hair and makeup as if you were in the corporate boardroom pitching a new project to the company CEO. How you dress that day will serve you well in your headshot session.
Wear well-fitted clothes that are tailored to you specifically if possible. Loose clothing can make you appear unkempt and awkward and can be difficult to address during the editing process subsequent to the shoot. Wear primary colors and avoid plaids and stripes. Don’t wear anything with a logo.
If your session allows for multiple looks, bring an extra jacket or two along with a few different tops. Mixing and matching both clothing and poses allow for a variety of different looks that will communicate across a number of mediums.
Avoid short sleeves since they can show skin at the right or left (or both) edges of the shot and can distract from your face. Wear undergarments that will not be visible through your blouse or top. Vibrant colors can help draw attention to your headshot among a group of headshots. Create some contrast (if you can) between your hair and your top. In other words, if you have dark black hair, try to ensure your outermost garment is something less dark so that your hair doesn’t “get lost” against your clothing. Avoid wearing large jewelry pieces and limit the number of pieces you do wear to small and simple earrings and a small necklace. The goal here is avoid a photo that showcases jewelry at your expense.
Hair is an important aspect of our physical presence as well as our headshots. Your best approach is wear and style your hair as you normally would on the day you make the big presentation in the office. Your face is YOUR brand, so its best to be as consistent across your headshot and your physical presence as possible. If you do decide to cut or color your hair, do it well in advance of your session so that you have time to react if it doesn’t work out quite the way you had hoped. Give yourself at least a week prior to get that new haircut looking natural.
Even if you are comfortable doing your own makeup, I recommend that you hire a professional to do your makeup just prior to your session. A professional makeup artist will know how to contour the makeup for the camera. I’ve found that to be a huge difference from client to client. The makeup should be business professional, it should accentuate your face and help you create a calming, relaxed affect as the session is happening.
Stay well hydrated in the day or two before your headshot session. Consider getting a facial on the day prior to the session that includes an exfoliation and moisturizer to give your skin that extra added measure of color and warmth before you sit for your session.
Gentlemen: get a haircut a day or two before the session. Don’t do anything dramatic, just get a quick trim. This will help lessen the retouching that often occurs after your session. Make sure your facial hair is representative of you on a normal day. If that’s typically a five o’clock shadow, don’t be reluctant to be photographed with one.
Wear a suit that will allow you to remain comfortable and will help you project a sense of , professionalism, ease, and confidence. Similar to the advice given above for women; wear a suit similar to the one you would wear if you’re presenting to the CEO. If your session allows for multiple “looks,” a different jacket, tie, and shirt is all that is needed in order to achieve those different looks. Classic colors (greys, blacks, and blues) work best for corporate headshot sessions. The shirt should provide a contrast between the jacket and tie, so its best to avoid a “black jacket, black shirt” combination. Avoid sunglasses and overt displays of jewelry. Watches are a nice compliment to a fine suit, but large gold or silver bracelets, necklaces, and earrings tend to distract. Lastly, the clothing you do choose should be clean and neat – no frays or tears.
Keep a small grooming bag handy for quick touch ups.
Lastly, consider the message (wrong or right) that large and visible tattoos send to the corporate world. If you’re in an industry that “allows” such a display, then feel comfortable showing them in your headshot. If not, think of ways to hide them.
OK … those are my suggestions on how best to prepare for your headshot session. Are you ready to take the next step? If so, call me @ 310.614.5119 and let’s get together.