on corporate headshots | the do’s, the don’ts, and how to rock your next headshot session

THE DO’S, THE DON’TS, AND HOW TO ROCK YOUR NEXT SESSION

ON CORPORATE HEADSHOTS


“I HATE HAVING MY PICTURE TAKEN!”

Yep. We all feel that way from time to time. Headshots can be a stressful experience. It’s intimidating to simply “be yourself on a really great day” - especially when you’re staring down a 200mm lens (that’s a long one). It can feel as if it can see into your very soul. I get it.

Hi. I’m Clint. And I’m gonna help you rock your next headshot session.

SOME FACTSON CORPORATE HEADSHOTS

IT TAKES US 40 MILLISECONDS TO FORM AN OPINION OF A STRANGER.Alexander Todorov


THE HARD TRUTH

Fact: A current headshot is a business necessity.

You shouldn’t think of it as an expense.

It’s an investment in your career.

Why?Your clients and potential employers are going to look you up online before they ever meet you.


THE HARD TRUTH

The headshot you’re using on your website and on social media speaks volumes about how you present yourself — and about your personal judgment.

YOU ARE YOUR

BRAND

GIVING PEOPLE THE RIGHT VISUAL CUES IMMEDIATELY IS CRITICAL TO GETTING THEIR ATTENTION AND GAINING THEIR TRUST. TO USE AND/OR POST A HEADSHOT WHICH DOES NOT REFLECT YOUR ‘CURRENT LOOK’ IS TO APPEAR DISINGENUOUS OR VAIN; NEITHER A POSITIVE TAKE AWAY.

Kimberly Rice Legal Marketer


IF YOU WANT TO ROCK YOUR NEXT HEADSHOT SESSION, IT’S WORTH DOING A BIT OF PLANNING AND PREPARATION TO CAPTURE THE IMAGE YOU WANT.

JUST AS YOU WOULD NEVER USE

Comic SansTO SEND A COVER LETTER AND

EXPECT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY,

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT

YOU DON’T WANT TO DO WITH

YOUR PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

PHOTOS.

SO LET’S START WITH THE “DON’TS”

THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ARE BASED ON ACTUAL LINKEDIN PROFILES.

TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT, I’LL BE USING EMBARRASSING PHOTOS OF MYSELF TO ILLUSTRATE WHAT NOT TO DO.

DISCLAIMER


The Dude

The takeaway: I’d rather be playing golf. I’m cool. I don’t brush my hair.

The Adventure Guy

The takeaway: I’m adventurous. Look, I ski! Good luck remembering my face.

The Clown

The takeaway: I’m a goofball. I don’t take myself seriously. I live with my parents.


The Cat Dude

The takeaway: I’m a crazy cat person. I REALLY don’t want you to know what I look like. Meow.

The Doodle

The takeaway: I look way better in 2D. Doodle, doodle, doodle, doodle….I’m sorry was I supposed to be taking notes?

The Blur

The takeaway: Meh. I want you to imagine what I look like (in motion). I just got my friend to take my photo. I probably shoulda hired a pro.


Mister Mystery

The takeaway: When we meet, I hope you recognize me by my hand or some other obscure detail. But don’t look at my face. Also, I might be a magician!

The Date Cropper

The takeaway: I’m the guy who looked good in a suit on that day at my sister’s wedding. It’s the only time I dress up.

Mister Way Back Machine

The takeaway: I wish it was 28 years ago. I’m stuck in the 80’s. I don’t like what I look like now, so I cling to my youth.


Desperado

The takeaway: Please, sir, can I have a job? I like to be way below the camera because I hate my double chin. I’m sensitive.

Mister Good Time

The takeaway: I’d rather be at the bar.

Flag Face

The takeaway: I’m patriotic. O Canada! Meet me at the water cooler and we’ll talk universal health care.


Tiny

The takeaway: That’s me in the corner…

The Glamour Guy

The takeaway: Still clingin’ to my youth, just look at my super smooth skin. Also, Photoshop RULES! I’m a barbie girl, in a barbie world…

Where is Glamour Guy?

The takeaway: I think I can fool you with my photoshop skills. Nothing about my image is real.


RIDICULOUS RIGHT?

It took me about 5 minutes to find an example of each of these on LinkedIn. It’s a hilarious game to play and I encourage you to try it. Imagine if I was actually using one of those shots to connect with my future clients.

I don’t think they’d take me very seriously.

BUT THE BIGGEST “DON’T” FOR PROFILE IMAGERY HAS TO BE…

BEING ON LINKEDIN WITHOUT A PHOTO IS LIKE ATTENDING A NETWORKING EVENT WITH A BAG OVER YOUR HEAD.

Alice Heiman Founder & CSO at Alice Heiman, LLC


EVERYONE should have

a great headshot

ON THE NEXT FEW PAGES, I’LL COVER:

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR SHOOT

HOW TO RELAX IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR

PHOTOGRAPHER


PREPARE TO SHOW YOUR PROFESSIONALISM

Take yourself seriously and put yourself together. Looking “professional” sounds easy — and we all know what it means. But there are a few things you should pay attention to before you show up for your photo shoot.


WHAT WILL YOU WEAR? DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

Try everything on at home. Look in a mirror and ask, “Does it fit? Do I really love the way it looks on me?” If not, try something else or go shopping. (I won’t tell if you leave the tags on.)

Is there a shirt or top you wear that seems to prompt compliments? Try it on!

Pick classic cuts and tailored shapes — what’s trendy now might not be next summer.

Tailored tops are slimming.

Pick colors that look good on you. Keep things darker than your skin tone. If you think it might wash you out, it probably will.

Suits in black, gray or navy always look classic and sophisticated.


WHAT WILL YOU WEAR? DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

Keep patterns to a minimum. They can be distracting, and tight patterns can appear to strobe on certain screens. This goes for jackets, suits, ties and shirts.

Iron your stuff. It can make or break a photo.

Beware of tank tops or camisoles with lace that read too much like lingerie.

Is your top see-through? Hold it up to a light and check. If so, wear an appropriate layer beneath it.

Do you have a pet? Use a lint roller on your clothes before you arrive at the shoot. (Please, show me pictures of your animal friends, but let’s leave their fur at home.)


DON’T FORGET THE REST OF YOU. HAIR, MAKEUP, CONFIDENCE AND ATTITUDE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS!

Skin. If you shave on the day of the shoot, use a fresh razor and hot water and go slow. Avoid razor burn. And if you wake up with a huge pimple, don’t mess with it! It’s much easier to Photoshop a blemish than to correct for swollen, red, irritated skin.

Stray hairs. Get up close with your mirror and check for stray eyebrows or unruly ear and nose hair. If you can see it, the camera can, too. If you need a facial or a wax go for it, but do it at least a week before the shoot so any irritation from the procedure has time to fade.

Feeling puffy? Try to drink mostly water 48 hours in advance of your shoot. As the day approaches, take it easy on the caffeine, alcohol and salty snacks.


DON’T FORGET THE REST OF YOU. HAIR, MAKEUP, CONFIDENCE AND ATTITUDE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS!

Makeup. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, men and women alike will benefit from a little bit of makeup and powder in a photograph. You want your makeup to look like you’re not wearing any — fresh, light, natural, even, clean and crisp. We can afford a little drama on the eyes, but don’t go too far.

Teeth. Maybe spend a little time with a white strip. Brush and floss if you ate prior to the shoot, and check for lipstick.

Hairstyle. Don’t get a haircut the day before. You want to give it time to settle in.

A great shot requires a bit more than just

standing in front of the lens while the

photographer clicks away. Portraying

confidence is both a physical and mental

game.

CONFIDE IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER



Think of your photographer as your coach, and trust the person to direct you throughout the process to find the best angles and lighting for your face and body.

Confiding in a photographer is tough — but what’s said in the studio stays in the studio. It’s worth sharing your physical insecurities and letting your photographer know what makes you self-conscious or what you want to hide.

“I have a lazy eye, I hate my double chin, I don’t like my teeth, my nose always looks crooked in photos, I used to be 30, my eyes get scrunchy when I smile …”

Whatever it is, tell your photographer.



Remember, your photographer wants your shot to look just as amazing as you do.

I always appreciate it when my clients can be candid with me so I can tweak the lighting and work with them on body positioning and head angles to bring their best features forward.

Let me worry about the stuff that makes you anxious so you don’t have to.

Plus, it will save time!

THE PHYSICAL GAME

THE EASY PART


THE PHYSICAL GAMEYour goal is to have an authentic connection with the camera, and it all starts with your eyes.

Look right through the lens.

Keep breathing! The camera picks up everything from tension to breath. (Seriously, I can tell when a person’s not breathing in a photo.)

Like most physical activities, keep your knees soft and your shoulders square. Get grounded. Take a deep breath and then …

Listen to your photographer’s directions and follow them as best you can. If they ask you to do something that feels silly, go for it. Chances are, it looks good through the lens.

It’s best to move slowly. I always say “slo-mo/half inches” when I’m asking people to move their head. I’m often aiming for a subtle tweak of the light or head tilt, and when people go too far or too fast we can miss it.


THE PHYSICAL GAMEChin way up? It says “I’m too good for this job.” Chin way down? Says “Please, sir, can I have a job?” We try to avoid these. Chin slightly down, however, can make your eyes seem bigger and more engaged.

A slight turn or twist of the body is slimming and provides a sense of movement. But a body turned too far away says “I’m hiding something” or “I’m already out the door.”

A slight tilt of the head can say “I’m listening” or “I understand.”

Try the chicken! If you push your face slightly toward the camera when you’re facing it straight on, you can define that jaw line just a little bit more. Feels weird, but looks great.


THE PHYSICAL GAMESmile!

Smiles are hard for some people. Smiles look best on their way down. Don’t be afraid to go too far or too big and then let it fade or even laugh it up a bit when you’re going for the warm, friendly shot — just keep your eyes on the camera. You’re bound to get something good.

If you have a habit of putting your tongue between your teeth when you smile, don’t. It looks weird.

No gum or mints.

Don’t wanna show your teeth? You might take a tip from Tyra Banks and “smize” with your eyes.

You can (and should) practice this stuff in a mirror.

THE MENTAL GAME

THE HARD PART

NERVES HAVE DESTROYED MORE PHOTOS THAN A BAD PHOTOGRAPHER EVER DID. ALL NERVES MEAN IS A LACK OF CONFIDENCE. A LACK OF PREPARATION.

I’m paraphrasing a line from Master Class by Terrence McNally



THE MENTAL GAME

Forgive me if I start to sound a bit like a self-help book here, but this stuff really helps.

Try to keep a sense of humor about the whole experience. Relax. Nobody’s gonna get hurt.

Come to your shoot ready to play and trust that your photographer is going to look after you. Leave your ego at the door and allow yourself to be vulnerable.

Anxious? Get out of your head and stay positive.

Have a nonverbal conversation with the camera. Keep it warm, curious, upbeat, friendly, flirty and engaging and let your face follow your thoughts. (PS. There’s no crying in headshots.)

Be patient with yourself and with your photographer. A great shot doesn’t always happen with the first click. And not every shot has to count.

It’s all digital nowadays and you only need one great one.

MAKE SURE YOUR PERSONALITY SHOWS UP

A great headshot tells a story. Tell your photographer about what you do and how you want to be perceived. Think about breaking the corporate stereotypes — or play to them. A family lawyer probably doesn’t want the look and intensity of a pit bull litigator … or maybe she does.

Unless your firm has strict requirements for how you dress for headshots, bring a bit of your own personality and style to the shoot. Some of my clients like to wear ties from their alma mater whenever they update their photos, and others are always in a bow tie, or no tie, or a unique pair of glasses. I love that.

Using your office space is another way to show your personality.

But please, no more bookcases in the background.

PLEASE.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR TIME WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Plan to use the entire time you have allotted with your photographer.

Try to get as many looks and shots as you can muster.

The photographer will likely ask you to vary your expressions and body positioning. But why not squeeze in a quick costume change, too?

Take some with and without your glasses. With and without your tie. With and without your jacket. Or change your hair! Options are awesome. You only need one or two great shots in the end, but you might feel like a change down the road.

PRO TIP: YOU WANT TO THINK AHEAD ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN USE YOUR PHOTOS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

NOT ONLY WILL YOU SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN BY SHOOTING FOR OPTIONS, BUT YOU'LL GREATLY EXPAND YOUR MARKETING TOOLS RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

ALWAYS MAKE THIS ONE TECHNICAL REQUEST

Shoot in both landscape and portrait orientations.

Why?

Most websites are responsive and sometimes the crops of photos will adjust according to various screen sizes. It’ll also give your marketing team more to work with for various mediums.

Plus, with a landscape photo, you can always crop it vertically later. It doesn’t work the other way around, I’m sad to say.

I’ll show you what I mean…

I had a twenty minute session with marketing expert, Ann Heatherington (AH Strategic Marketing).

Before we met, we discussed her wardrobe, how she wanted to represent herself in the market (professional and creative, warm, confident, and approachable) and how and where her shots may appear.

We came up with a list of options, we both did our pre-shoot homework, and she was able to walk out of her session well armed with a ton of looks and photos.

This one vertical shot allows us a few options for crops.

Portrait Orientation

Landscape OrientationA horizontal photo offers even more crop options.

MY FINAL TWO CENTS

A great headshot is your first chance to communicate how polished, skilled and approachable you are.

With a bit of planning and simple preparation, some deep breaths and a sense of play, you're gonna nail your next headshot session.

Promise.

ClintonBPhotography is based in New York City and specializes in headshots for performers and business professionals.

www.clintonbphotography.com

http://www.clintonbphotography.com