HOW TO ROCK YOUR HEADSHOT
There's not many things as effective to spread the wave of horror through an office then announcing that a photographer will be coming to do some headshots. People hide under their desks, run screaming and a sudden epidemics of a 'stomach flu' is spreading like wildfire. You imagine this boring suited guy coming into the office with a mountain of equipment, putting you in front of a white background and trying to make you look serious and professional. You stand there with lights in front of your face, making an effort to look relaxed but really this drip of sweet is going down your back and suddenly you miss the sight of a giant excel report waiting at your screen...
STOP. It doesn’t have to be like that!
Taking your head shot does't have to be a horror. First of all, with me it’s never standing in front of a white wall. I shot head shots in conference rooms, outside of the building, in the park, or with office as a background. Using the office environment brings so much character to headshots. And I swear, it can a good laugh!
Professional pictures are important (are you on LinkedIn? Do you EVER check out profiles without pictures? Do you take seriously tweets of a faceless professional? I didn't think so). Especially if you're building a brand for your small business, a good portrait will help your customers to connect with you and your brand.
I thought I'd make your life easier and give you a little advise how to look good in your professional picture:
Go for a colour portrait instead of black and white
Make sure you brush your hair and refresh your make up (not too much make up tho!)
Wear a make up you would do for a formal night out, avoid shimmering shades and excess of a highlighter.
Don't wear strong patterns or too many layers - something simple and close to your body won't take the focus from your face and will make you look more flattering
If you normally wear glasses it would be the best to take a photo with them. However if you happen to have an extra frame without lenses please bring them - it will allow to take a picture without reflections.
Posing is not your job (I’m here to guide you), however remember about keeping your back straight and not dropping your arms and shoulders down - it makes you look tired and a little bit sad
Make sure you are looking into the lens
Move your chin slightly forward and down - it gives a great jawline and makes your eyes pop
Smile not to a camera but to your photographer - you need to be looking at the lens but think about the person behind it, I promise that it's a nice person and you are on the same side - you both want to take a great photo of you! So smile like you just got given a big fat chocolate muffin (or whatever would make you happy, chocolate always works for me. Or kittens).
Relax and enjoy this moment of being a star - who knows, maybe the best ever picture of you is being taken right now! (I know, you are ''not photogenic'' - we all think that until we meet a right photographer!).
Here's a few head shots I took for London School of Economics - not so serious pictures for a serious institution ;)
