Headshot Preparation Guide
How to prepare for a headshot session
Your corporate image is more than a simple 'snap', it should capture your professional profile, support company brand values and your individual skill set.
It is a big ask but perfectly achievable provided you prepare.
Our ability to construct complex portraits with subliminal supporting elements is why we have won awards from respected national bodies and we can help you define, create and publish images that work as a marketing resource for you, your company and your PR team.
What are you all about?
Much of the work defining your individual and company values may well have been done. Your mission statement, values and objectives provide a written reference. But it's worth re-visiting just to make sure your messaging is current.
Understand there are a minimum of three people in every portrait: the sitter, the artist and the audience. You and your photographer work together to convey the right message through your image. The photographer should create a mood-board. It is a series of images that will help you define the style and look you are going for. If you're organising the shoot for a company or team, mood - boards provide a great way of communicating to team members: it helps them visualise how the final images will look, helps them choose appropriate colours, outfits and keeps everyone 'on message'.
Choose the right clothes
Your choice of clothing should reflect the image and message you are trying to create. Like preparing for an interview, you want to create the right impression. Make sure they are appropriate for your role (or the role your aspire to). Check colours, you're unlikely to make a mistake with the outfit itself but do the colours clash with your company's website?
Don't expect photoshop to correct any creases (time editing is often charged). Check the fit: does the jacket slip over your shoulders correctly? Is your collar too tight? A few minutes making sure everything is right means getting the shoot right first time.
Do you need a make - up artist?
Man or woman: a professional make up artist will enhance your look. And a little touch up before the shoot can give you an extra confidence boost.
They will make sure your hair is looking its best and that your natural features are made look their best.
How much time is needed?
If a job is worth doing, do it well.
Arguably getting images that support your career or company profile is a pretty important. So give yourself time.
Unless you are a celebrity, model or politician, you're unlikely to have practised your posing technique. Even straightforward LinkedIn Headshots need thought, preparation and time. Most people need at least 30 minutes before they start to relax in front of camera.
Consider where and how you want to employ your portraits. LinkedIn suggest changing your profile picture every quarter: it keeps things fresh and keeps you front of mind. Take two to three images away from the session and it gives you the option to update your image during the year.
If you're looking for PR images, then it's unlikely your LinkedIn headshot will work.
PR images are usually associated with single issues or particular messages. So your welcoming smiling LinkedIn headshot would be inappropriate for contributions to articles on Cyber-Security or Financial Stability. Think through what images you are likely going to need over the next twelve months and plan accordingly.
Arrive calm, remain calm
This may sound like an impossible task in a hectic schedule. But if you are busy it is more important to plan your journey. Cutting things fine means you risk turning up for your shoot hot and bothered. It may take quite a while before you've cooled down and any redness in the face has subsided. It also has a negative impact on your state of mind.
Your headshot will be communicating to the world, so you don't want to be worrying about your next appointment. It is an investment in yourself so give yourself enough travel time before and after the shoot.
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