Head Shots - How Important Are They?

How important are head-shots today? I would say very important.

We are living in changing times where employers will look you up on-line instead of just simply reading that CV you posted, the world is a visual place and we all must be ready for it. 

A good head shot is as important to the average person than it is to an actor or business person and can set you apart from the rest. You will find that head-shots are required today for may uses/reasons. 

Social Media Profiles.
CV's
Portfolio for performers. 
Corporate & Business. 
Promotional Material.
Editorial.
Press.

Once you have selected your head shot photographer you will need to be prepared for the session. Below are a few tips for you to help. 

• Get a good night's sleep before your head shot session.  It will help keep your skin and eyes clean and bright. 
   
• Avoid the cocktails and stay hydrated. 
   
• Decide on the look that you want.  This could be to fit the company brand, your new look or a new role you are going for.  A head shot taken in studio will look different than one taken on location using natural light. 
   
• Consider the background and final use.  
  
  White background - Simple and clean.
  Grey Background - Clean and timeless.
  Colour to fit a brand.
   
• Do you require your images in colour, black & white or a mix of both.  What is the final use?  A casting director might stipulate certain things which means you will have to get head shots that fit those stipulations. 
   
• Format.  Do you want the images in portrait or landscape orientation?  Do you need both.

•  If you are an actor check with your casting agent what style and format they are looking for.
   
•  Take a few changes of clothing with you.  Shirts, Ties etc.  Make sure you feel comfortable.
   
• Ask questions.  Most photographers will sit down and chat with you either over the phone         or by meeting before the session to find out exactly what you are looking for and expecting. 
   
• Printing.  Let the photographer know if you are planning to print the images and if you know what the print size is.  This will allow them to adjust how the images are shot so they will work for the print format. 

As a photographer, myself I understand it can be daunting in-front of a camera so I take time to talk to clients before we start the session, this conversation continues throughout to not only relax you but to get to know you and get the best head shot we can. 

Remember a great head shot can help elevate your profile on-line and in business today. 

If you are looking to update your head shot I can help.  Please take a look at my head shot gallery and also consider a head shot day I am running on May 12th 2017. 

Thank you for reading. 

Rick

Head Shots for Inteta UK

Good Evening,

Well we are in 2017 already where did 2016 go?

2017 is a new year for us all and what a great start to the year it has been, with family shoots, head shots sessions, event cover and some 121 training/workshop bookings.

In this evenings blog post we will be looking at some images from a head shots session with Ian Mackintosh from Inteta UK.  Ian is a business & school/academy improvement specialist and came to me with a brief to provide new head shots to fit a re-brand and new website.

We all know how important it is to have a good presence online when in business, the site, the logo, the brand.  But we also as business owners need to show a personal side with not only what we write and post online but also with images and head shots so that people can get an idea about the real you before they call/enquire.

Portraits and Head Shots need to be done right not only to fit your brand but to show the real you.

Ian booked a 1 hour session at my studio which gave time to shoot a couple of outfit changes and also a few different background looks that gave Ian and his web designers some options.

I always setup the day before for portrait/head shot clients and pre-light the set with a meter, this saves time on the day and allows me to work more efficiently and get the brief fulfilled as quickly as possible from capture through to delivery.

I had already looked at Ian’s site to get an idea of the layout, theme and feel of the site.  The impression I got was clean, simple and easy to navigate.  The head shots had to show the person behind the brand but also fit the brand and site.

You can see the results from the head shot session below.

It was a pleasure working with Ian and I wish him and his business all the best in 2017.

Are you looking for updated business heads shots?  You can find out more about my head shots services here.

Thank You

Rick