Chapter 19: What should I know when planning the consistency of all of our business headshots?

One of the first concerns is the degree of consistency of all of the head shots or portraits for the bios.  Some firms want each one to be as much alike as possible.  They want the same shade background, lighting, cropping, expression, etc.  While some branding or consistency is good, one thing to keep in mind is that there is not one system that makes everyone look their best.  Just as there is not one suit the same size, color, style for both men and women that looks good on all, photography is the same.  Obviously balance is needed.  Below I have some suggestions that might help.

Lighting: Adjusting the lighting (as many as four different ones in different positions) can help a heavy person look thinner, really thin person look healthier, or accent beautiful hair and bring out the person’s best feature.  A one light fits all eliminates the ability to bring out a person’s best features and decrease the worst.

Background: I would recommend a neutral background such as grey that can be lighter or darker depending on the person.  For example light hair looks better on a dark background and dark hair looks better on a light background. Brighter or more textured backgrounds can look very nice or really pop, but might be harder to match in the future.

Pose:  Since people have a good side and a bad side as well as long necks, double chins, etc.  The pose should be adjusted accordingly.  Sometime a person looks better when they lean into the camera.  This can reduce a double chin or long neck.  Sitting and using a posing table allows more adjustment than standing.

Expression:  A company might want every to have big smiles.  We all love smiles and people in real life normally look best when they smile.   However in pictures,  some people look silly when they smile for the camera.  It could be the teeth, lips, or just a really big mouth.  I had a distinguished attorney smile and it was so big he looked like the joker from Batman.  A more serious expression was better and he looked great.  Each person is unique and a good photographer will try various expressions (theirs, not his).

Cropping:  Cropping is very important with professional head shots.  If too much body shows, a person can look really huge.  However if the cropping is too close, the person is really “in your face” and that is kind of awkward.  For portraits of one person or a head shot, I recommend a cropping proportion of about 5x7 vertical.  The head takes up about 50% of the image and not too much body shows. The eyes are located at the ideal 1/3 down from the top. This way there is not too much space at the top where the person would look really short. In this case the personality in their face and eyes are the important thing.  The proportions change for half length, full length or when you have more than one person.

The above would give consistency while allowing the photographer to make the person look their very best.

Chapter 18: What should I do about make-up?

Here are a few suggestion for skin prep and make-up from Tierra of Macy's Salon on the 11th floor downtown. 

To Prep (Men & Women):

• Start by cleansing with a mild and gentle cleanser
• Dry face and apply lightweight oil-free serum
• Eye cream, instantly cools and  helps reduce puffiness for tired eyes
• Lastly, layer moisturizer after serum has been absorbed into the skin (This can help with the production of less oil)

Women:  Make-up should look clean and polished, similar to an every day look.

• Eye Shadows should be matte or semi matte with minimal shimmer to reduce glare.
• Concealers and brighteners are great for under the eyes and disguising laugh lines, and dark spots.
• Foundation and tinted moisturizers work best behind the camera, they even out skin tone and provide great coverage.
• Powders and setting powders should be placed invisibly over liquid foundation to reduce shine and glare, and to help keep make-up in place. People with oily skin should press setting powder into extra oily areas with a large brush then buff everything together to stay shine free longer.
• Lips...rule of thumb: If eyes are the focus of your face and are more intense, go soft and pretty for lips and cheeks. If eyes are kept simple and understated, play up lips with sheer reds and plums. Corals are a favorite for all skin types!

Men:   Don't be afraid of a little under eye concealer to disguise dark circles. It can make you look years younger in a photograph! Also, some men prefer a little powder bronzer before a photograph for a more healthy skin tone. 

As you can see from the above, doing makeup is a real art.  Since I am not a licensed cosmologist, I do not do make-up. Should you decide to do so, I recommend the people at the Salon on the 11th floor or use someone you are familiar with. When it comes to imperfections, blemishes etc.  I always use Photoshop as discussed in Chapter 20>

These are a few key tips in taking a great professional photo. Good Luck!

Chapter 17: How should I prepare?

To prepare for a business portrait,  you might want to keep in mind some of the following:

For guys:

     Do I need a haircut?

     Should I shave before I come in?

     Does my suit fit well?  If not it will gather, look sloppy or you will "swim" in it if it is too big.

     If this is possible, I would suggest that you can go over to the men's department and they may lend you a jacket that will fit perfect.

     Is my shirt ironed?  If it is wrinkled there is little the photographer can do.  If you are not wearing a jacket, consider even bringing a fresh shirt to the session and putting it on then.

     Is my tie properly tied?  If the shirt shows too much above it, it will look sloppy.  If it is crooked, it will look odd.  I will be glad to tie it if you would like.

     How about tie, shirt or suit style?  As a general rule, the more traditional, or conservative, the longer it will take to go out of style.

For ladies:

     How does my hair style look?  Would it be good if I got it done before?

     Business attire normally works the best, but it is really up to the impression you want to make.

     You seldom go wrong with a suit jacket.  Should the shirt collar be tucked in or out?  That is up to you. 

      If your jacket has shoulder pads, it might make your shoulders look really huge in the photo. Just check it out before you come in.  Remember that we look heavier in the photo anyway.

      How is the make-up?  Some will have make-up done before they come in.  The first floor at times will assist in the cosmetic counters.  Avoid heavy make-up that will not look natural.

     As with the men, clothing should fit well, look professional and not look as though they need ironed.

Chapter 16: Which is better: Head shot or full length?

A general rule to keep in mind is that the more you see in an image the greater statement it makes.

For example:  A full length portrait shows more body and less of the face.  The body sends the greater statement.  For a body builder that would be best. However unless the person has a great body, it might not be a good statement.  If you want to show someone in a working environment that might be needed but it is not as personal as a headshot. For a group photo, you have no other choice.

If you want others to get to know you personally though, a head and shoulders portrait will be better.  It is more up close and personal and you feel as though you know the person better.  Too close though such as a close up face portrait and it might be just too close.

Here is one way of looking at it.  When we carry on a personal conversation with someone, what is the best distance? 

• If a person is 15 feet away (such as it looks in a full length photography)  it is hard to feel as thought we are really connecting with the person. 
• If we are a foot away (such as a close up face photo) it is a little uncomfortable. Too much “in your face”. 
• However a normal distance might be about three or four feet.  Considering our normal field of vision, this is the best for a personal conversation.  This is also the area of a good head and shoulders (or head shot). 

A general rule that I use in a head and shoulder or a head shot is that the face takes up 50% of the image area.  This allows for some space above the head and it shows about one half of the chest. If you show too much of the torso without posing the hands, the body starts to look too big.  Using this formula, a company also has the option to crop closer later if they wish too.

Chapter 15: How important are corporate and business headshots?

As a corporate and business photgrapher in Pittsburgh, I have learned the importance of effective executive portraits, headshots or any other business photography.

Good corporate portraits involve more than simply nice pictures. They must send the right message about your company. They really are a form of advertising. 

We have heard “a picture is worth a thousand words”, and “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Nothing could be truer in this case. Some say, “you can't tell a book from it's cover”, however people do judge us by what they see first. In this case it could be our portrait. We could have the best education and a great bio, but if our picture looks silly, frivilous, bored, etc. it will have a negative effect. All things being the same, the customer will possibly go to someone else. 

Good corporate photography requres not only working with the subject but also your company to give your business the best presentation and send the right message. In this competitive environment, it can make all the difference.