A key portion of working for yourself is establishing a presence for your brand and that includes being the face of your company AKA getting your headshots taken. Many of my clients fear getting their headshots taken for many reasons, usually holding off on taking them until forced into a scenario where they are needed right away. I put together a list of 5 of the most essential tips to ease your fears about taking your headshots so that you can take them confidently and without fear way before you need them.
Tip 1: Sleep the night before and eat a good breakfast the morning of- So this goes without saying but I have to say it because it actually is an issue. If you’re sleepy, or even worst, hangry (hungry and angry), it will show on the camera.
Tip 2: Don’t CopyCat– Though it may seem like the thing to do is just mimic photographs you saw online or mimic a friend’s headshots, I will strongly suggest not to. Everybody’s face/ body structure is different and what may work for them may not necessarily work for you. You and your photographer, together, will find your best angles, best expressions, best poses, etc.
Tip 3: Bring your face closer to the camera- Body parts that are closer to the camera are emphasized while body parts farther away from the camera are deemphasized. Since your face is the most important part of a headshot, bring it closer to the camera. Consult with your photographer so he/ she can guide you in the right direction.
Tip 4: Bring your big smile and confident eyes– The “look in the camera and say cheese” type headshot will not get you noticed. In fact, it may get glanced over because your personality is not captured and the smile is inauthentic. A “forced” smile can usually come across in a photograph quite well. You want your potential client to witness your authenticity.
Tip 5: Don’t be afraid to collaborate with your photographer– Your photographer is a guide (and should be.) Your photography session should not be to do everything they say, but should be a collaboration between both people to get the absolute BEST look for your headshot. My advice is to be quite honest with your photographer about your best angle or things that you are self- conscious about. In the end, you both will win!
Tip 6: Expressions win- Cardinal rule: Your eyes convey confidence. Your smile conveys approachability. 9 times out of 10, the photos that stand out the most are the candid ones- a moment in between a moment capture- where someone has a natural laugh, a glow in their face afterwards, their eyes show warmth and their body is relaxed.
Free PDF: How to position your headshots to make more money