How to Choose a Headshot Photographer
The quality of your headshot is critical in communicating your professionalism and personality at a glance. It’s your best chance at a good first impression online. Here are some things to consider when selecting a photographer for your headshots:
Portfolio Quality. Begin by reviewing the photographer's portfolio. Look for consistency in style and quality. An experienced headshot photographer will share a diverse collection of photographs, demonstrating their ability to capture a wide variety of people and professions.
Do They Have a Studio? Photographers who specialize in headshots will have their own space to shoot in. They won’t need to rent one, or to only shoot on location. Having a designated studio space shows that the photographer is serious about headshots, and will have a wide variety of backdrops and lighting equipment on hand.
Understanding Your Industry: Choose a photographer who understands and has experience photographing professionals in your industry. Different industries require different approaches to convey the right tone. For example a real estate agent requires a completely different look and lighting set-up than a musical artist.
Communication Skills: The headshot experience is often iterative. During the shoot you’ll be reviewing the photos you’ve taken so far, and communicating what you like or don’t like about them. Your photographer should be able to easily communicate what you need to do in order to make the changes you want, resulting in the strongest possible final headshot.
Personality: We’re all too aware that our clients can be hesitant and a little shy when it comes to being photographed. Your photographer should be friendly, outgoing and engaging. This will help you relax and produce natural expressions. We try to find something in common to chat about during the shoot.
Technical Proficiency: While there is a creative component to any photograph, headshot photography requires significant technical expertise. Your photographer should be proficient in lighting, composition, and post-production. The lighting set-up should reflect the tone that best communicates your brand identity of corporate image. In post, your photographers should be able to retouch your photo so that it looks natural, not “photoshopped”.
There are a lot of photographers out there, so spending a little time reviewing a portfolio, or giving the photographer or studio a call is time well spent. There is no barrier to entry when it comes to calling yourself a professional photographer. Anyone with a camera and website can make that claim, so do a little research ahead of time and find a friendly, experienced professional who will make you look amazing.