How to take professional headshots. All photographs © Al Macphee/MiraclePR
The basic brief for a headshot is to get something that will show your client in a good light, and will get them some attention. However, every client will need something different.
Clarifying the brief
Before anything else, you’ve got to talk to your clients and find out what kind of image they want to portray.
A managing director of a company might prefer to wear a tie or an open neck shirt, depending on the type of company he runs. If he wants to be seen as someone who takes no messing, then he will need to have a serious look on his face.
A family lawyer on the other hand will probably want to both show he does a serious job and that he’s approachable, so his clients will think, ‘He’ll be good with the kids; he looks like a nice family man.”
Actors will often want their headshot to be a blank canvas, with not too much make-up. The casting director can then see his or her potential for various roles. They might want to highlight their bone structure, but in a natural way, so you’re not hiding anything. This can be done in situ using available light or in the studio. On the other hand, if he or she is looking to get some work as a model, then they have to look good, so you have carte blanche to make them look, for want of a better word, as fake as possible. You can then cover up any blemishes with make-up and use PhotoShop to hide all the ‘faults’. It’s the same for clients hiring you to take a dating site profile photo – they do not want ‘warts and all!’
Character poses: The lookalike in this picture wanted a headshot to typify Keanu Reeves in his role as Neo from the Matrix. The moody expression, dark glasses and stark background achieves that effect. In contrast, if you were doing a headshot of buttons for a pantomime photo shoot, he would be looking cheesy. The fairy godmother would look friendly and welcoming and, nine times out of ten, she would have a magic wand in her hand. Prince Charming would have his head tilted back so that he is looking down his nose at you – the classic ‘Queen Victoria’ pose. Cinders could look pretty and sad or happy and beautiful.
What lens is best for a headshot?
On film, 85mm is the best focal length for a headshot, end of. If you’re working digitally, you might use a 50mm or 60mm lens depending on your magnification.
If you have specific questions on the technical aspect of shooting headshots (lighting, camera settings, etc.), sign up to my mailing list and ask your question in the box provided.
Using props as illustration
Sometimes you have to tell the story of a person’s job or role. Props can be very useful to communicate a person’s role. If he’s a writer, have him posing with a pen or a laptop. If he’s a PC engineer, have him working on a computer or posing with a screwdriver.
Sometimes, a full torso shot may be better than a headshot to get the effect you want. One classic example is the football player profile shot (right) which has to include the club logo and sponsor name.
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