Go to a trained professional. Invest in your Corporate Headshots NJ by hiring a skilled photographer who understands the particular aspects of lighting hair and skin. You need someone who does headshots on a regular basis, not some friend who happens to have a decent camera and “sorta knows a little about photography.” To give you an idea of what it will cost in the Houston-area market, $200 to $400 is what it takes to do it correctly.
Pay less and your photos will come out as glorified passport shots. It’s just human nature, but your professionalism is judged by the first image people see. Make sure that image says you care about your career.
2. Go for personality over pretty. Personality wins every time. Make sure the images look like you and not some overdone, airbrushed, facade. I offer photo retouching for temporary imperfections but a little can go a long way. Employers and HR headhunters expect you to look like your headshot. Imagine their trust level falling when you show up looking totally different or 10 years older. It’s not just about looking pretty on film.
It’s about representing the real you. Your professional headshot should look like you on your best day. Oh and get plenty of rest the night before too!
3. The eyes reveal more about you than just their color. The camera picks up what’s going on behind them. Your eyes should be perfectly in focus, alive, and energized, not dead and glazed over. There should be strong inner thoughts, implying a back-story and a life behind the eyes. A slight squint, and strong piercing eyes will bring a picture to life and help it stand out in a pile of hundreds. A good headshot photographer knows how to bring this out in you. I also deliberately brighten the eyes and whiten the teeth of the images you select.
4. Pay attention to framing, lighting, and background. In general, a good headshot is chest up with good lighting on your face, and no strong dramatic shadows, unless you are going in for “The Phantom of the Opera.” Look. Three-quarter shots are good to support additional marketing graphics on a web site.
5. Natural light vs. studio. Studio lighting tends to be a little more polished, with a more neutral backdrop. Both can be wonderful. Environmental headshots can suggest an environment and may suggest more an action type headshot
6. Clothing and props.. Keep it simple and classy, and follow the standard format. Professionalism gets you noticed, not desperation. A simple, solid color shirt with a little texture that fits you well and matches your eyes should do the trick. No whites, and no graphics or anything you think might distract from your face.
7. Women… don’t go crazy with the makeup. Yes, lots can be done with retouching. There is no need to put on tons of makeup. You want to look like yourself on your best day, and not look like you tried too hard.
Finally, Find a photographer that gets you. You have to vibe with the photographer, and that person has to make you feel very comfortable, as you will hopefully be using this headshot for a few years. Research photographers online, call a couple and ask for a consultation… get a feel for how they photograph your type, your ethnicity, your gender, etc. And most importantly, don’t cut corners.
