Headshots are not just for models. Even corporate officials and staff need to have a headshot done. They will be featured on your About Us section of the website when introducing your team and even need to be done for IDs for security. There are various reasons to have headshots done but many people make a lot of mistakes when taking them.
There are some ways that headshots should be done for use in a professional setting. It’s not the same as making one for an actor’s portfolio or for a model to get work. They have to have certain features to look right. In this article, we will go over some tips to help you create amazing headshots for your staff.
Remove distractions
A headshot is supposed to draw your attention to the person and not have a lot of distractions going on around the subject. These distractions will take the attention away and lead to people viewing the photo forgetting what they are looking at.
The first step to removing distractions is to ask the subject to not wear any garish colors or wild patterns for their clothing when the picture is taken. It’s ok for them to dress to show their personality but it should be toned down for the picture. Something dark always works best but you also don’t want everybody in their pictures wearing essentially the same thing. A colored tie or scarf will work to break up the dull colors while not becoming a distraction.
The next step is to remove the background. A white background is ideal since it highlights only the subject and there are no distractions at all. You can use a photo background remover easily and in seconds.
How to pose
Facing the camera directly and with your body parallel to it will make your headshot seem like a mugshot. The best way to pose for a headshot is to turn slightly away from the camera so your body is at an angle. Your face should be slightly turned but mainly facing the camera.
The light should also be coming from around the area where the camera is so that there is a slight shadow on the body. The key is for the angle to be ever so slight so that it doesn’t look as though you are about to walk away.
Hair and makeup
If you’re a man then having a neat haircut is going to look best for the headshot. However, a very fresh haircut is not the way to go. Make sure to have your haircut done a few days prior so it looks natural.
Women should make sure to have a hairdo that is professional and yet, natural. If your hair is long, let it fall over your shoulders, and avoid tying it back in a ponytail. Makeup should also look natural so choose earth tones and go easy on it. If the lighting where you take the photo is strong then you may need to use a foundation that doesn’t reflect.
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