Q: Who are your typical clients? Are you familiar with my industry and what’s required for company headshots?
A: The majority of my clients are either financial institutions, law firms, real estate investors, recruiters, healthcare providers, biotech, tech startups, as well as small businesses. I’ve photographed CEO’s of fortune 100 companies, as well as over 2500 employees of a single financial institution. I’ve worked internationally with companies based in Canada, Mexico, and the UK. As you can anticipate, these needs can vary from having unique editorial portraits of the CEO – to standardized lighting & background requirements for large (and often remote) teams.
Another important leg of my business is collaboration with marketing and design companies to help bring their vision to light for their own clients. Either matching an existing aesthetic or coordinating a national team of photographers to match a look so all portraits appear seamless and consistent.
Q: I’m gathering quotes from multiple photographers. How would you say you’re different?
A: One thing which is somewhat against my own self interest is full transparency in whether I’m the best fit for you or not. There are other photographers in the area who have a final product that is close to comparable to mine. However what I’ve found in my attempts to regularly refer clients to them (when I’m not available), is that typically there’s some portion of the process that isn’t quite top tier. Whether it’s responsiveness & thorough communication, guidance on preparing for the shoot, making the experience in-person feel comfortable, as well as follow-up and delivery (and refining any specific requests to get edits just-right)…I haven’t met anyone that’s hit 100% on all fronts. If you find one, please let me know as I’m in need of reliable referral recommendations.
With my service, it comes with a breadth of photographing over 10,000 individuals and having familiarity & understanding on how to make people feel at ease. People that blink like strobe-lights, super introverted engineers, impatient CEOs, non-native English speakers, super-particular women that want to ensure their Chanel earrings are showing, men who bear their teeth vs have a natural smile – I regularly encounter all of the above and more, and I am confident in helping each and every type feel comfortable. Not throwing shade, but in the words of a military vet, “I’ve seen some sh*t.”
Q: What should I wear for my business headshot?
A: For women: I’d suggest wearing solid colors and no logos. Avoid any vibrant or reflective colors like neon (especially red or violet), as well as small patterns. These can show up and cause a digital distortion.
If you want to wear stripes, just ensure they’re wider than a string of spaghetti.
Colors I’m a fan of: deep navy blue, light blue, cream, white, muted jewel tones, black. No loud colors – I am a visual introvert, so let’s keep things toned down. When considering your overall outfit, wear whatever outfit you feel best in, but keep it simple – not too many layers. Common outfit choices include a dark sweater, or a solid color top or dress. If wearing heels makes you feel confident, have a pair handy.
A good measure of assistance is to seek the opinion of a fashionable friend, or think about the outfit you get the most compliments in. These photos are entirely yours to custom make how you like them. Hairspray is your best friend and fly-away hairs worst enemy. I’ve had many clients get their hair done professionally prior to having their photo taken, and they’re always glad they did. Keep in mind that these photos can often last for years (especially if you really love them), so feeling like you gave 100% will help you rest assured.
I’ve also had people use a friend that said they could do their makeup, and end up hating it. Professionals are worth the money!
For Men:
I’d suggest wearing solid colors as opposed to stripes, and making sure the fabric is ironed/steamed prior to arrival. Avoid any bright vibrant or reflective colors like neon (especially red or violet – I know this isn’t super common with guys, but it’s happened), as well as small patterns. These can show up and cause a digital distortion, and pink/red neon do not process well digitally in the final image. (I’ve had people ignore this suggestion and come back to do a re-shoot to follow my recommendations)
Your clothes should fit well, don’t wear anything baggy or makes you feel ‘boxy’.
I’d recommend a navy blue or dark gray suit jacket and a button down white shirt without a tie. Solid dark sweaters are also nice options. For formal shirts with buttons, be sure the collar and seams are not puckered – it works against the feeling of a modern look. For a more casual look, solid T’s or v-necks, as well as henleys that are form fitting work great. A good measure of assistance is to seek the opinion of a female friend, or think about the shirt you get the most compliments in.
A fresh shave can go a long way in a refined look! If a beard or 5 o’clock shadow is your regular and preferred look – I don’t want you to feel ‘weird’ in a photo without it. Just prepare the best version of yourself as possible.
Q: Is there anything else I should know in order to prepare?
A: Try to get a great night’s sleep leading up to the shoot, and hydrate well the days prior. (This is best for skin and puffy-ness) If you can, try to avoid salty foods & alcohol the days leading up, especially the night prior.
Q: Should I google how to pose for business headshots?
A: Only if you want *specific* types of poses (like power poses or dramatic portraits), but if you’re mainly looking for something that’s just flattering in all elements – I got you. I have guidance for all body types and what typically works best for each.
At times people can have anxiety about taking their photo – mainly because of past experiences and maybe even feeling like they’re not photogenic. To put that anxiety to rest, take comfort in knowing that you’re not going to be expected to perform like Derek Zoolander. I’m going to guide you through a variety of poses and expressions (you don’t have to do a full smile showing teeth if you don’t want – I’ll include closed mouth smiles and some more engaged, direct looks if you prefer that). Some of the posing can feel awkward, so just wanting to put that out there – but I PROMISE YOU…it will look great on camera.
Q: How much editing do you do on photos?
A: For your proofs, just color correction & brightness/contrast. This allows me to get you the photos quicker, and avoid spending unnecessary time (and allow for less cost on your end). For final retouched edits, temporary things like blemishes, teeth stained from coffee/wine, under-eye circles, Covid-19 weight gain and signs of a wild weekend in Vegas can all be hidden using the magical powers of photoshop. Of course, we could take it even further…but I consider that the dark side of the force and wouldn’t recommend.
Q: Can I have my business headshot taken outdoors?
A: Yes, however be aware that there are several elements that can make an impact on your shoot. If you have lighter colored eyes, typically a bright day will cause squinting (even when not looking in the direction of the sun). If it’s hot and you want to take photos with a business jacket on, it can cause sweating and skin to appear shiny/hair to get frizzy. Rain can always be a possibility, and is especially bad in the case that you’ve paid to have hair & makeup done. And lastly, strong winds (typically in the afternoon and during the months of October to February due to the Santa Anas) can impact squinting, hair, and lighter fabrics not blowing in directions creating an awkward look. Additionally, time of day is important to consider and can be limiting compared to having an indoor controlled environment.
Q: If our shoot is indoors, do you bring your own lighting equipment?
A: 90% of the time I’ll use my own lighting to create the most flattering direction of light. If your office has large windows & flattering natural light, I’ll definitely take advantage of it.
Q: How long does it take to receive my final business headshot?
A: You’ll have proofs a week from the date of our shoot. The ball is then in your court, so once your selections have been made – I’ll have finals retouched & back in your hands within 5 business days.
Q: Can I use my business headshot for personal use as well?
A: Yes, you can use your business headshot for personal use, such as on your social media profiles or personal website.
