03 Aug
HEADSHOT

The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Corporate Headshots

Best corporate headshots are a tough nut to crack… read below to find out how you can nail them!

Corporate headshots are essential in portraying a good first impression. It’s important to pay heed to the message you are trying to convey and a decent dress to match it. For example, a creative agency owner might prefer something more fun and casual, whereas a law firm might opt for wearing a three-piece suit and looking more serious.

Important things to consider when having professional headshots taken

Here’s a guide on how to prepare for corporate headshot shoot, what to wear, your posture, and other elements that will help you stand out and give the best impression possible.

Your Look

It’s important to know what your best angles are. Some people are aware of certain facial features. Photographers are commonly used to hearing this, so don’t ever feel embarrassed to tell them that, for example, your nose is slightly asymmetrical, in this case, the photographer could angle you to one side so that the perspective makes it look fine.

Your Smile

Most people know whether they look better with their teeth-y smile or not. Even for professional businessman headshots, smiling both with and without your teeth would work, so smile whichever way you like. A forced smile, however, isn’t a good idea and might even make you seem even disingenuous. You should be able to recognize a ‘natural’ smile through a person’s eyes.

Pro tip: think of something that brings a smile on your face, this will both relax you and give you a nice, genuine smile!

Your Clothes

Be classic.

For ladies: You can choose a professional suit or a decent office-wear outfit. Don’t pick anything WITH bold or distracting patterns, however little pops of color here and there would do fine. Avoid short sleeves; if anything, they can look unprofessional and also dims the face. For jewelry, go for subtle and classic statement pieces, and say NO to anything blingy or flashy. Nobody wants to notice your jewellery before your face!

And for Gentlemen: Pick your favorite suit from your wardrobe in a preferably dark color, such as grey or dark navy blue. Bold colors and patterns, as well as shiny ties, distract focus from the face and can also look unprofessional. If you don’t like wearing a tie, it’s best to wear a jacket or a sweatshirt or some other kind of layers to break it up, so you don’t look like a floating head!

There isn’t any strict rule for ‘what to wear,’ as long as you look presentable and up to date, you are good. In startups, for example, a much more “casual” style is preferred.

Your Posture

The key to looking confident is your body language. Don’t hunch your shoulders, and keep your back straight; think of the posture of a ballet dancer, but don’t overdo it else you’d look too rigid. Don’t cross your hands or put your hands in your pockets; this is seen as closed body language and will immediately make you look unapproachable.

Your Make-over

For the best corporate headshots, lots of people consider hiring a make-up artist as a good idea. It is, of course, totally up to you. You want your headshot to be easily recognisable, and you wouldn’t want it the make-up to overpower the photo. Furthermore, the camera will sharply pick up clumps of mascara or heavy lipstick, so bear in mind that you are not going overboard with it. A decent rule of thumb is to think about what kind of make-up look you would wear to a nice dinner out, where the main course costs £25 but not £75.

Your Hair

Don’t cut or dye your hair right before the headshot shoot; this rule is especially imperative for gentlemen. Some shades of freshly dyed hair can appear too vibrant and usually go dull about 1-2 weeks later, so be careful with that.

Corporate Headshots help you grow more in the industry while setting your impression straight. They reassure your clients and potential business acquaintances that you are a promising and professional person to work with. To present a decent personality and the real you, choose an outfit and posture that reflect who you are. Other than that, all you need to do is to take a happy and relaxed attitude to the shoot!

03 Aug
HEADSHOT

Acting Headshots Guide – Everything an Actor Needs to Know

Acting Headshots Guide – Everything an Actor Needs to Know

Acting headshots are one of the most fundamental marketing tools for aspiring actors. It’s important to get a set of professional-looking headshots done the minute you decide to pursue a career in the acting industry. And here, people need to understand that snapshots are largely looked down upon as they make you look unprofessional, so steer clear of having your best friend take your “headshot” on the bar with an iPhone.

Casting directors and agents pay close attention to how professional and decent an acting headshot looks, and it can tell them how well the actor is prepared or understands the industry. That said, the topic of headshots can be puzzling to budding actors just entering the industry:

In this post on acting headshots, I’ll guide all the actors through this headshot thing. There’s no doubt that a bunch of headshots by professional headshot photographers in London can make your career, since casting directors and talent agencies go for headshots that stand out, or in their lingo “that pop.”

Standards for headshots

When it comes to acting headshots, things are pretty straightforward. You might not appreciate every little photography-based technicality that contributes for a perfect headshot, but casting directors who see hundreds of them every hour love photographs that vibrantly engage with them and tell the “actor’s story” just from a single headshot alone.

A good headshot that meets industry standards is the one that is comprised of the right lighting with a steadfast pose and a promising expression on the face.

Size and Layout

Normally, an acting headshot is an 8”×10” photograph, which is the standard size for the UK and US media industry. Therefore, it’s advised never to use a headshot that’s bigger or smaller than this in size.

A headshot photographer will take a photograph in both the landscape and portrait position. Both of these are totally acceptable.

Colour of headshot

Just a few years ago, the UK media industry was still dominated by black & white headshots. However, every year, British talent agents and casting directors are now only open to coloured headshots, which is why we are now seeing more of them .

Keep them up to date

Every actor should make sure that their headshots are always fresh or up to date, which means they should exactly look like them. Casting directors or talent agents wouldn’t want to invite a person with long hair and get to see a bald guy in the audition. This will likely ruin your relationship with your CD/agent, and you will most definitely lose the chance of getting more offers from them.

Whenever you change your look, hairstyle, get a face tattoo – your headshot must be updated too to reflect your current look. It’s a standard practice, and not following such rules might put you in the “blacklist”.

How to nail your headshot

Whenever you go to a headshot photographer, there are a couple of things to keep in mind to make them pop but also not make it look “too much fancy.” Remember, you’re trying to present the ‘you’ and how you look in real life; this is not for your modelling portfolio, thus looking natural is the key here.

A few key points to keep in mind when getting your acting headshots:

  • Light make-up is recommended
  • Absolutely no piercing in the nose, ears, eyebrows, or wherever you normally have them, but bring them so we can take some character shots
  • No extra accessories (e.g., jewellery, necklaces, hats, etc.) other than glasses, if you wear them.
  • If you do wear glasses, have some photos with them, and some without.
  • No “busy” looking clothing. Plain colour is best, pay attention to different necklines and bring layers. Layers create nice framing to the picture

 

I’m quite positive that this post has made you realise how headshots are some serious business, and thus, hiring headshot photographers in London to do the job is the only right way to do it. If you are an actor looking to upgrade your headshots, get in touch with me!

03 Aug
HEADSHOT

5 Tips for Nailing Your Headshots

Apart from hiring the top headshot photographers, there are few things you need to be clear about on your own!

The headshot is the most significant marketing tool for an actor, and it is surprising how many people do it wrong only to cut a few corners. It’s about that actors begin to take it more seriously than ever. When a little headshot jpeg pops up on a casting director’s screen, it must put them in awe and say, “Yes, bring him/her in!” Not “Yikes, this looks scary!”

Your headshot is your ultimate calling card – a nice coloured 8×10 of your face, from which directors will hire you and you will be landed some of the best roles of the history. It will be emailed to tons of agents and casting directors, who see hundreds and thousands of these every day, spread on their desk and in tabs on their computer screens. You want yourself to come off like a pro, not an amateur, so the way you present yourself in your headshot is everything.

If you want people to think of you as a 10/10, you must have a high quality, stunning headshot – and NOT an iPhone pic, or your Instagram photo where you are looking like a top model!

Here is what you need to pay attention to when it comes to your headshots:

Personality over glamour

Make sure your headshots look like you. Go easy on the airbrushing. Casting directors want to see the ‘YOU’ who’d show up to the audition. It’s not about looking exceptionally pretty; it’s about representing who you are, wrinkles included. It should look like you’d on your best day, showing your real age, and how you look currently. It’s not about the type want to look like, it’s the type that you are.
<h2style=”font-size:30px;”>Go pro

Spend some solid bucks—it’s worth it. Go to headshot photographers in London who are trained, understands the ins and outs of headshot photography and lighting. Your entire career ahead depends on these headshots, so go for someone who knows how to do them right.

Pay attention to filming, background, and lighting

In general, a decent headshot is chest-up with good lighting spot on your face, and no harsh, dramatic shadows, unless you are going in for a classic like “The Phantom of the Opera.” Three-quarter shots are useful for print, and extreme close-up shots are good for, well, nothing. Look straight into the camera, and the focus should be right on the centre of your eyes, not your right ear, or the apple on your tee. Be sure the equipment used to take your photo is high-quality with a high depth of field, making you stand out.

It’s all about the eyes

Similar to on-camera acting, it’s all about your eyes. They should be perfectly in focus, alive, and energised. There should be firm inner thoughts, implying a strong backstory and a life behind those eyes. A slight squint will bring your photo to life and help it stand out in a pile of thousands – and good headshot photographers know how to bring this out in you.

Don’t go overboard with clothing and props

Let’s not ever get crazy in this department. Keep your look simple and classy, and follow the decent, standard format. A simple solid shirt would do the trick. And no props (strictly!)

03 Aug
HEADSHOT

How to use your personal portraits to make a difference in your field?

Personal branding is the new buzz word in town. Everyone is a brand in their own personality, but only the smart ones realise their potential than others.

Online gurus and entrepreneurs alike, writer, actors, and public figures work hard to build a personal identity and brand it in a way that it replaces business card and reinforces their popularity and influence in the public eye. And for this, professional and popular portrait photographers have a major role to play.

Building your own brand as a solopreneur or business owner can help you stand out in the industry whilst setting you apart from the competition. Your brand will affect how people perceive your products and business and allow you to connect with your ideal clients. All of this revolves around defining yourself and your personality for who you are – and what’s the other way of doing so except getting a personal portrait session?

Visuals matter

When it comes to establishing an effective personal brand, there are several elements at play. To lay a strong foundation for your personal brand, you need to show the world your genuine qualities that shape your character and personality, such as passions and values.

A strong online presence that is powerful, memorable, and consistent can create a difference. Here you can take advantage of the visual nature of the human brain by using photography to reinforce your personal brand. No matter how tiny or giant your ‘thing’ is, high-quality and authentic photography will play a key role in delivering the personality of your brand. One striking portrait session and your chances to connect and develop a relationship with your audience are multiplied by ten.

Benefits of personal portraits

Personal Branding Portraits go beyond capturing your face and you as a business owner. They visually communicate and showcase your business’s brand. They are a powerful tool that can enhance your positioning as an expert in the industry. You can collaborate with any of the most famous portrait photographers and combine professional, business-related content with personal portraits to create a communicative identity of yourself and your business.

How to include them in your marketing mix?

Branding portraits can be used on a variety of different online platforms and as marketing materials. The most common uses for these very engaging branding images are:

  • Social media accounts; cover and/or banner.
  • Website bio page or landing page.
  • Marketing and print materials such as business cards, newsletter, promotional flyer, merchandise & advertisements.
  • Email profile picture and signature.

 

Personal portraits are just another form of branding for small business owners and aspirants that focuses on bringing out the heart and qualities of a person behind that particular brand. Professional photographs will not only make your communication more engaging but also add a touch of authenticity to your brand making sure that quality and style is something that pops first in mind when people think of your brand.

03 Aug
PORTRAITS

Little Distractions That Efficiently Ruin your Photos

Aside from top portrait photographers camera failure and dead expressions, there are other things too that can effectively ruin your photos!

“It’s the little things that matter.” Nearly all of us are familiar with this old cliché, and this applies to pictures as well. It doesn’t matter if you’re having professional headshots, your family portraits, business portraits, or senior portraits taken, there are some minute details that you must pay attention to.

Obviously, nobody wants to kick hidden OCD in their pictures by ignoring tiny distractions that can 10/10 ruin your look in all of your photographs. To help you deal with this often overlooked issue, here are a few things on what you need to pay attention to before getting started with your photography session:

Wrinkled clothes

Whether you are deliberate or intentional about your outfit choices every single day or if you just throw on whatever piece looked clean… your wardrobe will say a lot about you and your authenticity. So even though your headshots and portraits are meant to focus on your personality, what you wear is still a huge part of it to consider.

But it’s not just about your choice of the perfect outfit – it’s about how appropriately you wear it, too. If your clothes are mad-wrinkled, be prepared to go from on-point to disastrous instantly.

Wrinkles, especially when photographed, become obnoxiously apparent. So, if you are looking for the quickest way to look like a total mess wrinkled clothes are your way to go.

Messy fingernails

Fingernails counts among one of those tiny details that smoothly go unnoticed, until there’s something off! Dirty fingernails or cracks and chips can be attention hogs – something you definitely need to avoid!

Whether you enjoy weekly nail spa visits or if you don’t ever really bother about your cuticles, when it comes to your professional portraits, you want to make sure your fingernails are looking just as fine as the rest of you.

If you’re up for a traditional business portrait from a famous portrait photographer, then you might not have to worry about how your hands look. But if you’re having a portrait session, senior portraits, or family portraits – your hands might as well be included in the frame. So, be sure to keep them clean and pretty just like you.

Chipped lips and dry skin

Besides the apparent fact that ashy skin and cracked lips aren’t anybody’s best look, it’s also really unsettling! And feeling such a way can automatically shatter your confidence. You want to not only look but feel your best. Therefore, drink enough water, nicely prep your skin and lips, so that all the makeup, outfit, and lighting look perfect on you.

Bulky make up

You want your photos to be easily recognisable, and heavy makeup can massively overpower the photo. Furthermore, the camera is sharp enough to pick up clumps of mascara or heavy foundation, so bear in mind to never go overboard with it.

Surely, nobody wants their pictures to be full of distractions. Hence, fixing these teeny tiny details is your way to make sure you end up with perfect portraits.

03 Aug
HEADSHOT

Top Tips to Choosing the Right Headshots

One of the secret, and least discussed killers of actor marketing is poor image selection. I can’t even recall how often I speak with actors before an artist headshot session, flesh out and jot down their goals, and consult on looks and wardrobe to sell those goals, only to get the post-shoot retouch email and see a whole lot of none of those decided goals showcased in their selection of headshot.

Your photographer can capture the best, most targeted headshots in the world, but it’s all for nothing if you don’t have the eye for picking the right ones!

Why it’s the most common mistake that actors make? It’s simple: Unlike brands and agencies who have creative directors to help in image selection, actors, more often than not, are their own creative director.

Luckily, there are a few key steps you can take to ensure your image selection is not the reason why you aren’t getting any roles. The following is a list of tactics that will help you selecting images like a pro creative director.

Firstly, get detached

Before you sit down to complete the mission selection, take a deep breath. For the next few hours, you’re not looking at images of yourself: you’re looking at professional headshots for actors targeting X, Y, and/or Z.

Choose based on essence, message, expression, and posture alone

That one flyaway hair can be cleaned later in photoshop, but your expression in the shot has to be just right. You may like the background of one photo more than the other, but if your essence is dull, the background won’t get any casting director.

More importantly, the detachment mentioned earlier has to come into play now. In an ideal image selection session, you’re ignoring your baby hair and that bump on your nose or your slightly smaller left eye. Instead, you’re focused on the authenticity, energy, and message roaring off the screen.

In other words, don’t just look at your shots, feel them.

Be thorough, one sub-look at a time

Dare to spread your forces thin. As you scroll through your artist headshots, pay attention to one sub-look at a time. If you’re looking for a comedic flair, that’s all you should be looking for at this time. All those sultry, dramatic shots will have their turn later, but for now, you are only focusing on the comedic essence.

Make hand cropping your best friend

Most people don’t realize this, but where your eye is in the frame can make your image more or less dynamic. Therefore, a crop can help you appear more or less dynamic. To avoid missing out on the gold, turn your hand into an L, close one eye, and explore different crops!

Be honest

Can’t stress this enough, literally. Choose only the shots that convey the authentic you; what you do better than others and what unique flair you offer. It doesn’t serve you to select a shot that portrays you the way you want to come off. It only serves you to choose a shot that depicts what your audition will deliver.

Take help from your friends

Don’t sit down and stress over this task alone. Ask a few trusted people to narrow down your selection. Just choose the best 30 pic, and ask your friends/teachers/colleges which ones they think represent you the best.

Pro tip: refrain from taking suggestions from your mom because if so, you’re going to end up with smiley shots only.

Remember, it’s not about professional headshots for actors opening every door but more about them opening the right ones.

03 Aug
HEADSHOT

How to Choose the Best Photos from a Shoot

03 Aug
PORTRAITS

How to feel more confident during your portrait session

As a photographer, I so often hear my clients comment on how uncomfortable and awkward they feel in front of the camera. I understand how this can get a tad bit difficult for anyone who isn’t used to of the shutter clicking around them. This is why I have some handy tips for everyone out there who has been through this struggle.

So, buckle up and take these bits of advice which all famous portrait photographers believe in, and start feeling more confident and beautiful when you are put front and centre!

Get to know your photographer

If you’re comfortable around the person who’s shooting you, you will feel slightly more confident and free in front of the camera. You won’t be shy or grasp for air if they ask you to pose a certain way. I make it super easy for you as I thrive on getting to know my clients on a personal level before taking out my gear and start clicking. I want everyone to feel like themselves when my camera is around them – which is the only way to have exceptional images.

Wear comfortable clothes

There is nothing worse than wearing uncomfortable clothes on your shoot day and feeling self-conscious in them. It is advised to wear something that is not just flattering but also makes you feel as light and beautiful as you are.

Create a fun playlist maybe

Who doesn’t love-love a little music and some grooves before getting started?feel free to bring along your fun playlist – with songs that always lift your mood and get you in the moves. Music has the superpower to bring out all sorts of confidence in a person, and it will also help me to capture some of your beautiful candid moments – in your true essence.

Forget if there’s even a camera

Now, this might sound kind of silly considering there will definitely be a camera right in front of you, but it is very easy to keep yourself distracted from thinking ‘oh, this isn’t my angle? Am I posing right? Does she think I’m ugly and horrible at this? I bet these photos are a disaster’. No dear, famous portrait photographers don’t think about all such when they’re photographing you.

This is what you sign up me for, to guide you through your awkwardness and make sure your shoot is an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Pamper yourself beforehand

Now, this doesn’t have to be anything extra; it could be something as simple as getting your manicure done or having your hair blow-dried or getting a massage. If you do something for yourself, that makes you feel all fuzzy and warm inside, it can help boost your confidence and radiate through the lens onto the final result.

Most important of all, don’t forget to have fun! Your portrait session shouldn’t be something you dread, but a day you are looking forward to and will be a really happy memory for yours to cherish for many years!

03 Aug
PORTRAITS

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Family Photo Outfits

Deciding what to wear on your family photo session can be just as challenging as finding the most perfect and popular portrait photographer. After all, these are the photos that are going to be featured on the photo wall of your house and cherish for many years to come. It may seem overwhelming to choose the perfect outfit that could make or break your family frame.

Whether you are looking for fun beach picnic outfits or fall family photo outfits, use these tips to help you select the perfect looking outfit for you and your family.

Coordinating colours not matching

Long gone are the days when everyone used to match a white shirt. You don’t have to get every member of the family to buy a white shirt and jeans to nail your family portraits. Allow different personalities to shine with different colors and patterns. Pick a colour scheme and let everyone wear clothes of their choice – following that colour scheme.

Accessories

Accessories not only add a pop to your outfit, but they can also act as props in photos. Have the man wear a tie and allow the lady to hold it; sunglasses for the boys; necklaces for the girls to play with or big hats to hide behind.

Remember, the idea is not to capture still and perfect moments. Family photos are all about the fun and candid side of a family.

Limited patterns

Personally, I like having such an outfit in the frame, which has all the colors in it. However, not everyone in the photo should go with patterns as it may look distracting.

Consider picking one outfit at first that has a lot of fun patterns or colours now get all the people to work out their outfits accordingly. This gives you plenty of choices when picking your coordinating colors.

Say no to characters (unless it’s a theme)

Yes, your little one may be obsessed with their Toy Story shirt these days, but you may want to leave it at home for the family photo session – unless you are going to have a Toy Story themed shoot.

Just like patterns, characters on shirts are also pretty distracting as they can make your photo look too busy.

Befriend textures

I am the biggest fan of a cotton fitted t-shirt (who isn’t thou). However, in photos, I like to add textures like belts, scarves, or jackets to add a little more wow to the image. Don’t shy away from experimenting with different textures.

By adding more textures through accessories or the material of your outfits, you are adding depth, interest, and pop to your photos.

03 Aug
PORTRAITS

7 Killer Portrait Posing Tips

Posing is one of the most difficult “arts within art.” It takes a lot more than a nice camera and a good outfit to get you looking good in portraits. These posing tips are to enhance the ideas you’ve already been browsing on Instagram.

2/3rds turn

Ever wonder why humans gain 10 pounds in the camera? It’s because we have to cut out the entire environment around them, forcing our subject to take up more room in the frame. Instead of facing square to the camera, top portrait photographers always advise them to do a 2/3 turn away from the camera. Having you turn this way will give you a slimmer profile look in the camera, shaving off those 10 extra pounds.

Texture lighting

When working with the lighting, I want to position you in a way that light passes across you instead of at you. This is very important to remember if you are wearing heavy patterned outfits.  If the light does not pass across your dress, then I won’t be able to see the “textures” as I want to. We all can agree on how important it is to capture the details. Thus, the light needs to go across the subject, and not at the subject.

Chin down

Many people have the natural instinct to slightly lean backwards in a photo. They may not realise, but all it does is make the photographer see up their nose, into their mouth, and their partially closed eyes – which not at all adds anything to a good pose! By keeping your chin down, I can avoid capturing the inside situation of your nose and mouth and get your eyes wide open also.

Diagonal lines

Our world is made up of horizontal and vertical lines, and it does not help when you are nervous in front of the camera and go deep into the performance mode by keeping your arms and hands down straight. Any famous portrait photographer would break that up by introducing some diagonal lines into the portrait. This is why we want you to pose, putting a hand on your hip or inside your pockets. I believe this not only adds a bit of “attitude” to the photo, but it also makes the subject feel a bit more casual and comfortable.

Shift weight

When positioning you, I want you to put your weight on your back foot. Shifting the weight helps align the shoulder and hip track giving a more relaxed pose for you to stand. By standing this way, you will be naturally turned 2/3rd from the camera.

Hand posing

Hands are more than OKAY on portraits. You can show the pinkie side of your hand, keep fingers soft and look for triangles as they make images interesting; leave space between your arm and body. Just keep it all-natural, so you don’t overdo it and end up hand modelling (read weird hand modelling).

 

Surely, no one wants to look like an awkwardly stood pol in their portraits. Hence, following such simple tips to look better in your photos is the ultimate key to have great looking portraits.

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