.PREPARING FOR YOUR HEADSHOT PORTRAIT SESSION. 

Whether you’re looking to promote your work, your brand, or most importantly, yourself - it’s important to invest in a great looking headshot! You deserve so much more than just a 'flattering photograph'. A beautifully crafted headshot is a powerful tool that allows other people to really remember YOU. Why is this important? Because facial recognition is wired deeply inside of each and every one of us. You should want to show the world a headshot that people can identify with, the real you. And most of all, an image that people will remember.

There are countless careers that can benefit from a professional headshot. Doctors, lawyers, corporate executives, realtors, journalists, counselors, models, actors, musicians, artists...the list goes on & on! Pretty much anyone who has a public image of some kind, should have a professional headshot ready to go for a number of reasons. If your clients or customers work directly with you face-to-face, then a professional headshot will help them to plant your face more firmly in their minds. For models, if you're planning to audition or to meet with agencies, a superb headshot will most certainly help you stand out from the crowd! In any case, a great headshot will serve to put a real human face with your name.

What's most important is that your headshot is of the highest quality. Anyone can distribute a picture of themselves, but if that picture doesn't convey a true image of who you are, then it won't really serve as a benefit. Creating a great headshot may seem simple, but like so many things, the little do details matter.

Plan to book a new headshot whenever your appearance changes substantially. It's important that your headshot looks like you on your best day. If you change hairstyles, gain or lose weight, or feel that you're beginning to look 'more mature', it's probably time to update your headshot.

Even if nothing noticeable changes, it can also be a good idea to update your headshot regularly, perhaps every year or two, just to keep it fresh and ‘in style’. A great headshot should feel timeless, but hair and clothing styles do inevitably change.

The way to create a timeless looking professional headshot is to showcase you while you're looking your 'honest best'. So what makes great professional headshots stand above the 'simply average' professional headshot?

Your headshot should not only look professional, but refined. We will work together to ensure that the proper soft lighting, sharp focus, and expert composition is portrayed in your headshot portrait. During post-processing, I will work on color correction and very subtle retouching to ensure that your headshot truly stands out above the rest.

This professional portrait should look as ‘natural’ as possible. You will be fully directed when it comes to posing so that you’re able to produce the most natural looking expression.

Finally, your headshot should reflect YOUR personality. Only you can bring your true personality to your portrait session, and a great portrait can help to spot your personality, capture it, and ensure that it shines through in the final result.

Expert lighting and composition techniques vary greatly from person to person, so to help me capture you at your best, be sure to discuss exactly which side of your personality you want to convey in your professional headshot during our consultation.

Think about which facets you would ideally like to represent about yourself. Is it sharp intellect? Good humor? Trustworthy business skills? Style? Warmth? Sensuality? All of the above? 

TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT

Simply put - be prepared to look your best! Generally this means making sure that your hair and skin are in the best shape possible. It's probably not a good idea to make any radical changes to your normal hygiene regimen right before your portrait session, as new skin cleansing and brand new hair care products could bring about unexpected results.

If you're not experienced with hair and makeup, and depending on the type of headshot session you're booking, it can be EXTREMELY beneficial to hire a professional makeup artist or hair stylist. I work with a number of local professionals and salons, so if you're in need of one or more of these services, be sure to mention this during our consultation so that I may suggest some of my top favorites to you.

You also have the option to add in-studio hair & makeup services to your session. If you do decide to add professional hair & makeup services to your session, be sure to properly prepare your hair & your skin for a flawless, polished look.

SKIN PREPARATION: You’ll want to exfoliate your skin at least twice prior to the days leading up to your session. Removing any dead, dry skin will ensure that your makeup application is flawless. Moisturizing your skin is also important! Apply moisturizer twice daily everyday leading up to your makeup appointment, no matter your skin type. Oily skin needs hydration as well!

HAIR PREPARATION: In terms of hair preparation, you should arrive to your appointment with clean, dry hair. Feel free to use any preparation products that you would normally use before styling your own hair, [for example: use of anti-frizz treatment, a shine oil, etc.] If you would like your hair to be straightened with a flat iron, but you are a curly-haired type, please be sure to blow dry your hair straight using a brush prior to your appointment to help the on-site hairstylist to achieve this look for you!

Keep your clothing simple. Mid-tone colors work best. Avoid wearing all white which tend to wash you out, especially in front of a white-background. Avoid 'busy & bold’ patterns that can distract from your face. Since the headshot will primarily focus on the face and upper body, try to pick something that falls well on your shoulders and something that flatters your neckline/bust line.

Get plenty of sleep the night before. Eat healthy and light the day of your session to avoid feeling bloated or hungry.

Have a question about something that wasn't answered here? Don't hesitate to drop me a line at alana.adetola@gmail.com.