Business Branding & Career Head Shots for Women

To represent yourself and your business in the best possible light, here are some best practice suggestions for achieving an up-to-date, professional head shot. A fresh contemporary head shot is a vital part of your brand and an important visual in today's competitive online business climate.

A professional headshot communicates a lot about your attention to detail. Hairstyles, glasses, lapels, tie widths and necklines seem to change every year.  To stay ahead of the fashion curve it's a good idea to refresh your headshot at least every 3 years.

First impressions - Even before you meet a prospective client in person, you likely will have already made an online impression: think LinkedIn, your company website, marketing materials, blog posts, prestigious awards, book jackets, name badges, and email photo signatures.

Head Shot – Best Practices

Get the most from your investment. Most people will admit they schedule an appointment for a portrait or head shot session under pressure or a deadline.  Head shots well planned will ideally last for 2-3 years and since hairstyles, clothing styles and eyeglass frames change frequently you'll want to make good choices PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.

Concept & Branding - Your appearance is an important element of your personal brand.

• In Studio or Outdoor Headshots? 
• Casual, Business Casual or Business Formal?
• Matching a company website or creating a new brand?
• Variety - List how you will use your new headshots?

Wardrobe - Casual or Formal? Will you wear a dress or business suit with a blouse or dress shirt? Lab jacket or uniform? It is not uncommon for women to want to wear a favorite dress or suit, so make sure you take a fresh look.  Is the fabric pilling or is the construction showing signs of wear?  Is the color fading?  How about the fit?  Too loose or too tight? Garments should be freshly pressed and free of pet hair. 

Most boutiques offer wardrobe consults - ask us for suggestions.  Necklines and sleeveless tops may draw attention away from your face and eyes. A wardrobe consult can be a really fun way to explore new styles and get suggestions on  the most flattering shapes, styles and colors for you.   

Suggestion: Bring a couple of outfits on hangers with you to your appointment including at least 2 solid color choices in tops or dresses. Don't forget jewelry.

You may want to schedule your appointment a week or two in advance if needed, so you will have time to work out the details.

Hair – If you’d like a fresh haircut or hair color, you’ll want to work that into your schedule.  If you prefer a more lived in look, a week or 2 after a haircut, you’ll need to plan farther ahead.  Feel free to bring supplies you might need: a brush, flat iron, curling iron and hair spray are always helpful.  Perhaps you’d like to plan for a blowout the day of your appointment – don’t forget to call your favorite salon and set up that appointment in advance with a little extra margin on the day of your photo session.

Make Up – Treat yourself to a professional makeup application on the day of your session to enhance your natural beauty and add a little spark of confidence.  We can offer a makeup application here at our studio 30-45 minutes before your session. Call me for pricing details.

Nail Polish - Your hands may appear in some poses.  Fresh nail polish or no polish.

Passports - Does your passport need an update?  Our studio offers this service during our headshot sessions.

Business Branding & Career Head Shots for Men

A professional head shot is a vital part of your brand.  In a competitive business climate, a fresh, contemporary head shot is an important visual that says a lot about your attention to detail, whether it is casual or formal.

First impressions - before you have an opportunity to meet with a potential client, you may have already made an online impression.  Think LinkedIn, your company website, marketing materials, blog posts, prestigious awards, book jackets, name badges, even Email photo signatures.

Because we know you want to represent yourself and your business reputation in the best possible light, we’d like to help with some best practices for achieving an up-to-date, professional head shot.

Passports – Will your passport need an update soon?  Our studio offers this service in our head shot sessions.

Head Shot – Best Practices

Most people will admit they schedule an appointment for a portrait or head shot session under pressure or on a deadline. 

Head shots well-planned will ideally last for 2-3 years, since hairstyles, clothing styles and eyeglass frames change frequently. 

So, let’s see how we can help with some best practices.  Plan your appointment a few weeks in advance, so you will have time to get prepared and work out wardrobe & grooming details. Freshly pressed shirts, jackets free of pet hair and clean lab jackets etc.

Concept - Have you thought about your personal brand?  Do you want your portraits In Studio or Outdoors?   Casual, Business Casual or Business Formal?

• Do you need to match an existing business website or are you creating your own brand?
• Making a list of the ways you will use your new head shot images will be helpful.

Attire - Are you considering a polo shirt, a casual dress shirt, a dress shirt, a suit jacket or jacket and tie?

It is not uncommon for people to want to wear a favorite shirt or suit.  Take a fresh look – is the fabric or construction showing signs of wear?  Is the color faded?  How about the fit?  Too loose or too tight? Head shots will ideally last for 2-3 years.  We want you to get the most out of your investment.  Most menswear stores will be happy to offer a wardrobe consultation, if you ask.  Recommended: Bring a couple of shirts and ties to your portrait appointment, including at least 2 solid color shirts.

Men’s Grooming – If you like a clean shave - no amount of Photoshop can give you the natural look of a clean shave.    Be prepared for 5 o’clock shadow.  If you think you’ll need a refresh by late afternoon, don’t forget to bring an electric razor with you.   *Ears, noses, eyebrows and beards all benefit from a freshly groomed appearance.

Hair – If you like a fresh haircut, you’ll want to work that into the schedule.  If you prefer a more lived in look say after a week or 2, you’ll need to plan farther ahead.  Long or short ~ clean hair is a good idea.  Bring a brush or comb to your appointment.