Would you rather have root canal or a headshot session?

Many people would rather have root canal vs. having their headshot taken (not me). They don’t like certain aspects of how they look, and are uncomfortable in front of the camera. And when they smile, it often looks like they had something bad to eat.

Often this is a result of never having had a good picture taken of themselves – the lighting has been poor, the camera not of high quality, etc.. I often come across clients who have hired a professional photographer and still aren’t happy with the results. Why is that?

Well, the headshot business is one of the fastest growing segments in photography, so many photographers simply add that to their list of services. But like many things, including photography, there is specialization. And headshots can be very unforgiving – the image is “up close and personal”, so lighting the face, expressions, etc. are critical. And, you want that image to reflect the best of you, your brand. Photographers who specialize in headshot photography and have studied the genre understand that helping people feel more comfortable and teaching them how to look are important aspects of creating headshots that help their clients get noticed and reflect the best of themselves.

Ever wonder why actors often look good in photos, even if they’re not necessarily blessed with great genes? They’ve learned several “moves” that help them look their best – and the paparazzi also understand which angles, camera position, etc.. work well. Experienced headshot photographers understand these techniques as well, and incorporate them into their work. This short video gives you a glimpse of some of the process and things we as headshot photographers can do to help our clients look their best.