Portrait Photography

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What To Wear For Professional Headshots

Headshots are essential for creating an immediate connection with your audience; showing your dedication in providing a processional service, no matter what your occupation may be. Remember- your headshot is your personal branding tool and your wardrobe choice should reflect that. In a previous blog post, we spoke about general headshot wardrobe tips, but today we will delve a little deeper about the specific outfit advice based on your profession.  Health care Professional The area of your specialization will help determine what to add to your outfit for relevance. For a doctor, a white lab coat or a set of scrubs would play into the branding your role- this what people expect of you. Perhaps add a stethoscope around your neck or a clipboard with patient notes will add authenticity to your shoot. Keep jewellery and other accessories simple and understated. For a nurse- depending on your specialty, a plain pair of scrubs would work perfectly. However, if you’re in paediatrics, you can opt for something a bit more vibrant and colourful.  For the setting, many healthcare professionals would opt for an on-site photoshoot at their clinic rather than using a plain backdrop. Providing context for a professional headshot is important in defining your brand based on your industry.  Dancer As a dancer, your headshot is about showcasing your elegance. Generally dancers have a well-defined physical shape, so choose clothing that accentuates this, but ensure it’s not overly revealing. A black leotard or partially sheer top would work perfectly for your headshot, ensuring that it shows the definition in your arms and shoulders. Depending on the style of dancing, many opt for a tight bun and a soft glam makeup look to accentuate the overall look.  Actor Headshots are key to breaking into the acting industry. An actor’s headshot is their professional calling card—and the best ones do more than just catch a casting director’s attention in the moment. A great headshot is also memorable enough to pop back into the director’s mind the next time a role suited for your type crosses their desk.  Choose your outfit based in the type of character you are branding yourself for.  You can see Jennifer Lawrence wears a simple black turtleneck which is elegant yet subtle, allowing your attention to be drawn to her unique facial features. Her makeup is soft but her hair is slightly messy, which allows her to be casted for characters that are feminine, but slightly quirky. Idris Elba on the other hand, plays into a more masculine ‘street ghetto’ style character. The plain white singlet seamlessly shows his muscular arms with their tattoos, along with the more threatening pose, giving an edgy feel to the headshot.  Solicitor As a solicitor, it’s important that you present yourself as a professional and successful legal person. So, a well-tailored suit in a neutral colour like navy, black, or charcoal grey is the safest choice. Only use clothes that fit you well, ill-fitting outfits make you appear sloppy and this doesn’t represent your brand well. Research your firm’s dress code to gain a sense of its corporate style. You can opt for a slightly more modern take on the classics if that aligns with your firm’s culture. As a male solicitor with your suit use a conservative tie with a subtle pattern or solid colour. Avoid loud colours or distracting patterns. As a female solicitor perhaps wear a blouse in a similar colour palette as the suit or a tasteful pantsuit can work well. Teacher Depending on the degree of formality for your school it will be important that you choose clothing that is professional and appropriate for your school. For a college or senior school teacher, you could slightly more formal with a tailored suit, blouse or a professional dress. For a primary school teacher, I’d opt for a more relaxed style. We think that minimal accessories will enhance your outfit, but we would suggest that you avoid anything too flashy as it will be distracting. Also, when you choose the setting for your shoot, it is important that the background for your head shot complements you, so choose colours that will contrast nicely with it and avoid wearing colours that might blend into the background. You can see the teacher below has chosen neutral tones for her headshot that complements the wooden decor behind her.  Veterinarian As a vet, you are working with people’s beloved pets and you want an outfit that shows you are professional, but also that you care. A clean and ironed set of scrubs is a classic and universally recognized choice and opt for solid colours such as navy blue, teal, or dark green which tend to create feelings of trust. We want to present you in your practice as approachable, competent, and trustworthy, and so patients feel comfortable bringing their furry friends to you for care.  Model As a professional model, your headshot serves a different purpose than most professional headshots. you might want to bring multiple outfits to your headshot session. This allows you to showcase your range and cater to different agencies or projects. Depending on your modelling style, you can choose outfits that highlight your strengths. For example, a fitted tank top for a fitness model or a sleek dress for a fashion model. Perhaps choose classic and timeless outfits that won’t distract from your face or the overall image. Also, perhaps adding a touch of personality with versatile accessories however choose accessories that complement your outfit without overpowering it. Also, always a good idea to choose outfits that show off your figure without being too revealing. It is also important to make sure that your hair and makeup are professionally done to really accentuate your unique features. No matter what your industry, we create a unique style for you and your brand Find Out More About Our Professional Headshots in Melbourne! Portfolio

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How to Prepare for your Headshot (5 Tips)

Have you ever looked back on a photo of yourself and think ‘ugh- do I really look like that?’ I can assure that you don’t!  Photography has an incredible power in that, when harnessed correctly- it can bring out the most flattering version of you; a person you may not even recognise (in a good way!) But if done incorrectly, can make you cringe at yourself!  Professional photographers know the secrets behind how to consistently take those ‘good photos’ using lighting, angles and posing. Through my experience, I have also come up with some tips to help you prepare for your photoshoot so you can be confident your headshot will always meet expectations. Change Your Facial Expression Have you ever looked back on photos and noticed you pulled a nervous smile, repetitively in every shot? Or perhaps way the lighting created some unflattering shadows on your face and you regretted it? We have all been there- don’t worry! By moving your face and changing your expression between clicks, you’ll increase the likelihood that you’ll find an facial expression that worked- rather than just having multiple versions of the same smile that you don’t like.  Try cycling between a wide smile, soft smile and a resting face. You can move your face to the left, centre and right. Look at the camera and away. You can even change the way you hold your arms. The key is to try and continuously change your pose as the shutter clicks in any way you can. A professional photographer will instruct you to do all this, but it’s good to be aware of for when you’re taking photos uninstructed as well! Choose the Right Outfit When taking a headshot, you want to ensure your face is the focal point of the image. Everything else should merely serve to accompany that.  Avoid outfits with loud patterns, ruffles, slogans or anything that will be distracting to the eye. You want the viewer’s attention to be immediately directed to you– not your outfit.  Ensure your outfit is aligned with your brand. If you’re a doctor then you’d want to wear a white coat. For a lawyer, you’d want a freshly ironed suit and tie. While it’s important to dress to stand out amongst the crowd, you don’t want to confuse your potential clients by straying away from your brand. Also, you want to ensure that the colour you’re wearing doesn’t wash out your skin tone. For pink skin tones, try to avoid yellows or oranges. For darker skin tones, you’d want to avoid wearing browns. If you want to play it safe, stick to neutrals like black, white, cream or navy.  Bring A Change of Clothes It’s not unusual that your headshot photography session will be scheduled during or after a busy work day. You may be hot, sweat from your daily grind, and perhaps a bit nervous. There’s nothing worse than looking back at photos of yourself and realising you have sweat patches under your arms! Many photographers will have the ability to photoshop this out, but it’s always better to get the photo right from the beginning.  Make sure to being an extra change of clothes- or at least a shirt. Not only will this create a more appealing photograph, but feeling fresh in a new set of clothes will help you feel more relaxed. The more relaxed you feel, the better your headshot will turn out. It’s also a great idea to bring a hair brush to tidy up your hair, as well as some blotching pads to wipe away any oil or sweat from your face.  Skin and Makeup for Headshots The most important rule for skin and makeup for headshots is to avoid trying anything new! Whether it’s a miraculous anti ageing cream, a glow-up at a salon or simply a new foundation- you never know how your skin is going to react. Often, it may cause more harm than good- resulting in a headshot disaster!  Stick to the same products and routines you are used to. You can however, apply makeup a bit more liberally- especially for studio headshots, since the lighting can wash out your makeup. Try to avoid glowing or dewey foundations, and instead opt for a matt version, as studio lighting can cause unwanted shine. Bring a translucent powder along to the shoot and apply it about 10 minutes before your photo. Make sure your powder is a similar shade to your skin colour. If you choose one that is too light, it can create a phenomenon known as ‘flash back’.  Communication is Key Most importantly, ensure to communicate any concerns you have to your headshot photographer. Our goal, first and foremost, is to provide you with an image that you’re happy with.  If you have a certain side of your face you prefer photographed, or want us to edit out a particular feature- make sure you tell us.  If you’re unsure about which outfit to wear or how to style your hair and makeup- you’re always more than welcome to send an email or give us a call beforehand. A professional photographer’s skills lie beyond simply taking a photo. We are here to consult you in the preparation process, as well after after you’ve had your photo- if you have any photoshopping requests.  Your headshot is a powerful branding tool and if harnessed correctly, can catapult your success as an professional.  Contact today about Your Professional Headshots in Melbourne Find Out More Read More How to Prepare for your Headshot (5 Tips) admin • March 22, 2024 • Portrait Photography • No Comments Have you ever looked back on a photo of yourself and think ‘ugh- do I really look like that?’ I can assure … Are Professional Headshots Worth It? admin • March 11, 2024 • Portrait Photography • No Comments In today’s digital age, your online presence plays a crucial role in your presence as a professional. Whether you’re a job seeker, … Is

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Are Professional Headshots Worth It?

In today’s digital age, your online presence plays a crucial role in your presence as a professional. Whether you’re a job seeker, business owner or work in corporate, having a professional headshot can make a significant impact on how your peers perceive you. First impressions matter and your image is a powerful tool at conveying trustworthiness and confidence to others. Let’s talk about some of the concerns about getting a professional headshot. Headshots are expensive While it’s true that professional headshots do come with a price tag, many photographers have an array of packages to suit any budget- so it’s still worth enquiring. For example, a headshot that requires lighting, studio and backdrops would attract a higher price due to the equipment and set-up costs. However, if you’re willing to use natural light in an outdoor setting- a photographer may often be able to offer a more affordable rate. I also personally believe outdoor shoots are more eye catching anyway! Professional photography is an excellent investment on your brand or business. It shows that you care about quality and this reflects on how you represent yourself as a person. Even I have hired professional photographers to do my headshots, despite being a photographer myself! Professional photographers have a certain eye for specific lighting and details that I wouldn’t be able to capture using a tripod and remote.    Can’t I Just Use a Smartphone Smartphones have come a long way since the beginning. When friends come up to me asking which camera they should buy, even I tell them to use their smartphone because for most people, smartphones will take a better shot than a professional camera. If this is the case, then why do professional photographers still use high end cameras for photography? This is due to the experience required to master DSLR or mirrorless camera technology, which if done right- will far outweigh any photo taken with a smartphone (but if done wrong, can look much worse!)  Professional photographers have years of training and experience in using high end cameras, plus using professional lighting and photoshop. This is why a photo from your smartphone- or even a DSLR- will never quite match what a professional photographer can achieve. As with most professions, photography is 90% skill and 10% equipment. When hiring a professional headshot photographer, you’re investing in years of experience and technical knowledge, on top of their ability to use the very best equipment.  Why You should Consider a professional for your headshots The job market in Melbourne can be competitive and first impressions can make all the difference as to whether a job recruiter picks your resume off a pile, or whether a client considers your services. Your headshot is a reflection of your brand, and can help you maintain a consistent brand image across your website, social media and professional networking sites. It also show you value quality, which is an essential quality for most companies. Your headshot can also be versatile. A professional headshot can be used across different platforms- instagram, Facebook, Linked in- and even dating profiles 😉! Overall, I highly recommend investing in a professional portrait photographer. Enquire today to find out more about my professional headshot services.   View Portfolio Contact today about Your Professional Headshots in Melbourne Find Out More Read More How to Prepare for your Headshot (5 Tips) admin • March 22, 2024 • Portrait Photography • No Comments Have you ever looked back on a photo of yourself and think ‘ugh- do I really look like that?’ I can assure … Are Professional Headshots Worth It? admin • March 11, 2024 • Portrait Photography • No Comments In today’s digital age, your online presence plays a crucial role in your presence as a professional. Whether you’re a job seeker, … Is It Worth Hiring an Event Photographer? admin • March 6, 2024 • Event Photography • No Comments Event planning involves an overwhelming list of decisions- from selecting the venue to deciding on the menu. One decision that often arises … The History of Architectural Photography admin • March 5, 2024 • Architectural Photography • No Comments Architectural photography has an intriguing history, ever-evolving alongside technology.  The roots of architectural photography stem from the humble pencil and paper. The …

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