Capturing the perfect headshot is an art form that a few will master. It may seem easy, but the reality is much different. A good headshot is like a great first impression. It has the power to make or break your chances for future great opportunities. These opportunities probably will be based somewhat on that initial impression your picture gives. I have prepared an excellent guide for you to create exceptional headshots that make a solid first impression on the world.

What is Headshot Photography?

Let’s take a closer look at the art, before learning the tips to capture exceptional headshots. Professional headshot photography involves not just capturing pictures of a person’s face but revealing their personality for their careers, professional business purposes and social media purposes. The significant difference between headshots and face portraits is that the latter has an artistic flair and looks more “staged”. That doesn’t mean we cannot get creative with headshot photography, but they must depict professionalism and personality right from the first glance.

Tips to Capture the Right Headshots

Focusing the Face

Perhaps it goes without saying, but a headshot focuses on an individual's face. You need to put the person in focus, sometime you can deemphasize the background, but the details, variations, and contours of the facial anatomy must be shown to reveal the subject’s true personality. Although you need to primarily focus on the person’s facial features, the personality’s essence is revealed in capturing the life, the vitality in the eyes.

Capturing Confidence

Capturing expressions and personality is the reason why we do headshot photography. Capturing the perfect moment through your lens is what gives the artist behind it immense satisfaction. As a photographer, you must identify an expression that exudes confidence. This is harder than it seems because most people become anxious in front of a camera.

A professional photographer for business headshots, tries to make the subject comfortable and gets them to act as naturally as possible so that confidence does not come off as fake or forced. This eases the subject’s stress. The rest is left to the maestro's skills with the lighting and camera.

Lighting is Absolute

Lighting is crucial in photography, especially when capturing headshots. In fact, most celebrity headshot photographers suggest that you cannot compromise on your lighting techniques. Here are a few tips to achieve the perfect lighting conditions for headshots:

1. Make sure that the subject’s body is turned 45 degrees from your camera, while the face being shot points towards it.
2. Ask your subject to look straight down through the lens.
3. Ensure your subject’s expressions show their confidence and personality.

Bottom Line

Professional headshots have long been a norm, especially in the professional world of entertainment, business and modeling. Whether on an employee’s ID card or on a driver’s license, the precision in a professional headshot is crucial.

One thing to remember is that headshot photography differs vastly from stock photography, not everyone can master it. With over two decades of photography experience, Mark Valinsky is the headshot expert you’ve been searching for. If you’re looking for a “corporate headshot photographers near me,” stop now, because here he is. For more information on Mark’s professional headshot photography services, reach out to him today.