Headshot Session: Bennett Garcia

Sometimes a sitting turns into something different than a straight headshot session. On the day I shot Bennett Garcia, I sensed a more quiet and introspective person than the contractor we have hired to do some construction on our property in Gloucester City, New Jersey.

This photo has very different lighting than most of the studio type images I have taken. Bennett was sitting in a room facing a large window with diffusion material on it. The window acted as my general exposure and fill light. On my right hand side I used a Godox strip box for the main light with and attached grid to narrow the direction of light that was dialed in at one stop higher than the ambient light.

After doing some of headshots and just before we were to attempt some 3/4 length portraits, I asked him to close his eyes and turn his head toward the strip box. The resulting photo was one that captured a peaceful and serene man of great faith.

Headshot Session: Bob Booth

Bob Booth is one of the movers and shakers of Gloucester City, New Jersey business community. He owns a travel agency and is also my next door neighbor. He has been a great help to my wife and I as we slowly develop our property and move in the community.

He has told me there have been requests for a photo of him for and number of business applications. So, recently he came in and we spent about an hour together to have his headshot done. And as usual, it was a fun session where we got to talk, laugh and get some great photos.

My favorite is the one above and I think it exemplifies he friendliness and approachability. The photo is a three light setup, a Paul C Buff soft box main light to the viewers left, a Paul C Buff soft box fill fill light to our right and a Godox strip box kicker light in the back and to our right. The result is an image using broad lighting that brings out the best, friendly features of Bob.

Bring Success to Your New Headshots

Stand Out With These tips

Today’s business markets almost demands that you have a headshot for your Linkedin and other social media pages. Often this success depends as much on the subject as it does the photographer’s techniques and workflow. Here are some of the things you can do as a subject to stand out from the crowd and make your headshots shine.

Clothing Selection

The best clothing to wear is clothing you are comfortable in. Avoid bright colors and patterns that will distract the viewer from your face. Dark and muted is generally the best, but formality can be projected with the sitter in a business suit and white shirt. The best idea is to bring several different items that you and the photographer can decide on together.

Background

It is important for the background not to be seen. By that I mean that it has to be unobtrusive and not compete with the face or clothing of the subject. Often a professional headshot will be photographed against a dark grey, medium grey or white background. This helps the sitter to stand out and become the focus of the the photograph. Color backgrounds have been used, but the photographer needs be careful not to make the final product look like your third grade grammar school photo.

Lighting

One of the most powerful tools in the photographer arsenal is his command of lighting techniques. This is no one lighting setup that will make everyone look good. Stronger lighting ratios (large bright to dark differences) can be used to project strength. Sometimes they can look intimidating and less approachable. Lighting that is too soft may look lackluster and unintresting. For those of us that have a “best” side, overly soft lighting may not be for you. Once a I get you under the lights, my decisions on lighting and posing will  get you the great results you need.

Conveying Your Personality

Photographing people is a collaboration between you and the photographer. I watch your body language before and during the shoot to find your comfort zone. I try to create natural and relax expressions with proper posture and most importantly, eye contact with the camera. Eye contact will make you look friendly, confident and connected, without eye contact you look aloof and disinterested in your audience.

Hair and Makeup

Neatness counts! Men should have their hair, eyebrows and beards neatly trimmed. Stray facial hairs do show, especially with today’s high resolution cameras. The best advice is to not get a haircut the day of the shoot (5-7days before is perfect), but shave as close to the session as possible.

Women should have their hair styled as close to the appointment as possible. I would also  recommend some makeup. A full-coverage foundation will smooth out the skin and hide most imperfections. I do retouching, but only the zits and little blemishes, I never alter any permanent physical detail of the face.

Plenty of rest the night before can make a world of difference on how you project to the camera. An unrested face might show stress, tiredness and a lack of expression no matter how hard the sitter tries.

Enjoy the Experience

Relax and have fun during the photoshoot. When you come in ready to go with a positive attitude the photographer will respond in kind by getting expressions that are natural and genuine. After all, photographers love having people in front of their cameras. Just enjoy the experience and trust the photographer.

Choosing the Right Photographer

There are so many of us so it is important to find a photographer with experience in headshots and portraiture. Look at their websites, drop them an email, give them a call and find out how they can help you. Once you decide you now have some guidelines that will help you bring success to your headshot session.

At John Craig Photography, I specialize in headshots and portraits and have been at it for almost 50 years. I love having people in my studio and I hope you can come over and pay us a visit soon. I am located at 112 North Broadway, Gloucester City, New Jersey 08030

www.JohnCraigPhotography.com

856.271.8093