Because a Selfie Just Won’t Do

Talent agencies, online staff bios, LinkedIn or Google+ profiles … The most important element of each of these is the head shot. Why? Because you want to appeal to the people looking at your profile, not frighten them away.

It’s easy to think that you don’t need to put much thought into a head shot. It’s just a photo, right? Well, no. Your head shot is your calling card; it’s your first impression to the audience you’re trying to appeal to. If you don’t put the right prep into it, you may not get the results you’re looking for either.

A great photographer

If you’ve ever thought about simply setting your point-or-shoot (or even worse, your mobile phone) onto self-timer and attempting to take the perfect head shot that way, don’t. Just … don’t. The best way to acquire a great head shot is to hire a professional to take it for you. Professional photographers know what they’re doing when it comes to creating, framing and taking the perfect picture. And when you think about the outcome versus what might have happened if you’d used the self-timer, you’d agree that the small investment is worth it. If you’re in the market for a new head shot for your website, LinkedIn profile or portfolio, talk to Onepost’s resident photographer today.

Think about the purpose

If you’re trying to get into the lingerie business, a glamour shot is right up your alley. If you’re looking to update your LinkedIn profile or freshen up your website, keep it professional yet friendly. It’s important to make sure your head shot actually looks like you, not someone straight out of a magazine. Keep your shoulders back, eyes open and remember to smile. You want to give off a great first impression, after all.

Get rid of any distractions

Take your photo against a plain background to keep the focus on you, not what’s going on around you. If you can’t avoid a busy background, make it fuzzy so the focus remains on you. Don’t simply crop a photo from your last holiday either; you want your head shot to portray professionalism, not extravagance. Think about what you’re wearing too. Flamboyant ties might complement your personality, but if they detract from your photo’s first impression it might be worth swapping it out for a plain black one.

Good lighting is essential

Shadows are a great photo’s worst enemy. Use great lighting to banish shadows and add more tone to your skin, but avoid gloss and glare (another reason to hire a professional rather than attempt to do it yourself!). Shooting in a studio like Onepost’s fully-equipped studio means the lighting is already there (you just need to turn up), but shooting on location might add a more personable element to your final photos (you’ll just need to take any lighting equipment with you.

You got the look

Keep what you wear minimalistic (we’re talking about patterns, here, not how much material is covering your body). A simple shirt or top in a solid colour that matches your eyes will work well. Don’t wear too much makeup (especially if you’re not a wear-makeup-in-real-life kind of person) because it might make your final head shots look fake. Tidy your hair but keep it relatively normal and natural. If you’re due for a haircut, it might be a good idea to get a trim first.

Need a hand updating your professional head shots? Talk to the friendly Onepost team today.