Here’s a secret.

I used to think I wasn’t photogenic.

Really and truly. I used to HIDE from the camera. I HATED
taking headshots.

It took a couple of good photographers–and some good strategy–to change my mind.

And now… my clients and readers frequently ask me about photos.

Because really: anyone can have awesome headshots.

After ten years in the entertainment, and another fifteen years as a coach (and at least $12,000 worth of photo shoots!),  I think I’ve earned my stripes as an expert on the subject.

And this is IMPORTANT: You can go cheap on your website. You can host audio-classes for free. You can, in fact, market your entire business successfully for almost nothing at all. But you can’t get away with a bad photo. Especially if you want to be paid well.

I’m SHARING MY SECRETS in today’s featured article.

Whether you’re shooting with a pro or a friend, here are some tips to make it much easier:

BEFORE THE SHOOT

For clothing — Pick the colors best for your eyes and skin tones. Black and white are risky, but the right photographer can pull them off. Blues are usually a safe bet. (Reds are my best color, so I often use red.) Shirts with collars are the most flattering. They frame the face. Stick to no jewelry or subtle jewelry that doesn’t draw focus.

Hair — get a hair cut. If you need color, color it a couple of days before the shoot. A blow out the day before can also help.

Make up — you need much more make-up. (Even guys need make-up.) Not so much that you look like a drag queen, but much more than you wear in real life. Make-up looks different on camera.

For men — foundation, bronzer and powder is a must. Since you guys have less experience with make-up, you’ll probably need a make-up artist to help you out.

For women — a thicker foundation with more coverage, more mascara, some eyeliner, more lipstick.

People who look polished make more money.

Special tip: use YELLOW BASED foundations to warm your skin and avoid looking like a sickly, pasty mime.

DURING THE SHOOT

To help you look like yourself — play your all time favorite peppy music that makes you want to dance. MOVE AROUND. If possible, HAVE A GLASS OF WINE. Have your photo person take at least 100 photos. (500 photos is more realistic, if you want to get some really good shots.) Digital cameras make that easy and cheap.

Outdoor lighting is more flattering, and it’s easier for the subject to relax. If you don’t have a professional photographer with light fillers, shoot outdoors. Even if you DO have a professional photographer with light fillers, shoot outdoors. You look more real and relaxed and approachable in natural light.

When shooting out doors, afternoon light is usually better for filling in the hollows of our faces.  Bright overhead light isn’t the best.

Don’t stand so close to your background in your profile photos: the background should be in the distance and slightly out of focus, so we’re looking at YOU.

AFTER THE SHOOT

When you’re done, you’ll still need some RETOUCHING. Things that aren’t noticeable (or even visible) in person will show up on film: blood vessels in your eyes, weird shadows. Clean stuff up, but make sure you still look like a human being. I recommend http://www.motiveretouching.com for affordability and speed.

Women are much harder to shoot than men. All those flaws that give a man’s face character don’t translate well on a woman.

My favorite photographers who can shoot men AND women well:

Lindsay Miller took my photo on stage at Bill Baren’s live event in 2011. She’s on of my favorite photographers. She shoots my friends, and they always look amazing. A very safe bet.

Siddiqi Ray is another one of my favorites. She’s magical. She has an extraordinary talent for bringing out your inner light with her soul portraits.

Starla Fortunato shot my signature red dress photo. She’s a genius. Starla is also one of just a few photographers who like women and know how to make us look like ourselves, and look pretty too.

Michael Peak is an Emmy Award winning photographer. He tells the worst jokes in the world, and this comes in handy when you need to relax in front of the camera. He’s another one of those rare photographers who knows how to shoot real women.

Tags: headshot, make more money, photo retouching, photographer, professional photographer

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 12:12 pm and is filed under headshot photography . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.