As much as I like to say yes, yes, yes, this is going to weigh a little more on the no side (or 100% on the “do not” scale). Setting yourself up for headshot success is as much about knowing what not to do as it is about knowing what to do.
If you know me, you know I enjoy fun fashion pieces, however, when it comes to headshots, the simpler the better. Awww….. But we are in Dallas, Misty. I know, I know, believe me, the big hair and rings on every finger were quite a culture shock when I moved to Texas. And while I do love big blonde hair, featherlike eyelashes, and diamonds the size of boulders, professional headshots are not the time to crack open the safe.
So, why? Why should simple rein when our headshots should be attracting attention? Because that authoritative face is what we should be focused on. Genuine facial expressions and poses (although it will not feel natural at the time) are the tools we use to attract your viewers, not earrings that touch your shoulders or emphasizing last weekend’s tatt. For the sake of simplicity, I am going to bullet point the do-nots of headshot photography.
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Stay away from shiny fabrics; not only are they reflective but they f’ with the digital pixels.
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Speaking of shiny, go matte when applying makeup. And the don'ts of makeup?
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No satin
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No metallic
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No frost
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No shimmer
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No luster
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No glitter
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Can we rectify this post-production? Yep, but we don’t wanna. Call us lazy, but let’s just try to get it as close perfect as we can right out of the camera. And we thank you for your cooperation.
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No glitter on the face also means no glitter on attire. Sorry, Miley (Cyrus, that is. And, yes, I want her Superbowl outfit).
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Keep it simple - stud earrings and a dainty necklace (if you must) add just a hint of style. We want people to be attracted to you for your professional message not reaching out to ask whether you’re wearing the latest by Tiffany’s or a knock-off by Tärgət.
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Bright? Yes, please. However, neon is taking it a bit far. It is best to select a color you get compliments on every time you wear it. For instance, I can 100% guarantee you that if I wear aquamarine, I will be complimented at least three times. BAM, it is one of my signature colors. However, a sea of this greenish-blue might be a bit too distracting. Instead, layer a well-fitting jacket over your signature color or patterned shirt.
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Number 1 biggest mistake when packing for a headshot session? Bringing clothes that do not fit well. Does your jacket button? Yes, it is just a headshot, however, an unbuttoned jacket adds weight. Oh yes, it does. The same is true with clothes that are too large. When the sleeves flow into the body, it looks like one blob. I realize you might not be thrilled with your less-than-ideal body shape, but at Photography by Misty, we’ve got you. Set yourself up for success, and we’ll do the rest.
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At this point, me telling you to stay away from logos, cute sayings, and brands on your clothing might be overkill. Regardless, stay far far away from those things that might date your attire and/or distract your audience. A small polo logo is just fine, but Ralph Lauren’s newest logo that’s as large as a Shetland Pony? No. And not just no for headshots, but no period. C’mon now, Ralph, we love you but we’d like to protect our dignity more.
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There are things that can look fabulous in person when you are animated, but can be entirely too much when captured in a still photograph:
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Tight attire? Well-fitting, yes. Tight? Nope. Not even if you are your high-school weight. Just think, you might just get hired for the wrong reasons.
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Boobage? Not on picture day, please.
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Ruffles and lace? No to the pair and no individually.
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Flowy sleeves? Sure, if you want to add 10-plus pounds.
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Great guns, no guns or guns that are more like jelly donuts, please cover your arms. Fit and fabulous attracts as much attention as much as arms that wave like the American flag on a blustery day. A jacket or three-quarter sleeves are the professional's choice. Interesting fact: the back of your hand is almost as large as your entire face. That’s why professional photographers are also posing experts. We know how to bend, angle, and pose our subjects to produce the best results and introduce just hints of skin.
Let’s end on positive notes. Whether you’re headed to my Plano home studio, you cash in on our hassle-free headshots, heading to your Plano, Dallas or Frisco location, or you go with another photographer, you might need a little more guidance.
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When in doubt, pack a suitcase
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You can also take selfies or pictures of your outfit options laid out on the bed, texting them my way. We are always up for a quick consult.
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Give yourself or a trusted friend a little runway show a week out just in case you need to do a bit of shopping.
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Take a deep breath. As long as you have followed our advice (see other blogs about pre-session to-do lists, professional hair, and makeup, etc), you’ve done your part. Now it’s time for us to work a little magic. Not only should your experience be painless, but we’ll have some fun along the way.
I shouldn’t have to say this, but prep your clothes ahead of time. Pressing your shirt in PhotoShop is not fun. Natural wrinkles will occur as we bend and twist you (pain-free) but other wrinkles should be avoided.
Our Canons and team look forward to working with you soon to create genuine images for the professionals in Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Frisco, and the surrounding Texas area. We even have a Hassle-Free Headshot option to bring the setup to you and allow you to stop by while at work for a couple of minutes and be done with it.
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