Headshots Matter
I don't like the term 'headshots'. Especially in this climate of gun violence. But in terms of photography it does the job. Your headshot stands in for you on social media. And like it or not, social media is how we get a lot of things done today. So your headshot should reflect who you are.
There’s no special magic to it. You just show up real. You let it all hang out. You look at me and pretend I’m your client, your customer, your boss. The resulting image tends to feel more authentic that way. You can smile, sure. You can be happy, if that’s who you are. There’s no rule about how morose = legit.
Investing in a quality headshot is a vital strategy in a world where the look on your face matters. Where your eyes matter. This is how we decide if we can trust you and it happens in an instant. A good photo grounds you. It puts a stake in the ground. It’s not about being good-looking, it’s about being real.
My suggestion is that you look at the websites of photographers and gravitate toward those whose aesthetic you like. Ask yourself, do I want to meet the people in these photos? Are they interesting? If you answer yes then that’s a headshot that matters. It’s piqued your curiosity. That’s what a good headshot does.
Educator/Medical-Legal Practice Development
5 年A marvelous photographer of people for National Geographic spoke at an event I attended last night. She said she always engages with the subjects, and doesn't use long focal length lenses. She likes to be close. She had a fascinating observation that we, as photographers, are sometimes reluctant to ask someone if we can take their photo (a stranger that is) as if there is a taboo or something dirty/invasive about it. She finds people are complimented by her interest and if not, she lets them know how she finds them a fascinating and attractive speaker about their culture.? An occasional vanity compliment might include a white lie or two.? Also, consent is so important in street photography.?