The Perfect Headshot - Learn It Fast
Make up, wardrobe and hair have to be as simple as possible in order to highlight the real face. The perfect type of clothes to wear is the ones that do not draw attention away from the face. So, it should be as simple as possible. Having loads of make up on your face and trying to make yourself look like some other glamorous actress or actor is quite useless as the final headshot will not look anything like you. The main purpose of a headshot is to show your face in its best light. The trick here that most photographers use is connecting with the inner soul through the eyes in a bid to bring out as much of your character to your face. Direct eye contact with the person looking into the page is what you must aim for.Make the subject as comfortable as possible before taking the photograph. This will ensure a relaxed look on the face and show it in the best mood possible. The composition of the headshot is what it sounds like -a shot of the head. The face and the top of the shoulders are visible and nothing else. You can refer to other headshots that are great for inspiration and the choose one that will so your subject justice. Plan how and what type of look and angle you will want before starting.
Instruct your client to get enough sleep the night before the shoot and also ask to wear comfortable clothing that will ensure the subject being relaxed and confident through out the shoot. Hair and make up, though important, should not intrude or obstruct the face. Remember it is all about the face. Such things as moles, birthmarks and wrinkles should be left as they are. This is what you actually look like.
The background is also important. Never have anything that will distract from the face. Many times photographers try to bring in backgrounds and props that are aimed at showing a certain place or theme to the headshot. This must be avoided at all cost as it will only serve to distract from the face.
The headshot is what a person looking at it is going to base his or her perceptions of the subject in it. Therefore it should be a true likeness of the subject and while doing this it should also bring out the best features of that person. This is where angles, lighting and facial emotion comes in. A proper balance of all these will enable you to take the perfect headshot with a little hard work.
It is important that the essence of the photograph is understood by the subject. You have to explain that a headshot is not the place to sport a false moustache, a foolish grin or crazy hair. It should look like the normal self of the person. Keep it simple and yet full of character and you will have the perfect headshot.