A corporate headshot or a business headshot will be the face of your brand, on your company’s website, social networking sites like LinkedIn, and printed promotional materials. It must capture you as you are and confidently say to potential clients that you are a trustworthy and approachable expert in your field. 

 But as a business professional, and not primarily an actor or model, chances are you are not comfortable in front of a camera or probably even familiar with all that a photo shoot entails. Scheduling your headshot could be the very last thing on your To Do list because you simply don’t want to do it. So you need a photographer who understands that, will work with you to dispel those concerns, and has experience photographing professionals outside the entertainment industry. 

 Here then is a list of the top 4 things you can do to ensure your best corporate headshot and photo shoot experience: 

 1. Do Your Research 

 When browsing a photographer’s website, look specifically for a portfolio of corporate headshots. While any photographer can take your picture, not every photographer will be able to deliver the results you need as a business professional, especially if they do not have experience working with non-actors/models. Email or call with any and all questions. This is your opportunity to find out more about your potential photographer, how he or she works, and what to expect on the day of the shoot. Remember that a photo shoot is a collaboration, so make sure you are both on the same page before the actual shoot day. 

 2. Hair, Makeup, Wardrobe 

 A conversation to have well before the morning of your shoot. Ask questions, discuss options, and share any concerns with your photographer. For hair and makeup, you may need to do less or more than would be usual for you. Remember that the camera sees more than the human eye. If you would rather not concern yourself with doing your own makeup, your photographer most likely has a makeup artist that he or she can recommend and works with often. As for wardrobe, what you wear should be appropriate to your profession and industry, but should also complement features like your eyes, hair color, and jawline. 

 3. Don’t Rush Your Shoot 

 It can take time to get comfortable in front of a camera and under lights. Schedule your shoot and the time you have around it accordingly. If you feel rushed, you will look rushed. 

 4. The Approachability Factor 

 Once all the pieces are in place, your only job left is to come across as the best version of yourself. Relaxed, natural, approachable. As obvious as that sounds, sometimes the most difficult thing to do in front of a camera is nothing at all. An experienced business headshot photographer will be able to work with you to achieve a corporate headshot that is simple yet striking, professional yet uniquely you. 

 If you are interested in further discussing corporate headshots for you or your team, please contact me with any questions or to schedule a consultation. I have been shooting headshots in New York City for over 15 years and regularly work with a range of industry professionals, including executives, physicians, lawyers, professors, business owners, real estate agents, and entrepreneurs. My Image Works NYC studio and is conveniently located in Midtown NYC near Penn Station and FIT.

A lot goes into making your professional headshot happen. You’ve got to meet with your photographer, schedule a day to shoot, find the right outfit, decide what to do with your hair and makeup - for starters. But all of that amounts to very little if at the end of the day you wind up with a headshot that looks nothing like you.

How does this happen? and why?

The headshot is one of the most important tools in an actor’s arsenal. Actor Headshots is frequently one of the most confusing. Sometimes the goal of presenting yourself to casting directors in the best possible light leads to some skewing of reality. But while you want to look your most photogenic, you also want to look pretty much like how you will look when you walk in for your audition. That means, for example, not doing your hair like it’s your wedding day or wearing an outfit that you would never wear otherwise. It means not using a headshot that no longer reflects what you look like. (Rock who are today, not ten years ago.) It also means working with a headshot photographer who understands what good lighting can do on set to accentuate your best features, rather than restoring to editing later to “fix” what probably didn’t need fixing in the first place.

On that note: Photoshop should enhance your raw pictures, not alter them. It is a mighty sword best wielded by those who know how to use it. Casting directors can tell when a picture has been overly edited. Don’t do it. 

Great are the auditions that start with: “You look like your headshot!” Not so great are the auditions that start with a casting director wondering who you are because you’re certainly not the person in the headshot they’re holding. Remember that a deceptive acting headshot is an immediate red flag. It says to industry members that they’re dealing with an actor who is uncomfortable with how they look, unaware of their type, and, to some extent, untrustworthy. Wether it’s true or not, that’s what a headshot that doesn’t look like you says.

So what does an actor’s headshot that accurately reflects the best version of you say? That you are an actor who knows the value of a first impression and doesn’t have time to waste anyone else’s time by being brought in for a role that doesn’t fit. Remember, there are a lot of variables out of your control that ultimately decide whether or not you book the job. Make sure to do your best with what you can control, like your headshot.

Need new affordable headshots? Just getting started and not sure you’re quite ready to schedule a photo shoot?  Been in the business for a while and hesitant about taking updated pictures? Whatever it is and wherever you are at in your career, do not hesitate to contac me with any questions or to schedule a consultation. I have been shooting professional headshots in New York City for over 15 years and regularly work with actors, models, authors, musicians, and a range of industry professionals. My studio is conveniently located in Midtown NYC near Penn Station and FIT. I shoot both indoors and outdoors, depending on the project. If you want outdoor headshots, I will work with your schedule to account for our unpredictable NYC weather. So we can book a date well in advance and adjust accordingly as the shoot gets closer. No stress, better pictures, always.

Contact us today for Professional headshots in NYC and we guarantee that you walk away with a set of headshots you love.