Whether you’re in need of a headshot for your business profile, your modeling portfolio, or your casting sheet, the importance of finding the right photographer just can’t be overstated. This is your introduction, the embodiment of your personal brand. When someone lays eyes on your headshot for the first time, they’re going to make snap decisions about you! You want to make sure those decisions are aligned with your professional goals.
So, as you search for the right photographer, understand that the definition of what a portrait photographer does is very subjective. Like any profession, everyone in the industry has their own unique style. Depending on your needs, portraits can be artistic, candid, conceptual, formal, clinical, environmental, traditional, and so on. In the most basic sense, you want someone who can capture their subject matter – you – through the use of effective lighting, backdrops and poses. Perhaps most importantly, though, you want a photographer who can capture your unique personality.
“A photographer’s work should be fueled by experience and personality,” says Gustavo Fernandez, a San Francisco-based photographer who offers headshot photography, as well as corporate and event photography. Fernandez is highly regarded throughout the United States and abroad, and was recently commissioned to shoot the Forbes CIO Summit, which took place on April 29 – 30, 2018.
“There needs to be a connection between the subject and the photographer,” he continues. “For any type of photography, choose a professional who makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera, regardless of the setting.”
An easy way to determine this is by simply looking through a photographer’s website and any other public portfolios. Then, ask yourself if their style of work speaks to you. Does the work capture and fulfill its intended purpose? Does the work look professional?
Even if you think you’ve gotten all of the answers you’re looking for from a photographer’s website, take things a step further, and give them a call or request to meet for a consultation. This is actually very important, as it gives you a much better sense of the photographer’s personality and whether or not you will be able to work well together during a photo session.
Some other considerations that you’re going to want to keep in mind as you search for the right photographer include:
Variety. Always look for variety in a photographer’s work. This may be the single most important consideration, because your headshot must be unique to you. You don’t want to end up with a headshot that looks exactly like ten others when you pull up a professional site or walk into a casting call. The photographer you choose should be able to provide examples of a variety of angles, poses, backgrounds, compositions, and expressions.
Light. Look closely at the quality of light in each portfolio that you examine. Light should be warm and light with detail in the face, and there should be little shadowing. Backgrounds should also seamlessly blend and compliment the subject without presenting any distractions.
Energy. Headshots should always project your best energy. If you find portraits that come across as nervous to your glance, then perhaps that photographer isn’t the right one. Remember, a photographer should be someone that you can trust and easily get along with to bring out your best self. A good portrait should come across as friendly, easy to talk to, relaxed, approachable and confident. If and when a portrait says all of this, that’s when you know you’re working with a great photographer.
Consistency. Even if you might not particularly prefer the look of one headshot to another, ask yourself, “Is the work consistent from one photo to the next?” A photographer is only as good as their worst photograph, and the mark of a professional is consistency. During your search, if you find that the quality of a particular photographer’s work varies drastically from shot to shot, then you’d really be gambling on your own headshot if you were to hire them.
Headshots can serve many purposes and really open doors when expressed and captured correctly. They speak for you and let others know that you are a professional to be taken seriously. So, make the investment in hiring a professional to work with you. After all, you only get one first impression.
Gustavo Fernandez offers in-studio headshot photography services, which are known for providing an unparalleled client experience and the highest quality craftsmanship. His work can be found featured at www.GustavoFernandez.com
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