Friday, March 15, 2024

Preparing for your Business Headshot in Dallas

Investing in a professional headshot is investing in yourself, so why not prepare for it properly?

As a leading professional headshot photographer in the Dallas, TX area I want you to get the MOST VALUE from your business photo. Having captured countless headshots in over three decades, I've noticed that most people underestimate the impact of a quality photograph on their career and its profits! Done right, it has amazing value, making it the single smartest investment in your profitability you can make in business!

Professional Dallas Headshot Photographer Local Near Me
Professional Headshots Photography in Dallas, TX

Stop and appreciate that your headshot speaks for you in your absence, conveying a consistent and positive message. Whether we admit it or not, we often judge based on appearances, so ensuring you have an excellent "cover" is essential. To a marketing or advertising company, we would call it, "visual marketing communications" - it speaks - it SAYS SOMETHING about you. Your professionalism. Your ability to provide answers and results and follow through. Your poise, savvy, and confident attitude. These are more message are conveyed visually in your photo. So you want a professional headshot that says that you are poised to deliver strong, positive results!

With that in mind, here are some top tips to help you prepare for your professional headshot session, ensuring you look your best and making the photographer's job easier:
  1. Professional Dallas Business Headshots
    Define the Purpose: first of all, understand what you'll use the photograph for. Like any investment, you want a return. Probably your headshot will go on LinkedIn. Will it go in a company newsletter, in a press release, or just upon the website? Communicate your intended use to the photographer, enabling them to tailor the image to suit your needs effectively.


  2. Dress Appropriately: Treat your headshot photoshoot like a job interview. If you'd wear a suit for the occasion, wear one for the shoot. Discuss attire with the photographer; they'll offer valuable insights. Bring a variety of outfits to see what works best. Consider hiring a stylist if feasible—they work wonders.


  3. Be Honest About Concerns: Have an open conversation with the photographer about any insecurities you have regarding past photos. Your photographer can address these concerns, helping you look your best by adjusting angles, posture, etc.


  4. Hair Preparation: If using a hairstylist on the shoot day, wash your hair the night before for better styling. Schedule haircuts a few days prior to allow it to settle.


  5. Skin and Hair Products: Avoid using new skincare or hair products to prevent potential reactions that may be hard to retouch later.


  6. Dallas Model headshot photographer beauty photography
    Professional Makeup: Have your makeup done professionally? Is that really necessary? MOST PHOTOGRAPHERS SAY YES, but my experience says otherwise. My level of expert retouching accomplishes MOST of what women want to accomplish with makeup - blemish coverup, more dramatic but not overdone eyelashes, teeth whitening in a tasteful way, reduction in skin shine, etc. Now, I'm talking about a corporate headshot. In most case my experience demonstrates that 3rd party makeup services are not needed.


    Now, if you are doing a beauty pageant headshot, then of course, that is yes - hair and makeup service is required for that. Modeling Portfolio Headshot: usually yes, but makeup in a way that LOOKS more natural Acting headshots: usually no, or some looks with and some looks without.


    If your headshot is going in a magazine cover, trade show publication, or other prominently featured ways, then that shifts the makeup question more towards yes, than no. Makeup for photography is different from everyday makeup -- it is designed for the camera. This applies to men too—properly applied makeup can enhance features and reduce imperfections.


  7. Avoid Alcohol: Refrain from drinking the night before as it can make your skin appear tired and cause redness in the eyes, possible to but difficult to edit out later and still look authentic.


  8. Get Adequate Sleep: Lack of sleep affects appearance, so ensure you're well-rested before the shoot.


  9. Bring Essentials: Carry items like a brush, additional makeup, and lipstick for touch-ups if needed. Maybe even your own lint roller.


  10. Wrinkle-Free Clothes: Ensure your outfits are clean, ironed, and free of wrinkles. Wrinkles are challenging to edit out, so presentation matters. TIP: I often encourage my headshot bookings to bring their clothes in on hangers and change right before their photo in my changing room, to keep the outfit as fresh as possible.

By following these steps, you'll set yourself up for a successful headshot session, resulting in a stunning photograph that truly represents you. Enjoy my strong, positive results on your Dallas headsets, LinkedIn Profile Photos, and any time you need to look your best - call 877-858-0071 and book your Dallas (Richardson, Plano, Allen, McKinney and North Dallas, Highland Park, Park Cities, Uptown, Downtown) photoshoot at www.HeadShotPros.com