Three Secrets for Great Headshots ⋆ Award Winning Kansas City Photographer

Great headshots don’t happen by chance; together we MAKE them happen.

When taking family photos as a kid, my older brother forced himself to laugh. It got the rest of us laughing which resulted in something ‘almost’ candid. He’d gotten into this habit after our portraits for the church directory came back. He looked stiff, awkward and he wore a maniacal grin across his face.

It was far from flattering. But after discovering this little trick, he was a natural.

Practice in front of a Mirror

Practice and study your facial expressions while looking in the mirror. Turn your head from right to left and discover if you have a preferred ‘side.’ Laugh, smile, raise your eyebrows and decide if there’s a certain expression that quantifies you. Practice different poses by shifting your weight, crossing your arms and placing your hands behind your back.

Define Expectations BEFORE scheduling your photo shoot

What’s the best scene for your business? Do you need something simple on a plain backdrop? Or do you require something more elaborate? Sharing expectations with your photographer ensures you’re on the same page and ready to create together.

Corporate Professional- Standard Grey Background
High Key- White Seamless Background
Low Key- Black Background
Black & White or Color

Before your session, let’s discuss what makes your business dynamic and determine how you stand out from the crowd. The best way to promote and illustrate your brand is with high quality images that tell a story.

Great Headshots require a few minutes to relax.

Don’t rush through the experience. Allow yourself time to relax and give in to the process. Believe it or not, it takes your photographer a few moments to warm up too! I spend the first few moments testing light and making adjustments. During the ‘warm up’ my goal is to get my subject to (almost) forget I’m holding a camera.

Happy Shooting! For more tips on getting great headshots read this article.

Find some portrait inspiration here —-> My Pinterest Headshots