Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Preparing for business portrait

"If you’re like most people, the idea of a closeup photo of your face is about as compelling as smashing your thumb in your car door. Repeatedly." ; o )

CLOTHING
  • Style choice
    • Friendly and nurturing, like a coach or a therapist? 
    • Strong and able to take care of any problems like a broker or a lawyer? 
    • Artistic and elegant like a gallery owner or sculptor?
    • Classic corporate
    • Casual: choose polished statement
  • If not sure, bring several outfits tops
    • Something professional
      • definitely want a nice suit jacket for the professional look
      • I recommend sticking to solid colors
      • Something that will stand out against a darker suit jacket
      • consider the overall tone as somewhat neutral
      • Add splashes of color (power tie)

    • Something casual
  • Avoid:
    • Overly bright colors
    • Lots of white/black
    • Big or complicated patterns
    • Large, reflective jewelry
    • Caps
    • Tee shirt length sleeves
  • Personality, professionalism, and success
  • Gray background: select blues, reds, greens, purples
  • Suit: 
    • Button top button
    • Texture works best (for example, pin-stripe)
    • Men look great in a light blue shirt and blue suit 
HAIR, MAKEUP, ETC.
  • Look natural
  • Look like the person you truly are
  • Do not get a new haircut--at least one week, in advance
  • If going to a stylist, maintain existing look
  • Shave
  • Men: Don’t be afraid to have light make up applied by a professional
  • Oil-mattifier: controls shiny skin (really light lotion that soaks up oil without leaving any residue)
SETTINGS
  • Studio setting
    • Head and shoulder picture
    • Best for: 
      • Press release
      • Newsletter or program
      • Web site 
      • Business card
    • Studio setting works best
    • Typically small and serve primarily to provide a means of personal recognition rather than to convey a particular expertise.
  • Environmental setting
    • Conference room, library, or office setting
    • Best for:
      • Corporate brochure or newsletter 
      • Larger format on your website
    • Communicates knowledge, proficiency,and warmth
  • Blurred background: don’t have any context that gives away the location
  • Alternative: three-quarter or full length view
  • Natural light photography
    • Very flexible in regards to weather, time of day, and location
    • “Worst” time to shoot is high-noon (or whenever the sun is at its peak height):
      • The sun is most “harsh” at this time
      • Most natural light photographers won’t even attempt it
    • For individual sessions, I like to get at least three different locations/environments, and with multiple outfit changes
  • Artificial light photography
  • Winter / early Spring shoots typically have the fastest turnaround
  • Location ideas:
    • Wilder Ranch

EXPRESSION
  • Purpose: encourage the viewer to bring his business to you
  • Jaw: Forehead out and down, to tighten skin over jawlines..."feels weird, looks good" (link)
  • Focus on the eyes (link)
LOGISTICS
  • Sleep: get lots of it
  • Set aside one-half of a day
  • Items to bring:
    • Comb/brush
    • Toothbrush
  • Just sit there and look "pretty"--let the photographer do all the work
  • Time:
    • 10:00 a.m.: 
      • Most convenient time for people 
      • Enough time to settle into work
      • Still look “fresh” from the morning
    • One person: 15-45 minutes
    • Variables: 
      • Location(s)
      • Outfit changes
SHYNESS
  • In good hands
  • Photographer directs
  • Very quick
POST-SHOOT
  • Touchups:
    • Tired eyes
    • Stained teeth
    • Blemishes 
    • Wrinkles
  • Chris definitely retouches purchased photos and, upon request, pre-purchase photos
USES
  • LinkedIn
    • Standard headshot
    • Generally cropped pretty close in – say, mid-chest height

RESOURCES



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