Showing posts with label portrait. Show all posts
Showing posts with label portrait. Show all posts

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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