5 photo tips for Vancouver headshot photos with Simon Rochford photography
A headshot photo is a portrait of a person, and it only includes the shoulder upwards. The main focus of a headshot is just a single person and no one else.
Headshots have a specific purpose and specific skill set. There are several categories of headshots depending on the industry asking for one.
To deliver quality and diverse portfolios, photographers have common tips that they must follow when taking headshots.
Discussed below are some of the main photo tips for headshot photos. You can also check out Simon Rochfort Photography for more information.
Understanding Client’s Requirements
This is the first and most important tip. Before taking any headshot, you have to first listen to what your client wants.
They always have a clear idea of what they want out of a shot. It is because headshots vary, and they all meet different requirements. When you do not pay attention to your client’s needs, you risk giving poor services, resulting in a bad reputation and low customer turnouts.
For a photographer to successfully meet these requirements, it is advisable to have questions that you present to the customer before getting to work. These questions range from the format, style, to background.
- What color format is needed?
- What is the purpose of the headshot?
- Should the background be a block color or natural surroundings?
- Is the style formal, creative, or candid?
Once these questions are answered, then the process will be easier and the shots accurate. See this link to read more https://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-for-photographing-great-headshots/
Choosing Correct Camera Lens
Choosing the correct camera lens has a great impact on the quality of the portrait. Specialized portrait lens and fixed zoom lenses are often a good choice, and they give quality shots.
With choosing a camera lens, you also have to think about positioning and composition. Fixed zoom lenses offer higher apertures, while specialized portrait lens offers a more high-quality image.
Most beginners use fixed zoom lenses as they come in with a range of focal lengths. In addition to that, always check the aperture. Upon the client’s request, and should the background be natural surroundings, a higher potential aperture creates a good out-of-focus background. These are some of the lens types perfect for headshot photos:
- 50mm Fixed
- 80mm Fixed
- 24-70mm Zoom
- 70-200mm Zoom
It is important to note that these lens types vary depending on the brand of camera you are using. These brands range from Canon, Nikon, and Sony, to mention a few.
Check Camera Setup Beforehand
It is necessary to ensure your camera is fully set up before starting to shoot. It helps to avoid embarrassing situations that may only frustrate clients.
Before any photoshoot, check if the batteries are fully charged and if the memory card is present and clear. This way, you avoid cases where you have to start shooting mid-sessions afresh because your battery suddenly went off or you realized you have no memory card in your camera.
The next step is to check the camera settings. Always ensure to look at the exposure, aperture, and white balance setting before reverting them to default or changing them to the desired setup.
On some occasions, ensure that you have your tripods, diffusers, and flash. You can always adjust your camera settings as you progress. Instead of continuing the session, should something go amiss, it is advisable to stop and review the camera settings. Click here for more insights.
Consider Both Natural and Forced Lighting
When you look at any photography tips, lighting is very important as it can change the whole look. Natural lighting usually creates a more alluring final product. If possible, it is better to use natural lighting. The estimate of lighting needed will depend on the client’s purpose of the shoot, their best feature, and location, whether it will be a bright or dim venue.
Always consider how light falls on your subject as it sometimes creates shadows. Headshots should not have any shadows because they hide a subject’s features. Alternatively, if there is inadequate or no natural light, you can always use a flash or a diffuser.
However, when using either of the two, you need to adjust the lighting not to look harsh or glaring. In this way, the client’s facial features will be more visible even though there might still be a slight shadow. Adjust lighting accordingly to get the best results.
Ensure Your Focus is On-Point
When taking headshot photos, the focus is everything. It can be frustrating when you upload a photo for editing and only find out it was out of focus.
With portraits, your focus is not just the eyes or a specific feature. You have to focus on your subject’s face and shoulders. To have the focus on point, you have to ensure that the aperture and focal length are right.
A good photographer always ensures to get the right focus beforehand. Make a habit of reviewing your shots to ensure they are in focus, clear and crisp. If they are not, adjust settings and take another shot that is in focus and very clear.
Conclusion
Practice makes perfect. For a person to be a good headshot photographer, they have to always practice. Regular practicing means that they will make these tips a routine. It is also important to encourage your subjects to take these shots to make them more flexible and at ease. Positively encourage the client to make the session fun and avoid the awkwardness that may result in stiff and unnatural pictures.
