*FINALIST 2018, 2020-2024 Best of Gulfshore Life Magazine Reader's Choice Award
Head Shots & Branding
On Location
At your Business
At your Business
Southwest Florida offers plenty of beautiful, natural backdrops...let's pick a spot and showcase it!
At your Business
At your Business
At your Business
Want to show off your place of business as a part of your corporate headshot? I offer group discounts with three or more employees photographed on the same day!
Studio
At your Business
Studio
Whether you need to update your headshot for a business card or your website or even your Linked In page...a studio backdrop is always a great way to do it!
Branding
Stock Photos
Looking to create some flair for your social media presence or website? I offer many photos to be purchased as stock photos. Message me for more details. Some of these photos can be built into the cost of an entire branding session or can be purchased separately.
What is important to you about your business? What are some things that you would like to talk to your audience about? Let's capture those images together to tell your unique story!
A "BRAND" new you!
Hair and Makeup Artists are available to add on to your Branding Session so that you look and feel your best. Capture the best parts of you to introduce to your ideal clients.
Book today! Branding Packages start at $400*
Photo Gallery
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Wardrobe Dos and Don'ts
You've Booked your Head Shots....Now, what do I wear!?!
Congratulations! Your company has decided to update your professional headshots! For some of you, this is something that is dreaded. It doesn’t have to be this way! This guide will hopefully be of help to make the process easier.
Please know that a Headshot session should be quick, easy and painless. Most of the time, people are their own worst critics when it comes to seeing themselves in photos. Read through these tips and tricks to help you feel more comfortable and confident about your headshot session.
Whether it’s a recruiter or a prospective client, they’ll be looking at your profile picture to put a face to the name.
It might be your company’s website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram but first impressions count. Here are 5 easy tips that will make all the difference.
1. Don’t use the first photo that comes to hand.
That old picture taken at your cousin’s wedding last year… don’t do it!! Get a professional photo taken and really engage with the process. Think about how you want to look, research other people’s profile pictures and go into the session in a positive frame of mind. Even the world’s greatest photographer won’t be able to crack it if you’re not prepared to work for it too.
2. The clothes aren’t quite right
Don’t overthink what you wear, keep it simple and true to your usual style. Bold patterns or low cut clothing will distract, the viewer should be looking into your eyes rather than thinking, “that’s a nice tie” or “whoa, that’s a lot of cleavage”. If you wear a tie to work, or if you put on a tie for a client meeting, then wear one for the photos. What you wear on a night out should be different than what you wear on the job. Most photographers will be more than happy to shoot you in various outfits – but check with them first.
3. Expression – no fake smiles please!
Having photographed many politicians over the years, I know a fake smile when I see one – and so will your clients. There’s a whole spectrum of personality between the ear-splitting grin and the “I’m in a serious business, so I won’t smile” people. If you want to look serious all that’s needed to make you look approachable is a hint of a smile. A good photographer will be able to get a range of expressions but please don’t ask them to “tell us a joke”.
4. Your photo is way out of date.
Styles change and a profile picture from 2015 will stand out for all the wrong reasons. A stale picture can suggest that you’re behind the times. If you change your appearance, change your profile photo too. Don’t forget that the simple act of updating your profile picture on most social platforms will increase your visibility as the update will result in a notification going out to your whole network.
5. A little bit of research goes a long way.
Find other people’s profile pictures you like…. people similar to you. Be realistic about the comparison – there’s no point showing your photographer a photo of a 25 year old musician if you’re a 50 year old doctor. Think about what it is that drew you to the photo and how you can apply that to your photo.
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Headshots are essential tools for connecting with your customers and clients. Your business headshot is more than just a photo—it’s how the outside world will perceive you and make an immediate judgement, so you want to get it right. When people find you online, they decide whether to spend money on your service or product. One of the first questions they will ask is, “Who is this business?” Your customers need to easily find authentic photos of the people behind your business. Your professional headshot may convey the first impression of you to clients, future coworkers and other people you want in your network, so choosing an outfit that makes you look like a confident expert in your field is important.
Understanding how to pick the right clothes for your headshot photo session may help you to create the kind of photo you want to represent you. A business headshot could demonstrate that you're committed to your career and take your work seriously.
Headshots of your team are the most essential tools you can use to build brand trust, and professional photos will also communicate quality to your customers.
Your FACE is the focal point of these photos. It is important not to draw attention to other parts of you. Your face/smile is what will draw people in and want to do business with you. This is why a GOOD, PROFESSIONALLY taken headshot is SO important!
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Solids Are Best
Large patterns take over the photo. Solids are best for headshots. Some prints can work when layered with solids over the top. For example, a medium sized floral print under a solid top can be very flattering and add some visual interest to your photo. Avoid really tight patterns or tight prints, like tight pinstripe or polka dots.
A few of my favorite colors for headshots are burgundy or deep red, navy/blue, plum, emerald green and/or deep teal and charcoal. Within each of these colors, however, is a tonal range, and your skin tones should help you determine which specific tone of each color work for you.
- Do not wear bright pink, bright orange, turquoise, mint green, bright yellow, or any neon colors whatsoever. These colors tend to cast that color onto your face and do not photograph well.
- The best colors to wear for headshots are the colors that lie in the mid-tone area of the color spectrum, or the muted or dark tones.
· Dress to impress an ideal client or to look like your boss
· Dress like you’re trying to impress your ideal customer or a prospective client.
Choose Moderately Open Necklines
- The best necklines for photos are modest V necks, boat or crew necklines.
- Avoid turtlenecks or scarves that can’t be loosened around your neck. Turtlenecks make you look like you have no neck, and in photos, can make you look out of proportion.
- Avoid low necklines that you’ll be tugging on. Showing too much skin right near your face is also just not flattering and detracts from your face.
- Avoid buttoned shirts that are too tight around your neck. If you wear a buttoned shirt, it should fit without causing bulging.
Do Not Wear Tight Patterns or Tight Textures
- No tweed (synthetic print or real) or tight patterns. All of these textures and patterns can create a moire effect in photos viewed online. This effect looks like wavy lines that dance around on clothing on a screen but not in real life.
- Avoid small polka dots, pinstripes, small checks and tight patterns of any kind.
Wear Long Sleeve or Three-Quarter Length Sleeves
- Long sleeves or three-quarter sleeves look more professional. Because I typically have you turned at an angle to the camera, your arms will be the most camera-forward part of you. Unless you absolutely love your arms, you will want longer sleeves.
- If you decide on a tank top or sleeveless top, bring a sweater along too for a few shots.
Wear Layers for Headshots
- Layers work well for headshots, but be strategic about fit and color. Lighter colors should be underneath, with darker colors over the top in suit jackets and blazers.
- If you don’t love your midsection, pick a jacket, sweater or blazer that can be buttoned.
Make Sure Clothing Fit is Right
- Clothing should be well-tailored and fitted.
- Avoid baggy or loose clothing, as it will make you look larger in photos.
- Avoid fabrics that are clingy or shiny, especially thin, stretchy polyester or velvet. These fabrics highlight every bump and crease. Do not wear silver or shimmery gold.
- Avoid wearing something that is too tight, as this can lead to bulging.
- Longer shirts are best if you plan to be untucked. They elongate your torso and hide midsection insecurities.
- Avoid shoulder pads in jackets and suits. Shoulder pads make you look boxy, wide and can convey tension rather than relaxation.
Look Put Together and Tidy
- Arrive with clothing pressed and lint-free. If you are wearing a shirt that wrinkles easily, hang it up and put it on right before photos to avoid it getting wrinkly in the car.
- Wear the right bra for the shirt you will wear. Make sure the color won’t show through. Watch for lines and seams from bras that might show through shirts. If you are going strapless or with a tank top, wear a strapless bra (but again, I generally don’t recommend sleeveless or short sleeves for headshots).
- Avoid logos of any kind, unless they are your company logo.
Your headshot is a powerful tool for your personal brand. Consider what message you want to convey:
- Leadership and authority: A jacket and strong colors like navy or deep green project confidence.
- Approachability: Softer, warm tones like maroon or deep blues can make you seem more welcoming.
- Creativity: If you’re in a creative industry, a pop of colour (in moderation) can showcase personality while keeping things professional.
Makeup for Headshots and Professional Photos
In general, keep makeup natural. Aim for an everyday look, but be strategic about applying it with the following tips.
Protect Your Skin Before Your Session
- Wear sunscreen in the weeks leading up to your shoot! Racoon eyes or peeling skin are not fixable during edits.
- Drink extra water the week prior to your photos.
- Don’t get anything waxed or threaded the day of or the day prior to your photos. Waxing or eyebrow threading can lead to redness. Avoid any major skincare treatment in the same week as your photos.
- Schedule a haircut a couple weeks in advance rather than right before your session, just in case you don’t love it or in case you need a little time to learn to style it.
Foundation
- Avoid shiny, glowy, or dewy makeup, like those that contain minerals or sunscreen.
- Use a matte foundation that matches your skin tone and blends well with the skin color on your chest and neckline. Don’t apply foundation too thick; it will cake and enhance wrinkles.
- For more mature skin, use a thin liquid foundation rather than thick liquid or powder foundation. Thick makeup settles into fine lines and wrinkles and makes you look older. Opt for a light foundation with a touch of moisturizing quality, then cover any noticeable shine with a translucent powder.
- If you have makeup with some shine, use a loose, matte finishing powder over the top, like Laura Mercier’s Translucent Finishing Powder.
- Use concealer a bit more liberally than normal to cover any blemishes, but make sure it’s blended well.
Natural Lipstick with Slight Shimmer
- DO NOT wear super bold/dark lipstick. Lipstick should be one shade darker than your natural color and it should stay in line with your color palettes. Dark tones make your lips look thinner.
- Wear lipstick with a slight shimmer or gloss. Matte lipstick also makes your lips look thinner.
- Avoid strong lip lines and avoid going outside your natural lines to make lips appear bigger. Both are picked up easily on camera and look strange.
Neutral Eye Makeup
- Eyeshadow should be in neutral tones.
- Highlight with a matte ivory or white shade under the browline to make eyes appear more open. Concealer sometimes does the trick.
- Do NOT wear eyeliner on the lower lash line. It closes down your eyes, makes them appear smaller, and makes you look older.
- Avoid fake lashes, especially really long ones, as they also tend to close down your eyes, add shadows under your eyes and make eyes appear smaller. If you already use these on the regular, please know that this is something that cannot be changed in editing. You get what you get.
- Avoid shimmery eye shadow. Shimmer falls into creases and accentuates lines.
- Use black mascara. Brown is too light for photos. Use a new or newish tube of mascara for photo day.
Wear Glasses Without Reflective Coating
- Only wear glasses that have minimal to no reflective coating. The purple tint that helps with screen glare is a nightmare for photos. Please, please, please try to bring a pair without coating. Sometimes you can borrow a display pair from your optometrist that doesn’t have coating.
- Make sure the lenses are clean before your headshots.
Jewelry Should Be Tasteful and Minimal
- I love jewelry (who doesn't?) but try to keep it somewhat subtle, so it doesn’t distract from your face. Simple is best.
- Try to avoid anything super flashy, shiny or sparkly to avoid it catching light and becoming a distraction.
Keep Hair Shiny and Natural
- Only use products that enhance shine. Don’t use mattifying products (be careful with dry shampoos on this front!).
- Do your hair in a style you typically wear. Photo day is not the day to try a new style.
- Do not wear your hair in a bun or ponytail. It can look like you don’t have hair, or if your head is turned, like you have a big bump on one side.
- Bring a comb or brush and some hairspray with you.
- Wear facial hair the way you normally would. If you’re normally clean-shaven, use an electric razor to avoid redness.
I realize this is a lot to process! Please reach out if you need help deciding what to wear for headshots or if you have any questions. Of course, these are general tips, not hard and fast rules that apply to everyone all the time.
