I'd like to bust three common myths people have about headshots. Here goes...
The truth is that we can now fix a lot, definitely we can even out blemishes, removing stray hairs, fly aways, and dodging and burning to fix lighting and shadows.
But what we can’t fix, and what comprises about 92.6% of what makes a headshot great, is expression. A real, authentic expression that exudes confidence but likability, that reflects your unique spark – that takes time and real human collaboration.
AI or HAL is not going to deliver that – HAL can’t even open the bay doors.
So a large part of what I do is expression coaching, adjusting lighting so it is flattering to your unique facial structure, figuring out what your strong side is and putting that forward most. When we do a studio headshot, we might shoot dozens and dozens of shots before we get just one we both like, and it will be 92.6% because of the expression.
So many people begin their session with me by saying “Oh, I’m not photogenic.” Or, “I hate having my picture taken.”
Neither of those is true. Everyone is photogenic with the right photographer. And if you hate having your picture taken, well, we clearly haven't met :)
Photogenic is actually an invented marketing term and the reality is that looking good, presenting yourself comfortably on camera is a skill. It’s something you can learn, that you can be taught. And that’s what I am here for.
It demonstrates something very important when you don’t settle for a selfie (or an image taken at a festival where you cropped out your sister).
A professionally crafted headshot shows employers and clients that what you do is special, that you (or your goods and services) are worth paying for. You want people viewing your headshot to conclude that you are an expert, a problem solver, a good fit for that next rung on the ladder.
Likewise, for companies, an About Us page with consistent, professional headshots of all the senior staff shows attentiveness to detail and to quality, something all customers respect.
No one who doesn’t know you is going to think better of you than the best image you put forward.
Don’t settle for a selfie.
Imagine you suddenly get a phone call or email notifying you that you will be featured the next day in a local media article, or in Inc. or Forbes or That Important Trade Magazine. “Can you please send over a current headshot?” someone asks.
Only you can be trusted to look after your “personal brand” (what people should expect when they interact with you).
And that means you should have not one, but a selection of headshots in your files, so that you can deploy just the right image that any situation requires.
That’s not a myth, it’s what a professional would do.