Finding a great headshot photographer should be easy – especially with our good friend Google to help us out. Simply search something like ‘photographers near me’ and out pops a list of local photographers who will be delighted to take your headshots for you.
The problem is, as we all know, that there are so many photographers out there, how do we know which to select? If our search for ‘Local Photo Studio’ has produced 35 options all within 20 minutes of where you live, which one do you go for?
It takes a little time and effort, but here’s a list of attributes that your need to consider when selecting a professional photographer:
- Their experience as a professional
- The ability they have to communicate
- Mobility if required
- Flexibility approach to bookings
- Their existing portfolio of work
- Pricing
- Reviews
Let’s examine each of these in turn and hopefully leave you with a slightly clearer picture of what you are looking for.
Finding an experienced photographer
Is the photographer you are looking at experienced as a headshot photographer? And if yes, are they experienced at the type of headshot you need?
To take good headshot photography you need an eye for it. It’s all about seeing a certain character trait and bringing it out in the photo.
This takes more than just technical photography skills (although they are needed, of course), it takes an ability by the photographer to understand the subject in a short space of time, sometimes after only 5-10 mins of conversation
And you need to make sure that your chosen photographer has experience in the right type of headshot work. There are many different kinds – actor headshots, editorial headshots and executive are just three examples – and each needs a different look.
Just by changing the angle of the camera can make someone go from looking commanding (executive) to approachable and friendly (LinkedIn, social media, editorial), to expressive (actor).
A good photographer will be able to highlight the relevant characteristics you need from your photo session, draw them out and capture them in a single image.
Can they communicate?
One of the keys to a good photoshoot is communication with the photographer.
You won’t be able to get a great headshot if you are not relaxed and enjoying the photo session. A photographer who can direct you and help you feel comfortable at the same time is essential.
Many people do not feel comfortable having their photo taken, and even if they do, a professional photoshoot is a new experience for most of us. Your photographer should understand this and have the skills to help you to relax in front of the camera. And all at the same time as being able to direct you with expression and movement, to capture your natural look.
As we have just seen, they need to be able to bring out character in the photo. This will only work if they can communicate with you in a calm manner, listen and understand what you need and get a ‘feel’ for you through conversation.
Communication is a two-way conversation, so likewise, you need to feel also that you can express yourself to your photographer, ask questions, make suggestions and listen to their feedback.
Being able to get along with your photographer can make all the difference between good headshots vs bad headshots.
Is your photographer mobile?
Once you have found what looks like a suitable photographer, then comes the next question to ask yourself: is the photo studio near me?
It’s all well and good finding what appears to be an amazing photographer only to discover they are a three-hour drive away, especially when we all seem to be so busy.
There are two options at this point – find a more local photographer or find one who can come to you.
There are many amazing headshot photographs taken in studios – but not all of them are.
There are also many good reasons why a photo studio is not always the best place to have a headshot photo taken.
Perhaps you fancy an outdoor shot. Or perhaps for business you need your photo taken in your place of work.
Some photographers are mobile and can some to you, but if you find one who insists on you coming to their studio when you want something else, then perhaps it’s time to look around a little more first.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a studio shot – and some good advantages. The photographer is familiar with shooting there and so understands very well the results they will get; the lighting is completely controlled as well, which makes life a lot easier for achieving a perfect photo.
On the other hand, for some, a photo studio can feel a little intimidating and formal, which will work against getting the best headshot images.
Having a photo session in a place familiar to you can be a real bonus when it comes to relaxing. For an editorial style shot, such as these above, it is essential.
A good photographer will be able to work in a studio and away from it. Inside or outside. Nowadays, mobile ‘pop-up’ studios are much more common – backdrops and lighting equipment which the photographer can bring with them – and can produce studio quality shots wherever you are.
And while we are talking about location, don’t discount the outside headshot either. Depending on its purpose, and with the right background, you can get a unique headshot photo that will stand out and look amazing! Outdoor shooting can give the photographer a real chance to up the creativity in the image.
Are they available?
A good photographer needs to be flexible around the customer.
Imagine for a moment that you’ve spent time researching and finding what you consider the perfect photographer for you.
You call up to book, only to discover that they are very busy and can only see you in four weeks’ time, on a Thursday, between 10am and 10:30am.
A busy photographer is a good sign, yes? It means they are popular and so they must be good as they are in demand?
Well, yes. That is almost certainly true. But a busy photographer may also be too busy to get around to editing your photos.
Once the photo session is over, and your best ones chosen, then the photographer needs to go away and retouch them to bring them to perfection. This takes time, and if they are too busy it may be a while before you see you finished photos! Especially if they have another 10 photo sessions to do today and are still editing the wedding photos that they took for someone else last weekend…
You also need time during the photo session; some studios offer 30 minute sessions for headshots, but consider you’ll probably spend time at the start just talking to the photographer, you may want a change of clothes halfway through the session, and that you just don’t want to be hurried.
As we have already seen, the best photos will come when you are relaxed; 30 minutes is simply not enough time for most people to get comfortable in front of the camera and for the photographer to get the best shot.
You need to be able to book as much time as you need, not as much time as a photographer will spare you.
Can you see the photographer’s portfolio?
Before you book a photo session, you need to be able to see examples of the photographer’s existing work.
There are many different styles of headshot, as we have already discussed, so it is important that you find one that photographs in a style that suits you (usually one that appeals to you) – or one that fits your brief (executive photoshoot for work, etc).
Take a look at these four photos, which all display a different style of headshot:
Looking at different examples will help you to determine what kind of look you want for yourself.
Professional headshot costs
Headshot prices vary widely. Cheap headshots may not always be the best, but expensive is no guarantee of quality.
For example, in London today, DG Corporate will do a 30-minute headshot session for £115, but not retouch any images. For £195 you’ll get a make-up session and one retouched image (30 mins).
Headshots London offers a variety of packages from £245 – £375+ (and above).
The Headshot Guy will take a one-hour session, and prices run from £360-£560.
All these packages offer different features and numbers of photos, retouches, etc.
Price is a consideration for everybody; so you need to look for the services you need with the budget you have.
If a photographer seems expensive, then you need to ask yourself why? What are they adding into the package that justifies the extra cost?
Packages can often cost extra for retouching photos, as above, or may restrict you to only one final image.
Usually, costs will be tied to time; the longer the session the more expensive it is. This is fair, as you are paying a professional for their time, but often, packages lump together extra services with the longer photo session.
For example, a one-hour session and one final (edited) photo, or a two-hour session and six final photos plus a make-up artist.
The problem here is this: what if you want six photos but not a make-up artist? You’re going to have to pay for make-up whether you want it or not.
Try to find a photographer that has flexible packages that you can pick and choose exactly what you need and don’t end up paying for what you don’t.
Other packages can include (or exclude) changes of clothing (number of ‘looks’), printing headshots, editing, delivery via DVD/USB.
7. Read some reviews.
Before booking your headshot photo session, read some reviews. Find out what others are saying about a photographer or their company before finally committing yourself.
There are several places you can get independent reviews of any kind of service these days – one such example being Trustpilot – where verified reviews are written independently by customers.
8. Alternatively…
If all this seems a little daunting and a lot of hard work, well, it can be.
If you need a headshot photo then you have a reason to get a great one, and that makes it worth taking time to find the best service for the best price you can.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to all the hard legwork we have described above.
Splento have already done all this hard work for you!
They have a wide range of professional photographers who are available wherever and whenever you need them.
Described as the only photo and video service you’ll ever need, Splento has a fixed hourly rate and the options to only add on any extra services that you actually want.
Most importantly, each and every photographer has already been assessed, vetted and interviewed in advance. This means that not only do you that they have the right experience for what you need, you also know that their work is of the highest standard.
Additionally, having been personally interviewed and put through a rigorous selection process, you can be assured that all their photographers can communicate with you exactly as you need it to produce those amazing images you want.
Splento photographers will come to you and you can book them for when you want them (even if that’s tomorrow). And your final retouched photos? They will be delivered within 48 hours – guaranteed. (Even faster if you really need it).
Splento has a long list of amazing customer reviews and, importantly, you can check-out their photographer portfolios online.
Best of all, their fixed hourly rate – just £99 per hour – which includes delivery of all photos taken in the session – and all the best images retouched and delivered within just 48 hours.
Take a look now at Splento’s portfolio for some amazing headshots.
Discover how to make your own booking for a headshot photo session.
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