Maine Headshots

Stop hating your headshot

Btfitz — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:01:18 +0000

“I hate having my picture taken.” This is a statement I hear all too often as people walk through the doors of the Maine Headshot studio.   It’s a verbal reaction indicating just how awkward and uncomfortable having their photo taken makes some people feel. It’s based on sometimes specific, sometimes general memories of long-ago photos gone horribly wrong. And, it’s totally normal.

I understand it for what it is, and where it comes from. I never take it personally. I do take it as a reminder that my duty is to help my clients through this block—that and to help them see that they are capable of having absolutely great portraits they will want people to see.

I could attack the problem directly, with logic:   How many of those bad photos were taken by professional photographers, with professional lighting and other gear? If none, then wouldn’t you expect a professional to get better results (at least from a technical point of view)?   If you did get a professional headshot, was it taken at a mall assembly-line studio? Did your photographer simply snap off 5 or 10 shots and go on their way, or did they work with you, make you feel comfortable, giving you direction and feedback? Did they show you the results during or after the session? This last one can be extremely helpful in demonstrating to subjects how small changes in their position and expression can have huge results. It also helps to show subjects how, as they work with me, their portrait gets better, and better, and better.

Even among professional photographers, there are many different approaches to a model headshot or a business portrait.

The Maine Headshot method that I’ve developed is one that involves making you feel comfortable. It takes you step-by-step through the process of getting a great headshot. You get to see what we’re working on during the shoot, not only after we’ve had the chance to process the photo in Photoshop. We’re confident you’ll see a great photo right out of the camera, even though we do polish it up after you’ve made your final selections.   We don’t assume you know how to pose or model—after all, very few people are professional models.   We know how to work with any body type to help you look your best. Our clients are surprised that we don’t spend a lot of time asking them to smile—instead we engage them in conversation, give constant feedback and create an environment where you can be yourself, your expression is natural and relaxed and authentic.   Genuine smiles involve more than the mouth. Eyes and eyebrows are important, too, and that’s why a “true” smile or emotion can’t be faked or ordered up with a simple command.   To get something real and unposed, there has to be a connection between photographer and subject.   Here at the Maine Headshot Studio, we work hard to make sure you have a positive experience. If you’re relaxed, if you’re confident in the process, your headshots will be the best you’ve ever had taken.

Your headshot is a ‘fail’. This could be why.

Btfitz — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:16:02 +0000

Getting the perfect headshot photo for you is more than just finding a good photographer. A lot more. Approaching it in the right way will lead to better results and a photo that works for you and not against you. Here are some things to keep in mind during the headshot process: We all have the same style! A technically good headshot photo is one thing, but if it’s shot in a style that doesn’t match watch you do, or your brand, it can be a visual non-starter. A web designer may not want a headshot that makes them look like a banker. A financial services professional may not want an edgy-looking image. Discuss the look you’re after with your photographer and make sure you’re on the same page. I’m so glamorous…. You may be glamorous, but you don’t want your image to turn into a glowing portrait straight out of 1940s Hollywood–or worse, 1980s glamour shot studios. A little makeup is great, but a more natural look, as opposed to airbrushed, is preferred. So lose the boa, ditch the wrap and be fabulous by being you. The disappearing headshot You’re ready to send out the PR piece or local press contacts you asking for a handout headshot. Did you fail to back up your original headshot and place it someplace–on a CD, an exteral drive, online–where you can find it easily again? If you had a headshot taken by a friend, coworker or a part-time photographer, you may be out of luck. Make sure you save your headshot images in multiple locations, or work with a photographer who will still be in business two years from now–they’ll easily be able to locate your image in time to make your deadline. The 1980s called. They want their headshot back. Headshots age quickly. A good guideline is to update yours every 2-4 years, depending on your profession. You can maximize the life of your headshot if you stay away from fashion fads (think bell bottoms, elephant collars, shoulder pads and big earrings) in favor of simpler, classic looks. Stay away from patterns and go for solid colors. If you’re a cutting-edge hair person, be prepared to get your headshot updated more regularly. If the hair in your last headshot looks like the hi-top fade Kid sported from the group Kid ‘n Play, it might be time to get a new one done. Unnatural, stiff, posed-looking Who loves getting their headshots taken? Judging from the initial reactions of those I’ve photographed, not many. Your photographer should work with you to get a more relaxed expression. The goal should be a natural-looking expression, rather than a pasted-on smile. Every photographer has a different way of getting you to this place, but there are a combination of techniques, from physical posing to interpersonal interaction that will lessen your pain in front of the camera–and make you love the results. The name of the game is, if you’re uncomfortable, it’ll show in the photo. The best thing you can do is approach your headshot in the spirit of wanting to get the best photo, and making the best of the opportunity you have to look your best, rather than focusing on the negative. I got this headshot for $40 Congratulations! Your friend/wife/boss just got a new camera and they’ve always wanted to be a photographer…and they’ve agreed to take your headshot! Or you are referred to a ‘professional’ charging rates much lower than anyone else in the market. Can these folks take a headshot that is professional, make you look great and save you a lot of green in the process? Absolutely. But generally, you get what you pay for. The lights, modifiers, digital cameras that make you look so good can’t be purchased with revenue generated from ‘free’ sessions. When you pay a photographer, you are paying a little for their time…and a lot for their experience, accumulated over years. If you’re a gambler, go with Aunt Susie. If you want consistent results, pay a professional…it’s that simple. Choose the right photographer All photographers are not alike. Make sure you’re looking at the right photographer with the skills and interests that show they’ll do a good job with your headshot. Ansel Adams may be a master printer and landscape photographer, but I wouldn’t think first of him when it comes to hiring a wedding photographer. Besides the fact that he’s dead, there’s nothing in his portfolio that says “I like to shoot people. I shoot them a lot. ” Don’t hire a wedding photographer to shoot product, either. But can you hire a wedding photograher to shoot a headshot? Absolutely–they both work with people and shoot a lot of portraits, so it’s a much better fit. When you’ve narrowed down your search to include people- and portrait-photographer types, then hone down further by looking at their portfolios to see if they’ve shot headshots and portraits in a style you enjoy. Do they shoot with natural light or studio? Is there stuff white, light and blown out? Is it dark and dramatic? What’s the best fit for your brand and occupation? White backgrounds are the best, right? Headshots typically run very small, and in many publications are cropped so that shoulders don’t show. If you are photographed against a white background, it then creates the discombobulated ‘floating head’ effect. Poof, you’re the Wizard of Oz. So stay away from white backgrounds in favor of natural environment or a colored backdrop.

—Bea H., Resume Writer

Btfitz — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:01:09 +0000

“Thank you very much, Brian. I was very pleased with the process and am thoroughly pleased with the final products. Thanks for the three formats!”

—Andrea P., Realtor

Btfitz — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:57:55 +0000

“Thank you for your time and effort in producing my headshot. I could not be any happier and would gladly recommend you to anyone. I hope to work with you again in the future! Many, many thanks. “

Professional hair and makeup matters

Btfitz — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:27:34 +0000

A common question I get here in the studio is, ‘Do you recommend professional hair and makeup services?” I do. Obviously, these services are not required, and I can do a great job with lighting, posing and even post-production that will help you look your best. However, I still recommend hair and makeup–whether done here in the studio or by a preferred person elsewhere before your session. A good stylist will bring out your best features and minimize any problem areas in ways that look better and more natural than using Photoshop. Something about having someone there to primp and work on you makes people feel special, and this alone usually results in a better experience and great results. Rather than talk about it, here’s a good example of a before-and-after shot (thanks, Frankee!). Notice especially her skin, hair and eyes once Laura, our stylist, does her magic. Laura is great at the natural look our clients prefer. Note: Lighting and clothing are also important factors in the final look of a headshot portrait, but much of the ‘polish’ of the final image is due to styling.

Before, left, and after hair and makeup session

Making better black and white headshots

Btfitz — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:04:44 +0000

From time to time I get requests for black and white headshots. All of our images are taken in color, of course, but sometimes our clients prefer black and white, or have a specific use—like the inside page of a newspaper—where color isn’t an option. Maine Biz’s “In Short” section is a prime example of this. Whether we convert our clients’ images to black and white or they have it done elsewhere, it’s important to know that there are different methods that result in very different results. Most common is the RGB-to-Grayscale conversion. It simply discards all of the color information in the image and the result looks….well, just okay:

Grayscale Conversion

The problem is that there is no control over the conversion process. Grayscale images tend to be flat, with few true whites and lack of detail in the shadow areas. Not terrible, but not great. We use a couple of alternate methods to convert color to black and white. Here’s the first, using Photoshop’s built-in Black and White converter:

Photoshop's built-in Black and White converter

Better. We also use a manual method of conversion, involving multiple steps:

Manual black and white conversion

Either of the last two methods are preferable to the first. The proof is in the viewing. In the third (manual) image, there is more detail in the shadow areas, the image has more contrast and thus the image “pops”. So if you think you’ll need to use your color headshot image in black and white, let us know first so we can help that image look great for you.

Your headshot background says plenty about you and your brand

Btfitz — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:46:45 +0000

When people come to the studio for headshots, they are usually focused on themselves and how they’ll look in the images we produce. Very few have a strong opinion about what kind of background their photo should have. Often they don’t realize the key role played by a background in even a simple head-and-shoulders image. Your background style, texture and tone will communicate loudly about you and your brand. It should contribute rather than detract from the message you’d like to communicate. Rather than ask directly, I’ll inquire about the planned use of the image and where it will be displayed. I’ll talk to the subject about their brand in order to understand their industry or their target audience. Then it’s easy to make a recommendation regarding backgrounds. I’ll typically shoot a variety so that the subject has several options from which to choose. Maine Headshot uses a variety of seamless paper backdrops. On location, we use either paper or cloth backgrounds. The standard colors are white, gray and black. We also have colors like lilac, green, red and brown. For many of my corporate clients, gray, black or white are the most common choices. Gray is the most versatile, since merely by adding light (or taking it away) the color can turn white, black or any shade in between. Add a colored gel, and gray can turn any color of the rainbow. What we don’t have are “scene” backdrops—like a country meadow, a sunset beach or a cozy fireplace. We don’t shoot a lot of textured pattern backgrounds, either, since that looks a bit dated. More common is the use of patterns or screens that we shine light through onto the background, which gives a textured, natural-looking shadow pattern. We also shoot a lot of “natural” backgrounds, with a brick or plain wall in the background. Here are some examples of the types of backgrounds we incorporate. If you have something else in mind, just let us know. We can do almost anything and are glad to try something that fits you perfectly. Look below for some of the many examples of background effects available in a studio setting.

Know when (and how often) to get a new headshot

Btfitz — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:26:43 +0000

Asking a portrait photographer how often you should have your headshot taken is a bit like asking a car mechanic how often you should change your oil. Whatever answer you’re given you suspect may be more often than you want or actually need. The short answer is: it all depends. Let me explain. My friend Kevin is a well-known creative professional. I’ve taken headshots for him in the past, and he uses these photos online. But he mixes it up—usually using a snapshot or computer camera capture—for his personal profile on Twitter and Facebook. It seems like when he posts updates, his profile photo is always new, fresh and different. But if you go to a site where he has a member profile—something that is meant to be looked at almost like a resume for potential clients or professionals, the image he uses is from Maine Headshot. In other words, when it comes to representing yourself as a professional, use a good-quality headshot. This portrait will last you potentially for years. You’ll know when it’s time to change it because it no longer looks like you, or because it’s shot in a style that appears dated to you or to others. A good guideline? One to five years. If more than five years, get a new photo. Kevin’s case demonstrates that it can be part of your brand image to change your Facebook or Twitter profile photo often. If you do so, it doesn’t have to be a professionally-made image. The greater value is that it’s dynamic, fresh and interesting. It’s appropriate for personal Twitter and Facebook accounts. I wouldn’t do this with a resume site like LinkedIn or with my profiles on paid professional association sites. For my business pages and business Twitter accounts, I use my business logo rather than my headshot. So the slightly longer answer is: it depends on what your goals are and what your brand identity is. If you’re a professional in the financial services industry, I’d say you should invest in the best headshot you can and re-do it every two to three years on average. If you’re in a so-called creative, high-tech or internet-based industry, I’d have multiple personas like Kevin has done: a mix of professional headshots, your business logo and fun, quick-and-dirty snapshots for your various online personas. For these people, I’d recommend a new headshot every one or two years, and that they update their more casual headshot several times a year.

Five ways to get the most out of your headshot

Btfitz — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:09:00 +0000

For many people, getting their headshot taken ranks somewhere between, say, a visit to the motor vehicles department and getting a root canal. Not fun and definitely not pain-free. Being prepared for your session will help you get the best possible results…and will help you maximize the value you get from using a professional portrait photographer. Come prepared At Maine Headshot we send you an email chock full of helpful information to help you prepare. Beyond the basics—a full night’s sleep, for example—it helps to bring sample photos. Clips from a favorite magazine, a print-out from a website, a snapshot where you looked great in the past are a great way to let the photographer know the look and feel you’re going for. Bring makeup if you have it. Bring a change of tops if you aren’t sure which way to go…we’ll help you choose one that will work great, and may photograph you in multiple outfits. Know what you want What are your goals are for the photos? Aside from making you look good, what do you want these photos to do for you? Help land you a job at a conservative, financial services company, or as a creative in a hip design firm? Make you stand out to a talent agent or producer? Highlight your best attributes on an online dating site? Knowing your goal, and communicating that to the photographer, is the most important thing you can do to make sure your headshot accomplishes what you need it to. Be engaged in the process Communication with your photographer is always appreciated and welcomed. Most people find it hard to say what side of their face photographs best, or what feature they want to highlight. But they do know what features they don’t like—what the “problem” areas of their faces are from their perspective: lazy eyes, scars, etc. Letting the photographer know these things will allow us to minimize features that, while not always obvious to us, are important for you to address. Get the most bang for your buck I encourage subjects to bring multiple changes of clothes to the session. We can help you choose the perfect one. It’s a good idea to think long-term. Since you’re already coming to the studio for a photograph, it might be worthwhile to have multiple photos taken: one casual for a personal site, one more formal for business and maybe something fun for social media profiles. Even if you think you just want one image from your session, keep in mind that we shoot a lot of poses and looks. Chances are you’ll see additional photos you like and can purchase separately after the fact. Put it out there You’e done all the hard work. You’ve gone through a photo session, endured the flashing strobes. You’ve edited down to your final choices and you end up with a high-resolution digital file suitable for print or web. You’d be surprised how many times people get this far and then don’t use their image for months or even longer. Once you get your images, use them as soon as you can. Post them everywhere where you want to show your unified visual brand—social media platform, your blog, the local business publication, everywhere. Replace all the old snapshots or other headshots and make sure you’re represented by your new, professional, you. Being engaged in this process will not only result in better results. It’ll make it a better experience, turning something that some people dread to—believe it or not—a pleasant and even fun experience. Follow these five steps to make sure you save time, aggravation and money at Maine Headshot or the professional headshot photographer of your choice.

What small businesses should know about LinkedIn

Btfitz — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:59:57 +0000

Editor’s Note: This is the third post in a series on the most popular social media platforms and your brand. LinkedIn is definitely worth consideration for anyone, especially small businesspeople, wanting to build their brand. With over 70 million users (one joining every second) it’s the largest network of professionals you’ll find (In the time it took to read this, 5 new people joined LinkedIn). As of this year, LinkedIn is the number 2 social network, behind Facebook. Here are some reasons LinkedIn may make sense for you: If you are a service-based business, and your focus is primarily other businesses, LinkedIn is a huge network of mostly business-to-business types. LinkedIn discussion groups allow you to find others with interest in your areas of expertise, and then contribute to and create the online discourse. Being seen as a contributor could do wonders for recognition of your brand. Obsessing about competitors isn’t a good thing, but being aware of them, and what they are doing, is useful. LinkedIn allows you to do this and to see their level of activity. It’s extensible–Like Facebook, LinkedIn is a platform with many third-party apps you can use to customize your page the way that works best for you. As you grow, and need to recruit staff, LinkedIn may be the best resource for you to find the perfect fit. In short, if you are a business person, rely on networks of other business types, or operate in the B2B sphere, I’d recommend LinkedIn. It’s a great business resource that has great tools for helping you to establish yourself as a go-to person in your area of expertise. The thing to remember is to be active and consistent. Don’t just sign up and think that it will work for you. You need to participate, search and post regularly and often. You need to customize your pages to fit your brand and (of course) have a professional profile photo. Think of LinkedIn as your online resume–one that is dynamic, visual and interactive.

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