Professional Business Headshot Photography

We now live in a time where online profile images are becoming essential to showcase us to the online world. So much of our business interaction is conducted through online chatting, communicating via Skype, and an assortment of social networking hosts. Social media is also how we search for jobs and broaden our business connections via systems like LinkedIn. A great profile image goes a long way in connecting us to our clients. Online profile pictures should be professional; show us off without looking like too much fuss has been made, in other words, natural. They should be warm, friendly, and instantly engaging, what I term conversational, but primarily they should represent who we are.
My approach is simple and begins with an interview. We sit and chat to assess and determine how best to approach your needs and ultimate headshot use. I rarely like to shoot someone cold without getting to know them first. Not all headshots are the same, as not all people are alike. Subtle changes are made to light and position to match each individual. This conversation ensures we reach the core of who you are and develop the best image possible. We then shoot the headshot. Afterward, I prefer a day to go through the photos and clean out the best of the best to create a series of proofs. We can then proof or view them several ways: come back to the studio where we can make an assessment together of which ones work best, or I can email you, DropBox, or Smash (file sharing upload) your copies to preview. Once you make a final selection, I will clean it up and make it into your final headshots. I will then provide you with two digital copies, one that is optimized and ready to use for the web and the other a high-resolution copy for print.  

Styles of Business Headshots

Traditional headshots are going by the wayside, as modern headshots are more intimate and personable, with a stronger connection targeted to the intended viewer.

Environmental Headshots

On location and in the work environment, capturing the subject in their natural workspace. The feeling is your clients have just popped into your office and gotten you working, and you glance up and immediately engage them. Typically like to work with the space's natural light, which may be enhanced with a light strobe to fill in shadows and create a warm catch light in your eyes.

Studio Headshots

Shot in my studio, typically with a soft focus backdrop and lit specifically to bring out and enhance your personality. The space and lighting are highly controlled for maximum effect.

Traditional Business Headshots

We can still create traditional headshots with more angular and sculptural lighting and mottled backdrops. If you have a company in which a standard formula has been set, and you want to match the existing style, I can take a look at what you have and generally recreate it.

White Knockout Headshots

This is where we shoot against a white background in the studio and then take the background out in the final images to create a transparency so the subject free floats on websites. This is particularly popular for overlapping your headshot or pictures with other graphics.

Pricing

$150 for the photo session. This includes one headshot selection cleaned up and ready for use.
$25 per additional image cleaned up.
$25 per image for background knockouts and creating a transparency.
I take Venmo, all major credit cards, checks, or cash, and I can also invoice your company for payment.

Prepping for a Business Headshot

Think about your style and what will be reflected in the image. Match your clothing to that style: suits, comfortable business casual, relaxed, and easygoing. What you wear tells the visual story of who you are. Finely pressed says something completely different than crumpled or wrinkled.  

Make choices that reflect your style and personality. Think about what you want to say in the image. The general rule is: the simpler, the clearer the picture will become, and the more hospitable and friendly the final image will reflect. Stay away from busy patterns that can become a distraction from your face. Think of clean lines that lead up into your eyes. Avoid shirts and tops that scoop too low, as headshots for the web often need to be cropped tighter, and it is better to cut into a part of the clothing instead of exposed skin. Avoid fine pin strips, which create a moiré effect on most screens (wavy lines fluctuate as the monitor refreshes).
Do not worry about skin blemishes; they can be touched up in the final editing process. 
You want to take care of your hair and grooming again to reflect your personality.
This may seem logical, but brushing your teeth before the shoot also goes a long way to avoid complicated touch-ups.
My studio has a dressing room for changing clothes, a mirrored counter, and a sink for adjusting makeup. 
Most of all, be prepared to come and have some fun. After all, it should be a fun process.