A Step-by-step guide to your Headshot Session with me.
As your photographer, headshots are one of my favourite services I provide. I love meeting your team, making them look great and making the whole process genuinely enjoyable. Yes, that's right — having your headshot taken can actually be enjoyable!
So how do we get from tired old headshots to the part where you walk away with an image you love? That's easy.
To help fill in any mysterious headshot-making blanks, here's my step-by-step guide to how we work together to create your new headshots.
Have a read, and if you have any questions just ask here. Let's get your team or individual headshots looking current and the best they've ever been.
Step 1. Our initial meeting
Planning a professional headshot session is an exciting time, and I am here to make the whole process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
The first step is to establish the exact headshot photography that you actually need. Think the style of your images, number of images, where you will use them — LinkedIn profiles, your company website, email signatures, marketing collateral — and what a great outcome might look like for you.
This initial meeting is the perfect chance for you to tell me all about the headshots you are wanting. We will establish scope, location(s) and timing so that we can work towards creating the very best results for you.
This is a 15 minute video call that you can book via my calendar right HERE
Below is an example of a plain background series of corporate headshots for a financial services firm with a very consistent/uniform style. Expression and posing is everything as you can see!
Step 2. Pricing and details
Now that we have established the style, number of people and location for your Melbourne headshot session, I will draft up a personalised quote and proposal for you.
This will detail the date options, costings, number of people getting a headshot, is there hair & makeup(?) and the amount of time required for your headshot photography session.
I always provide a clear, itemised quote upfront so that you know exactly what is included in your professional headshot photography service.
Once you have accepted the proposal, you will be directed to sign a service agreement. Your photoshoot is now booked!
In the examples below you will see that we have utilised the same area as the backdrop and explored a variation in the framing and composition. This give a consistent look to your “family” of headshots, but also allows for some more expressive poses. This headshot series goes a little beyond a headshot to also incorporate individual personal fashion and style whilst still having a cohesive look across the images.
Step 3. Your Headshot Session
Next is the best part — it's time for your headshot session!
If flashes or a backdrop are needed, they're all set and ready to go. More often than not, me and my big (lovely) soft box will be a part of your professional headshot session — whether we are shooting on location at your Melbourne office or at an external venue.
I will be taking plenty of photos to get a mix of expressions and various angles to find your favourite. It's relaxed and fun as I guide you through a range of natural poses, creating polished, professional results with ease.
For team headshot sessions, we will have a list of names on a run sheet so that we don't miss anyone.
Allow 10 to 15 minutes per person — what better way to have a little work break!
Below is an example of an outdoor headshot series. Here, I spent 15 minutes with each person, we wandered around this brilliant photo location at Marnong Estate.
All the images here sit together nicely like a a family of photos, each with a little individuation. Each image presents strongly on its own within documents such as a prospectus or annual report, as well as together on a website “about us” page.
Step 4. Proofs and Retouching
Now that your corporate headshots are done, it's time to see your new photos and make your selections. You will receive a link to your proofing gallery which displays all the photos from your session.
Each selected image will then get my personalised retouching — or as I like to call it, a polish! Professional headshot retouching can include removal of distractions in the scene, reducing glasses reflections, and tidying up any blemishes or fluff on clothing.
Expect your proofing gallery within approximately 7 days of your headshot session.
Below is an example of an outdoor headshot series. This financial firm opted for an outdoor natural setting that was just across the road from their office. The greenery gives a nice softness to their images and creates a point of difference from the usual financial services headshots that can be more formal and corporate. The point is here, to make your images what you want them to be!
Step 5. Delivery of your images
Now that your selected professional headshots are retouched, they are ready for you to start using across all of your comms.
Your images will be delivered digitally via a Google Drive folder, supplied as both high res and low res files so you have what you need for every situation — from your company website and LinkedIn profile through to print and marketing materials.
Simply download your new corporate headshots and take the weight off — you have a swag of professional photos at the ready for all of your communications.
If you are looking for ways to put your new headshots to work across your business, check out my recent blog post on exactly that.
The context of what your business does can be a key factor in your headshots. Below is an example of headshot photography on-site at a work place. The images for this legal firm were taken in the boardroom and the result are images that establish a quality, high end service.
Organising team headshots doesn't need to be complicated, time-consuming or something your team dreads. With the right photographer and a clear process, it can actually be one of the easiest things you tick off this year — and the results will show up across every corner of your business.
Whether you need headshots for one person or a team of fifty, I would love to help make it happen. Get in touch today and let's get the ball rolling.
