Archie Hayes 
Taking photos can be a great idea for a business. With the right equipment and skills, you can gain customers and create a brand in the industry. However, with the number of photographers operating in the world today, you should know how to level out the playing field—and mastering headshot photography can be a great way of achieving this goal. This can become your forte so your photography business can thrive and succeed in the long run.
Even if you’re still a neophyte in the photography business, you don’t have to worry because there are several sources that can help you take the perfect headshots. Here are some more tips to help you take the perfect headshots:
1. Know what your client is looking for.
Customer satisfaction is key to every business. For you to become a well-known photographer, you should know how to meet the client’s expectations or, better yet, exceed them. In taking the perfect headshots, learn to listen to your clients. Determine what they want in their photos and inquire if they already have any strategies in achieving this goal. Do your clients want a clean or colorful background? What theme do they have in mind for their headshots? Once you have your client’s input, let them know if their goals are achievable or not. You can also let them know what your opinions are.
2. Play with lighting.
Headshots will only focus on the upper part of your client’s body. Usually, it will only involve the client’s face. To ensure that these parts are highlighted in the best way possible, don’t be afraid to play with lighting. If you’re using natural light, take the photo in open shade or near a large window. Shooting outdoors can also be a great way of making the most out of natural lighting. If you’re shooting indoors in the evening, know what type of lighting to use for every client.
Photo by Patrick Gillespie on Unsplash
3. Play with different headshot poses.
A headshot photo will only shoot limited areas of your client’s body, but this doesn’t mean that your clients should only have limited poses as well. If you want to take memorable headshot photos, don’t be afraid to change it up. Instruct your clients to pose in different ways and ask if they also have poses which they want to try. The more diverse these poses are, the better it is for your clients and photos!
4. Take your time and make the necessary adjustments.
Even if you have been a budding photographer for years, don’t expect that you will get the perfect headshot the first time you click your camera. And when you don’t, you don’t have to feel so bad about it. Instead, you should take your time and make the necessary adjustments. After you take your first shots, pause and determine which areas should be improved for you to take better photos. You can even refine your camera settings if you think there’s a need to.
5. Find the client’s best angle.
Some people know what their best angles are, while others don’t. If you end up working with a client who belongs to the former, good because you won’t have to spend so much time taking the perfect headshot. But if you get to work with a client who doesn’t know his or her best angle, be patient and learn to work with this client. Take different shots of your client, let him or her assess your output, and pick a preference. You’ll be surprised how these trial shots will bring out your client’s best angle!
6. Always nail your focus.
Headshots are photos that should focus the face and the upper body of your client. For you to achieve this goal in your headshots, you should always nail your focus. You can do this by focusing on the eye closest to you, making sure that your camera has the right shutter speed, and by taking a few seconds to zoom in and out of your photos to know if you’re in focus.
It’s A Long-Term Commitment
As mentioned, you can improve your photography skills by using different resources. However, no matter what kind of resources you are planning to use, you should always be patient and consistent with your efforts. For you to have the skills needed to take headshot photos, you should be willing to invest your time and effort in it.
