Finding A Professional Headshot Photographer In Las Vegas
As a professional headshot photographer in Las Vegas, I would love to share some tips about headshots with you. The first thing to think about is where is this going to be used? On your website to promote your business, on social media to impress your friends? For professional use on Linkedin, or perhaps your resume? The right photo for the right use can make a very strong impact. That bathroom selfie with the high angle and low cut blouse may get you some new friends on Facebook or Instagram. However, it may not be the best fit for your resume or professional Linkedin account.
The Clean Classic Professional Headshot
Let’s say you are going for a suit and tie corporate job. When looking for a professional headshot photographer there are a couple things to look for. Typically you would want to keep the background simple. We usually suggest a nice neutral gray because it always comes across as clean, classy, and lets the subject be the star of the photograph.
We also generally do not recommend loud or super busy patterns that can be distracting in the image. The outfits that tend to have the best results are solid colored jewel tones. A little color can help add a cheery bright feeling to a portrait. Hopefully making you appear a little more approachable and fun to work with, which is part of the goal. While these are just tips from our professional photography experience with headshots here in Las Vegas, there are always rules to the exceptions.
How to Shine In Your Professional Headshot
Confidence is key in getting your professional headshot. In the day and age of photoshop, we can fix your hair or makeup mishap. We can not change your expression and your confidence radiating through the image. Find a photographer you are comfortable with. We pride ourselves on being really well versed in working with people who are uncomfortable in front of the camera. Even I, a professional photographer that shoots headshots in Las Vegas, am not comfortable in front of the camera. So finding someone that makes you a little more relaxed during your session is a good idea.
One way we like to help our subjects feel a little more comfortable in front of the camera is to slowly guide them through poses. Having you tilt your head slightly one way, or turning your shoulders just slightly away from the camera can make a huge difference. Having taken an immense amount of professional headshots, we have an arsenal of tricks to make you look your best in the final image. Even something as simple as leaning forward from your waist toward the camera, allows you to lift your head a little more to reduce additional chins.
Find a photographer that is going to guide you and help you in the process. Don’t settle for someone that just stands you in front of the camera and starts snapping. Anybody can do that. You want someone that is going to help you adjust your body position to find the perfect pose for you.
Professional Headshot Photographer in Las Vegas Bringing in the Environment
What if you want your portrait to resemble your work environment? Bringing in a little of what you do is an excellent tool for marketing. Your head and shoulder headshot on a gray backdrop doesn’t let everyone know right off the bat that you are an architect, a lawyer, an artist, or someone that works in construction. This type of headshot, or otherwise known as environmental portrait, has the ability to tell a little bit more about your story. Showing off not only your confident face, but also intriguing them with what you do.
You still want to keep your portrait all about you. Any professional headshot photographer in Las Vegas should know to keep the focus on you. One way to do this is with a shallow depth of field. This allows you to be in the environment but actually lets the focus fall off or blur out making you the only thing in sharp focus. If you have a newer cell phone, this would be that cool setting called ‘portrait’.
You still want to keep things tidy. If your desk is generally a mess with work, stage it for the photo. Less is definitely more sometimes, so keep your environment clutter free. Give yourself, the subject, a clean field for where your face will fall in the photo. Meaning avoid chords and light switches growing out of your head. Being aware of the space is something a professional headshot photographer should be very aware of.
Finding A Creative Headshot Photographer In Las Vegas
What if you are not a suit and tie type? What if your career is based in the creative field? Well maybe I am biased because that is the realm I live in, but welcome to fun town. Now just like above, I would suggest an outfit that is clean and pressed, but one that makes you feel confident. The more you can radiate confidence the better your professional headshot will be.
You’re creative and you want to wear loud patterns and colors, then make it happen. Perhaps you consider a more neutral or calm background. Or the opposite, find that busy mural or crazy patterned backdrop and keep your wardrobe a little more neutral. You have much more wiggle room from the standard head and shoulder pose that is used over and over again. Maybe you’re sitting, maybe you have a prop, maybe you are leaning on a print making tool like the above right image. You have an endless amount of options you can choose. Most of the information above still applies to you, just make sure you are still the star of the image even if it gets a little busier.
To anyone looking for a professional headshot photographer in Las Vegas here are some things to remember.
- Confidence is key.
- Show up groomed.
- Dress appropriately.
- Let the photographer help you.
- Pick the scene that fits you.
- It’s okay to break the rules.