The Dreaded Headshot
Love 'em, hate 'em, you gotta have 'em.
I'm sure many of you can relate!

It was a spur of the moment shoot, I didn't want it to be a big ordeal.

luckily Michael is a photographer and with 5 mins notice he was willing to help. We chose to use his Iphone 13 on portrait mode for the ease and speed (I didn't want to dedicate much time to it). 

I didn't need it to be super high res. I just wanted a quick headshot for my newsletter and social media. I hadn't sent an eblast out in a while and with a new studio I thought why not a new headshot!

Now don't be mistaken for thinking I am comfortable in front of the camera, because I'm not! ask Michael.  I have a resting bitch face (seriously) I either look angry or sad. and I'm neither!  So I do have to ramp up the enthusiasm a little for the camera, and I wont lie it helps that we can banter back and forth.

But I've learned to be less critical of myself. I think it comes with age and the realization that in a few years time I'll look back at these photos and think "Dam I looked ok! why was I so hard on myself". (This has happened before, so I know).

I've learned to let go of expectations and not over think it. If I hate them all, I'll delete them. It's not the end of the world!

Our Tips

• My goal:  create a headshot for my newsletter. (no pressure)
• I'm not looking for perfect, good enough will do.
• My criteria: convey a little warmth, personality and look relaxed and natural.
• I wore clothes I'd been wearing all day. (felt comfortable)
• ​I did brush my hair and put on a little make up. 
• We decided to turn off the overhead studio lights, there was too much glare.
• We had a floor spotlight that lit the background but not me.
• Michael used his iphone 13 on portrait mode.  (he does have an experienced eye ;-).
• DId I say I am not comfortable in front of the camera? I feel self-conscious and I have a bit of a resting bitch face. Seriously I can easily look angry or sad when Im neither!  So I do have to consciously feel happy and slightly exagerate my enthusiasm, for the camera's sake. It does also help that we can banter back and forth. and
• Shots are taken in rapid succession to achieve spontinaiety  catching a moment of natural expression.
• Michael does give me small cues  open your eyes a little more, smile a little more, move your head, look at me, glance away. laugh....
• We look at the shots after about 10 takes and we make slight  adjustments for the next round of shots.
• after 50 shots in 10 mins. We got there with 3 or 4 that were contenders.
• There was no post editing except for. little cropping (and a little teeth whitening - what can I say!)

Give it a try
I hope you will grab a friend or a family member someone your feel relaxed with and give it a go. Remember take the pressure off yourself, you can always delete them!

If you watch the video you'll see how many outtakes it took us to get one I was happy with.