How to plan for awsome Seattle Branding and Professional Headshot Photos
The Perfect WARDROBE
My Nr.1 tip is to wear something to your lifestyle business photo shoot that you feel great in. You will look amazing in clothes that make you feel confident, magnetic, and unstoppable. Ask yourself: Does this spark joy ?
If that leaves you with a couple of choices, consider how your clients expect someone in your profession to dress: A yoga teacher in a corporate business suite? A CEO in her favorite band T-shirt? Typically, it is easier for your clients to connect you to your business if your outfit fits with their expectations: a yoga teacher in yoga wear, a CEO in business attire. Consider what would you wear when meeting a new client or interviewing for the job you want.
Plan a few different looks that include casual, professional and elegant options that are simple and timeless. Bring a couple of different looks you all love - in different colors and styles and we will figure out together what looks best in photos.
Cuts
Women typically look great in their business photos when they wear dresses or tops that are fitted, especially in the waistline. I also recommend wearing clothes that don’t need a lot of adjusting and that highlight areas of your body that you like. A very short skirt is not recommended as it can seriously limit your movement options.
Brand Photography Clothing Tip: fitted dresses
Colors
It is a good idea to choose mostly solid colors, maybe some soft patterns - logos can be distracting in personal branding photos. You want people to notice YOU – not what it is you are wearing.
Think colors that not only look great on you but also go well with your business’ brand colors. Light colors look good if your brand is light and airy, Rich jewel tones tend to photograph well, as do colors from the same color palette. A splash of red/orange adds energy to any picture, white often does not photograph well.
Wear a top that is lighter / more eye-catching than the bottom piece. It draws the eye up to the face for a creative and professional headshot.
Textures
Certain fabrics can add a lot of visual interest to your lifestyle image: shiny, roughly woven, fuzzy, velvety textures and materials like lace, fur, leather, wool and other textured fabric . Use them for areas you want to highlight or close to the face.
Materials such as Lycra and rayon have a tendency to reveal every little bump on your body whereas woven, matte fabrics typically fall more losely giving you a smoother look.
Brand Photography Clothing Tip: wear interesting textures and accessories
Practicalities
Consider if it is easy to swap out pieces of clothing if we are shooting your branding images in a more public environment. Layered looks over tank tops tend to work well. Be sure to bring along shoes to go with each outfit.
Try your chosen clothing on in advance to be sure it fits comfortably and is flattering. Bend over, sit down, etc. and make sure that you don’t have skin showing where you don’t want it in certain positions.
Consider the right undergarments for the look you want if you are wearing strappy or light colored clothing. You could even take a few pictures in the mirror to see it this is the look you want for your business photography.You might want to organize each outfit in a separate bag so you have everything organized for different lifestyle business looks. Plan on how to get your garments to the branding shoot clean and wrinkle-free. Checking for pet hair especially on darker clothing is always a good idea
For Men
Keep your clothing simple and in line with your everyday style
Tailored/ fitted shirts in a solid light color always look good for professional lifestyle headshots. No checkered shirts, bold colors please - unless they are part of your brand.
Mix casual & professional like a blazer + jeans.
If you don’t wear a tie to work, don’t wear one in your professional headshot.
Plan on how to get your garments to the branding shoot free of pet hair, lint and wrinkles.
Personal Brand Photography Clothing Ideas for Men
2. ACCESSORIES Add Personality
Accessories can really add more fun to your outfits and you’ll be able to style a variety of lifestyle business looks that will result in a more diverse range of branding images.
For Women
A wrap, a scarf, a hat or jacket can be layered to create different outfits. Fashion rings, bangles or a statement necklace can add flair to a simple outfit.
Accessories are also a great way to work your brand colors into your business images. I also encourage you to work in a touch of red here as it adds energy to the photo.
Seattle creative headshot photography wardrobe tips: scarfs and wraps
For Men
Timepieces, personal bracelets, stylish cuffs, waistcoats, ties, jackets and a pocket square add personal style to a branding photo. Reading glasses can give your hands something to play with.
3. Extra Care for SKIN, HANDS + HAIR
Let me know if there is a side of your face you prefer – I am happy to shoot from that direction. Also let me know if there is a feature of your face or body you don’t like or something you are self-conscious about – I will work around that.
Skin
Don't worry about having a few blemishes -these can be removed during retouching. Avoid sunburn before your shoot: red or peeling skin is not a good look. Natural skin tones look best in photos – avoid spray tanning. If using make up, try to even out skin tones between all visible body parts: a light face does not harmonize well with a tan neckline or much darker hands and arms and vice versa.
Scars/birth marks will be removed only at your request. Please tell me at the time of your session what your preference is.
Skin conditions may require extensive retouching. If extensive retouching is necessary, it will not be done on proofs, but will be done on the final images you order, at your request.
Glasses
Most importantly make sure your glasses are really, really clean.
Anti-reflective coated glasses not only cut down on glare but also bring out your eyes nicely.
If you have different styles of eyewear to choose from, bring a selection to the shoot. I will do my best to avoid glass glare, but with some lighting conditions it is nearly unavoidable.
If you sometimes wear glasses but don’t want them in your lifestyle business images, make sure to remove the eye wear at least 30 min before the shoot to make sure there are no read marks where the glasses used to sit.
Professional Headshots get creative in Seattle - but careful with the glasses
For Men
Go for a clean-shaven look or nicely trimmed beard in your professional headshots.
You guys look also great with clean hands and trimmed nails
A haircut about 1-2 weeks before the photo shoot gives you the best results.
Make Up
Natural, matt make-up usually looks best in a business context - unless of course a sparkly show is part of your brand.
Be extra careful while applying eye makeup (eye liner, mascara, lashes), as your eyes will be the focal point of many of your branding photos.
Nails
Your hands will be showing in many of your personal branding photos, give them some extra attention. If your nails are painted, make sure the polish is fresh. Nails in your brand colors can be a fun idea – depending on your style of course.
hair
Your everyday hairstyle is just fine. If in doubt, go for a “timeless” hairstyle.
If you feel you want a fresh hair-cut aim for something like two weeks before the shoot so your hair can grow a bit and look more natural.
Avoid trying anything unusual or drastic for your session - specially a color change that may not turn out the way you had hoped.If you maintain coloring on your hair, try to schedule a color appointment that will give you the right amount of washing before your photos. (Most people who color have that “sweet spot” they like better than the first day)
Hats are great for a few shots, but don’t wear one on the way to your session.
Professional LinkedIn Headshots can get creative in Seattle
4. PROPS That Tell Your Story
Props are a great way to tell the story of your business brand in new fresh ways. Just bring a couple of things and we will figure out together what works for your photos.
Work
A good place to start are the things you use to do your work. A few ideas include: laptop, smart phone, a special coffee mug, a notebook and a pen, and objects symbolizing your job like swatches of material, a yoga mat, cookbooks or crystals.
Professional Headshots can be creative and include Props
Personality
Then, add to that a few of your favorite things – things you use in your free time or that inspire you: your favorite food, your dog, your kids, your favorite quote, a book you enjoy as well as fun things such as confetti and balloons, and of course, the products you sell.
5. GETTING READY for your Shoot
Try to avoid alcohol, get your beauty sleep, and drink plenty of fluids the night before your shoot. Don’t work out too hard the morning of the shoot - have a relaxing time instead with a light meal that keeps you from arriving hungry. Leave yourself plenty of time to get your make-up on and hair styled.
Since feeling relaxed and enjoying yourself makes for great photos, a glass of alcohol right before the shoot might be in order ;-)
Great photos are all about the ENERGY you embody. Showing up open and positive is really all you need to do. From here on out you can just go with the flow, have fun and we will take some great photos in the process.
I am so excited for our shoot together!
Warmly,
Oriana
Seattle Personal Brand and Headshot Photographer Oriana von Specht