A few key items play a major role in the making of great headshots for Men, today we share these essential points.
A professional headshot photographer in London, I always want to make sure people I photograph look their best. But getting professional headshots taken can be uncomfortable for both men and women, but men often find it harder to pose naturally. This can make it harder for them to create an image that shows them in the best light.
As an experienced headshot photographer, I’ve been precisely where you are, and know just why so many men in London struggle. But, after a lot of practice and experience with headshots over the years, I believe I can now share some game-changing advice on how to achieve the best results.
Tips for Great Professional Headshots for Men
Dress for your industry.
If you're in a traditional industry like finance, for example, think classic. Pick your favourite suit, preferably a dark colour such as navy blue or grey. A suit that doesn't bunch up when you button it, or sit down in it, and a shirt and tie that match each other and the suit.
If you're in a more creative field such as advertising or technology, smart casual is a good choice and wouldn't look out of place, compared to a suit and tie.
Avoid bold, distracting patterns or colours. Clothing with tight grids, small herringbone patterns, and opt for thin stripes that are a little further apart.
The colour tone of your tie also needs to be considered. They look best when their tone lands between the suit and the shirt. So a light shirt, a dark suit, and a tie in a shade somewhere between them. Try to stay away from really reflective, shiny silk ties.
Hair
I wouldn't recommend dying or cutting your hair right before your headshot session. Freshly coloured hair can look a little unnatural on camera, and cause the viewer to look more at your hair than your face. A new haircut also looks better after a week or two, and hair colour looks more natural, so lather, rinse, repeat for a few days and then schedule your headshot session.
Beards
If you have a beard, trim it evenly, so it’s nicely groomed. If you’re going clean-shaven, have a good, clean shave in the morning. The best rule of thumb for facial hair is to commit to your look – either a beard, moustache, or nothing at all. Anything scruffy or stubbly in-between is not advisable. Darker coloured beards tend to be accentuated in photos, so I'd suggest trimming it, so it's not too thick.
Skin
Since a professional headshot is all about the face, it's important to get some decent rest, take care of your skin and stay hydrated leading up to your appointment! — Don't use any sun cream on your skin the day of your session — Stay out of the sun as fresh sunburn, or general skin redness will not look good in your headshots. — Drink plenty of water the week of your headshot. You will be nicely surprised how much better your skin will look line! — Make sure you at least get your 8 hours of sleep the night before your headshot.
How to Stand Correctly for a Headshot
Considering your body posture will help how you interact with people. When standing to have a friendly conversation with someone that you don’t know, you’ll find that most people turn slightly. This gives a less confrontational body posture and makes people feel more at ease. With this in mind, turning slightly for your photos may offer that extra bit of approachable-ness you need.
Facial Expression
Trust, confidence, and friendliness are key traits we should all attempt to portray in our professional headshots. It is always a good idea to practice poses in the mirror and let your photographer help guide you the rest of the way. For example, when tilting your chin down, it’s good to stick it out slightly. This helps eliminate any double chin that may occur while the chin is down. Clinching teeth, to get a more pronounced jaw line, is also another trick that'll help you achieve a stronger look.