Choosing The Right Vibe
The professional portrait is a process and can be as unique as you need it to be. To deliver on this, I like to approach the process by defining the vibe/feeling of the headshots. To start, we need to define your companies top three (3) core values. With your values in mind, we will end up with buzzwords like moody/edgy, classic professional, bright and modern, candid/in action. These buzzwords will be used throughout my preparation as I work to provide a highly tailored portrait experience. This is an important step: ask questions if you are unsure. I find the more I discuss this process with clients, the more pleased and energetic they are when the finally receive their finish product. Your website, online branding presence, and interaction with clients and customers will thank this overview. Below are background choices, lighting, and poses examples and the visual value associated with each style.
DARK BACKGROUND
Background: Dark, un-lit backgrounds are common with moodier photos. They help strengthen contrast and add visual density to a portrait. Options include black, dark grey, deep navy.
Lighting: Shadows will be soft, but deep. Moody photos will have less fill under chin so that the visual strength of the photo gets narrowed down to the brightest part, the eyes and surrounding face
Expressions/Poses: Poses I will mix and match here, but expressions are typically more of the stoic range. Squinching (the headshot equivalent of smizing confidently), expressive smirks, confident smiles are all wonder workers for this lighting setup.
Visual Value: Moody photos can be used to project subtle power, expertise, and seriousness at what you do. The dark background also helps the photo stand by itself in bios and such as websites these days typically utilize a clean white palette throughout. (see my bio for an example)
Bright / Modern and Happy
Background: Well-lit backgrounds are the key to providing modern and bright portraits. They are clean, heavily lit and have a natural vignette -both adding extra emphasis and eye attention back to the face. Options include light grey, off white, lit white (only available in studio)
Lighting: Lighting involves large light sources and reflectors from both sides filing in shadows and often with kickers to further separate subjects from the background.
Expressions/Poses: Bright photos work well with open expressions (genuine smiles, etc) and open poses (loose, relaxed, comfortable) as your identity gets elevated and becomes a standout on the page.
Visual Value: My go to design. This vibe brings uniqueness, modern visuals, and well coached poses to help the viewers see you as charismatic, approachable, relatable person. It also works well around bio pages and in magazine ads/editorials.
Note: Photo shown is a horizontal shot. Horizontal frames are tighter shots on the face and use off center composition to open up the photo. Adds a unique flair to everyone, but is highly recommended for actors and models to have at least one of these.
