Honolulu, HI – There’s lots of talk about what criteria make a great headshot but nothing drives the message home more than looking at the other side… what makes a bad head shot. These lesser qualities are equally as important to consider when deciding if you need to update your current headshot and can be applied to business and acting headshots.
1. No matter how good your current headshot maybe, if you’re more than 5 years older than the year you had it taken – you have a bad head-shot! The worst thing you can hear is that someone didn’t recognize you from your head shot or that it looks nothing like you. Accept yourself, in the here and now, and focus on looking your best for the age and weight you are! You give the feeling that you’re insecure when you show up looking 10 years older or 10lbs heavier than the image you’re promoting yourself with. A professional head-shot photographer will use flattering light for your age and guide you with poses to look your best. The same goes for overdone retouching. Keep it simple and just make sure you look like yourself on your best day!
2. Good lighting is your best friend! Headshots that are poorly lit scream poor quality, likely not the message you want to give potential clients or casting directors. Contrasting shadows, burned-out highlights, and dark muddy light are all no-no’s. These issues are generally caused by taking photos outdoors in direct sunlight or in backlit photos. You also need to be careful to not choose a background that is too busy or in-focus. A good backdrop should be out-of-focus so that you pop out of the background.
Don’t get me wrong, outdoor/environmental locations can make amazing headshots but you must make sure there is clean even lighting that makes it easy to see your eyes and flatters your features. Once again, a professional head-shot photographer will have the tools and the eye for good lighting to help you look your best in any location.
3. Don’t let your clothing be more dynamic than you are. The focus should be on you – your personality should be reflected through your eyes and your smile, not your outfit. The same goes for jewelry, keep it simple. Bold patterns and bright colors tend to take unnecessary attention. White can also be very distracting unless worn beneath a blazer or suit coat. The same goes for tank tops which look unprofessional unless worn under a jacket. Great headshots aren’t about selling clothes or jewelry, they should enhance your face and eyes without stealing the show.
In summary, a good headshot combines these 3 basic elements: a current image that reflects what you look like today, balanced flattering light, and simple clothing/jewelry that enhance your face and eyes to create an image that shows you at your best and allows your warmth and personality to shine. If your headshot fails in any of these categories, chance are you have a bad headshot… and we can help you with that! Contact Us for More Information
