Applying for a job is like finding a date on Tinder. Your next employer has options. Hundreds of candidates, similar skills and interests, and limited time and opportunity to see them all. So how do you get them to “swipe right” on your application and not immediately get tossed in the bin or get lost amongst the rest of them?
A standout headshot can make all the difference in today’s professional world. Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn profile, submitting a photo for a conference, or enhancing your personal brand, a high-quality headshot is essential. It serves as a first impression, often preceding any in-person meeting.
But getting to the best picture you can doesn’t only happen when the photographer snaps the shots. It starts before you get to the studio and finishes after the last shot has been taken.
Hair and Makeup
Treat yourself to a little self-care treatment. Have a home spa day for yourself. Putting on a facemask the night before will help your skin glow the day of. Deciding on what kind of look you want ahead of time, hair and makeup, will make the day go smoothly without having to figure that out last minute. So go to the barbershop, the salon, or have a simple yet professional style you can do on your own and easily lined up.
Clothes
You’ll be wearing your best and professional that day, so pick out your outfit ahead of time as well. Decide on what you’re going to wear, but think about the full picture. While a headshot concentrates on a person’s face, the key to feeling confident and beautiful is to feel that way from head to toe.
Practice poses
You’ve done this for school photos once upon a time. There’s no shame in practicing for the big day. You can wing it, but unless you’re a professional model, sitting in front of a camera for longer than 10 minutes can get uncomfortable. Practicing beforehand not only helps with the nerves, but you know your face better than anyone. You know what poses make you feel powerful, what your best angles and sides are, and what facial expressions make you look like your dream company’s next new hire.
Trust the process
Your photographer is a professional, trust their expertise. It’s fine to have ideas before you go in (we encourage you to), but trust that our job is to capture you at your best. This is a collaborative effort.
Relax
You practiced, you know yourself best, and every perfect shot had a hundred crappy shots taken before it was taken. After going over your goals and discussing your overall vision, take a back seat in overthinking how everything will go.
Don’t force a smile
Actively release the smile and don’t hold it. You don’t want to look like the Joker on laughing gas. Holding your muscles for extended periods causes muscle fatigue and stops looking natural after a while.
- The Classic Smile Pose: A straightforward shot with a natural, confident smile. This pose conveys friendliness and approachability, making it ideal for most professional settings.
- The Angled Pose: Turning slightly to one side with the head tilted back towards the camera. This pose can highlight your best features and create a sense of depth, adding a dynamic element to the photo.
- The Hands-on-Hips Pose: Standing with one or both hands on the hips while facing the camera. This pose exudes confidence and assertiveness, suitable for conveying a strong professional presence.
Getting your professional headshots in New York City doesn’t have to be stressful. At Camera 1, we are a team of professionals who work with professionals like yourself.
