USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS.

IF IT’S CONSIDERED A FAD…….IT MIGHT LOOK BAD!

Let me be clear.

It’s fantastic to see people expressing themselves. Innovative style, interesting hair, bold make-up.

I love it.

But, and it’s a big but.

It doesn’t necessarily belong in your headshot session.

Why not?

Think about it.

Have you ever looked back at photographs of your parents or grand-parents taken in the 1970s, for example? Their style, whilst interesting, looks a little out-there doesn’t it? Flared trousers, platform soles, huge collars and heavy side-burns look dated by today’s standards.

This is what we would look to avoid in our headshots. Any trends that might appear out of date within a year or two.

If you think ‘timeless’ with your styling, then you won’t go far wrong.

Remember, your headshots are a representation of your brand. You are presumably looking to get hired or advance your career, so let’s try to avoid any ultra trendy styling items. Let’s work together to create the images that launch your career to a higher level.

If you do wish to work on something specifically to illustrate a more creative styling concept, then please take a look at my editorial portrait work and get in touch to discuss your needs.

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #7 WORK WITH YOUR BEST SIDE**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #8 DITCH THE FAKE TAN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR WOMEN #9 SAY NO TO THE NECKLACE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #10 CONFIDENCE COMES FROM THE EYES**

**USEFEL HEADSHOT TIPS #11 APPROACHABILITY COMES FROM THE MOUTH**

••USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #12 EMPHASISE THE JAWLINE**

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

Book a session today.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS.

#12 EMPHASISE THE JAWLINE

Have you ever seen the ten billion or so ‘selfies’ posted to social media every day that are taken with a mobile phone camera from a painfully high angle?

Of course you have.

Looks like the picture was taken from the top of the Empire State Building!

Every time I see one of those pictures, a little piece of me dies inside. I understand why people do it, to make the jaw look stronger and to eliminate the double-chin. The fact remains though, that high-angle selfie sucks, BIG TIME!

Did I just hear the whole of Instagram gasp?

Probably.

Why does it suck?

It sucks because we lose our background.

It sucks because we don’t want to be looking down on our subject.

What does looking down on someone imply?

The subconscious implication is that by looking down on someone they appear inferior and weak. The fore-shortening effect it has on the body looks silly. In our professional headshots, we want to be looking slightly up at someone to project the opposite. We want you to appear confident and powerful, rather than diminished.

So how are we going to achieve this?

I’m going to ask you to pull back your shoulders and jam your forehead towards the camera with your chin down and slightly out. It’s effectively stretching the muscles around your jawline and pulling your skin tight.

That’s it!

It might feel a little strange and un-natural but trust me THIS WORKS. It’s going to strengthen your jawline and get the very best from your face. Have you ever heard the expression ‘the camera adds ten pounds?’

This is how we take those ten pounds away.

Try it in the mirror.

We’re going to position the camera at chin height. Just slightly looking up at our subject to give that powerful viewpoint. Too low, and we’re looking up their nostrils. We don’t want that. The relationship between camera angle and focal length (lens choice) has a massive impact on portrait photography. It’s a subject that I will cover later.

So are you working that jaw?

Here’s a video by Peter Hurley that will show you exactly how to do this.

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #7 WORK WITH YOUR BEST SIDE**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #8 DITCH THE FAKE TAN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR WOMEN #9 SAY NO TO THE NECKLACE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #10 CONFIDENCE COMES FROM THE EYES**

**USEFEL HEADSHOT TIPS #11 APPROACHABILITY COMES FROM THE MOUTH**

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

Book a session today.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS.

#11 APPROACHABILITY COMES FROM THE MOUTH.

This is HUGE people!

Appearing confident and approachable is the winning recipe for a successful headshot.

We’re going to need to work that mouth to achieve a genuine smile. Not one of those fake ‘say cheese’ smiles. You know the type? The subject looks like they’re grimacing from having an umbrella opened up their ass, eyes bulging! Pained smile.

No. Hell no.

If I catch you doing this, I’m not going to press the shutter button until you stop it!

We want to capture a genuine, relaxed expression, one of approachability and warmth. When we get that reaction from the mouth, the eyes will fall into place too. Remember how to smile with your eyes from the previous post? Well, the two go hand-in-hand. A tiny smile also works well for approachability, but again, it needs to be genuine.

Think of something in advance of your headshot session that you find hilarious. A situation or story that tickles you. It will help to put you in the genuine laughter zone! There are more than a few things that make me laugh out loud when I think of them. Not so great when I’m walking down the street alone, but they get me every time!

I’ve worked with fashion models over the years who have a preference for the melancholy and I get that. It works in certain types of photos, but it’s not what we’re looking for in a professional headshot.

So, forget what you think you already know about posing and trust in your headshot photographer to direct and coach you into getting those killer shots.

AND HAVE FUN AT YOUR HEADSHOT SESSION!

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #7 WORK WITH YOUR BEST SIDE**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #8 DITCH THE FAKE TAN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR WOMEN #9 SAY NO TO THE NECKLACE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #10 CONFIDENCE COMES FROM THE EYES**

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

Book a session today.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS.

#10 CONFIDENCE COMES FROM THE EYES.

Let’s take a moment to digest this game-changing fact.

Tyra Banks coined the neologism ‘smize’ on America’s Top Model in 2009, meaning ‘to smile with your eyes’.

Peter Hurley the New York City headshot master invented ‘the squinch’ technique to illustrate the importance of this to a successful headshot session.

Appearing confident and approachable are the two essential elements of a successful headshot.

So, how do you squinch?

It’s easy.

You work your bottom eyelid by lifting and tightening it a little.

That’s it!

You’re not squinting though. Squinting is working both top and bottom eyelids. We can bring the top eyelid down a tiny little bit, but we don’t want you to squint, that’s going to make you look confused or short-sighted, but bringing that bottom eyelid up just a little is going to make you appear confident. It’s one small action that yields BIG dividends.

You will have to practise this, just a little, but you’ll pick it up in no time at all.

Try it in the mirror before your headshot session.

Here’s a fantastic video of Peter Hurley demonstrating his trademark squinch.

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #7 WORK WITH YOUR BEST SIDE**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #8 DITCH THE FAKE TAN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR WOMEN #9 SAY NO TO THE NECKLACE!**

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

Book a session today.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR WOMEN.

#9 SAY NO TO THE NECKLACE!

Let’s ease off with the jewellery altogether.

Why?

Well, because your headshot session is about YOU, not your prized possessions. We’re focusing on capturing your personality. It’s your time to shine. We don’t want to dazzle or distract the viewer with bling baby!

See how the necklace in the image takes the viewer’s focus away from the subject’s collar bone? How the ear-ring takes the viewer’s focus away from her jaw-line?

I rest my case, your honour!

So leave the bling at home.

If you decide to wear ear-rings to your headshot session, then the safest bet is to opt for small, neat studs.

Now repeat after me……….

YOU are going to be the star of your headshot session, not your accessories!

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #7 WORK WITH YOUR BEST SIDE**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #8 DITCH THE FAKE TAN!**

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

Book a session today.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS

#8 DITCH THE FAKE TAN!

The brutal truth is that fake tan just does not photograph well.

You want to look your best for your headshot session, we’ve discussed this in previous posts.

You want your headshot to get you noticed FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, not the wrong ones!

So why shouldn’t you use fake tan before your headshot session?

• Ninety-nine per cent of the time, fake tan does exactly what it says on the tin………it looks fake! It does not add the healthy glow to your skin that you think it does, so it’s kind of self-defeating.
• Your skin will look blotchy and patchy in areas where it has been applied unevenly. Trust me, this is the last thing you want in your headshots. 
• Some retouching can be done to tone it all down a little, but let me tell you, that’s THE last thing your photographer wants! I love editing images, but spending hours retouching uneven skin tones is not my idea of fun.
• There’s a very good chance that you’re going to look orange. Let that sink in. You don’t want to look orange in your headshots unless you have a casting for a part in a Tango commercial!

All of this might sound a little harsh and I apologise if you love a spray tan, but your face is your brand and your photographer has a duty of care to ensure that you get the best from your headshot session. 

Providing you with professional headshots is my raison d’être, so if you do have to have a fake tan beforehand then…………..

• Book your spray tan with an experienced professional.
• Go for the LIGHT and NATURAL option.
• Get your tan a few days before the headshot session to give it a chance to settle down.
• Get your tan a few days before the headshot session in case it goes wrong and we need to reschedule.

A quick word on real tan whilst we’re on the subject………..

Ditch the real tan too!

It might not be a massive problem here in the UK, but I’d personally advise abstaining from sunbathing in the days leading up to your headshot session.

Anything that does damage to your skin is going to be detrimental to the way you appear in your photos. Sunburn, redness and uneven skin tones are not desirable.

I guess the rule of thumb here, is, unless you live in a warm country and have year-round evenly tanned bronze skin then the best option is to avoid the sun for a few days before your headshot session. I know that pub beer garden might be tempting, but you are also supposed to be staying off the booze for a few days remember?

I sound like a dictator! 

I’ve got your back though, trust me.

Stay tuned for more useful headshot tips.

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #7 WORK WITH YOUR BEST SIDE**

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

Book a session today.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS

#7 WORK WITH YOUR BEST SIDE

Do you have a preferred side?

Maybe you always part your hair to one side?

In my headshot sessions, I will always work with you to determine which is your best side. It’s important to establish this at the beginning of the shoot as it will allow me to adjust my lighting to better emphasise your stronger side.

It may seem an unusual fact, but the majority of human faces lack complete symmetry. Did you know that sixty percent of people are stronger on the left side of their face?

A study by Dr James Schirillo at Wake Forest University determined that the left side of the face is more attractive than the right! The results suggested that the left side had a tendency to exhibit greater emotion than the right.

Most people have one eye that is smaller than the other or a stronger jaw-line on one side.

Most of you will look better on your left side, some of you on your right side and occasionally straight on will be your best angle.

So whichever it is, let’s work on finding your best side.

I will figure out which side of your face is the strongest, but if you already know which is your best side, then you by all means let your headshot photographer know at the beginning of your session.

I’m guessing that you’re heading to the mirror now to scrutinise your face, sorry about that!

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!**

Stay tuned for more useful headshot tips.

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

Book a session today.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS

#6 LAY OFF THE BOOZE!

Thinking of getting a little ‘Dutch Courage’ before your headshot session?

Any photographer worth their salt is going to put you at ease and coach you into getting the best from your photoshoot.

I’d recommend that you avoid all alcohol for up to a week prior to the shoot.

You want to look your best right? I think we’ve established this in previous posts, so here’s why you want to lay off the old ‘loud-mouth soup’ beforehand.

Alcohol dehydrates you and we’ve already discussed the benefits of well-hydrated skin in a previous post.

Drinking alcohol interferes with your sleep which means………..

It can make you look fatigued.

Poor quality sleep will give you dark circles under your eyes and your face might also appear bloated.

So, in conclusion, I’d recommend you abstain from alcohol for at the very least a few days before your headshot session.

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #5 WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!**

Stay tuned for more useful headshot tips.

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS.

WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE!

This is slightly unconventional, but this tip is intended to put you in……the zone!

Really?

Fragrance?

Let’s break it down.

**IT’S MY MISSION AS A HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHER TO MAKE YOU LOOK CONFIDENT AND APPROACHABLE**

These are the keys to a successful headshot.

Great lighting too of course, but the main goal is to make you look your best, to get you hired, get you likes, to get you noticed.

So, why fragrance?

I’m a complete ‘frag-head’ (fragrance collector).

Fragrance can help you to project confidence. It will transport you via your sense of smell to different times and places. Scent can trigger fond memories of achievements and personal conquests. Don’t underestimate the power of a great fragrance. Do you have a ‘go-to’ fragrance you wear to the office, to interviews, to board meetings? Wearing it will boost your confidence, so rock that fragrance at your headshot session and smash it out of the park.

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIR**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS #4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!**

Need some fragrance recommendations?

Jeremy Fragrance Top 10 office fragrances for men 2020.

Jeremy Fragrance Top 30 Female Perfumes.

Stay tuned for more useful headshot tips.

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.

USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS.

#4 DRINK A GALLON OF WATER EVERY DAY!

Drinking lots of water might seem an unusual addition to a photographer’s guide to getting better headshots, but indulge me.

Many of us are guilty of not drinking enough water, but if you can train yourself to down 4-6 pints of the old ‘council pop’ every day, then you’re going to reap these fantastic benefits………….

• Your skin is going to look GREAT! It’s a no-brainer. If your skin looks amazing, then you’re setting yourself up to look your best in your headshots.
• Drinking plenty of water will give your skin a warm and healthy glow.
• It can even soften the edges of smile lines.
• Keeping yourself hydrated will naturally stifle your appetite and help with weight management.
• It will also give you energy, improve your general mood and help you to manage anxiety.

So make like Bobby Boucher (The Waterboy) and pour yourself a glass of high-quality H2O!

‘You can do it!’

QUICK LINKS

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #1 TRIM YOUR NOSE HAIRS.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #2 GET YOUR HAIR CUT A FULL WEEK BEFORE THE SHOOT.**

**USEFUL HEADSHOT TIPS FOR MEN #3 MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN!**

Andy

I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.

www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com

Find the content useful? Consider buying me a coffee at my ko-fi page.