Are you a businessman seeking to create or revise your portfolio and in need of a modern, professional headshot showcasing your personality and enthusiasm? If your answer is yes, then you are in the right place.
As an experienced portrait and headshot photographer, I have helped several businessmen stand out with their portfolios by providing them with well-lit and professional headshots.
In this article, I will share some of the most important tips you need to know to get great headshots. I will provide a professional guide on how to prepare, what to wear, and everything in between. So, keep reading!
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What are male business headshots?
Male business headshots are portraits usually produced for professional and business purposes. They showcase an individual’s professionalism, confidence level, and what they look like. Below are tips to help you prepare for your business headshots.
How to prepare for male business headshots?
Without further ado, here’s how to prepare and get the best business headshots to boost your chances of getting that job or contract:
1. Find out the cost of business headshots in your area
First and foremost, find out the cost of business headshots in your neighborhood or region and plan accordingly.
Generally, the costs of professional headshots can range from as low as $20 per image to as high as $100 per image. This fee does not include the usual booking fee photographers charge for their time.
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
Some headshot photographers can charge as low as $50 per session or hour, while others can charge as high as $500.
But these prices vary across different regions. If you are in the USA, I suggest you go through an article I wrote earlier to learn the actual costs of headshots in the US.
If you are outside the US, I will recommend you consult different headshot photographers in your area to learn their prices.
2. Book a headshot photographer early
Once you have learned the standard prices of business headshots in your area and determined a photographer that meets your requirements, consider booking a session at least one week in advance.
You can also decide to schedule a free consultation with the photographer before booking a session. During the talk, remember to discuss your goals and the intended use of the picture. Then consider booking as soon as possible if you think the photographer is a good fit.
Booking early for your headshot photoshoot can help you save money by preventing you from paying urgent processing fees. It can also make the photographer offer you special discounts.
3. Groom yourself before the shoot
Be sure to check and take care of some grooming tasks a day or two before the shoot. Get a fresh haircut. Trim your beards and mustaches. Give your eyebrows and eyelashes a good combing or trimming, and ensure your nails are clean.
These might seem a bit weird but they will really help improve your headshots and make retouching significantly easy for the photographer.
Ensure you keep the grooming simple and natural because your headshot helps potential clients create a mental picture of who you are and what your personality is like.
Your potential business clients might trust you less if they are to ever meet you in person and discover that you look nothing like the picture of you they have been looking at.
For that reason, you should ensure your headshot represents an accurate version of you and not some groomed-up version. So try to make it appear the way you would on your best day.
4. Practice different facial expressions and poses beforehand
Some men’s confidence levels usually diminish when a camera is pointed at them. This is because they instantly get nervous about what to do with their hands and whether or not they should smile when posing for a formal or corporate headshot.
Regarding what to do with your hands when posing for a headshot, you can cross them over your chest to convey a sense of strength and composure. Or you can hide them in your pockets. Regarding whether or not to smile, I will encourage you to be yourself.
However, you should note that most of our communications as human beings are non-verbal, and we can make judgments about a person and their mood in a few seconds based on their facial expressions.
Therefore, your facial expression must send the right message to your potential recruiters. Generally, a good business headshot should convey confidence, approachability, and interest.
To give the impression of confidence, you should slightly squint your lower eyelids. This will tighten the muscles and make your headshots convey a sense of confidence.
Approachability comes from the mouth and its shape. So, it’s important you at least move your lips a little if you’d like the picture to show openness.
To convey emotions and interests, you will have to move your eyebrows. Raising both of your eyebrows means being surprised while lowering them can depict a sense of concern or intensity. I will advise you to practice and master these basics in front of your mirror beforehand. This will help save you time in the studio.
What should a man wear for a business headshot?
Most of the men I have photographed came into the studio wearing business outfits like gray, black, or dark blue suits and tuxedos. However, the most important thing is to wear your favorite business outfits for your headshot.
If you wear something that you don’t feel comfortable in, your discomfort will definitely show in your expression, and that might impair your chances of getting the job.
A good rule of thumb is to dress the way you would for an important meeting in your industry. If you are in the banking sector, for instance, that would mean a suit and tie. But I recommend trying different formal clothes during the shoot.
More articles you may like to read –
What are Lifestyle headshots? How to Shoot them?
what are the Best Backgrounds for Professional Headshots
What is a headshot
Tips and Ideas for male business headshots
1. Pose your good side
One of the easiest ways to look better in your headshot is to pose and be photographed on your good side. Everyone has a sweet spot where they look their best in photos.
If you haven’t discovered yours, consider taking self-portraits with your smartphone to find out. Or discuss it with your photographer and work it out together.
2. Arrive the studio early
Another important tip is to arrive at the photo studio early on the scheduled day. I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the actual time. This will give you a couple of minutes to relax and compose yourself before the shooting starts.
3. Put your chin down
Another important posing tip for business headshots is to put your chin down and slightly push your face forward to avoid the dread double chin. This will make the headshot more inviting.
4. Tailor the headshots for the job you are aiming for
Finally, consider tailoring the headshots for the job or industry you are aiming for. This is a smart and strategic way to make a great first impression on your potential employers or clients.
If you are unsure of your potential employers’ expectations for male business headshots, I suggest you conduct a simple internet search or reach out to the company’s customer care unit to find out.