Good headshots are one of the fastest tickets to attract top modeling agencies and take your career to the highest level. Basically, as a model, your headshots are your business cards.
You will need it when applying to modeling agencies, in your online and offline portfolios, on your model composite or Sed cards, and interviewing for brands. Thus, whether you are a beginner or professional, in this article, you will learn how to pose and get your headshots taken by a proficient portrait photographer.
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Furthermore, if you are a skilled photographer, you will get professional tips about how to take good headshots and make your subjects stand out from other models. In addition, you will also learn the parts of your model to capture.
But, let’s begin with an introduction to model headshot photography.
How many headshots do you need for modeling?
Although there are no specific rules for the number of modeling headshots you will need, we suggest aiming for at least 5-10 high-quality headshots that showcase your versatility and unique features. Remember to prioritize quality over quantity.
Model Headshot – What Is It?
A model headshot is a portrait picture that focuses on the face, shoulders, and neck region. It is a form of one’s professional and promotional profile image. In the modeling industry, your professionally clicked headshots represent and reveal your identity, especially your color, age, shape, body language, posture, and facial expressions.
A model’s headshot must be high-quality because modeling agencies often request and consider it the most important photograph of the subject. This essential visual element in personal or corporate branding helps you to stand out and strengthen your modeling presence online and offline. Every model needs a good headshot because it is the first thing clients see in your cv or composite card. A well-clicked headshot causes people to pause and notice you. Basically, it is your first impression and invitation to connect.
A headshot for an actor differs significantly from headshots for models. While acting headshots significantly focus on a particular character, modeling headshots can be many different things, depending on your personality. As a model, you do not have to be the prettiest to get a good portrait photo of yourself. Also, it is not about having the best smile during the photo shoot. Instead, it is about your mood, body language, posture, lighting, and connection with your photographer during the shooting.
Furthermore, it is about being yourself. You have to pose the best of yourself and what sells you at that time. This will help to attract genuine clients. So, do not try to fake a smile or be someone you are not. In addition to these factors, you have to hire a professional because not all photographers are good at clicking model headshots. Some are terrible when it comes to getting a model to relax and getting a good head picture.
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.
Why Are Good Headshots Important For Models?
Attractive model head photos are great assets in today’s competitive modeling industry. A good headshot will get you through the first stage of any audition or interview process. Furthermore, your headshot is your key marketing tool used to create a first impression on potential clients.
Apart from being considered an important promotional photograph, a good headshot can also be used for composite cards, online media profiles, modeling portfolios, and magazine advertisements for creams, hair, skin, or other related products. Therefore, hiring a professional photographer for your headshot is not an issue to be debated.
Pro Tips For Good Model Headshots
Below are some important tips on how to get good headshots for your z-cards or portfolio.
Hire A Professional Photographer
Hire a professional photographer with solid experience in portrait and headshot photography. Do not attempt to take selfies or have an inexperienced individual click the picture. Instead, hire the services of a pro with a standard studio and photography equipment capable of capturing and reproducing quality and well-detailed images. Your headshot is your business card, so it must be high-quality.
However, you have to consider your budget, location, and price. The cost of hiring a professional portrait photographer is expensive in some places and affordable in other regions. Nevertheless, you must always use a professional for your headshots if you want to thrive in the industry.
Arrive The Scene Early And Prepared
For your photographer to capture great portrait images, you have to arrive at the scene early, prepared, relaxed, and feeling your best self. Therefore, it is important to rest, eat, and exercise well, avoiding alcohol and late nights in the days before your shooting session.
Furthermore, ask your photographer for advice about what to bring along in terms of changes in clothes and props.
Keep Your Makeup Light
Most modeling agencies are interested in your natural look. Basically, the last thing they want to see is your face hidden behind heavy makeup. So we recommend you keep the makeup basic or forget it if you can.
Keep Your Hairstyle Simple And Well-groomed
Aside from the features of your face and facial expression, modeling agents are also interested in the length and condition of your hair, so it’s important to keep it simple and tidy. Therefore, we recommend you get a haircut or change your hairstyle and color before the shooting.
Keep Your Dressing Simple
Although the emphasis is on your face and facial expression, the color and designs of your outfit also count. According to research, most modeling agencies find posing for headshots with fur dresses offensive. So avoid them even though they are luxurious and can make you appear younger.
Again, research has also shown that solid-colored dresses are the most worn and acceptable outfits for model headshots. So, we recommend simple outfits that can complement or enhance your skin tone and also brighten the image. Avoid costumes and props, except otherwise.
Note: White tops are not recommended by most photographers because white dresses often create issues with lighting and thereby making the images overly bright. So, avoid them.
Pay Attention To Your Body Parts
Yes, your modeling headshots are primarily about your face, shoulders, and facial expressions, but how you position the hidden parts of your body plays a role in all overall appearance, especially in terms of height and measurement.
Instead of just looking straight-on at the camera lens, we recommend you play or smile with your eyes. A good shot depends on how you set your eyes. Several people know how to smile in pictures but not how to connect or smile with their eyes.
In the video below, you can see how the model smiles with her eyes without opening or showing her teeth.
Furthermore, pay attention to the position of your hands if you want them to appear in the photos. Ensure to keep your shoulders relaxed, and finally, angle your body in front of the camera. Below is also a clip on how to achieve this.
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Practice, Practice, Practice
If you are an aspiring model and these will be your first headshots, or you are a professional, but it’s been a long time since you had your headshots clicked by a professional, you will need to engage in regular practices before your session.
The same tip applies if you are usually nervous or uncomfortable when posing in front of a camera. You can practice by clicking self-portrait pictures using your smartphone and mirror in your home. You can also employ the services of a photographer to help you trim yourself and pose styles before the main day.
Pose Your Favorite Angle
All models have favorite angles that they turn to the camera and look great in photos. So, to get good headshots, pose at your best angle. You can rediscover your best sides by clicking your self-portraits from different angles.
How To Pose For Model Headshots?
New models might find it difficult to compose themselves before a headshot photographer. Nevertheless, your role as a model is to find your best postures before calling a photographer.
Some professional headshot photographers might understand and give you some posing ideas, but they will still expect you to come prepared. So, we recommend you watch modeling shows on Tv or Youtube to gain some ideas and inspiration before your session. Furthermore, you can also attend live modeling shows.
How To Direct Model Headshots And What To Capture?
As a professional portrait photographer, directing or capturing headshots of new models can prove a bit tough. But, whether your subject is an aspiring or professional model, it’s important to build some kind of connection or flow when clicking the pictures.
You can engage the model in an informal discussion about their inspiration. This will make the model feel comfortable when facing your camera lens. To get great shots, make your subject feel she’s looking at you when actually she’s looking at the lens.
Apart from helping your model to pose, ensure your studio or the shooting scene is well-lit and equipped with modern photography gadgets. Adjust your camera settings prior to the session and take a single click per style or pose. Record several shots and let the model select later.
Note: Do not shoot in burst or continuous shooting mode.
What To Capture?
Headshots are primarily about the face and shoulders. So, as the photographer, your job is to capture a strong and well-defined jawline, squinch, and other related facial expressions and features. You can also include the chest or click from the waist region upward, depending on the niche or requirement of your subject.
Model Headshots Background
Taking head portraits with creative backgrounds helps make the pictures more unique and attractive. In a studio or outdoor setting, the effects of backdrop colors play a significant role in capturing and reproducing differentia headshots.
Most professional headshot photographers often use backgrounds with neutral shade colors such as gray and solid colors like black or white for most photo sessions. However, you can communicate with your photographer to incorporate your brand color (if you have any) into the background. This will reveal essence in your headshots.
FAQs
What Are The Best Outfits For Model Headshots?
The goal of all headshots is to make a great first impression. So you will want to look your best. However, that doesn’t mean you should pick formal attire or colorful dresses for your session.
Therefore, before picking any outfit, you should consider the agencies’ requirements, weather, location, and skin tone. Furthermore, you should also prioritize your physical and psychological comfort.
Practically, we recommend you avoid dresses that will blend into the background and impair the images. You can also consult your photographer for advice on the most suitable outfit for headshots.
How Often Should I Update My Headshot?
According to research, you should consider changing your headshot after 2-3 years because your overall appearance will naturally change as time goes by. But if you feel you cannot use a particular portrait for 2-3 years, you can narrow it down to 6 to 12 months or as you may see fit. However, ensure to keep your portfolio updated with your new natural look.