Simple Headshots- Tips/Techniques/Advice?
I work for a large, reputable Real Estate Firm on Fifth Ave. in Manhattan as a day job just to pay the bills. The president of the company has asked me to take photos of all the employees next week to update our website. I said yes, because I obviously wouldn't want to turn down a big, well paying gig.
The problem is, I really don't have any experience with this kind of work. I have done dozens of headshots for models, actresses, musicians, etc. but I have always had the freedom of creativity and they are usually on location somewhere.
The shoot is going to be really generic and simple. (Think 'Picture Day' at school when you were a kid.) I'll just be photographing each person individually from the shoulders up. The company would prefer a white background but I am a bit worried about harsh shadows. I realize it doesn't seem like it should be hard, but I guess sometimes even the simplest things can present a challenge.
If anyone has ANY tips, techniques, or advice about lighting setup or equipment I should use it would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thank you!
1,009 Views, Asked 7 months, 2 weeks ago
3 Answers - Add yours!
Kathy Costello said:
See if they will let you photograph against gray instead of white, white is very cold. Shoot against paper instead of cloth so you don't have to remove wrinkles in PS. Move the subjects several feet (at least 6) in front of the backdrop and have main light coming from above and 45 degrees to the side to eliminate shadows, have weaker fill light in similar position on other side. Don't shoot down on them. Shoot at eye level or from slightly below (to project power). Keep it simple.
7 months, 2 weeks ago
Bee TSE said:
If you need to shoot at your office, limited area, there is no space for backdrop or lighting equipment, you can shoot near the windows to use the natural lighting. The back of the staff don't stick on the wall, 2-3 feet is enough, the shadow will not be to hard. If you have assistant, ask him or her to hold A4 paper, of A3 is better depends on what can you get in your office, near the shadow side of the staff face to reflect some light on the shadow area. This kind of "website photos", should be from the shoulders up. I recommend not to use wide angle lens. If you use DSLR, use 50mm lens or up, 85mm to 105mm is good! If you use pocket DC, zoom in a little bit to around 50mm. Don't zoom in too much as the pocket DC is so small and easily shaking. But if you don't zoom in, it will be too wide to get too much in the photo or distort the staff face.
Good luck. Not difficult but must be standard and no creativity.
7 months, 1 week ago
Vin Weathermon said:
wondering how this turned out for you??
5 months, 3 weeks ago