Taste

Coordinating all elements of your business headshots to project a refined, upscale look that reflects well on you and your company’s brand.

Craftsmanship

Knowing what you need for your business headshot from the standpoints of both marketing and aesthetics. Doing what needs to be done to make that a reality. I’ll sweat the details, so you don’t have to.

Impeccable Service

Shoots are quick or relaxed according to your preference. No charge for extra looks. Ultra-fast delivery of proofs and finishing of final images. Expert custom retouching performed the same day in most cases. Final files prepared only when you are totally happy with the finished proof.

 

Taste

Coordinating all elements of your business headshots to project a refined, upscale look that reflects well on you and your company’s brand.

Craftsmanship

Knowing what you need for your business headshot from the standpoints of both marketing and aesthetics. Doing what needs to be done to make that a reality. I’ll sweat the details, so you don’t have to.

Impeccable Service

Shoots are quick or relaxed according to your preference. No charge for extra looks. Ultra-fast delivery of proofs and finishing of final images. Expert custom retouching performed the same day in most cases. Final files prepared only when you are totally happy with the finished proof.

 

Doing your business headshot–Additional Details

 

Business headshots are important.

Some would say ridiculously important. So we sweat the details, so you don’t have to. Here are some of those details:

Headshot cost?

My fees are very affordable. A studio headshot for one person costs $175. It includes extra looks, e.g. some clients bring in extra outfits and accessories. Maybe a different jacket or tie, maybe some poses without the tie. It’s up to you. Group discounts and more details available on the pricing page.

Once I had two doctors who came in together. Each shot in four suits, two ties, and without a tie. Fortunately that degree of coverage doesn’t happen too often. But if you need it, you’ll get it.

The number of poses is unlimited. You can and should shoot with different body angles, facial expressions, body language, etc. Turn to the left, turn to the right, or even shoot straight-on, especially you might need a passport photo down the road.

If you’re in a hurry, I’ll get you in and out in about 20 minutes. We can did do a bunch of images and variations in that time slot. But if you’re not in a hurry, you can just relax and take your time. No rush, no time limit, no extra charges for extra shooting time, which is the usual practice with most shooters.

Do you offer retouching?

We do, and it’s included. You get one image of your choice fully retouched. If you want extra images retouched, e.g. one friendly look and one serious look, the fee will be $25 for each extra image.

I call the process ‘custom retouching’, and I think it’s the best you can get (of course, I might be prejudiced). Let me explain.

Because I make hundreds of corrections, the image comes out looking spectacular.  But because those corrections are usually very small, the finished image will look very much like you. There’s not much point of making your business headshot look like someone else!

Once in a while, I need to make a bigger change.  For example to improve someone’s smile and make it less “toothy” or to open an eye that is squinting too much. Most people love these changes, but some do not.

No problem. Anything I do can be reduced or eliminated. You have total control–that’s what makes it custom! Some people want more; some people want less.  When most people get their business photography done, they have to settle for more or less than they want. I changed all that.

I heard so many executives and professionals tell me that they hated the photo they have been using for years. I would hate to hear anyone say that about one of my images! So we work together to prevent that.

Here’s how the process goes. Once you select which image you would like to use, I’ll start the retouching. That means the way you look, your wardrobe, and background. Then I send you a proof. The same day if you’re in a hurry.

Actually the most time-consuming part, for men, is the wardrobe. Tie, jacket, shirt, the fit. Lumpy shoulder pads, jackets that don’t close, ties that don’t sit fight, bad wrinkles. No business portrait will look upscale or even acceptable in my opinion if this is neglected, yet nearly all corporate portrait photographers do little or nothing in this regard.

Most people are very happy with the finished proof as is. Some want changes. Fix this, do a little more here, do a little less there, bring back my original smile, etc. The retouching is always done to suit your tastes and preferences.

I then make those revisions and send you a revised proof. Only after you’re fully satisfied with the finished proof do I prepare your final files.

The final files include hi-res color and black-and-white, low-res color and black-and-white, square cropped image for LinkedIn, and specific sizes needed for you or your firm’s website, etc.

Will my retouched headshot look fake?

Absolutely not. I know some people are afraid of an overly retouched look and opt for an un-retouched, slovenly look instead. Either extreme is a big mistake.

I want my people to look really good, which is important for their professional brand. But I’m not doing an over-glamorized shot for a soap star or a fashion model.

What makes you different?

First of all my experience. Most of the shooters doing this are primarily wedding and portrait photographers. They shoot weddings, children’s birthday parties, 50^th wedding anniversaries, etc.

Many are great shooters, but they just don’t get the corporate and professional aesthetic. Sounds abstract, I know, but it’s obvious when you look at their samples.

I once shot the Chicago execs for a big Wall Street investment firm. They asked me if I could match the background in the CEO’s shot in the NYC  office. When I looked at the image, the background was a mottled canvas background.  A mix of cloudy colors more appropriate for a children’s portrait studio than for a financial chief executive.

I thought people stopped using such backgrounds 20 years ago! I told them that all mottled backgrounds are different, so I wouldn’t be using one, but that I could match it digitally. Something I’ve done many times. But that I encouraged them to instead use a more modern, business-like look.

I didn’t go to art or photography studio like most photographers. Instead I studied science, mathematics, and economics. My background before becoming a photographer was in advertising and public relations. I knew what businesses needed for their photography.

And when I did become a photographer over 30 years ago, I specialized in fashion and beauty. This gave me an eye for detail and for making people look good.

My experience in shooting business people and professional runs very deep. I estimate that I have shot over 10,000 lawyers and hundreds of corporate CEOs.

Can I get my original files?

Yes. You can get hi-res or low-res copies of all originals–or both if you like.

Do I get all rights to use the photos we shoot?

You sure do. I know some shooters charge additional licensing fees for using the images in certain ways, but I do not for business and professional headshots.

What if I don’t like the results?

I can usually fix any problem you might have in retouching, but if you prefer, you can always do a free re-shoot.

I never like my smile. Do I have to smile?

For most uses, a smile would be preferred. At other times in the past and in other countries, this is not true. But here and now, a friendly, welcoming smile works best.

Of course, there are some uses where you might prefer a look with more gravitas. For these headshots, a more serious look might be appropriate.

But about bad smiles, most of them can be fixed. Some “smiles” turn down at the corners of the mouth. I can “smile” them for you in retouching.  Some people hold one of their lips in an unusual way. I fix them. And, of course, I can whiten and fix problems with the teeth.

I always get nervous in front of the camera.

Me too! I’ll make you feel at home; I get a lot of compliments on this. And any signs of nervousness can be fixed in retouching. So don’t worry about it at all.

Looking for an actor’s headshot?

For more info, visit this site: PerfectHeadshots.com .