If you want to make people look good in corporate headshots, then lighting, composition, and exposure are the first things to consider. Even if your photography skills are top-notch there are still many small tweaks you can make to your editing process. This will make your photos and your clients look more professional. look far more professional.
It’s important to realize that on the day of the shooting, many things are out of your hands. It doesn’t matter if you are a total newbie or an experienced pro.
Consider a recent booking. The booking was for a friday afternoon and came after a week-long series of strategy meetings. The head honchos had been working hard all week and were exhausted. Taking photos was not on their list of things to do. Many of the executives looked less than fresh after a week spent deciding on the future of their companies. We’re all human, so we get dehydrated, have bags under our eyes and stained teeth from coffee. Although I knew soft lighting would be helpful, I also knew cameras can’t forgive those who are sleep-deprived.
As a photographer, you will always face minor aesthetic issues. Post-processing is always a good option. You’ll feel better about the photos and your subjects will feel better too. Most of my corporate clients understand that post-production does not mean they will end up looking like Heidi Klum. However, they appreciate a little help after the photos have been loaded.
