Headshot London Photographers - Articles

How To Find A Good Portrait Photographer?

2011-07-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

How do you find that talented photographer who will capture your best features and who may even bring out a new side of you...

These days, a lot of people want to have great photos taken. This is especially true for portraits. People want to own portraits that are not only artistically taken and pleasant to look at but also those that capture real emotions as well as the best features of a person.

People need these portraits for various reasons. For one, great portraits can serve as wonderful and lasting memorabilia. These portraits can also be passed on from one generation to another and can even be great personal gifts not only to other relatives but also to friends. Portraits can also serve as great decorations in one’s home. When framed, these portraits can bring “life” to a home. Guests in one’s home can see the homeowner’s different facets through portraits. Also, while this may sound sad, great portraits can also help people remember a person who has passed away. Through great portraits, people can remember a friend, a family member or even a colleague and, more often than not, remember that person with only good and nice thoughts in mind. Moreover and while this may seem simple, having a portrait taken is also a nice and wonderful experience. After all, it is not everyday that you have your portrait taken by a professional.

However, how do you look for that skilled professional? How do you find that talented photographer who will capture your best features and who may even bring out a new side of you? How do you also find a good portrait photographer whom you will feel comfortable with?

This article will share some tips on how to find a good portrait photographer. Read on.

1. Ask for references. References are a great starting point. If a family member or a dear friend recently had his own portraiture experience, ask him about the experience as well as for references. Chances are, your friend has done his own research and has narrowed down his choices in terms of great portrait photographers. If your friend had a good experience with their photographer, then shortlist them for a future reference. Later on go and have a look at their website to see if their portfolio and style is to your taste.

2. Check local listings. See who the photographers in your area are and whose expertise includes portraiture. Also have a look at Google maps as a lot of information there could provide you with a lot of insights about the photographer. Read though client reviews and see what experiences they had during their professional portrait photography session.

3. Check online for great feedback. These days, a lot of people share their experience with portrait photographers online. Look for blogs or even online features about portrait photographers. Check the web for photographers whom a lot of people have had nice and easy experiences with. Be careful if you come across unpleasant reviews. There is a risk that you may also encounter the same thing so best to avoid this from the get-go. It’s not enough that a photographer has a nice looking studio or cheap rates. Feedback from previous clients must also count.

4. If you already have a shortlist of preferred portrait photographers, try to list the pros and cons for each and every photographer. Does he have a great idea as to where and when you can have your portrait taken? Does he have a studio? What are his professional affiliations? What type of camera does he use? What is his previous work like and how are the reviews about his work so far? Does his professional fee sound reasonable or do you think you can still get the same service from someone else but at a cheaper rate? Will the cheaper photographer provide me with the same quality of photographs? Answers to questions like these can help you decide the best portrait photographer to hire.

5. Lastly, and most importantly, trust a tried and tested portrait photographer who has been in the business for years and who has been the top choice of many.

If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us and one of our professional portrait photographers will try and help.

(c) Headshot London Photography

Photography Session With Professional Photographer

2011-07-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

10 things to do before your photography session with professional photographer...

More often than not, people would require to have their photos taken by a professional photographer at one point in their lives. They may need these photos for work purposes, for the sheer sake of vanity, to serve as gifts or giveaways during a special occasion or even just for the simple experience of having photos taken by a professional photographer.

So if you are one of those people who will soon have a special photo shoot, here are 10 things that you must do before your photography session with a professional photographer:

1. Be sure that you and your professional photographer have the same vision, theme and idea in mind. This means that before your big photography session, you and your photographer must have already agreed on the location of the shoot, on what type of clothes to wear, on the theme or idea of the photo shoot, on the time of the shoot and even on which type of cameras and films to use. After all, there are photographers who may still use film and who may like to use black and white photography even though these were not your preference from the very beginning. Also, if you have certain demands from your photographer, be sure to make this clear with him or her from the very beginning.

2. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Catch as much zzz’s as you can. To have restful nights of sleep starting at least 3 days before your photography session can help put your mind and body at ease. Getting as much as 8 hours of sleep a day can also help get rid of those dark circles around your eyes.

3. Drink lots of water. Water can help keep your skin healthy and supple.

4. Pick appropriate clothes, appropriate shoes and appropriate accessories. This is where the points found in item number 1 are also applicable. If you and your photographer have already agreed on the theme, idea, location and other details, then it’s easy for you to figure out the type of clothes, footwear and accessories to bring to the photo shoot.

5. Have a test make-up session. This is especially true for ladies. Conduct test make-up sessions preferably while wearing the clothes that you will wear during your photography session.

This will help you figure out if the make-up will help accentuate your whole look or not. Doing test make-up sessions will also remind you not to be too playful with your looks on the day of the photo shoot. Go with what works and what makes you look your best.

6. Don't worry about loosing weight or about the state of your skin! Remember, there is nothing the magic retouching brush cannot touch up and remove!

7. Practice in front of a mirror. There is no crime in practising various poses in front of a mirror. Go online, check the different poses made by models on magazines and fashion websites and try to mimic these. Remember - you are the star during the photography session. Besides, projecting various poses may help keep your professional photographer happy and excited to capture great shots.

8. Bring a cheering squad. On the very day of your big photography session, bring your own little posse of fans. They can be close friends and relatives - people who will surround you with nothing but positive vibes during your session with a professional photographer. These people will help lift your spirits up during the entire day. We’re sure these people will also not mind if you request them to be your personal assistants…at least for the day.

9. Have a back-up plan. Always be ready with a back-up plan just in case the weather goes bad on the day of your photo shoot or if something happens at the last minute.

10. Smile, relax and put yourself in the hands of your photographer. Nothing beats having a smile on your face and having a sunny disposition on the day of your photo shoot. Just breathe and relax. Chances are, if you have a talented and personable professional photographer, not only will you have a wonderful experience during your photography session but you will also get the best photos! And, chances are, if your professional photographer is from Headshot London Photography, you have made the best choice.

If you still have questions in regards to your photography session then also have a look at frequently asked questions for actors, questions for portrait sessions, faqs for fashion shoots, faqs for family portraits or faqs for corporate PR shots.

(c) Headshot London - Leading professional photographers in London at http://www.headshotlondon.co.uk

What is a Corporate Headshot?

2010-06-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

What is a Corporate Headshot?

For those who do not know what a Headshot is: "A headshot is a 10 x 8 (inches) image and is very similar to a portrait or a 'mug shot'. 10 x 8 is a measurement and the size of an image. It commonly includes head & shoulders, and focuses on the face of the person".

Corporate Headshot is somewhat similar to Actors Headshot but it is done in colour and has to look more natural, showing a person as they are. Men usually are wearing suits and women are dressed smart in an office-like manner.

Corporate Headshot should provide a glimpse into the person's character and reflect friendly, trustworthy and approachable personality.

Many business professionals and businesses use headshots for: Annual reports, Corporate catalogues and advertising, Company publications and websites, Corporate PR (on and offline), Press Releases, Online catalogue/shop/website, Corporate brochures, Mail Order Catalogues, Marketing Literature and advertisements, Product Packaging.

Headshots are becoming more important in the business world. Latest developments on the market suggest that many corporate employers nowadays are asking their potential employees to submit their Headshots when they are applying for a job.

1. Corporate Headshots

a. Natural Headshots - these are most basic type of headshots (more like a mug shots) and usually photographed against a white backdrop

b. Studio Headshots - are done in the studio environment with different sets of background colours and with studio lights

c. Black and White Headshots - these are studio headshots converted into black and white during post production

d. Artistic Headshots - those could be in colour or black and white and are very close to portraits. Here photographer will use different lighting skills to produce more striking effect

e. Natural Headshots / Portraits - these are photographed outside with natural light

2. Corporate Portraits

a. Business and Lifestyle Portraits - these often show personality and a character or a person photographed as well as a type of work he/she does

b. Active Portraits - those are business in action portraits often portraying active environment, energy and personality of the person

c. Studio Portraits - photographed in the studio

d. Natural Portraits - photographed outside

For more information please see (c) Business Photographer

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information and for examples of corporate photography please also see Headshot London Corporate Photographers Page

(c) All rights for this article belong to Headshot London Photography (any copying or distribution unauthorised by the owner is strictly prohibited)

Corporate Photographers in the heart of the City of London

2009-06-01T06:37:00.000-07:00

Getting right PR for your business is important if not critical in the current economic climate. Image is everything and therefore getting the right message about yourself, your company and your services to your target customers has never been as crucial as it is now.

Being a small, medium or a large business in the city does not mean you should spend thousands of pounds on promoting yourself. Therefore a simple professional corporate photography session could be the right step forward to getting your image and the right message to your customers. Those professional shots could then be used for all kinds of purposes.

First they could be sent to local newspapers or magazines together with the latest news and developments about your company. If the media is interested in your company, those corporate headshots could also then be used along with an interview you are approached to give.

Internet marketing rapidly increases competition between businesses, which means millions of potential customers turning to online shops and services for convenience, research and better deals. Therefore, secondly, having the right website with the right imagery portraying professional staff, products and services could help to deliver the right message to your target market and potential customers.

Smaller businesses also need to network a lot on and off the Internet in order to inform potential clients about their services, therefore corporate portraits could also be used for online profiles.

Corporate headshots for CVs are being increasingly important nowadays in some industries as they make your CV look professional. Hence looking good and portraying the right image and personality could increase your chances of getting that job.

To sum up, using professional corporate photography services will help your business to succeed and most importantly it could help you to survive.

If you are in the City of London, then do not hesitate to give us a call, as we are located next to the Bank station.

For more information and our online portfolio please visit our new website dedicated to all types of corporate photography - Business Photographer at Corporate Photographers in the City of London

Business Photographer - (c) Headshot London Photography
Portrait Photographers
Tel: 07940 444 641

Want to find a new job? Get Corporate Headshots!

2008-12-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

Everybody is talking about credit crunch and many already started feeling its effects. Media all over the world shouting the news about unemployment, crushing businesses, financial market failures, etc. Many had to step up their game and had to rethink their marketing strategies to survive. Therefore, looking good, professional and up-to-date has never been as crucial as it is now.

Businesses have been investing in headshots for a while now as they recognise the need to look professional.

What is a Corporate Headshot?

For those who do not know what a Headshot is: “A headshot is a 10 x 8 (inches) image and is very similar to a portrait or a 'mug shot'. 10 x 8 is a measurement and the size of an image. It commonly includes head & shoulders, and focuses on the face of the person”.

Corporate Headshot is somewhat similar to Actors Headshot but it is done in colour and has to look more natural, showing a person as they are. Men usually are wearing suits and women are dressed smart in an office-like manner.

Corporate Headshot should provide a glimpse into the person’s character and reflect friendly, trustworthy and approachable personality.

Many business professionals and businesses use headshots for: Annual reports, Corporate catalogues and advertising, Company publications and websites, Corporate PR (on and offline), Press Releases, Online catalogue/shop/website, Corporate brochures, Mail Order Catalogues, Marketing Literature and advertisements, Product Packaging.

Headshots are increasingly becoming more important in the business world. Latest developments on the market suggest that many corporate employers nowadays are asking their potential employees to submit their Headshots when they are applying for a job.

Therefore turning to the industry professionals is important. It is true, as we all know that quality matters! Invest in quality and get a better chance of success by attracting more attention of your potential employers and customers.

(c) All rights for this article belong to Headshot London Photography at Portrait Photographers
(Any copying or distribution unauthorised by the owner is strictly prohibited)

Getting Ready for your Fashion / Modelling Photo shoot

2008-11-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

So, you are going for your first fashion photo shoot or shoot for modelling portfolio and perhaps not sure what to do or expect. Have a read though our tips and hopefully they will help you to get the best results.

First thing to remember is - unless you have been modelling for many years it is not so easy at first to relax, feel comfortable and give your best in front of the camera. If you know the photographer already and like his/her personality then it will take less time for you to relax. It is therefore important that you meet or have a good chat with them beforehand. We usually recommend that you book at least one and a half hours because of the time it takes to ‘warm up’ on camera even after you have built a rapport with the photographer.

Second, if you have a specific style of photography in mind, such as photojournalistic, glamour, beauty, etc., make sure that the photographer you are going to be shooting with understands what your requirements are. Sending a few pictures that inspired you for the photo shoot in the first place could be a good idea too. If you are not sure what you want and it is a great set of pictures you are after, then make sure that you like your chosen photographer’s portfolio and the style of shooting.

Third it is therefore very important to choose the right photographer for you! Make sure you have a look at their portfolio beforehand and like the styles of photography they are offering.

Fourth, is making sure that you bring the right style and amount of clothing with you. It is hard to say what style is the best for the photo shoot. The clothes should generally fit you well and not be two sizes bigger (unless that is the look you want). Try all of the sets at home before the photo shoot and if not sure ask your friends for their opinion. Three or four sets should be enough. If you still not sure about your choices, then do not worry, as a good photographer should be able to direct you and help you with the styling. Taking a few extra pieces of clothes with you that you are not sure about could be a good idea. Top tip: Accessories can make a dull shot look great!

Fifth is the makeup and hair styling. Have a chat with the photographer and see if they have makeup artists available. If you do not know how to apply makeup, do not avoid hiring someone to do it for you. Generally, makeup artists also do hair. Styling is one of the most important things on the photo shoot! Think about it if on a budget or hire the right people to bring it all together for you.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

Headshot London Photography
Fashion Photographers
Tel: 07940 444 641

(c) All rights for this article belong to Headshot London Photography at Portrait Photographers
(Any copying or distribution unauthorised by the owner is strictly prohibited)

Our Galleries

2008-10-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Our Galleries:

- Fashion Photographers
- Actors Headshots
- Corporate Photographers
- Product Photographers
- Glamour Photographers
- Modelling Portfolios
- Portrait Photographers

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information and quotes

Should they kill a dream to line their pockets?

2008-04-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

If you are an aspiring model, then read on and we hope that our advice will help you in the future.

We do not want to join the ranks of photographers who happily mislead young wannabe models by implying that they need a professional modelling portfolio before they go to an agency. Those portfolio shoots could cost between £600 and £2500, lining the pockets of photographers who prey on the uninformed.

Instead we advise:

First - If you are genuinely looking for a modelling agency, you only need a very
simple picture of yourself. Most agencies will accept that if they are interested. All you need to do is take a simple shot professionally or using your own camera and submit it to the agencies of your choice. This is standard practice.

Second - Once an agency signs you — based on your very simple photograph, the agency will send you out to 'test' with their chosen photographers. This will create a portfolio and is standard practice. You therefore will build a portfolio of images free of charge. The photographers get new looks to shoot and you get a shot for the portfolio. It’s been like that for longer than you’ve wanted to be a model!

Our simple advice is to speak to an agency before you approach us or any other photographer. Be careful, look up the model advisory service for your country or area and above all, be realistic. Girls should be at least 5'7" tall and size 8-10 and guys should be at least 6’ tall if you’re looking for a role in fashion. If you can’t find an agency to take you on, it might be that you are chasing a dream and spending more money on portfolios, will not help.

Useful websites for aspiring models:
http://www.starnow.co.uk
http://www.modelmayhem.com

Here you could find many aspiring and established models together with photographers, stylists and make up artists who collaborate and create beautiful photography. The sites also offer you plenty of advice.

For more information about certain type of photography please visit:

- London Photographers
- Actors Headshots
- Fashion Photographers
- Modelling Portfolios
- Beauty Photographers

(c) All rights for this article belong to Headshot London Photography at Portrait Photographers
(Any copying or distribution unauthorised by the owner is strictly prohibited)

So what is a headshot? How much does it cost?

2008-04-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

This article explains what the actors’ headshot is and how much it could cost.

What is a headshot?

A headshot is a 10 x 8 (inches) image and is very similar to a portrait or a 'mug shot'. 10 x 8 is a measurement and the size of an image. It commonly includes head & shoulders, and focuses on the face of the person.

10 x 8 headshots are effectively a resume for actors and performers who present it to potential employers and casting directors. Casting directors then decide if that person is right for the particular role.

Actors’ headshots In the UK are traditionally black and white as originally they were photographed in B&W film. In USA on the other hand, headshots are mostly done in colour. Therefore, if you are travelling to USA for a casting, make sure you have a copy of your headshot in colour; or if you are about to have a photography session then let your photographer know which market your headshot is for.

There are two commonly known types of headshots for Actors and Performers:

+ Commercial – typically (not always) has the person smiling and projects warmth and friendliness. Those headshots are often used for commercial and advertising work. However, some actors also display them online next to their theatrical headshot.

+Theatrical – usually serious, focused and actors are NOT smiling.

Advise:

Good headshot should reflect person’s qualities and show their exact age, hair style and colour, etc., i.e. should be natural and reflecting person’s current look. Therefore, if you have had a hair cut or coloured your hair then you need a new headshot. Headshots normally need to be updated around every 2 years.

Headshot should invite the viewer in and make them want to know a person better. It should also provide a glimpse into the person’s character or present their potential for the role a casting director is looking to fill. Therefore here it is important to make the first impression count as there will be no second chance to impress your future employer!

What to wear?

Wear something simple and neutral coloured (usually black or white) clothing that does not contain prints. The focus and attention should be emphasised on the face and not the t-shirt with imprinted flowers or palm trees or logos! Try also to avoid materials such as velvet as it absorbs the light and is not visible on the B&W image.

How much does a headshot cost?

Actors’ headshots could cost anything between £60 and £250. Going for the cheapest or the most expensive options may not be the best choices sometimes. There could be possibilities of either not getting a good quality or simply overpaying for the services that could be obtained elsewhere.

Many photographers offer different service packages that may include make-up, hair styling, and an option of costume changes, variations on hours and number of photographs taken. Some photographers also offer cheaper sessions because they shoot from home and do not have large overheads from hiring studios. It is up to an Actor to decide, which option is the most appropriate for them.

Therefore, it could be advised:

Firstly a person planning to do their headshot needs to look at photographer’s portfolio (online or a hard copy) to determine if their style of headshots photography is right for them. It would also help if you like the photographer’s personality. This would help you to relax and give your best in front of the camera. Therefore, it is always helpful to have a chat with your chosen photographer on the phone or in person before the session.

Second, enquire if services such as make-up and a costume change are available. Many photographers collaborate with professional make-up artists that could be hired for an extra fee. However, keep in mind that headshots should look like you and be natural and not over glamorous.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information

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This acrticle is also featured at http://www.headshotlondon.co.uk/what_is_headshot.html

(c) All rights for this article belong to Headshot London Photography at http://www.headshotlondon.co.uk

(any copying or distribution unauthorised by the owner is strictly prohibited)