What Are Creative Headshots?
Creative headshots are a type of professional portrait photography usually adopted by creatives, innovators, designers, authors, and entrepreneurs looking to highlight the novelty of themselves through headshots. For creative people, a well-composed professional headshot is an effective tool for actively promoting published works, progressing careers, and generating increased business revenue. In contrast to typical professional headshots or business headshots, the goal of a creative headshot is not so much to convey a “friendly” or “professional” attitude but to create an aura of curiosity and fascination. A creative headshot’s key characteristic is the creative leveraging of shadows across the face of the model to build a bold and edgy feel. However, creative headshots also call to mind light and friendly tones. Using creative background colors, like coordinating the model’s wear to the background’s blackness or using bold, friendly tones to get the model to pop, add to the visual pull. A creative headshot is beyond the typical “stand there and smile” shot, instead working within one of a kind expressions and poses to subvert expectations.
Are Creative Headshots Important?
Have you ever met someone about whom you immediately liked or disliked without even knowing why? It is amazing how we can have such “first impressions” in the space of a fraction of a second, without even knowing why we have them. These early impressions heavily influence whom we hire, buy from, and listen to. Now, with our digital age, we are often making such first impressions there. Therefore, if you want to influence others with your ideas and know-how, it is important not to come across as boring and unengaging.
What Do I Wear for Creative Headshots?
Your style depends on your personality, the setting of your work, and where you will have your photo displayed. We typically advise wearing “smart casual” to our sessions. If you do want to make an impact, distinguish yourself from the crowd in your photo with distinctive attire.
In any event, plain-colored clothes tend to photograph better than intricate patterns or pale/pastel colors. If you require further clarification, you’re free to get in touch with us! We’re always happy to offer advice and support.
How Do I Pose for Creative Headshots?
As opposed to typical headshots, you are welcome to try out creative poses during your shot. We will have some easy ones to choose from, but if you have scheduled this type of session, we do encourage you to seek out some ideas and inspiration for creative poses to bring to the session. Pinterest, Instagram, and creative blogs are some great places to look. Should you want to have some creative guidance to your headshots, bring some samples you like to your session.
Begin by loosening up with simple and uncomplicated poses. Simply smile and stand straight. As we move along, we will incorporate more complicated head tilts and poses to reflect your own personality.
What Backgrounds are Best for Creative Headshots?
The choice of clothes and conceptual theme will influence the style we take for your headshots. In general, we advise to create a business-like and professional feel by making certain there is some level of distinction between your clothes and the background. However, in creative photography, there is room to break from following the guideline.
Although we may suggest using contrasting background color to your outfit, monochrome combinations of clothes is also possible to create a great visual effect. An example is available at our website. Check our headshot backgrounds page for all our available background previews.
If you have no particular preference for outdoor or office surroundings for your session, we can propose some excellent locations for your photo shoot.
We have studio backdrops available at Zen Studios LA for you.
How Should I Prepare for Creative Headshots?
Preparation is important in getting ready for your headshot session. There are three important steps to take to secure the best possible outcomes:
Firstly, take rest, exercise, and sunlight exposure seriously during the weeks before your session. Although our editing team will airbrush your selected images, your preparation will help you have a natural and perfect appearance.
Secondly, wear the clothes you intend to wear during your headshots for a couple of days prior to your session. This will enable you to know whether any adjustments are needed and to ensure you fit correctly without any last-minute mishaps.
Finally, spend some time looking back at all of your prior photos and think about any shots you really enjoy. Bringing these to us when you arrive at the studio will enable us to take your favorite pictures and have you feeling comfortable.
Follow these steps and be prepared to shine in headshots!
What If I’m Not Photogenic or Hate Getting My Photo Taken?
At Zen Studios LA, we have you covered! In distinction to many portrait photographers, we recognize the value of making our clients comfortable and at ease in our studio. Rather than insisting on stiff poses, we sit down to discuss and really listen to our clients about what they want from their headshot session. We care about what our clients have to say and take great care to include clients in working collaboratively to create a great headshot they will showcase proudly online. We play fun background music to set the mood in our studio, and we want to help you create the best you in a headshot you will really adore!
How Much Do Creative Headshots Cost?
Creative headshots may run from $225 and up, depending on the provider, package, and geographic area. In pricing, there are two factors to take into consideration: licensing fees and retouching fees.
As far as licensing is concerned, it is not unusual for many photographers to retain ownership of photographs unless they are “purchased” from them. This ownership is different from the “session fee” charged for sitting time in the studio of the photographer. Some licensing fees might be charged if you want to utilize the photographs for a press release, advertising, book cover, or magazine. For retouching, most photographers demand at least $225 and beyond each photo. It is always better to include these costs in your calculation of the total expense of your session.
Welcome to Zen Studios! Our rates begin at an affordable amount, and you receive 100% of the rights of all images from your session. And there’s even more! You will receive one custom-retouched image of your choice. Thrilling. If you want to go budget-friendly, we have you covered with our Virtual Headshot packages. Don’t delay, book now and allow us to bring out the best in you!
