6 tips to follow to help you take stellar headshots

Headshots are a very popular type of photographer that many photographers specialize in. With so many headshot photographers, how do you make yours stand out? Check out these 6 tips to follow to help you take stellar headshots.
If you want to make some extra money with your photography skills, taking headshots is a great way to start. These can be for businesses, models, and other professionals. Keep the below tips in mind when taking headshots.
Advertisement
1. Take in the eyes
The eyes are what the viewer will see first, so make sure these are sharp and in focus, and the rest of the shot should fall into place. You may need to play around with your camera's exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, f-stop) to get this right.
2. Light up the hair
You want to show off the head of your subject, including the hair. If you are taking the shots outside, use the sun as a hair light. A flash can also be put behind or above the subject to bring out the hair in your shot.
3. Angles
Angles are important in headshots, since they can set the mood of the photo. Angle the camera down on women to make their eyes look bigger and their face smaller. Shoot men a little upwards to show off their strength.
4. Lens type
The type of lens you use is also very important in getting a great headshot. Wide angles lenses are not ideal for close shots, since they can distort the final image. Use a 90mm lens or greater, since these will bring out the best in a person's face by making them look nice and skinny.
5. Diffused light
You want to emphasize your subject's skin without the use of harsh light. Using diffused light will help spread the light all around the shot. Diffused light will also put the emphasis on lines and not on faults in the subject's skin. Faults can also be taken out with software after the shoot.
Advertisement
6. Expression help
A subject might feel nervous or uncomfortable if this is their first time taking headshots. Their mood will show on their face, so help your subject relax and show off their best expression. You might make them try to laugh by telling jokes or asking thought-provoking questions to bring out a more solemn look.