15 Questions to ask your headshot photographer
proper preparation is going to help with any endeavor
Photo by Jon Tyson
Before I do a big commercial photoshoot, I plan. I mean yeah, I really plan the heck out of. I really freaking plan. It takes HOURS upon HOURS looking at every single detail possible. Naturally, I come up with a ton of questions that a non-photographer wouldn’t think of. “What time of the day will the light at this location look best?”, “does the model’s appearance represent the brand?”, “what focal length and lens would best work to fulfill my vision?”. The goal of this article is to help YOU prepare for your headshot session, whether it’s with me or someone else. Obviously, asking the proper questions will be part of your preparation process. Here are some good ones to ask.
1) How much does the headshot session cost?
Simple right? Not totally, photographers have different ways of structuring their photoshoot pricing. Some photographers include prints, retouching, and digital files in their package, some do not. Make sure to understand what your total cost will be. A photographer’s rates also change over time. A rate from two years ago may not be applicable now.
2) What should I wear?
I LIGHT UP when a client asks me this. I can’t always immediately forward this information with all clients because some clients DON’T want to be told what to wear. That’s okay, but coordinating with the photographer is almost ALWAYS beneficial. Photographers understand how clothing affects a picture. If you don’t think they know this, you’re not hiring the right photographer for you.
3) How many looks will we shoot?
This is extremely important; obviously, because you need to know how much clothing to bring to the location AND this answer varies between photographer. I utilize a pay by picture pricing structure. This is done so we can shoot as many looks as the client wants.
4) Do I need hair and makeup for the shoot? 5) Is hair and makeup provided? 6) How should I have my hair and makeup?
Professional hair and makeup will enhance a photo exponentially. I’m afraid that there’s still this misconception that a professional makeup artist will give clients a caked-up Kardashian look. That’s totally false. A proper makeup artist is merely going to enhance your appearance in a way that Photoshop could never do. They are an artist. They understand skin tones, texture, and face shape at the highest level. From working with many MUAs and doing extensive beauty photoshoots, I understand this. I also understand that not everyone can afford this service. That’s why I add it as an optional add-on. I’m more than willing to provide general makeup and hair tips to clients who prefer not to have a makeup artist.
7) Do you direct clients during a shoot?
BY FAR, the client’s biggest fear going into a shoot is their self perceived performance in front of the camera. “What do I do with my hands” is the common question that everyone asks, and unfortunately, I can’t help but giggle because I ALWAYS think of that scene in Talladega Nights. Please forgive me if this happens, but I doubt it will. Between experience and in-depth studying, I generally have no problem getting anyone in front of the camera and happy to be there. That’s my job. Be sure to get that assurance from your photographer if you need it. Going into a shoot, STRESS-FREE is really going to affect your experience and EXPRESSIONS during a shoot in the most positive way.
8) How long until I can view the proofs? 9) How long until I receive the final edits?
A lot of clients may feel uncomfortable asking this, but it’s an important question to ask, especially if you need the pictures ASAP. Photographers have different processes here that really depend on how they work and their pricing structure. I price my photoshoots so I can deliver the proofs the next morning and the edits in about three days. These numbers vary depending on how many clients I have, but it’s remained pretty consistent. I also offer expedited photo delivery at no extra cost if the clients need the photos for a specific reason.
10) Where can I print my headshots?
The question feels a bit old school to me, but it’s still relevant for some people. Check to see if your photographer uses a trusted printing service. I can offer prints on my print store at an additional cost.
11) Do you photoshop or retouch any of the photos as part of the package?
This is where you’ll see photographers offer dramatically different approaches. There are SO many ways to edit a photo, some are time-consuming, some are quite easy. What we DON’T want is a face-tuned, skin smoothed MESS. I opt to use the most time-consuming editing process available because it delivers the best results, hands down. For most clients, only one or two images are going to use. I want those images to be AMAZING. I use an editing technique called local dodge and burn. Essentially, I’m zooming into nearly every pore of the skin and changing the luminosity to get rid of tons of inconsistencies in the light. By eliminating thousands of small discrepancies, the skin appears smooth in a natural, appealing way. And yes, it’s ME editing your photos. I’m not sending these out to retouchers in foreign countries working below the living wage.
12) How much time do your shoots take?
Get an understanding of how long the photoshoot will last. This will set proper expectations. You don’t want to be under or over-prepared. I don’t have set “time limits” for my shoots, and I’m typically never going to book more than two in a day. The average shoot lasts about 1.5 hours, but this may differ depending on who you work with and what your goals are.
13) Do use a studio or go on location? 14) Do you use flash or natural light?
You need to explain your goals with the photographer. Depending on your profession, the industry standard is different depending on your line of work. People in more creative fields like actors or writers might prefer a naturally lit photo on location, whereas a business professional might need a studio lit location for their LinkedIn profile. I talk to each client to understand their goals. In general, I love naturally lit photos on location, but I can also offer time at a studio for an additional fee or bring my lights to your home or office if a studio is required.
15) What is your payment policy?
Most negative experiences with businesses could be avoided with proper communication. Be sure you understand your photographer payment policy regarding deposits and cancellation/rebooking fees if applicable.
There you have it! 15 questions to ask your headshot photographer. If you have additional questions, please let me know so I can include it on my website.