Head portrait photography differs from general portrait photography in that the focus is on producing photographs of the model from the chest upwards. It is usually a commercial photography and a portrait photography undertaking. Head portrait photography is designed to show the personality and to reflect the best appearance of the model and is usually conducted with a single subject in the frame at any one time.
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Traditional head portrait photography
Traditionally professional head portrait photography (head shot photography) was used in the entertainment industry for the selection of models and actors alongside a resume. Professional head portrait photography met the specific purpose of defining the character of the subject for the purposes of gaining employment in the entertainment industry.
Modern professional head portrait photography is still used in this way, but also extends to company directors and management (for business websites and annual reports), real estate agents (to personalise the conduct of professional real estate transactions), modelling (for casting and resume), political figures and business owners and employees (to highlight the personal side of the business).
The main aim of head portrait photography is to showcase the personality of the subject in a setting that reflects both the business brand and the end use prerequisite of the client.
Aims of head portrait photography
The main aim of head portrait photography is to showcase the personality of the subject in a setting that reflects both the business brand and the end use prerequisite of the client. Head portrait photography can be conducted indoors or outdoors and may include the use of white or coloured backgrounds or other environmental background that suits the business and personality of the subject.
An actor may require a studio head portrait with white or coloured background, but a real estate agent may request an environmental background such as a cityscape that reflects their business brand.
Consultation
Pre-session consultations are important as it will give both the professional photographer and the client the opportunity to ask a series of questions related to the desired head portrait photography session outcome and end-use. The clothing choice should reflect the aspirations of the client in that it will suit the business and personality of the client.
Separation of subject
Separation of the subject from the background will produce more technically correct head portraits. However, when shooting outdoor environmental head portraits, it is vital the photographer explains depth of field to the client before the shoot. A client may be expecting outdoor environmental head portrait to include both themselves and the background in focus.
However, where the photographer is unaware of this the client may walk away unhappy with their head portrait photographs due to the background being out of focus. The expectation of the general public doesn’t always align with the training and technically correct methods of the professional photographer.
Photographers traditionally believe an out of focus head portrait environmental background is important to being a successful result, however this needs to be explained to the client before the shoot.
To meet the client expectations fully it may come to pass that the head portrait photographer provides photographs that include the background out of focus and a set with the background in focus.
Lighting and composition
Lighting techniques and location lighting ideas depend on the artistry of the photographer; however, the subject is usually lit in a way that either reflects the personality of the subject or the end-use of the head portrait. There is not much sense in producing a soft and smooth head portrait with pink background for a male pro-wrestler when the result may not suit their image or brand or having a brick-wall type or other harsh background for a client that is a social media influencer in the natural essential oils business. This is where a pre-session consultation is important in determining the type of photo session required.
Head portraits will almost always have the subject looking into the camera. Always ask the client if they have a preferred side as they may only prefer one angle.
However, in the case of company director and management head portraits the shoot specifications may require all directors to be photographed at the same orientation with the same background to provide uniformity across the business.
It is important for the photographer to understand the requirements of corporate head portrait sessions.
Follow Peter Hurley
Without a doubt one of the best headshot photographers in the entire industry is Peter Hurley. Follow Peter Hurley at the Headshot Crew website and on Peter’s Instagram profile.
Head Portrait Photography Portfolio
Create a website for your head-shot portfolio so that potential high-worth clients can see your work. Also display your images on your social accounts at TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Head portrait photography is important for style and brand!
Head portraits can be conducted indoors or outdoors.