Five Panda Pointers: How to take an awesome professional head shot

So not everyone likes having their photo taken. Even if it’s the most phenomenal photo in the world, some people will always find a fault with their own image. In fact, some people get nervous about having their picture taken.

It doesn’t need to be that way! We previously spoke about the importance of a professional profile photo for personal branding. So now we have acknowledged why it’s important, we decided to use our first Panda Pointers of 2017 to help you relax, and enjoy, having a professional headshot taken! We pandas recently got our own headshots taken, so our photographer James also offered top tips for a perfect shot.

1) What’s your best side?

It’s an age old dilemma…what if you and your best friend both have the same ‘best side’? It can end friendships, or at least the opportunity for some fabulous selfies.

There is no need to worry about this when taking a professional photo because it’s all about you. So don’t worry about angles, the positioning of your body or anything like that because there is a professional photographer present who WILL bring out the best in you. If there is a particular angle, or ‘side’, you prefer then let the photographer know. He or she can then work with that while you’re comfortable with your position for the picture.

James’ top tip: My advice when you have your photograph taken (in general life as well) is always just dip your chin. Where you naturally place your head is normally fractionally too high and by lowering your chin it just stretches out all the skin on the cheeks, defines your jaw line, hides any double chins and emphasizes your eyes.

2) Have a chat with the photographer

Perhaps one awkward aspect is that you don’t know the person pointing a camera in your face, so it might make you feel on edge.

Before you begin, simply have a chat with the photographer to ease the tension and get to know more about their work. They are professional and want you to feel at ease so that they can get a confident and assured photograph. Find out what their favourite shoot was, what their favourite photo is throughout history…literally anything to do with their work. Understanding their passion for what they do will definitely relax you and let you know you’re in good hands.

James’ top tip: The difficulty is that the key ingredients for appearing more natural in front of the camera are having trust in your photographer and being relaxed and comfortable about the whole thing. Now, before I lose you thinking it all sounds a bit too fluffy and holistic for the corporate world, don’t worry the application of this is more to do with your photographer putting you at ease than getting you to do yoga.

3) What to wear?

Anything that makes you comfortable and confident as a professional will really help you feel at ease during a photo. One piece of advice is not to wear something overly fussy, like big collars or scarves which can restrict your movement and make you appear less natural.

In terms of colour, bold prints are usually not recommended by professionals, though colours that bring out your eyes are welcomed with open arms. After all, it’s all in the eyes when it comes to taking a picture.

James’ top tip: Your photos need to be about you. Anything that is too busy, bold or unusually cut is just pulling focus away from you.

4) What makes you laugh?

Of course, the main goal is a natural photo for your professional profile. You don’t want to feel you are forcing a smile, so think of something that makes you laugh to encourage a natural smile.

Ask the photographer for tips to make your smile more natural, although they will probably be working to help you with this anyway.

5) Simply relax and it will look natural

That’s the final tip, because ultimately there is nothing wrong with having a photograph taken. If you’re happy with some worse for wear selfies making it to Facebook on a Saturday night, what could be wrong with a professional headshot?

Keep in mind that you have a professional in front of you, who will not stand for mediocre shots. This is their livelihood and they will want this photo looking 100%, so trust them to do their job. With that in mind, realise that you both share the same goal; taking a wonderful headshot for your professional profile. In the five or ten minutes you are in front of the lens, you and the photographer are a team!

Learn more about James We hope these panda pointers are useful, and a huge thanks to James for his fantastic tips! Learn more about James and get in touch!