Can headshots be taken outside?
Here are 4 steps to show you how.
Headshot photos can be taken just about anywhere, even outside! You can use anything from your smartphone to a professional camera. An experienced photographer can make it look easy and make the process stress-free, but if you don’t have the budget or you are an aspiring photographer or DIYer I’ve got something just for you.
Here are 4 steps you should keep in mind to make sure your next headshot looks great.
Pick the right location.
Find a spot that is not getting direct sunlight but still has a view of what you want in your background. Avoid places where rays of sunlight can shine through onto your subject’s face. If you want a smooth blurry background, you want to make sure whatever is in the background is clutter-free and is far away from your subject. Make sure objects in the background don’t appear to be coming out of your subject’s head or body as you look through the camera. Nobody wants a palm tree or a power line coming out of their head.
Pick your lighting method.
If you have any photography lights available you are already one step ahead, but a white or silver poster board or foam core works just fine to reflect light on the face. Whatever your light source is, one thing to keep in mind is bigger is better. The larger the light source is, the more beautiful the light will be. Plus, much more forgiving of any imperfections on the face.
What to do with your light.
Use light stands or a friend. Place your light source about half to a full arm’s length away from your subject. For height, you will want to be around the chest to head height with the bottom of your light source just above the eyes. It will take a bit of moving around to see what looks best depending on your needs. You can also move your light to the left or right 45 degrees from directly in front of your subject for a more interesting look compared to just straight on.
Pick/plan your pose(s) and snap away.
Normally, you will want to pick something easy to recreate if you are taking pictures of multiple people. I like to ask people to stand facing 45 degrees away from the camera, then without moving their feet, turn their head and torso about halfway back to the camera. This pose usually helps accentuate the body and make it appear thinner. At this point, you crack a few good jokes to get a genuine smile, and you are all set.
These 4 easy steps will get you on the right track and on your way to better headshots.
If you in are struggling to get photos you love, or simply want to take out the stress of getting your next headshot. Reach out and find out what a headshot photographer can do for you.