Tag: headshot mistakes

Seda Stepanyan

December 1, 2021

How To Get Professional Realtor Headshots in 2022

Not many people love standing in front of a camera, but in 2022 a professional headshot will help you stand out in the job market. Our tips to help you get the best real estate headshots. Realtor headshots are vital for anyone that wishes to look professional and trustworthy.

Unprofessional or outdated headshots can ruin your marketing efforts and make your potential customers pass on you. This article will help you to make the headshots work for you and avoid mistakes.

As a headshot photographer, I’ve worked with hundreds of real estate agents to update their headshots. And, now I am ready to share this guide with you for you to get professional realtor headshots even if you are not photogenic.

Why Professional Realtor Headshots are a Must in 2022

This is how you make a first impression on your clients. You may spend time and money on networking and on word of mouth referrals, however, based on recent statistics 99% of Millennials search for realtors online.

Putting efforts into your online presence and professional headshots will make it more likely that these people will choose you whenever they need you. Besides, the first impression is what matters the most. According to studies, your clients size up your competence and trustworthiness, just by looking at your LinkedIn profile picture or your headshot on your website.

In short, your pictures and headshots do matter. A professionally taken headshot is a photo that builds your reputation and a connection to your business.

Define your Target Market

Depending on the types of homes you sell your headshot has to be different. That is why, firstly you need to define your target market, be it luxury homes, homes in small towns or condos.

Another question is who your potential customer is. Your photo has to resonate with the right people you are targeting.

Hire a Professional Headshot Photographer

Don’t ruin your reputation by posting an amateur headshot. We all have friends with a DSLR camera or iPhone 13. However, professional realtor headshots are more about lighting and coaching rather than about equipment. And, of course, let’s not forget about a professional retouch that you cannot do by yourself.

The smartest way is to trust the professionals and hire a professional realtor headshot photographer in Los Angeles, or wherever you are located. Just ask for recommendations or google search for a realtor headshot photographer near you. As soon as you have the names, make sure to check the photographers’ portfolio and read reviews on Google and Yelp. Professional headshot photography rates may be much higher than you could have imagined but you should view it as an investment in your

Choose Your Location

The background you use for your headshot can contain a message and communicate to your audience. You can choose the location yourself, or ask your photographer for recommendations.

Here is a list of portrait locations for professional realtor headshots in Los Angeles, or wherever you are located:

In Studio
Cityscape
In a neighbourhood
In a home
In your office space
In the city

With the right camera lens, your professional headshot photographer can blur out the background enough, at the same time give a feel for your brand.

Day of Photoshoot Tips

It is not a secret that you should look perfect in your real estate headshot. Here are a couple of tricks to do so. Firstly, stay out of the sun the day before your shoot. Sleep well to make sure you look fresh and rested. Have your clothes ready in advance. Take extra clothes with you in case you spill something on yourself. All these small things will help you avoid stress right before the shoot.

Practice your smile in the mirror before the shoot. Studies show that smiling headshots communicate approachability, competence, and warmth to your potential clients. This will make your clients more confident reaching out to you, especially over the phone. An experienced photographer, will not let you fake your smile. They will make you laugh to capture your “after smile”.

Your Good Side and Posture

Though the photographer will help you define your good side, try to do it yourself before the shoot. It will make you feel more confident. Another important thing is to stand up straight. The right posture will make you look more confident and competent.

No Double Chin

The right photographer will show you how to get rid of the double chin and make sure you follow the instructions. You will need to push your forehead forward and chin down. Do it in front of the mirror and you will see its magic.

Trust your Photographer. Now that you have hired a professional photographer that’s because you liked their work. It is time to give it a try, relax and trust your photographer. Experienced photographer with a rich portfolio knows what they are doing. If you are ready to take advice and be coached, you will experience less pressure and look more relaxed in the photos.

After Your Professional Realtor Headshot Session

Now that you have all the retouched images it is time to update your profile pictures on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and, of course, on your website. If you need to crop it, make sure to ask the photographer to do it for you as there are specific rules to follow. Otherwise, you can easily ruin your professional headshot by just cropping it in the wrong way.

I hope the professional realtor headshot guide helped you and you will be able to get the best professional headshots in 2022. Our next blog will be about what to wear for your realtor headshot session and how to pose for pictures. You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page.

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Mirdon

April 16, 2020

Photography Trends 2020

As we live in the 21st century, it is crucial to make sure that we follow the trends of our industry. Me, as a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who takes affordable headshots, I always try to catch up with everything new that happens in the world. This helps to develop my skills and provide quality products to my clients. Clients always look for something unique and fresh, and they want to have pictures that are one-of-a-kind. And the job of a photographer is not only to press the shutter button but also to make their imagination a reality and be creative with it.

Following photography, trends help you to be one step ahead from others and please your clients. It may seem that headshot rates in Los Angeles are relatively high, and one of the main reasons to explain this is that headshot photographers in Los Angeles always do their best to provide the best results. So, to have high demand in this industry, you have to be aware of photography trends and be able to use them in your profession. In this article, I will introduce to you the main photography trends of 2020.

1. Vibrant Colors

Pictures with bright colors help to grab the attention of people. Today, vibrant colors remain one of the main photography trends. As I am a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I always try to make not only trendy but also natural pictures. And sometimes, it may seem that vibrant colors are making a fake effect. But believe me, if you are doing it with style, it will catch an eye. If you are taking pictures of a client, at first, you will decide the style of pictures and then proceed to the photoshoot. If they like such kind pictures with bright tones, then I am sure you will have a lot of room to play with bright colors. When clients hire a photographer in Los Angeles to do photoshoots, they usually want to rely on their skills, and they want to trust the photographer’s sense of style. So don’t be afraid to experiment with vibrant colors. They are among photography trends in 2020.

2. Minimalistic Style

Minimalism is always in photography trends in 2020. One of the greatest things about minimalism is that sometimes it can transform more meaning and feelings to the viewer than other pictures. Minimalistic pictures are always very compelling. It helps to focus on a specific object, and with the help of it, you, as a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, will be able to capture both emotions and meaning. Transforming some kind of idea or deep meaning through pictures is one of the hardest jobs of a photographer. Of course, it may not be simple at first, but as you master, you will notice that you enjoy taking minimalistic pictures. Especially when you are taking affordable headshots or fashion pictures, minimalistic style can create unique results. Right now, there are a lot of apps and tools which make pictures look overdone and not very appealing. So minimalistic style will make your pictures stand out.

3. Nostalgic Style

Especially nowadays, the vintage style is very trendy. Many people want their pictures to be in that style because it helps to have not ordinary pictures. The style of the 60s or 70s is very famous among clients. Also, this gives room for a lot of creativity. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I know that this will give you a lot of ideas. And also, there are a lot of different effects and tools which help to create nostalgic pictures.

For example, an effortless way to create a nostalgic style is the black and white effect. It immediately creates a vintage mood, and a little bit of creativity with clothes and background will create a total nostalgic style picture. It would also be interesting to mix vintage style with the modern style. If you do this moderately then, I am sure you will create one of a kind pictures.

4. Ecology

Right now, one of the main issues that the world faces is connected with ecology. Many headshot photographers in Los Angeles are trying to raise this issue with their pictures. And actually, they are very successful in raising awareness of such important problems. This became a photography trend in recent years, and many companies hire photographers in Los Angeles to take pictures for environmental projects. This helped to spread information to the whole world, and step-by-step make changes. One of the roles of photographers is not only to take pictures of different people but also help to raise issues through photography. And sometimes visuals can make more impact than anything else. So, another photography trends in 2020 is to choose some issues connected to ecology (and not only) and try to raise awareness about it through your art.

5. Symbolism

Symbolism is one of the most interesting and at the same time most significant or powerful tools in photography. Symbols help to transform a vast meaning, and photographers can experiment with it in different ways. This gives an opportunity to the headshot photographer in Los Angeles to express their thoughts and deep ideas in one picture. This is one of the most exciting photography trends, and the result can be exciting. I will highly recommend you to explore symbols and symbolism. It will help in the process of taking affordable headshots, and also it will be easier for you to make one-of-a-kind pictures. You just need to make your ideas into reality. Maybe you will work on one image longer than you did while you were taking pictures in other styles, but I want to assure you that it’s worth it. Here is a small video which can be a guide for you in understanding what symbolism is, if you don’t know much about it yet.

6. Unusual Beauty and Raw Shots

Especially in recent years, this photography trend started to gain popularity, and it is not losing its power until today. Nowadays, natural and unusual beauty is very much appreciated, and headshot photographers in Los Angeles are trying to include such kind of beauty in their photoshoots. This trend has shaped the industry, and now people are valuing natural beauty. Try to experiment with non-traditional things, and in the process, you will fall in love with what you do. This may be helpful while doing affordable headshots because nowadays, people hire photographers in Los Angeles to have pictures that show their real beauty without any additional attribute. This will be trendy for a long time because people are starting to value natural beauty more and more.

7. 360 Photography Style

360 photography is one of the most exciting photography trends in 2020. This trend is especially beneficial for some kind of product photography. As the name tells, with the help of this technique, you will be able to capture the full product. These types of pictures are more appealing to customers. In addition to this, with the help of 360 photography, you can take magnificent pictures of different landscapes, buildings, or interiors. For example, if your client wants to take a picture of the room, you can use this helpful technique to show the room entirely. There are a lot of tools and technological updates that help to create such kinds of pictures. And also, it is always fun to experiment with new ideas and see how it changes the appearance of different objects, landscapes, etc. Here are a couple of unique locations in Los Angeles where you can try the 360 photography technique.

8. Neon Lights

Neon has become widely popular, especially in the past couple of years. Clothing, neon objects, hair color is very much trendy right now. If you want your pictures to be famous or well-known to many people, I highly recommend you to use neon lights, colors or attributes in the photoshoot process. If you take affordable headshots in a neon-themed way, then definitely, you will have different results. Ultraviolet lights can make your pictures even more impressive and give it some kind of a vibe.

To make your pictures even more surprising, I recommend you to take photos at night. Because in the darkness, neon lights look more beautiful. For example, you can take a picture of an empty street and add neon lights to it. If you use neon lights correctly while taking affordable headshots, it will create a youthful atmosphere. And many people will like the energy that the atmosphere transforms.

9. Film Style Photography

It is exciting to notice how fast the film style photography trend is growing. As technology is upgrading a lot of new digital cameras are being introduced to the world. And every photographer tries to have the best camera. But even in the 21st century, many manufacturers are introducing film cameras. Today there are a lot of apps that provide many filters to create quick film style pictures. And even the most modern image can be transformed with the help of these filters. But the quality that film cameras make will not be comparable to any kind of filter. Of course, both film photography and digital photography create magnificent pictures, but for a professional headshot photographer, it is crucial to be a master of these both.

10. Including All Ages

People of every age are beautiful and interesting. For every photographer, it is vital to make sure that with their pictures, they can capture the beauty of everyone and show their character. Many companies want to engage in their campaigns for people of different ages. This is part of the marketing activities because they want to show that their product or service is for everyone. The work of photographers is to show the real beauty of every age, and most importantly, demonstrate how the picture can be changed, when the age of a person changes. This idea is one of the essential concepts, which is very trendy now. For every photographer, it is important to include diversity in their pictures. Experimenting with ages is a great way to show creativity in work and help people to feel comfortable at any age. Photography can make a massive change in how people see themselves. So, as a photographer, you can make a positive impact on people.

11. Showing Emotions

Emotions are one of the best friends of real and beautiful pictures. Headshot photographers in Los Angeles always encourage their models to show real emotions as much as they can. Firstly this helps to create a great working atmosphere, and secondly, this allows taking honest pictures. If you can successfully show the raw and real emotions of your client, then I am sure they will be very pleased, and your pictures will be very trendy. Encourage your clients to show their emotions and, at the same time, quickly take pictures of everything that they try to explain. You will get a lot of great pictures, and at the end of the photoshoot, you will not be able to choose which one is better. And, you will notice that at the end of the photoshoot, both you and your client enjoyed the process, and this is one of the most important parts.

As a Conclusion…

If you want to be a successful photographer, then it is crucial to make sure that you follow all the photography trends. As you may understand, some of those trends are not changing in years, but with every year at least one new trend shows up. Develop your skills and, at the same time, follow the trends and use them. You can even create your style or trend, and if it is good enough, I am sure it will become famous among different photographers.

One of the greatest advantages of the industry is that there are no specific rules. Your biggest skill is your imagination, and you should decide how you must use it. If you are a professional photographer and enjoy your job, then I am sure you will be successful in utilizing every photography trend in your photoshoots. Be curious and explore your industry as much as you can.

Learn more about headshot pricing in Los Angeles.

Click here to book a headshot session in Downtown Los Angeles.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page.

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Seda Stepanyan

February 19, 2019

5 Headshot Mistakes

Headshot mistakes are easy to avoid if you know them all. Your headshot is your business card. It is the impression that you make before being considered for an audition and getting the part. This is why you need to treat it seriously. Here are some common headshot mistakes I would like to talk about today.

1.You don’t look like you.

Makeup is great. It saves the photographer a lot of time. However, don’t overdo with it. It might sound a little bit rude but if you have a bad skin, take your time before the headshot session and cure your skin instead of putting on tons of foundation. I mean, a professional headshot photographer can fix anything on Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, but why not to look your best. It will also give you more confidence.

2. Retouching Wrinkles.

Another headshot mistake is retouching the wrinkles. If you have wrinkles it does not make sense to ask the photographer to get rid of them as the casting director would not be happy to be tricked by a retouched picture. If you are 60, don’t try to look 20. As the Italian actress Anna Magnani, an Academy Award Winner, once said “Please don’t retouch my wrinkles. It took me so long to earn them”.

“Please don’t retouch my wrinkles. It took me so long to earn them”.
Anna Magnani

3. Distracting Jewelry.

Are you trying to get a part in a jewelry ad? Are they shooting a movie about a jewelry queen? No? So, keep it to minimum. The most shiny part on your headshot have to be your eyes. This is another headshot mistake. Nothing should distract the agents’ and casting directors’ attention. Still wanna wear your jewelry? No problem. Wear earrings. Not too big. Not too heavy as you don’t want your ears to be pulled down.

4. Distracting Background.

Again, the focus has to be on your face. Does the background matter for a headshot? Nope. I mean, yes. It has to be as neutral as possible. You can get a headshot in your backyard as long as it is blurred. If your photographer doesn’t agree to come to your Los Angeles based fancy backyard, listen to your him/her as he/she will choose the most suitable location for your purposes. Another important thing is not to choose a background that has the same color as your hair and/or your shirt. Or, just change your shirt.

5. Selfies.

Yes, I know, these days you can make a movie on your iphone. You can make a headshot. You can do anything on iphone. Does it look professional? Not really. Sorry. This is another common headshot mistake. I don’t believe people who say they do not have money for a headshot. If you had money to pay for your iphone, you could save some for a great headshot. I hope it does not sound too rude. Any business needs investments. Just invest in headshots as they are the key that will open doors to Hollywood film production. Read more on how to build your brand as an actor.

Inspiration for Actors!

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Thomas A. Edison

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Seda Stepanyan

February 5, 2019

Headshot Wardrobe: Dos and Don'ts

How to break into the Hollywood movie industry? Take acting classes, move to Los Angeles, get an agent, etc. But most importantly get a professional headshot photographer in Los Angeles! Firstly, you need to know the dos and don’ts of headshot wardrobe to look as professional as possible. Not everyone knows what agents and casting directors want to see, or what kind of headshot looks can capture casting directors’ attention.

Here are some dos and don’ts I have written down to help my clients, especially the emerging actors to look their best for the headshot.

Dos.

Wear comfortable clothes that make you feel awesome.
Press your clothes to give them a new look.
Bring specific clothing to create various characters.
Bring glasses.
Black is often a good option.
Wear darker clothes to attract more attention to your face and eyes.
Solid colors are perfect.
Wear blue to accentuate your blue eyes, green for green, turquoise for hazel.
A suit or jacket is an excellent choice for men wishing to look more professional.
Pay attention to details. Layers, ties, belts are the inseparable part of the headshot wardrobe.
Bring a variety of shirts or blouses with various necklines to see what works for the shape of your face. Trust your photographer with this.
Have a few extra outfits so the photographer can choose what looks right on you at the shoot.
Create a unique personality but don’t be too eccentric. Too much uniqueness might be impressive however the agents and casting directors may not know what to do with you.

Note: Headshot wardrobe change is not just a different shirt of a different color. It should create a new character.

Don’ts

Don’t overdress.
Large logos are a big “No”.
No glitter, sparkles, rhinestones, sequins.
No white shirts unless you wear them underneath something.
Avoid red as a dominant color.
Avoid busy patterns and large lines or stripes. They are distracting in a headshot.
Don’t wear turtlenecks as they crowd the face.

My valuable advice that will help you save money.

Finances should not stand on your way to look your best for the session. Faded, wrinkled clothing with stains and holes can indicate that you do not take yourself, your headshots, your photographer or your career seriously. So, what to do? Buy and return. Most stores have a 30-day return policy.

If you want more information on how to get ready for the headshot session, and for a photoshoot in general, click here. Besides, search for useful videos in headshot wardrobe on youtube. Read more about 2020 Photography Trends in our blog.

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