What makes for a great looking, professional headshot?  This has been one of the busiest years for executive portraits that we have had in a long time, and I couldn’t be more excited about it!  One of the perks of working at a photography studio is meeting different business people around the Dallas / Fort Worth area- or even from other states!  I love hearing about their various lines of work, the excitement of someone who just got a job or promotion, or working with someone to execute a creative marketing idea for their website or perhaps a book they are getting published.  The best part is when someone says, “I hate having my picture taken because I don’t photograph well,” seeing my pictures, and being unable to believe how much they like them!  I think beyond the obvious assistance of good lighting and posing, what adds to a great headshot is just making our subjects feel comfortable.  You would be amazed at how little time it takes when you merely slow down and listen to what they want.  I also give 100% of the direction, so no one ever feels like a deer in headlights.  Some people even say they had fun… I love it!  Of course, being personable enough to make someone comfortable didn’t happen overnight, I suppose.  I really had to become comfortable with my equipment and technique to where all the technical stuff gets put on autopilot, and I can just focus on the subject and their personality.  For me, that means creating repetition so I always know where I’m putting the lights and at what angle I will want for specific looks; that way I am not fumbling around in front of the customer.  For example, if my subject is a woman, I almost always want a higher camera angle, and in most cases, the opposite for men.  Next for men, I usually want only one ear showing and will probably set up more of a dramatic lighting to make them look as distinguished as possible.  Whereas for women, I would use more of a beauty-lighting set up to minimize shadows, which also cuts down a lot on retouching.  Also, since I have been doing this for nine years now, I have no problem thinking up poses on the fly that can vary towards what would be most suitable depending on the type of job they have or are trying to get.  In the end, it all depends on what our client wants. Whether it’s a relaxed, yet professional image for their website or a sophisticated, corporate photograph for their company, I always work to give our customers the best images possible.