Lookability! How to prepare for the headshot session

My friend and mentor Peter Hurley first introduced me to the term Lookability some time ago and the definition really resonated with me (Peter's version even more so ;-)

Definition

Lookability | look*a*bility |

n. slang

1. A measurement for an image's ability to secure attention from an onlooker
2. Peter Hurley style) A Shabangin shot that wants to make you stare at that sucker!

It's well known that people look at your online profiles before meeting you - or before even considering contacting you - I'm not getting into all the arguments and reasons for having the perfect headshot (that'll be another post ;-) but simply again stating that your picture should be worth looking at

...which is why I like lookability so much - it simply underlines that your picture needs to be something worth spending time looking at

Think about it for a second; do you ever pause and look at standard pictures of people staring blank into the camera, more often than not with a fake smile? I don't think so

You stop and look at pictures that looks different from what you normally see, that has that extra 'something', that just looks interesting - in a headshot this can only come from the expression of the person in that image

When we work in the studio, all that we do is working with you to find your angle, your expression, your 'extra something', your lookability, 'your look(tm)' :-)

...and when that happens, we make the images of you that goes stellar, that makes people stop and stare for a moment, that makes people think that you have that something special - and makes them want to meet you because they'd like to know what it is :-)

When that happens, we have the shot!

Five (5) on preparing for a headshot session

'I look terrible on pictures!' - 'I'm horrible in front of a camera' - 'I'm so nervous when someone takes my picture'

Let me give you a series of tips on how to prepare yourself for the session - it IS a big deal having your headshot taken so it's worth preparing for it

1. Fix your hair :-)

A headshot is an investment - you typically spend a couple of hours with me while we make the series of headshots that you need - and few things are more annoying, when you see your pictures starting to really come together and look better than you expected, than your hair is a mess because you did not go to the hairdresser before

2. Take place in the passenger's seat

Think of you having a good friend drive you home - you'll easily sit next to him and let him drive, relaxing and talking about this and that - and maybe even doze off a little

I don't want your to doze off ;-) But I want you to trust me to take charge of the session, I want you to let me direct you the way I see you will look the very best - that's what I do best and this is how we make the best pictures of you

3. Bring enough clothes

A bit like with the hair; you invest time, energy and money in having your professional headshot done - make sure you're not missing your favorite shirt, top, tie, etc. on the day of the shoot - it's better to bring a little too much than to bring too little

4. Get rest the day before

Retouch can take away the bags under your eyes, but cannot bring the true smile or that energetic spark in they eyes back in the picture - a headshot session is an hour-long seance that requires a lot of energy from you - make sure you bring it on the day :-)

5. Don't worry

Professional headshot photographers are just that - professional. It's our job to make you look fabulous in the pictures we make and we'll never let anybody down; if we did, we wouldn't be professionals

I find my energy in photographing people. I love making people look their best in the best possible settings. Having most photo techniques nailed down, I focus on the expression and actual purpose of the picture – I don’t just do portraits anymore – I add purpose, direction and meaning to the pictures I take. I guess you can say that I don't take pictures, I make pictures.

My view on headshots is that they are a portrait of your personality (see my blog post here) and this is what I work to get out of the pictures we make together

As a photographer, my interests and guiding star is perfecting my skills within headshots and peoples portraits, the latter with focus on specifically environmental portraits, where I feel I can put all my skills to good use.

In 2014, I got confirmed in my abilities to capture the perfect headshot as Peter Hurley (www.peterhurley.com), the father of the Headshot, selected me as associated partner for his headshot business

http://www.redhornphotography.com/about/

Hi guys I am Limuel Jack I enjoyed sharing tips and information to everyone. I hope you guys would love it.