Represent Yourself
Part IV: Prepare to look good
By Mark Hiebert, Hiebert Photography & Professional Imaging
Part I - Intro | Part II - Branding & PR | Part III - Worth | Part IV: Preparation
You want to look your best for your portrait. The following can help you shine in all the right ways when you're in front of the camera:
Plan your look - Coordinate your wardrobe in advance, not on the day of your portrait. If you have multiple people on staff who will be photographed, come to a consensus on the level of dress and the range of colors that you and your colleagues are going to wear.
Looking good is about feeling good - Select colors and fabrics that make you feel good. If you don't feel comfortable in what you're wearing, that will come through on camera, so wear clothes that fit you well and that enhance your features.
Be pressed and polished - I recommend that clients have their portrait wardrobe professionally laundered and pressed. Likewise, plan your hair styling as appropriate for the portrait you want to create.
Don't fear make-up but don't do too much, either - Business portraits are about business, so you don't want to over-do it; however, even men can benefit from a bit of powder for shine control.
Any time is the right time - The time that fits the schedule is the right time for your portrait. It may be early morning, it may be after lunch, it may be as the day is winding down. Whatever the time, allow enough time to get the right shot.
Treat your portrait like an important meeting with a client you want to impress - Your portrait will very likely be the first visual impression a prospective client gets of you. As such, it's worth taking a little bit of time to make sure your portrait comes out right. It's optimal to allow about 10 to 15 minutes per person in front of the camera.
Time counts - While 15 minutes is optimal for a business portrait, if your CEO only has 5 minutes to spare, make sure that's known up front and a good photographer will do what's necessary to make the shot happen and have your boss on the way with time to spare.
Collaborate - Be clear with your photographer about the results you want to achieve. Likewise, work with your photographer and keep an open mind. When your photographer suggests something that may seem unconventional, remember that there's a purpose and the goal is to create a portrait that is as flattering as possible.
Part I - Intro | Part II - Branding & PR | Part III - Worth | Part IV: Preparation
About the author...
Mark Hiebert owns Hiebert Photography & Professional Imaging, a commercial photography studio based in Houston, Texas, and working throughout the United States, that specializes in creating superior-quality photography for business, advertising and editorial purposes. Contact Mark at mhiebert@hiebertphotography.com or visit www.hiebertphotography.com.
