How to Take Location Headshots at a company requires careful preparation and the right equipment to ensure professional and polished results. Here’s a guide on what to bring and how to make the most of the setting.
Essential Equipment-How to Take Location Headshots
- Camera and Lenses: Bring a high-quality DSLR or mirrorless camera. A prime lens with a wide aperture (like a 50mm or 85mm f/1.8) is ideal for creating sharp, focused headshots with a pleasing background blur.
- Tripod: A sturdy tripod ensures stability, especially in low-light conditions. It also allows you to maintain consistent framing and composition for each headshot.
- Lighting Equipment: Natural light is great, but it’s not always reliable. Bring portable lighting, such as softbox lights or an LED light panel, to achieve even, flattering illumination. Don’t forget reflectors to fill in shadows.
- Background Options: If the company setting isn’t ideal for backgrounds, bring a portable backdrop. A neutral-colored backdrop (like grey or white) is versatile and professional. Make sure it’s large enough to accommodate various heights.
- Reflectors and Diffusers: Use reflectors to bounce light and reduce shadows on the face. Diffusers can soften harsh natural light if you’re shooting near windows.
Preparation and Setup
- Scout the Location: Visit the company location beforehand to identify the best spots for headshots. Look for areas with good natural light and minimal distractions in the background.
- Set Up Early: Arrive early to set up your equipment and test the lighting. This helps avoid any last-minute rush and ensures everything is ready when employees arrive.
- Bring Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Always have spare batteries and memory cards on hand to avoid interruptions during the shoot.
Personal Touches
- Mirror and Grooming Kit: Provide a mirror and basic grooming supplies like a comb, hair spray, and tissues. This allows subjects to make any last-minute touch-ups.
- Comfortable Seating: Ensure there’s a comfortable chair or stool for seated shots. This can help employees relax and feel more at ease.
Final Tips-How to Take Location Headshots
- Communication: Clearly communicate with employees about the schedule and what to wear. Suggest solid colors and minimal patterns for a clean, professional look.
- Posing Guidance: Offer gentle posing guidance to help employees look their best. Encourage natural expressions and slight variations in head angles for a diverse set of shots.
By bringing the right equipment and preparing thoroughly, you can ensure that the headshots taken at the company are professional, consistent, and flattering.
Kirkwood Audi Dealership Headshot.
What a great dealership! What a great team!
I have been photographing their team’s headshots and I really enjoy going back to take care of their new staff.
Audi is a great brand- it speaks of a new cool design with great features. The brand is firmly established as cutting edge. Tied to the brand is the fanatical customer service approach of the company.
When I was asked to photograph their team, I gave their marketing director a few choices that would well with their brand. A generic picture would not work for Audi.
We both agreed that the best look would be a clean white background with bright eyes and faces.
To accomplish the look we needed to bring in the studio lights. Because there were so many employees, we needed to do it at the dealership. So we had to be in and out quickly.
We used 2 lights, a reflector under the face, a large softbox, and large bouncer to create the clean looks. How to Take Location Headshots.
For the backdrop we used a potable stand with a white cover. It was over exposed with a light shot directly at it.
