top tips
Get yourself camera ready These days we need photographs for everything from social media profiles to traditional publicity material, so it’s vital to have an impressive, professional headshot to present yourself in your best most, business-like way. But don’t worry if the mere thought of a photoshoot turns your knees to jelly. With a little planning, and the right photographer, you’ll get great results. And you might even have fun! Here are some tips to help you get camera ready. 1. Think about what you need your headshot for. Is it for your LinkedIn or Facebook profiles? Or do you need it for a corporate website? This will determine the style of the shoot, which will help you choose the right photographer. 2. Do your homework and visit the websites of professional photographers in your area. Take a look at their reviews on Facebook, LinkedIn and Google to find out what others think of their work. Rapport and trust are so important so have a chat with a couple of photographers to get a feel for how well you’d work together.
3. Once you’ve commissioned your chosen photographer, expect a Zoom consultation. This is a chance for you to get to know each other a little and to ask any questions you might have. 4. Make sure you discuss how the headshot will be used so your photographer can give you guidance on what to wear. My advice is to dress in the way you would to meet a client. Think too about how you might introduce your brand identity or logo colours into your outfit. If you intend visiting your hair stylist, make sure your appointment is 10 days before the shoot to give the cut time to settle down and look more natural. Bring a mirror and a brush or comb with you to the shoot so you can regularly check how you look. 5. Ask for a morning session so you and your photographer are at your best. The earlier the shoot, the less time you’ll have to get anxious. You
want to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for your session so get a good sleep the night before and drink plenty water so you’re well hydrated. And last but not least – RELAX! It’s your photographer’s job to get the best out of you so that you can enjoy the experience. The more relaxed you are, the better the results will be. Based in Kingston-upon-Thames, Annie Armitage is an award-winning professional photographer who has specialised in family, portrait, and personal branding photography since setting up her business in 2007. In March 2021, Annie won Silver in the Women Who Work With Families category of the Best Business Women Awards 2020. She was listed in the f:Entrepreneur Top 100 women 2020 and has been a keynote speaker at several photographic events.
m: 07711 391919 | e: annie@anniearmitage.com w: www.anniearmitage.com 32
BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community
