So – I need a headshot for my website. My new website that is being built. That I’m super excited about.
The idea is to have a pic of me in the ‘About Amy’ section so readers/vendors/brides feel a little bit more connected to me and want to hire me.
Someday, hopefully soon, I’ll be able to hire a professional for some shots. But I can’t afford it just yet.
So instead I have to just cross my fingers and hope that I can give Andrew the right direction to get at least one decent shot.
A couple weeks ago, Andrew and I took Hazel for a walk, I set the manual settings on my camera and had Andrew take a bunch …
I was pretty excited about the lighting and the location (in our neighborhood a short walk away) ….
But when I looked at the photos, for some reason there was the image of Hazel’s leash exposed over the images …
And I have no idea why.
See the 2 images below.
So I’ve pretty much decided to delete all those photos. Too bad.
Andrew tried.
So, on Saturday we tried again. We had Hazel attached to Andrew’s keyring which hangs from his beltloop … so she couldn’t really get in the way.
I set the settings on the camera again and told Andrew where to stand….
I’ve kind of been able to teach Andrew about composition (rule of thirds) … but there’s still work to do. If he wants to be my second shooter, there’s A LOT of work to do….
Here’s a couple out takes
Andrew likes this one. Even though its blurry. The expression I’m making makes him laugh:
This is my “I’m turning into an X-Men mutant” photo
This one just makes me laugh … it’s my new profile pic on Facebook
BUT!
What I really need you to do is tell me which one to use on my site.
It needs to be flattering, obviously.
It needs to be natural and capture my personality.
So, I’m trusting you ….. Please comment on this post with your votes (as many as you like)
EDITED TO ADD:
since my clients are consumers, it’s really different than the kind of headshots you may be used to.
Maybe headshots is the wrong word even.
It just needs to be a photo of me, that looks like me, that gives you a sense of my personality.
Without any frills.
Or any other meaning. The ‘X-men’ photo may be an interesting photo, but it is NOT APPROPRIATE for what I need …
In my business, what we’re really selling most is our personality. My photos aren’t really that much different from 50 other photographers in the same price range, so it’s important to have ME shine through on the website.
Not some posed, staid ‘headshot’
(the photo will be under the # that corresponds)
#1
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#2
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#3
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#4
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#5
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#6
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#7
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#8
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#9
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#10
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#11
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#12
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#13
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#14
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#15
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#16
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#17
I’m not trying to be difficult… but I love the with your hands on either side of your face!!!
But if I HAVE to play by the rules, I really like #15.
Love the ones with you wearing the green sweater for sure.
Great pics Andrew!
16, you look warm and friendly
I like numbers 9, 15 & 17. They all look sincere and I also like the green sweater
I like the “Xmen” photo too, but it may be a little too sexy for a business shot. Andrew did a great job! If you some reason you decided that you wanted to use the first ones, I can easily fix the line across the picture. But the second set is really nice too, so probably not necessary. It was hard for me to decide, but I like # 1 – cute, creative, but serious about your work.
3 – you look like you’d be fun to work with.
5 – I like this expression!
16 – Sweet!
#15 you’re smile looks so sweet. I love it.
I also like the green sweater look.
But you realize that 3/4 of these aren’t really options at all, right? Although Andrew did a great job overall, many are not appropriate for your needs. The first thing to remember is the USAGE of this picture. It’s not to go on your Mom’s mantle…or the one that makes Andrew’s heart flutter…or a silly goofy one that your friends think captures you. It’s a business selling tool. So start by ignoring Andrew’s suggestions.
If you use any of the ones where you’re shoved way over to the right side of the frame, I think you need to crop them (just a tad). I understand the idea…but for “headshot” purposes – or to be used to show you on your website –
I think they read more “look how artsy I am, and I use the ‘thirds rule’ “, as opposed to just PRESENTING YOU.
(I understand that your needs here are different from an actor’s…but I will say that when I get that sort of shot from an actor, I toss it. It means they care more about taking an artistic picture than they do about presenting and selling their product.)
So, that being said, I think the best possibilities are: 5, 7, and 10 (if you crop some of the top), and 16 – with 16 being my favorite.
I REALLY like the “X-Men” photo too…but again, I think you’re right that it’s not for these purposes. You don’t look at that and say, “I want a mutant to photograph my wedding!”
Why do you ask for our opinions, when you know we’ll all just disagree and throw you into further turmoil?
Hi amy!! So good to hear from you!!
I really like #3 and #5!
are you in tempe still? I am in mesa!! So crazy!
10 or 16
#15 without a doubt!!!
LOVE it.
Alright….so the pictures are supposed to show your pesonality right? Please please dont take this the wrong way, but I probably wouldnt describe you as sweet. Ever. Fun, precocious, energetic, witty…yes…sweet? no….which eliminates 16 completely (it seems like Im-smiling-for-a-picture-trying-to-look-sweet-Amy, instead of 17 which is much more genuine and true to the Amy I know and love).
That being said my pics (in order of best to less) are:
3
15
13
17
hope that helps.
I like 9 or 15. I tried to post before seeing the votes of others…now I’ll go back and look. BTW, nice teaser…