Here at L.M. Pane Photography, there are several key ingredients we focus on during each and every session to consistently produce the type of headshots you need to put your best face forward. First and foremost, it comes down to an expression that exudes confidence and approachability. Whether you’re looking for new clients, a new job or a date, people will judge you based on your headshot and form an opinion in a matter of seconds. What will your expression tell them?
Let’s start with confidence. You need to demonstrate that you are an expert in your field, someone who can be trusted. All of that comes from the eyes. So you’ll need to skip that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look or that vacant stare. I have coached countless clients how to manipulate their eyes to show the world you know your stuff. Peter Hurley, the world’s best headshot photographer, even trademarked a term for it: the “squinch.” While a squint looks as though you can’t see anything more than a few inches in front of your face, a squinch is the natural way our eyes light up when we smile. Tyra Banks calls it “smising” because it’s smiling with your eyes. I’ll show you how to subtly raise your lower eyelids to produce the ideal look so people will instantly see you are someone who is confidence and professional.
But you can’t master just that and call it a day. You must combine it with an expression that also shows you as approachable. If you don’t, you run the risk of an expression that some call “resting bitch face.” That’s not a good look for any kind of portrait!
Approachability comes from the mouth. Depending on your profession, you might want to have a nice open smile showing your teeth or a tiny, closed-mouth smile that is just a subtle way to express that approachability. Either is fine and will depend on you, your profession and what seems most natural to you. Neither way is wrong, and I will work with you to ensure you have the most natural, captivating expression that draws people in to your headshot.
People worry that a camera will add 10 lbs to them. I’m here to alleviate those fears. That is an urban myth. An essential ingredient is knowing how to create a nice, flattering jawline. When we laugh or usually when we’re just walking around not thinking much about it, we’re holding our heads in a way that we either don’t exhibit a strong jawline or, horrors, stray into “double-chinsville.” But I will show you some techniques to give you a more chiseled appearance. Trust me: You’ll never take a selfie the same way again!
During my headshot sessions, I am your mirror. Not only am I coaching you throughout to draw out the most interesting, compelling and captivating expressions, but I’ll make sure your hair looks its best, that your wardrobe is fitting well and doesn’t have any distracting stray hairs or spots on it. The studio also comes with a lint remover and one of my favorite products: Peter Thomas Roth anti-shine cream that you can apply to your face if your skin is a bit oily or shiny.
But perhaps the most vital ingredient? Working with an expert in headshot photography. Yes, there are technical aspects to this genre of photography: from knowing how to properly light a face to shooting tethered so a client can review images during a shoot. But the intangible is something that many photographers don’t understand: how to draw out clients so they present the very best, most compelling expressions. It’s all about lookability and I’m here to tell you it’s inside each of us!
Want to see the difference? Check out these two images. Which one most calls to you?
