A Headshot Consultation is a Conversation You Must Have
A Headshot Consultation Is Necessary
Many times, clients think they’re paying for someone with a camera to just show up. Or sometimes they are thinking they are just purchasing a one off “nice” Headshot. But that is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. A Headshot consultation is a conversation that is vital to the outcome of the shoot.
Over the years I have been a Professional Photographer, I have learned that before a single click of the shutter, I need to have a real conversation with my clients. Clients are paying for someone who asks the right questions before the camera comes out.
Don’t Skip The Consultation
Sometimes potential clients push back on this. They want to skip a consultation and head straight to the shoot day. Some people do not see right off the bat the value of a simple conversation–Fewer conversations, faster booking, get it done in today’s frenetic marketplace.
For very busy entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesspeople, that instinct can make sense on the surface. However, a Headshot or Branding Photo shoot is more than a one and done prospect. A shoot without a real conversation first isn’t faster. In fact, it can end up being a gigantic waste of time.
A Headshot Consultation Actually Saves Time
Don’t skip the Consultation! We can discuss color, wardrobe and so much more!
Your Headshot and Branding photos are often the first interaction that potential clients or employers have with you and your Brand. You need to make that impression count. To that end, we need to minimally ask or discover:
Where will these images be used? Website, Social Media, Marketing Collateral?
What does the audience need to believe or feel when seeing them?
Who is the actual target audience for your images?
How do we make sure you stand out in a positive way?
Are there specific industry requirements your Headshots or Branding Photos need to conform to?
My client may know the answers to these questions intuitively. But unless we talk about them, I will be shooting in the dark so to speak. Frankly, I don’t want to waste my time any more than I want to waste your time.
In the long run, guesswork on the Photographer’s end doesn’t magically create great photos. It is rare that no clear direction works out perfectly. Guesswork often shows up later in images that don’t align with the intended purpose. And misaligned images result in a reshoot nobody budgeted for in terms of money, effort, or time.
A consultation is when we can brainstorm locations and mood. Here we are going for lighthearted and relaxed for this children’s book author.
What Do You Discuss?
We generally start with the basic questions above. With a simple 15-30 minute conversation, we can determine colors, location, clothing and so much more to make sure we are heading in the right direction. We can discuss how to optimize your shoot to make the most of the time and money you are investing.
Therefore, thirty minutes of real questions before a shoot isn’t unnecessary or superfluous. It is a vital component of getting it right the first time. I think that is something we all can appreciate!
Maximize your investment by having the conversation before your shoot.
The Pre-Shoot Consultation is the part of the job that determines whether everything that comes after it was worth doing. After all, the most valuable resource everyone has is time.
Interested in reading more about successful Headshot Sessions? Read our post on The Trick To Being Yourself In Headshots.
Are you ready to update your Headshots or Branding Photos? Be sure to use our Contact Form or call the Studio directly at (518) 584-4237 today.
