[fionaB]

Some one i know has asked me if i would do headshots for his girlfriend to send away to an agency, without thinking I said "of course!", but this has now left me with the dilema........ what on earth am i thinking i dont know the first thing about headshots........ so can someone please tell me "something" about them......... and how on earth am i meant to take them without access to a studio?
will agencies accept headshots taken outdoors ?
how many is standard practice,
she wants them in mono which isnt a problem but how many differnt types of headshots can a person do! ?

give me something to go one....... someone....... anyone............. oh yeah and whats the usual price, she doesnt know how many as its price dependant!

Fi

[simpbow]

Out of my league Fionasorry.

[fionaB]

mine too!!!!!!!! lolol well not true, if i know what kinda shots to do i would do them,, its a case of opening mouth when keeping it shut should have sufficed!

[simpbow]

Youll be fine.

[VinnyP]

I in no way want to scare you but a headshot is a big deal for a model. However I'm sure you can pull it off.

There is no reason why it can't be outside you'll be close enough and using a wide enough aperture to throw the background out of focus. As for the technicalities it's of course portrait format and should show at least the shoulders usually part of the bust and pretty much fill the frame with the model. The nifty fifty will do a good enough job. Take lots and try to get someone who knows about hair and makeup to help with styling. I saw this linked to before on here but it is a good guid to the basic shots and for headshots they will want basic, both eyes and nose not breaking the cheek. It is perfectly acceptable to suggest the model; brings in examples of what she wants and re-create the pose.

Avoid the midday sun and try to control the light with a reflector at least, if there is some shade that may stop it being to harsh. A flashgun will help a lot especially if you get it off camera as it will fill in and add the catchlight then the sun can provide a really good hairlight. Practice with a willing victim first so you can feel more confident and get the balance right. Although they want B&W I'd still use a WB target to get the skin tones right in case they decide on colour.

As for price well it's usually an hourly rate since they'll want the pictures on a disk. There is no set way to do things. I'd expect to spend about 90 minutes to 2 hours on the shoot and have upwards of 100 shots. About 30 minutes to weed for badly out of focus and gaffs and use a portrait pre-set to leave hopefully about 100. Then let them choose 3 or 4 for the full treatment. I'm not very quick so that's another 1 hour. So about 3 - 4 hours. If you think the experience and what it will add to your porfolio is a plus then you can factor it as a discount on top of anything you want to knock off for the friendship rate. What you charge an hour is always a matter between you and the tax man.

[fionaB]

ahhhhhhh Vinny..................... i owe ya!

Fi

[j sotelo]

Fi take a look at these I'm pretty sure they will help.
You Tube Headshots

I was going to post that video here but theres many more on that same page.

HIH

[fionaB]

many thanx sotelo!