DC Professional Headshots
What’s your Objective?
“I just want a basic headshot.”
Kristina’s Response: “Your headshot is the first and most important thing people connect with online. Are you sure you want something “simple?” My objective is to bring out your absolute best expression in your headshot. “No one should strive for basic.” If you’re applying for an executive role or looking to make a job change and start putting your professional headshot out there for new business opportunities, a ‘basic’ headshot will convey just that… mediocrity.
How to look great in your headshots…
Posture is ‘king.’ Kristina jokes with her clients saying “it’s is rule 1, 2 and 3” when it comes to getting the best headshot. Make sure you elongate your spine and create space between each spinal vertebrae.
Use camera distortion to your advantage. The camera has this super special trick which you can take advantage of while posing for your headshots. Whatever is closest to the camera will appear bigger. And whatever is farther away appears smaller. Often times Kristina will pose her clients so they are slightly hinging at the hips so the head is the closest thing to the camera, making the body appear smaller (in comparison) in the headshot photo.
Channel your inner “turtle.” If any of Kristina’s headshot clients are concerned about double chins or smiles causing their faces to appear wider than they are, she will usually share the this posing tip. Push your head forward on your neck like a turtle. This will stretch out the sides of the face and chin so the jawline appears tighter.
Don’t be afraid of “crazy eyes.” In order to capture a genuine smile but still have eyes wide enough to make a connection with the viewer, Kristina will recommend subtly widening your eyes from the bottom which helps to open the eyes while you’re smiling with a big smile. You’ll definitely FEEL like you look like a crazy person, but Kristina has used this headshot posing tip enough to know it only FEELS strange, but actually gives a realistic, lovely smile expression and can result in your all time greatest headshot.
Add mystery to your headshot expression. A fun way to add intrigue to your expression is to slightly raise the bottom eye lids. Almost as if you’re trying to read a street sign that’s just a little blurry. This creates the illusion of intrigue and mystery to your headshot facial expression. But when you look at the portrait, it relays a message of confidence and capability.
What to expect in your professional headshot session
Kristina’s headshot sessions are smooth and streamlined from start to finish. You’ll arrive at the Bethesda photography studio (just one mile north of the Washington DC line) with your different outfits, where you will review them with your headshot photographer; Kristina. She’ll offer her opinion on clothing choices in order to ensure you look perfect in your headshot. You’ll get dressed into your first look and start shooting. Kristina will then begin to coach you on your headshot pose and expression. As well as the proper way to stand to get the most flattering look in your images.
After shooting the first headshot look, the two of you will review the great headshots you have created together. Slowly whittling them down until you land on the winning photos. Feel free to continue the shoot by trying more outfits and backgrounds, or if you’re in a rush, and you love the headshots already created. In fact, you think they’re the best headshots Washington DC has ever seen. Then you’ll choose those to purchase and move on to the next item on your “to do” list! Because of Kristina’s vast experience in this field, she is quick and efficient while shooting her business headshot sessions, so they can be completed in as little as 20 minutes, but she will also never rush a client and is happy to shoot the photos at your pace. Kristina believes in being flexible and letting the client choose the pace of the shoot, and understands some people just need to ‘get it done’ and others prefer an extended headshot photography experience.