Headshot Process:
Headshots are shot ‘wider’ then the intended outcome as seen above. The reason for this is to keep flexibility for this headshot to be used on a variety of platforms with the ability to crop to the different aspect ratios (the proportions of the image) on each platform (circles, squares etc). The final file will be delivered to you in the wider format and if you wish, can be cropped to the aspect ratio you desire as an additional file (I recommend you always keep the original cropping for future use).
The goal of the professional headshot is to illustrate professionalism as well as approachability and friendliness. Often when potential clients look at your about page, they want to see a team who not only looks like they will get the job done, but will be people who are nice to work with! With glasses, facial expressions and often clothing, my advice is to present yourself as you would when you are meeting with a client in person. What is the impression you want to give the client face to face? That is the same idea you want to go for in your headshot.
Backgrounds:
The limits for backgrounds are endless and totally depends on the look you are going for and what suits your website/output for the photos. This can be discussed prior to shooting. As for paper backgrounds, the usual approach is white or grey (as seen on this page) but I am also able to offer black, pink, dark blue, yellow and green. However I am open to other backgrounds as well! Do you have a nice wall that is iconic to your brand? Want a more nature look and have a nice amount of greenery outside your office? Have a great view at your office you would like in the background? Or do you want the background to illustrate the role of the individual? I am open to all possibilities, even if they seem too ‘out there’ please suggest it as there is no such thing as a bad idea! My background / lighting setup us totally portable so I can come to your office which will cause the least disruption to your work flow, usually a meeting room works perfectly.
Office Pets
Do you have an office pet? If you do, they are such an important part of the team, providing a stress relief as well as cuddles, so I believe they deserve their photograph taken too! (And maybe included on your about page of your website). If you have an office pet, at the end of your headshot session they can be photographed and edited free of charge as they deserve it.
Pricing and Process:
The usual process for headshots is that I come to your location where your business is based. Then I will set up an area and then organise with someone in your team a process for taking turns to get your headshot taken. No external power is required for this setup. Each person will start with having 4 photographs taken, then will review the photographs of themselves in camera. ONLY if they are happy with their photograph are they finished. If they wish to have more, a different pose, tie hair up differently etc, they may. For this service, I charge per person not per hour for this reason as I want each person to be truly happy with their photograph of themselves. From experience, each person can take from only a couple of minutes all the way to 10minutes, depending on if the individual is happy with the result, or most common, how the lights are behaving with their glasses and if adjustments are needing to be made. My rule with glasses is if you were to great someone for a coffee in a cafe for the first time, would you have your glasses on? My set up suits most glasses but as you know, glasses are very different and individualised so I will adjust my set up till they show the glasses the best (no massive reflections on the glass etc).
Once the photography is completed, I will then send out a contact proofing sheet of all the photographs and each person will choose their favourite. Then I will proceed to retouch each image. The base retouching I will perform is reducing shine on the face, harsh facial shadows and redness (if any). Anything else that you wish to have done will highlighted in the proofing process. An easy way to do this is to print out the contact proofing sheets and pass it around the office, and circle areas you want edited (as well as ticking the image they like) and scanning it back. Or another way is to list the filename of the image and write notes next to each image.
Once images are retouched, they can be cropped or converted to black and white depending on your needs.
Basic itemised pricing and variations: All prices in NZD + GST
Travel Fee (one way is 30km radius from Meadowbank, Auckland). $15 + GST
Travel Fee: One way is 30 - 50km. $45 + GST
Travel Fee: Over 50km will be charged at the current IRD Mileage Rate at time of booking for the whole return trip
On site base fee: basic paper background setup, one colour: $350 + GST
On site base fee: no background (indoor or outdoor) $300 + GST
First 1 - 5 Headshots: $70 + GST each
Next 5 Headshots (headshot number 6-10): $65 + GST each
Next 5 Headshots (headshot number 11-15): $60 + GST each
After 15 headshots, any extra headshots required: $50 + GST each.
Extra background change: Change the coloured paper backdrop: extra $50 per person + GST (regardless of how many people). This gives everyone an extra headshot.
Extra background change: Another photo with no background (indoor or outdoor, at the same physical address): extra $45 per person + GST
Parking: If only paid parking is available, will add on the cost