Tag: Headshot photographer

Digging out and climbing up in 2021

It’s still bitter cold in north Texas, but the ice is melting and it feels good to be making plans for the future. For a significant number of people, that means a new job or a new business plan as we pivot, adjust and re-focus.

Along with these plans comes the need for business photos, headshots, work environment images and illustrative images of all types as we continue to innovate and work from home (or other places we don’t want to show to the world). We have photographed all sorts of entrepreneurs since the Covid pandemic started –everyone from Etsy.com shop owners to Therapists, Designers and Financial Advisors. All gearing up for whatever business is going to look like as the pandemic retreats and life begins anew.

We’ve even photographed some products for websites and outdoor headshot sessions. Sunny winter days are great for headshots (with carefully positioned architecture in the background) and can send the message that you’re a professional ready to get to work.

When you’re ready to start building your new website (or blog) and it’s time to give your branding a refresh, be sure to start with good photography. That first impression has never been more important. http://www.headshots.teresaberg.com 972-250-2415

Headshot Sessions for Entrepreneurs

Most self employed (or even contract workers) line up as ENTREPRENEURS at some point or other. Whether you sell handmade one-of-a-kind somethings on Etsy.com or you run an executive search firm or own a firm, there are always opportunities to expand your brand with a business headshot.

We offer two different lengths of headshot sessions and it’s frequently the Extended Headshot session (40 minutes in front of the camera for $395 with 4 digital images) that works for entrepreneurs. This extra camera time allows for more than one outfit or “look” –meaning different lighting scenarios – and sometimes even in studio and and outdoors.

Being located in Addison, Texas is a real advantage when it comes to choosing locations as the studio is surrounded by beautiful architecture, parks and outdoor art. We can easily choose from a variety of looks to work with the message you are planning to convey. We can even use a little humor in the midst of a pandemic to grab some online attention for you.

Leaving negative space in a headshot image for the easy addition of text or a quote is a quick way to add professionalism to just “posting an image”
Friendly, but approachable is the look most people want – but did you know the angle of your chin can make you look 100% more confident?
Close up, but off-center, is interesting to the eye and makes the viewer or reader pause and wait for the message. Used with a caption, it’s even more effective. See what I just did there?
Looking off-camera gives a casual, confident approach to a speaker’s photo or a blog. It’s almost conversational without saying anything!

In short, your photos need to work for you in ways you might not even have considered, so it’s best to have a good handful you can use for whatever speaking engagement or guest blogging situation that arises. And don’t be afraid to be creative –it may be just what your potential new client is looking for!

Call us at 972-250-2415 and we will help created the style and the “look book” you need. Visit our website for headshots, here.

Nervous about getting a business portrait?

No one enjoys it and we all know a good business photo is worth it’s weight in gold — so maybe it’s just that you don’t trust your photographer? Or maybe you don’t know a photographer other than the neighbor that does snapshots of the kids?

When we began photographing business people in 2006, we approached it scientifically. Starting with an idea board of all the great CEO and business portraits we could find (think magazine covers from Forbes, Wired, and Business Week) and started mapping the commonalities. Position of the shoulders, smile or no smile, angle of the head, how much body showing, etc. Soon we had a formula for success. Next, we started tweaking this process for different industries and made all sorts of observations regarding what was effective for what types of businesses. So when our client steps in front of the camera they get concise (almost SCIENTIFIC) information about how they need to look.

Fast forward 13 years and we feel pretty confident about what we do –and that puts people at ease–another bullet point we pay attention to. Call us and let us work with your marketing team, advertising agency or branding consultant, we’re ready! 972-250-2415

Teresa Berg Dallas Business headshots
Dallas Business photography since 2006

Five reasons to use a Hair/Makeup artist for your headshots.

We will always answer YES to this question!  Here’s why:

  1. Professional makeup people can minimize a variety of skin imperfections (and we all have them) . Dark circles, fine lines, skin cancer, wrinkles — you name it.
  2. Makeup artists can help you to look more alert and more youthful.  It’s not just about wrinkles and photoshop.  You want your eyes to pop and it takes more than just mascara! Your headshots are an investment… don’t cheap out on yourself.
  3. Matte finish.  The last thing you want for your headshot is shiny skin. A professional matte finish is really going to make your skin look younger and healthier.
  4. Hair!  The goal is never to make you look like someone else — but don’t you want to look your best?  Coming from home or the office with droopy hair ( or hair that has been exposed to the outdoors) right before you step in front of the camera can be risky.  You don’t have to look like an ad for a salon, but you should not look whipped and frizzy!
  5. CONFIDENCE.  What better way to look your best than turning it over to the pros?  They will take direction, consult with you about color choices based on the clothing you plan to wear — and even advise you on jewelry.  So you get to step in front of the camera knowing you’ve got it all pulled together.

My assistant, Jessiree (below) and I recently re-shot our headshots here in the studio. We chose a bright, natural light look and used one of our favorite makeup artists.  As you can see, our ages are vastly different — and we both benefited greatly.

TB&Jez_0257TB&Jez_0273

So give yourself every advantage and consider using a professional — and keep it simple!

 

 

Tips for hiring a headshot photographer | Dallas headshot photographer Teresa Berg

Often hiring a headshot photographer falls to a team member who has never hired a photographer before and may not know what questions to ask. Where to begin? Here’s a list of questions to start the conversation.

  1. Can you send me a sample?

Photographers should have a variety of samples they can attach to an email  to demonstrate a certain type of lighting or background color. Directing you to a website is not the same thing.  You need a sample image you can inspect, or that can be circulated to the people making the decisions about the work.  Need a few shots of the products you sell?  Not all photographers know how to shoot products.  The same goes for event photos vs. portraits vs. sports — many of us specialize, so be sure to ask.

  1. What type of equipment do you use?

Not that everyone needs to know which camera does what — but your photographer should have a quick fluid answer re: cameras, lenses and lighting equipment. It should be written into the quote. And yes, you need a written quote.  Nobody wants to think about this, but make sure that your photographer has back-up equipment and liability insurance in case things go wrong.

  1. How long do you keep images on file?

Again, make sure you hire them for what you really need. If you only need two headshots and you’re never going to need more, then file storage is really not an issue.  We store images for a period of months and always check with our clients before deleting them. Also ask who chooses the images — do you need an online gallery (most executives want a selection so they can choose their photos) or does the photographer choose?

  1. Is digital re-touching included ?

This is a big one, because not every photographer puts a lot of time and effort in to the finished product. The cheap shoot-and-burn guys may just be cropping them and sending them over.  You want someone who touches up skin and hair at the very least. For many of our clients we can easily skim off a few pounds (and a few years!) during the editing process. If your team is aging or unattractive? You need a photographer with good skills in this area.

  1. What are your studio hours?

There are a lot of part-time photographers.  Do you need a quick answer?  Does your group tend to move their dates around a lot? Sometimes  for budgetary reasons, a part time photographer may be all you can afford.  Just be very specific about deliverables and make sure your emails get prompt replies.

Teresa Berg Headshots

View our portfolio at our website: here or call the studio at 972-250-2415