A Headshot Session with Daniel Friesen Photography

What is the process of getting a professional headshot?

Well, this can vary a lot depending on your photographer. But I like to start with a conversation.

I want to know a little bit about you as a person as well as your profession. Depending on who you are and what you do, will help me narrow down what kind of headshot would be best for you.

What clothing you should wear, what kind of background and lighting would work for your style, clothing and skin tone. Lastly how should we pose and do we want a tight headshot or a wider shot? We could also get really creative and break all the rules!

After our conversation I will be able to get us started on a few best options. I will take a few photos of you with different compositions and styles of the previously mentioned categories. Then we work together to pick the right headshot for you and the photo you love the most!

This process can take anywhere from 20-60 minutes. Or sometimes longer if you are getting multiple headshots for your session.

This is one of the headshots I did with a client recently:

We talked about his job, did our test photos to find the right lighting, clothing, background and pose. Then took a bunch of photos and went through them until he found the one he liked best.

After the session I then give your headshot a professional edit.

This can include photoshopping features you want removed or altered. But usually I just clean up blemishes and dark circles under your eyes if you didnt get the best sleep before having your photoshoot.

After that I adjust levels, fix highlights and shadows and I like to add sharpening and light to your eyes to pull people into your headshot and really help make that first impression.

Here is the finished headshot:

And here is the side by side:

Choosing the Right Clothing Colors for your Headshot

In today's digital age, headshots are more important than ever. Whether you're a professional seeking to enhance your LinkedIn profile or update your website, an actor updating your portfolio, or simply looking to spruce up your social media presence, your headshot is often the first impression you make. While factors such as lighting, posture, and expression are crucial, the colors you wear can also significantly impact the effectiveness of your headshot. In this guide, we'll explore the psychology behind color choices and provide tips on selecting the perfect hues to make your headshot stand out. Keep in mind, wearing the right color for your skin tone is also important.

Understanding Color Psychology:

Before diving into specific color recommendations, it's essential to understand the psychological effects of different colors:

1. Blue: Often associated with trust, professionalism, and reliability, blue is a popular choice for headshots, particularly in corporate settings.

2. Black: Symbolizing sophistication and authority, black can convey a sense of strength and confidence. However, be mindful that it can also appear harsh in photographs if not balanced with other colors.

3. White: Representing purity and simplicity, white can create a clean and timeless look. It's a versatile option that works well in various contexts.

4. Gray: A neutral color that exudes balance and professionalism. Gray is a safe choice that complements most skin tones and backgrounds.

5. Neutral Earth Tones (Beige, Taupe, Brown): These colors evoke warmth, approachability, and authenticity. They can be especially flattering for outdoor or natural-light headshots.

6. Red: Bold and attention-grabbing, red conveys energy, passion, and confidence. Use it sparingly as an accent color to add a pop to your headshot.

7. Green: Symbolizing growth, harmony, and vitality, green can convey a sense of balance and calmness. It's an excellent choice for environmental or outdoor portraits.

8. Yellow: Radiating positivity and optimism, yellow can help convey a friendly and approachable demeanor. However, opt for softer shades to avoid appearing too overpowering in your headshot.

Tips for Choosing the Right Colors:

1. Consider Your Branding: If you're using your headshot for professional purposes, align your clothing colors with your brand's aesthetic. Choose colors that reflect your brand's values and personality.

2. Know Your Audience: Think about the message you want to convey to your audience and select colors that resonate with them. For example, if you're targeting a conservative audience, opt for classic colors like navy blue or charcoal gray.

3. Avoid Distracting Patterns: Stick to solid colors or subtle patterns to avoid distracting from your face. Busy patterns or overly bright colors can detract from the main focus of the headshot.

4. Test Different Options: During my headshot sessions we always take test shots wearing different colors to see how they appear on camera. Paying attention to how the colors interact with your skin tone and background. Sometimes ill change the clothing color or ill change the background.

Remember, the goal of a headshot is to present yourself in the best possible light while staying true to your personal or professional brand. By understanding the psychology of color and following these tips, you can choose clothing colors that enhance your image and leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Picture-Perfect Portraits

It can be hard to coordinate with your family and get on the same page with what to wear. Especially large family photoshoots with extended family. Hopefully this guide will make it a little easier.

1. Coordinate, Don't Match: Gone are the days of perfectly matching outfits. Instead, aim for coordinated ensembles that complement each other harmoniously. Choose a color palette with 2-4 complementary hues that work well together. This approach adds depth and visual interest to your photos while allowing each family member to showcase their individual style.

2. Start with Neutrals: Begin by laying a foundation of neutral colors such as white, cream, gray, or beige. Neutrals provide a timeless backdrop that allows other colors to stand out. They serve as a versatile canvas for building your family's ensemble and create a cohesive look that stands the test of time.

3. Add Pops of Color: Inject personality and vibrancy into your family's outfits by incorporating pops of color as accent pieces or accessories. Choose one or two accent colors that complement the overall palette and distribute them strategically among family members. This subtle touch adds visual interest without overwhelming the composition.

4. Consider the Setting and Season: Take cues from your photoshoot location and the season when selecting clothing colors. For outdoor shoots amidst nature's beauty, earthy tones like greens, blues, and browns harmonize seamlessly with the surroundings. In contrast, bold jewel tones or warm hues can add a cozy ambiance to indoor sessions during cooler months.

5. Embrace Timeless Tones: Opt for timeless and classic colors that transcend trends and remain effortlessly elegant. Soft pastels, muted tones, and deep jewel hues are universally flattering choices that exude sophistication and grace. These colors ensure your family photos retain their appeal for years to come.

6. Avoid Busy Patterns: While patterns can add texture and personality to your photos, steer clear of overly busy prints that may detract from the main focus—your family's faces. Opt for subtle patterns or solid colors that complement each other harmoniously. This ensures the attention remains on the genuine connections captured in the images.

7. Prioritize Comfort: Above all, prioritize comfort when selecting outfits for your family photoshoot. Choose clothing that allows freedom of movement and makes everyone feel relaxed and confident. Comfortable subjects are more likely to exude genuine smiles and expressions, resulting in authentic and heartwarming family portraits.

In conclusion, choosing the right clothing colors for family photos is an art form that requires careful consideration and creativity. By coordinating outfits, incorporating pops of color, considering the setting and season, and prioritizing comfort, you can create timeless and captivating images that encapsulate the love and bond shared among your family members. So, gather your loved ones, select your colors thoughtfully, and prepare to capture memories that will be cherished for generations to come.

Here are some palette examples:

Understanding Color Schemes

If you have ever seen an amazing photo and just thought about how beautiful it was, usually those photos follow the rules of color theory. Think about wedding photos, people put in a lot of effort to make sure everyone matches and the colors work together. This is one of the main reasons why wedding photos are so perfect.

Thankfully for family photos you do not need to try that hard or spend that much money. When deciding what to wear for your photos. There are some guides you can follow if you need ideas or you really what your photos to “pop”.

In the end they are your photos and your family so you can wear whatever you want! But if you need ideas or tips this page will help.

This is a color wheel. To help get an idea of color schemes. Just like how you pick out matching colors when you paint a room or pic art/décor. You don’t want to make your choices randomly.

These are the basics for color schemes. You can move the wheel around to any color but if you look at Complementary, you can see these are on opposite sides. This type of scheme will make you stand out in a photo. If you are on a green background like trees and grass wearing purples would make you pop out of the photo. Or if you and your partner wore opposite colors, depending on the style you are going for.

With any Color scheme you build your base with neutrals and earth tones.

1. Monochromatic

Monochromatic color schemes use a single color with varying shades and tints to produce a consistent look and feel. Although it lacks color contrast, it often ends up looking very clean and polished. It also allows you to easily change the darkness and lightness of your colors.

2. Analogous

Analogous color schemes are formed by pairing one main color with the two colors directly next to it on the color wheel. You can also add two additional colors (which are found next to the two outside colors) if you want to use a five-color scheme instead of just three colors.

3. Complementary

You may have guessed it, but a complementary color scheme is based on the use of two colors directly across from each other on the color wheel and relevant tints of those colors. You can pick your two colors based on you and the background, or you and your partner.

4. Triadic or Triad

choosing 4 or 3 colors on opposite sides of the color wheel is tricky sometimes. Especially depending on how many family members you have. But if you account for the background sometimes people stumble into it.

Guiding the Eye

Using lines in nature to make your subject stand out. It's a excellent way to make your photos more interesting and guide people's eyes to what matters most. So, let's dive in and see how to make nature's lines work for us.

What are Nature's Lines? Nature's lines are the natural shapes and patterns you find outside – stuff like roads, rivers, or tree branches. They're like arrows that lead people's eyes to whatever you want them to look at in your photo.

Adding Depth and Interest: One of the best things about nature's lines is how they make your photos feel deeper and more alive. Think about it: a winding river or a row of trees in the distance can make your photo look like it goes on forever. It's like inviting people to step right into your picture!

Guiding People's Eyes: Another thing about nature's lines is how they help you show off your subject. By putting your subject where the lines meet or follow them, you can make sure people look exactly where you want them to.

Spotting Nature's Lines Everywhere: You don't have to go far to find nature's lines – they're all around us! Look for anything that stands out, like a mountain ridge, a row of flowers, or even the way shadows fall on the ground. It's amazing what you can find when you start looking!

Trying Out Different Angles: The best part about using nature's lines is how much fun you can have with them. Don't be afraid to try out different angles or perspectives. Get down low or climb up high – you might be surprised at how much it changes your photo!

Conclusion: Using nature's lines is a simple but powerful way to make your photos more interesting and draw attention to your subject. So, next time you're out with your camera, keep an eye out for those natural shapes and patterns. You'll be amazed at the cool photos you can take when you let nature be your guide.