Headshots Photographer

Professional Studio Headshots

Headshots are something that we really need in the modern, post-pandemic world, but that most of us really don’t want to have taken. It can be more than a little stressful for the majority of people to get in front of a headshot photographer and relax.

And you can be sure that nobody ever walks into our studio space, jumps in front of the camera, and says “I’ve got this!”. In fact, it can be very intimidating to get in front of a professional camera and lens, that’s being pointed at you by a photographer who you met just five minutes earlier.  It’s a wee bit uncomfortable. Making it as easy as possible is the goal.

Working with Hugh Anderson you will be expertly guided through your headshot photo session, coached into relaxed and comfortable positions, and shown how to pose correctly. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult.  How you feel has a tremendous impact on how your expression will show on camera, and we are experts at getting you into that ideal mindset.

Headshot Background Examples.

In the headshot examples on this page, a darker background is certainly the more popular choice, though not always. If you have a specific headshot background color you would like, just let us know ahead of time.

Acting Headshots.

Headshots For Acting And Promotion.

Acting headshots are the single most important marketing tool available to you. It’s what gets you called to auditions.

One thing that an acting headshot must do is stand out. If you are going to be skimmed over by a director, who may be looking at hundreds of headshots, you absolutely must be able to grab their attention.

How?  Your eyes. Your eyes are the most important part of your headshot, they command attention. As in any portrait, it’s all about the eyes.

Here are some guidelines that should be followed in your acting headshots.

• Be natural. A small amount of makeup to cover imperfections is fine, but be sparse.
• Be neutral. Clothes should not be attention grabbers.  This is about your face, not your favorite sweater, awesome as it may be.
• No props.  Again, it’s your acting headshot, so a really cool hat that covers most of your head won’t work.
• Invest. Maybe you can get $25 acting headshots, but they will look like $25 acting headshots. Remember, this is your billboard.

Headshots for acting must be as accurate as possible. Of course, things like blemishes that are temporary can be removed, but nothing permanent. If you have a mole it needs to stay. The last thing you want is for a casting director to look at you, look at your acting headshot, and see two different people. Accuracy matters.

Acting headshots that hit the mark.

There are many things that go into the creation of your acting headshot, and to help you to achieve the best result, here’s a link to a useful set of guidelines for getting a great headshot written by an acting coach.

ERAS Photos

Made To ERAS Photo Requirements

Your new career is on track,  congratulations!

It’s fair to say that your ERAS headshot photo is critically important. This image is your presentation to those people that will be reviewing your application.

Of course, it’s not just about the ERAS headshot, that’s not what will get you selected. But, we all know that the first thing we will see on any application of the color photo, that’s what jumps out against the black text beside it. It really is the first impression.

If the person reviewing your application has a pile of 50 to get through, and they are perhaps skimming through them, the best chance to catch their eye is a stellar ERAS headshot. A bad one, that doesn’t meet the proper requirements, might send an application to the rejected pile.

Yes, your ERAS headshot is important, very much so.

There are very specific ERAS headshot application photo specifications required by the AAMC for your ERAS application. Here are the specifications for your headshot portrait.

• 2.5 x 3.5 inch image

• Resolution of 150 dpi

• File size less than 100kb

It’s really quite a small image, think driver’s license size. That of course isn’t the size we will start with – we will start with a high-resolution digital photograph, and reduce it to suit the ERAS application. That will give you a sharp, clear headshot.

A Little More For You.

ERAS application headshots are, as mentioned above, small. But that’s not all you will take home. Here’s what you will get, whether it’s a single headshot session or multiple headshots.

• Your headshot portrait in full resolution.
• Both print and web resolution versions.
• Different crops to fit various social sites

You may want to use a portrait in a typical rectangular format for one use, but the need it to be a square for your LinkedIn profile portrait. We make sure you have the right crops to avoid distorted social media profile photos.

Turnaround Time.

Typically, the turnaround time for your images is within 48 hours. If you want to choose your final headshot portrait while you are here, you can. Or, if you prefer to discuss it with someone, or ponder the options, a complimentary online gallery with the images taken will be uploaded for you to choose from.

What To Wear For Your ERAS Headshot.

The best thing to wear is something that does not take attention away from you. A Hawaiian shirt might not be the best choice. Seriously though, plain colors, and not too bright. The images on this page are a good example.

Your ERAS headshot, as with every other style of headshot, should be all about you. Not your clothing, or a cool pair of eyeglasses, earrings, or any other jewelry.  The aim is for you to grab the attention of the viewer, and that’s all about the eyes.

When it comes to the retouching of your image, it’s typical that your eyes will be lightened ever so slightly, to bring attention to them. It makes for a more engaging portrait.

What About Glasses?

If you wear them always, then wear them for your ERAS headshot. But beware of ones that introduce a tint into the image, it will darken your eyes. If your glasses do have a reactive tint, there are things we can do to get around that. We can discuss this during your session.

What Color Of Background?

It’s optional, but again, plain is better. A grey or black one works well, and you can have a white background if you prefer. Have a look at the headshots on this site for different examples that would work as an ERAS photo.

Retouching ERAS Headshots.

All of our images are retouched. So once you select your final image or images, the retouching process begins. We deal with blemishes, flyaway hairs, and anything that needs a little polish to make your ERAS headshot awesome!

How To Choose A Headshot Photographer.

Choosing a headshot photographer should be easy, right?

Perhaps the first thought when thinking about choosing a headshot photographer might be, how good is their work? It’s a great question, and naturally, a first consideration when looking at photographers.

There’s so much to consider. How long has the photographer been taking professional headshots, are they using good quality camera equipment, and do they have the Photoshop skills needed to polish the images taken? These are but a few questions a person might ask.

However, personality can be the greatest factor in producing killer headshots you will absolutely love. Yes, the personality of the headshot photographer is crucial. Let’s look a little closer at that.

You are about to stand in front of a camera lens, with all of the anxiety that can produce, and be photographed. It may even be the first time you have done so. That can be scary! So what sort of headshot photographer would you like to be standing opposite you?

• An all-business, “let’s get this done”, somewhat flat personality who is entirely focused on peering at you through the lens.
• A caring, considerate, soothing personality who isn’t always behind the lens, someone who talks to and relaxes you. 

Which of those two headshot photographers do you think will get you to relax, open up, release your tension, make you smile more genuinely, and capture images of the real you?

That’s what will make the difference – the connection between you and your photographer. Great equipment, a fantastic portfolio, and years of training will all mean nothing if a photographer cannot connect with you as a person.

So if you can, have a chat over the phone before booking a headshot photo shoot, it might make all the difference.