Sunday, June 3, 2012

Ten Black And White Photography Tips


Black and white has been around as long as photography itself, and even though we can now produce the most spectacular colour images, this enduring photographic format continues to fascinate. Even today photographers all over the world still produce arresting and eloquent visual images in black and white, images that seem to have a particular resonance with the viewing audience....

Find Out More here: Ten Black And White Photography Tips

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Steps To Better Product Photography


“Several steps to better product photography”

Contrary to popular belief, product photography can be quite a challenge. In fact, a lot of photographers say that not all of them can be as great product photographers as they are as, say, wedding photographers or portrait photographers. Not all photographers can capture great product photos. And not all product photography projects are that good. Truth be told, demand and requirements for great product photography can also be quite stringent. This is one of the reasons why it is important to be armed with even the most basic, most simple yet highly effective and doable tips and knowledge in order to excel in product photography.



Interested to know more? Read on and find out which steps you can follow in order to do well in product photographs.

  1.  It is but important that the images stay sharp. As you guys may know, each angle, each look and even each speck of the product that you’re supposed to take photos of should be clear and obvious to the naked eye. In order to do this, your images should stay sharp. This is where the first step in great product photography comes in. You must learn how to focus your camera in order to capture sharp images. Although a lot of the digital cameras of today have auto focus features, you might want to avoid using those and instead use manual focus. This way, you will learn how to manipulate your camera in order to come up with the sharpest images possible. Try to spot focus. This will give you more control over which part of the product you’re supposed to give attention to.
  2. Use a tripod. Actually, it’s quite rare for a budding product photographer not to use one. So bring one and of course, use it. A tripod can come in really handy especially if you need to take shots of moving products or moving objects. If you’re just starting out, an inexpensive tripod will do. Now if your camera has a remote shutter release feature then you are most welcome to use it. If your camera does not have that type of feature then you might want to stick to the built-in timer in order to lessen the possibility of “camera shake.”
  3. Be a fan of soft lighting. Soft lighting is almost always a must. Do not just rely on your camera’s built-in flash. This can most likely result in too harsh, too bright images. Soft lighting can come in really handy especially if you’re supposed to undergo outdoor product photography. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to come up with good enough soft lighting, you might want  to consider borrowing flashes from other photographers (especially if you’re still learning the ropes) or you can always purchase inexpensive flashes. These external flashes are sold both offline and online. Don’t forget to canvass for the best price before you buy! Here’s a little advice on how you can figure out if you’re using hard or soft lighting, though. By holding your left hand out and keeping it flat and slightly in front of you, hold a finger from your other hand. Place that a few centimeters above your left hand. Now take a look at the shadow cast by your finger. If you notice a “hard or solid shadow,” then that means you used hard lighting. Naturally, a soft shadow means that there’s soft lighting.
  4. For professional product photography projects, you might want to use an image editing software such as the Adobe Photoshop Elements program. Truth be told, it’s inevitable to use image editing software programs these days. It all just boils down to what you prefer or feel comfortable using. Other popular image editing software programs used today include Adobe Photoshop and Corel Draw. By using these types of programs, you can easily crop, expand, adjust, sharpen and resize images.
  5. Now the last tip is highly recommended. Create your very own checklist. Checklist on what you should use, do and manipulate whenever you undergo product photography, that is. This way, you need not worry about the settings of your camera, which flash or lighting to use when needed and which program to use in order to sharpen your images. By coming up with your own personalized checklist, you can easily determine what to do and which steps to take in order for you to exert only the best product photography possible.
(c) HeadshotLondon - All rights reserved

Monday, July 11, 2011

How To Find A Good Portrait Photographer?



Portrait Photographer

How do you find that talented photographer who will capture your best features and who may even bring out a new side of you...

These days, a lot of people want to have great photos taken. This is especially true for portraits. People want to own portraits that are not only artistically taken and pleasant to look at but also those that capture real emotions as well as the best features of a person.

People need these portraits for various reasons. For one, great portraits can serve as wonderful and lasting memorabilia. These portraits can also be passed on from one generation to another and can even be great personal gifts not only to other relatives but also to friends. Portraits can also serve as great decorations in one’s home. When framed, these portraits can bring “life” to a home. Guests in one’s home can see the homeowner’s different facets through portraits. Also, while this may sound sad, great portraits can also help people remember a person who has passed away. Through great portraits, people can remember a friend, a family member or even a colleague and, more often than not, remember that person with only good and nice thoughts in mind. Moreover and while this may seem simple, having a portrait taken is also a nice and wonderful experience. After all, it is not everyday that you have your portrait taken by a professional.

However, how do you look for that skilled professional? How do you find that talented photographer who will capture your best features and who may even bring out a new side of you? How do you also find a good portrait photographer whom you will feel comfortable with?

This article will share some tips on how to find a good portrait photographer. Read on.

1. Ask for references. References are a great starting point. If a family member or a dear friend recently had his own portraiture experience, ask him about the experience as well as for references. Chances are, your friend has done his own research and has narrowed down his choices in terms of great portrait photographers. If your friend had a good experience with their photographer, then shortlist them for a future reference. Later on go and have a look at their website to see if their portfolio and style is to your taste.

2. Check local listings. See who the photographers in your area are and whose expertise includes portraiture. Also have a look at Google maps as a lot of information there could provide you with a lot of insights about the photographer. Read though client reviews and see what experiences they had during their professional portrait photography session.

3. Check online for great feedback. These days, a lot of people share their experience with portrait photographers online. Look for blogs or even online features about portrait photographers. Check the web for photographers whom a lot of people have had nice and easy experiences with. Be careful if you come across unpleasant reviews. There is a risk that you may also encounter the same thing so best to avoid this from the get-go. It’s not enough that a photographer has a nice looking studio or cheap rates. Feedback from previous clients must also count.

4. If you already have a shortlist of preferred portrait photographers, try to list the pros and cons for each and every photographer. Does he have a great idea as to where and when you can have your portrait taken? Does he have a studio? What are his professional affiliations? What type of camera does he use? What is his previous work like and how are the reviews about his work so far? Does his professional fee sound reasonable or do you think you can still get the same service from someone else but at a cheaper rate? Will the cheaper photographer provide me with the same quality of photographs? Answers to questions like these can help you decide the best portrait photographer to hire.

5. Lastly, and most importantly, trust a tried and tested portrait photographer who has been in the business for years and who has been the top choice of many.

If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us and one of our professional portrait photographers will try and help.


(c) Headshot London Photography

Photography Session With Professional Photographer





10 things to do before your photography session with professional photographer...

More often than not, people would require to have their photos taken by a professional photographer at one point in their lives. They may need these photos for work purposes, for the sheer sake of vanity, to serve as gifts or giveaways during a special occasion or even just for the simple experience of having photos taken by a professional photographer.

So if you are one of those people who will soon have a special photo shoot, here are 10 things that you must do before your photography session with a professional photographer:

1. Be sure that you and your professional photographer have the same vision, theme and idea in mind. This means that before your big photography session, you and your photographer must have already agreed on the location of the shoot, on what type of clothes to wear, on the theme or idea of the photo shoot, on the time of the shoot and even on which type of cameras and films to use. After all, there are photographers who may still use film and who may like to use black and white photography even though these were not your preference from the very beginning. Also, if you have certain demands from your photographer, be sure to make this clear with him or her from the very beginning.

2. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Catch as much zzz’s as you can. To have restful nights of sleep starting at least 3 days before your photography session can help put your mind and body at ease. Getting as much as 8 hours of sleep a day can also help get rid of those dark circles around your eyes.

3. Drink lots of water. Water can help keep your skin healthy and supple.

4. Pick appropriate clothes, appropriate shoes and appropriate accessories. This is where the points found in item number 1 are also applicable. If you and your photographer have already agreed on the theme, idea, location and other details, then it’s easy for you to figure out the type of clothes, footwear and accessories to bring to the photo shoot.

5. Have a test make-up session. This is especially true for ladies. Conduct test make-up sessions preferably while wearing the clothes that you will wear during your photography session.

This will help you figure out if the make-up will help accentuate your whole look or not. Doing test make-up sessions will also remind you not to be too playful with your looks on the day of the photo shoot. Go with what works and what makes you look your best.

6. Don't worry about loosing weight or about the state of your skin! Remember, there is nothing the magic retouching brush cannot touch up and remove!

7. Practice in front of a mirror. There is no crime in practising various poses in front of a mirror. Go online, check the different poses made by models on magazines and fashion websites and try to mimic these. Remember - you are the star during the photography session. Besides, projecting various poses may help keep your professional photographer happy and excited to capture great shots.

8. Bring a cheering squad. On the very day of your big photography session, bring your own little posse of fans. They can be close friends and relatives - people who will surround you with nothing but positive vibes during your session with a professional photographer. These people will help lift your spirits up during the entire day. We’re sure these people will also not mind if you request them to be your personal assistants…at least for the day.

9. Have a back-up plan. Always be ready with a back-up plan just in case the weather goes bad on the day of your photo shoot or if something happens at the last minute.

10. Smile, relax and put yourself in the hands of your photographer. Nothing beats having a smile on your face and having a sunny disposition on the day of your photo shoot. Just breathe and relax. Chances are, if you have a talented and personable professional photographer, not only will you have a wonderful experience during your photography session but you will also get the best photos! And, chances are, if your professional photographer is from Headshot London Photography, you have made the best choice.


If you still have questions in regards to your photography session then also have a look at frequently asked questions for actors, questions for portrait sessions, faqs for fashion shoots, faqs for family portraits or faqs for corporate PR shots.


(c) Headshot London - Leading professional photographers in London at http://www.headshotlondon.co.uk

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

What is a Corporate Headshot?

What is a Corporate Headshot?

For those who do not know what a Headshot is: "A headshot is a 10 x 8 (inches) image and is very similar to a portrait or a 'mug shot'. 10 x 8 is a measurement and the size of an image. It commonly includes head & shoulders, and focuses on the face of the person".

Corporate Headshot is somewhat similar to Actors Headshot but it is done in colour and has to look more natural, showing a person as they are. Men usually are wearing suits and women are dressed smart in an office-like manner.

Corporate Headshot should provide a glimpse into the person's character and reflect friendly, trustworthy and approachable personality.

Many business professionals and businesses use headshots for: Annual reports, Corporate catalogues and advertising, Company publications and websites, Corporate PR (on and offline), Press Releases, Online catalogue/shop/website, Corporate brochures, Mail Order Catalogues, Marketing Literature and advertisements, Product Packaging.

Headshots are becoming more important in the business world. Latest developments on the market suggest that many corporate employers nowadays are asking their potential employees to submit their Headshots when they are applying for a job.



1. Corporate Headshots

a. Natural Headshots - these are most basic type of headshots (more like a mug shots) and usually photographed against a white backdrop

b. Studio Headshots - are done in the studio environment with different sets of background colours and with studio lights

c. Black and White Headshots - these are studio headshots converted into black and white during post production

d. Artistic Headshots - those could be in colour or black and white and are very close to portraits. Here photographer will use different lighting skills to produce more striking effect

e. Natural Headshots / Portraits - these are photographed outside with natural light


2. Corporate Portraits

a. Business and Lifestyle Portraits - these often show personality and a character or a person photographed as well as a type of work he/she does

b. Active Portraits - those are business in action portraits often portraying active environment, energy and personality of the person

c. Studio Portraits - photographed in the studio

d. Natural Portraits - photographed outside


For more information please see (c) Business Photographer


Do not hesitate to contact us for more information and for examples of corporate photography please also see Headshot London Corporate Photographers Page


(c) All rights for this article belong to Headshot London Photography (any copying or distribution unauthorised by the owner is strictly prohibited)

Monday, June 1, 2009

Corporate Photographers in the heart of the City of London



Getting right PR for your business is important if not critical in the current economic climate. Image is everything and therefore getting the right message about yourself, your company and your services to your target customers has never been as crucial as it is now.

Being a small, medium or a large business in the city does not mean you should spend thousands of pounds on promoting yourself. Therefore a simple professional corporate photography session could be the right step forward to getting your image and the right message to your customers. Those professional shots could then be used for all kinds of purposes.

First they could be sent to local newspapers or magazines together with the latest news and developments about your company. If the media is interested in your company, those corporate headshots could also then be used along with an interview you are approached to give.

Internet marketing rapidly increases competition between businesses, which means millions of potential customers turning to online shops and services for convenience, research and better deals. Therefore, secondly, having the right website with the right imagery portraying professional staff, products and services could help to deliver the right message to your target market and potential customers.

Smaller businesses also need to network a lot on and off the Internet in order to inform potential clients about their services, therefore corporate portraits could also be used for online profiles.

Corporate headshots for CVs are being increasingly important nowadays in some industries as they make your CV look professional. Hence looking good and portraying the right image and personality could increase your chances of getting that job.

To sum up, using professional corporate photography services will help your business to succeed and most importantly it could help you to survive.

If you are in the City of London, then do not hesitate to give us a call, as we are located next to the Bank station.


For more information and our online portfolio please visit our new website dedicated to all types of corporate photography - Business Photographer at Corporate Photographers in the City of London


Business Photographer - (c) Headshot London Photography
Portrait Photographers
Tel: 07940 444 641

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Want to find a new job? Get Corporate Headshots!



Everybody is talking about credit crunch and many already started feeling its effects. Media all over the world shouting the news about unemployment, crushing businesses, financial market failures, etc. Many had to step up their game and had to rethink their marketing strategies to survive. Therefore, looking good, professional and up-to-date has never been as crucial as it is now.

Businesses have been investing in headshots for a while now as they recognise the need to look professional.

What is a Corporate Headshot?

For those who do not know what a Headshot is: “A headshot is a 10 x 8 (inches) image and is very similar to a portrait or a 'mug shot'. 10 x 8 is a measurement and the size of an image. It commonly includes head & shoulders, and focuses on the face of the person”.

Corporate Headshot is somewhat similar to Actors Headshot but it is done in colour and has to look more natural, showing a person as they are. Men usually are wearing suits and women are dressed smart in an office-like manner.

Corporate Headshot should provide a glimpse into the person’s character and reflect friendly, trustworthy and approachable personality.

Many business professionals and businesses use headshots for: Annual reports, Corporate catalogues and advertising, Company publications and websites, Corporate PR (on and offline), Press Releases, Online catalogue/shop/website, Corporate brochures, Mail Order Catalogues, Marketing Literature and advertisements, Product Packaging.

Headshots are increasingly becoming more important in the business world. Latest developments on the market suggest that many corporate employers nowadays are asking their potential employees to submit their Headshots when they are applying for a job.

Therefore turning to the industry professionals is important. It is true, as we all know that quality matters! Invest in quality and get a better chance of success by attracting more attention of your potential employers and customers.


(c) All rights for this article belong to Headshot London Photography at Portrait Photographers
(Any copying or distribution unauthorised by the owner is strictly prohibited)