How Do I Get A Great Press Release Photo

There’s a saying you only have one chance to make a first impression.

With that said many  of your perspective clients first impression will be from your website or brochure, not in person.

You will be judged by the representation that they see, their first impression.

Lets say you needed this image for your website and you needed it quick. You needed  haircut but not that bad so you popped

into a photo booth and had a quick picture made. Doesn’t look too bad and the web person can touch it up a little. It looks like

you and it fits the bill, and best of all it didn’t cost a lot of money. Now lets say you are the person that is visiting your website,

you have never met the person, or talked to them on the phone. Lets say that you are looking for someone to ell your expensive house

or you are looking for a financial adviser and come across this web page; The person looks a little over retouched and something about the

picture just screams UNPROFESSIONAL. Are you more likely to call them or just move on down to the next web page? Now remember that

you have never met this person or heard anything good or bad about them.    Lets say you have a professional picture and it looks good, it was taken 10 or 15  years ago and doesn’t really look like you but so what?

Now lets take it a little further, and say someone  that has now talked to you on the phone comes in to see you, they are looking for Mr. or Mrs.

somebody. You tell them that you are MR. or Mrs. somebody and they reply “no they need to talk to your son, daughter, or the younger one.

the one they saw on the website, how embarrassing. A great press release head shot or professional head shot should express who you are.

For example a doctor might wear a medical coat, or a stethoscope, a financial planner a suit and tie. (if you are going to wear a WHITE shirt) be

sure and wear a dark coat over it. There are a couple of other types of head shot. All have one thing in common, they make you look professional.

One type of head shot would be environmental. Environmental could be in your office or place that says who or what you do. This type could have

a tight image with just your head and shoulders and the background as a softer backdrop. This one is usually coupled with other images taken at the same

time.

If you hate to have your picture taken and never felt that you had a good one taken then I would suggest a custom session, one where the photographer can take the

time needed to  help you relax.  Let me touch for just a moment about retouching. It should compliment the person without overly changing  the way they look.

Digital is very sharp and has tendencies to show imperfections in the skin more readily. If you are good with make up then retouching is not quite as important,

however most people don’t know how or just don’t take the time to do the make up for photography. Also most men look at make up like it is a cobra ready to strike.

Ask other people who have used a particular photographer and see if you hear things like “they did so much retouching that it doesn’t look like me”. This is not what

you are looking for in a professional or press release head shot. Generally speaking the people love this image until the first person says “that doesn’t even look like you”

please use discretion when asking for retouching to make you look like you might believe you look like instead of gentle retouching that just finishes out the image.

Now back to photography. Lets say you photograph reasonably well and you need a basic professional picture, you can probably go in with a group or at an event for

photography head shots. These are reasonably priced and may offer retouching at a small additional cost. (It is well worth the cost) Especially if someone hosted the

cost of the basic head shot to start with. Basic retouching should soften the wrinkles, the complexion and any blatant imperfections brought out by the camera (zits and

shadow under the eyes). These are some of the major ways that a great press release photograph can make you money. You look  professional to those who have never

seen you and to those who have. People looking between more than one professional in your field may not know why they choose one over the other. Many times it is

the  subtle difference that turns the tide and makes the phone ring.   Thank you for your interest in this article and if you have further question call or e-mail me.  Mike Shea

Mike Shea Photography 352-377-1822   mshea@mikeshea-photo.com

Be Prepared for Great Portaits

Some Important Information For You….

GENERAL

Simple, plain outfits photograph the best, they are classic and not distracting

Our aim is to produce a timeless, beautiful portrait of you, and the best way

to begin is in one  word SIMPLICITY! Your cloths should be simple, solid colors

work best not loud and busy, unless for a special reason.Always wear long sleeves

they take away distractions from the face in group portraits.

WOMEN:

Make-up: eye shadow should be applied lightly and with care; the center point of interest

in a fine portrait is the eyes. Apply two coats of mascara on both the upper and lower lashes.

If you want lots of lashes, there are tiny little lashes that go all of the way to the corners that

people sometimes miss when applying mascara. Wear your other make-up as usual for an evening

event. Bring all of you make-up with you, in case any  minor modifications is required, or just for a

light touch up. V neck tops help top thin the face. Keep your jewelry to a minimum as large ear rigs

draw attention away from the eyes and face.

MEN:

Be sure to shave just prior to your appointment, as there is no way to hide or retouch a five O’ clock shadow

in color photography.

CHILDREN:

When bringing children to the studio, they should be in the first out fit they will be photographed in (unless

very small and have problems with excessive drooling). Children have a short attention span and all planning

of a session should have been completed prior to their arrival. It is advised that the first stop from home should be

the photographer. All of this gives the children a sense of wonder and can improve a photography session greatly.

Children SHOULD NOT be instructed to “smile” or “do exactly what the photographer says” etc. A good photographer

has techniques that will help  the children look natural in a photograph. Instead, simply let them know how excited you

are about the photography and leave the rest up to the photographer. In the event you have  children that do not do well

with strangers, set up a time the children can meet the photographer prior to the session.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK

Be sure to ask at the original consultation what the studio policies are, concerning payments, cancellations, and viewing

of the images for selection.

It is not uncommon with the custom nature of photography to be asked to pre-pay to hold your session and for photographs

that you order.

Ask for an estimate of how long for delivery and tell the photographer or his consultant of any special needs as to the delivery,

such as a birthday or gift for someone. This gives them the opportunity to let you know what needs to be done for that delivery date

or if not possible other options that are available.

Many photographers charge differently for weekend appointments, such as a higher sitting / creation fee, or a larger minimum purchase

guarantee. Many photographers have already put in a full week of work and must justify the extra appointments.  A photographer can only

be creative so many hours a week. This also applies to in home portraits, do to  the amount of equipment that has to be taken to the home.

Also don’t be surprised if the photographer or studio isn’t open on weekends.

Ask about how you will view the images.

Will there be a separate viewing?

What if I need to view the images that same day because of out of town members in the portrait?

Is there a discount on images invested (purchased) the day of the original viewing?

Is there a discount for more than one copy of the same image?

Viewing images in a projected manner with the photographer or their consultant

is the best way. You can ask questions about retouching, cropping, and adequate sizing  for your wall,

and what kind of finish will be on your finished portrait. Proofing even when projected is just a base,

without cropping, and retouching. Kind of like a cake without the icing and decorations that make it a finished

work of art.

Finally there is a great deal of difference from one photographer to the next.

Quality, experience, assistance in finding, meeting, and exceeding your wants, and the questions

that need to be asked to know what you are looking for. The best way to start is to visit with the prospective

photographer and see how you relate and how much they care about creating something special for you.

This information supplied by Mike Shea Photography

for further answers or a copy of my policies please give us a call at 352-377-1822

or e-mail us at mshea@mikeshea-photo.com