If you’re a prospective customer of Denver Pro Headshots, I’d like you to know what to expect when you arrive for your appointment. This is the process I typically go through that I have refined over the years and seems to work quite well. I hope you find the experience relaxing, and of course, that you get the photos you are looking for!

WELCOME

You’ll be welcomed inside, and we’ll take care of some necessary details.  I’ll ask you to sign a modeling agreement so that I can use the photos from our session to promote my business, and I typically attach a copy of your photo ID to the document.  This only takes a minute or two, and you’ll receive a copy of the modeling agreement via email.  I’ll also ask you some questions about the reason for the headshot, such as getting a new job or whether you are currently looking for work.  If you just got a new job, I’ll ask you if your new employer has any requirements for the photo, such as the background color or pixel dimensions.

I might have you run a lint roller over your suit jacket if you have one, and blot your face with oil-absorbing sheets.  Don’t worry, it’s very easy, and I have everyone do it.  I want to make sure we’re on the same page about getting you the correct images when we’re all done!

SETTING EXPECTATIONS

Many times, a client will show up and not know what to expect when the headshot session is over.  If you know what to expect before we get started, I think you’ll end up happier at the end of the session.  I’ll explain how many photos I typically take in a one-hour session, and the process of how you’ll select the ones you that you like the best.  Even though I give you all the photos you “like” at the end of the session, my pricing package only includes one retouched photo.  You can select more photos to be retouched for additional charges.

You’ll also be shown how I deliver the photos to you electronically and make sure it fits your needs. I also want you to know how I edit, or retouch, your primary photo. I do this by showing some before and after versions of previous client photos so you have an idea of what I will be doing for you.

TESTING THE LIGHTS

Once you know what you’ll get at the end of the session, it’s finally time to get to work.  I’ll have you sit down, adjust the lights for you, and then test them.  Everyone is different, so the same light settings will not apply to everyone. If so, my job would be a lot easier!  Testing the lighting will only take a few minutes and then I’ll have you take a look and make sure things look good to you. In this phase, your only job is to relax and sit up straight.  That’s right, no big smiles required for just testing the lights!

TAKING PHOTOS THAT COUNT

After we’ve tested the lighting and agreed that things look good, we move on to Phase II of photo taking.  In this portion, I’ll take some photos of you from a few different angles. I’ll run you through some basic posing and get a good selection of shots from the front, from camera left, and from camera right. I’ll have you changing your arm positions, leaning you forward and back, possibly tilting your head, and trying other things to get the best look for you.  Again, relaxing and sitting up straight is all you need to do, and I’ll help you with anything else.

Checking in again – that’s right, we’re going to check in one more time.  That means we’ll take a quick look at the photos thus far, and then I’ll have you decide which angle of yourself looks best to you.  These are your photos, and that’s why I like to pause and “check in” with you multiple times to make sure we’re on the same page. It also gives you a short break from all the flashing lights!

By this time, you will have some “keeper” photos of yourself, but I think we can fine-tune things just a bit more.  Now that we have the lights dialed in to your face and we know which angle looks best, let’s take another small batch of photos to make sure you have more options to choose from.  Photos from your headshot session tend to get better as the session goes on.  This is because we’re figuring out your best angle and making any needed adjustments along the way.

PHOTO SELECTION

The hard work is done!  I’ll have you go through the photos in my studio and select the ones you like best, and then choose the single photo you want professionally retouched!  We’ll also handle your payment and any other questions you might have.

That’s all there is to it.

Enjoy!