Should Your Headshot Photographer Worry about The end result Of Your Shoot Well they should since it is your career they're messing with!
I received this nice comment today from the lady who I photographed yesterday. It is a fairly common testimonial apart from the last few words - "you cared about the outcome too, so thanks" Thank you for yesterday, you made taking headshots simple and easy , enjoyable! It felt like you thought about the outcome too, so thanks.
Wow! that helped me think about my position like a headshot photographer and the results I deliver.
I didn't think I altered my approach to this client from any other client, I try to deal with everybody exactly the same - and I do care about the results of my headshot session.
Dallas Headshot PhotographerHowever it helped me think. I'm certain there are actors headshots photographers out there with huge ego's, who are very busy or maybe don't have to worry the flow of clients because they think themselves to become 'great headshot photographers' and the clients will come anyway. Possibly there are photographers out there who don't know different. Admittedly not too many but they are increasing in numbers all of the time due mainly towards the availability of fantastic modern cameras that do all of the technical stuff for you personally. Often this "new era" of photographers don't have the complete selection of skills must be a good headshot photographer - they simply point and press leaving your camera to do all of the work.
The crux from the matter is this, do we as headshot photographers care about what happens to the clients after they leave the studio? Should we care if the headshots we provide them with actually do anything for his or her careers, whether or not our headshots enable them to get work, hep them get past the initial selection process to the audition stage. I believe we should.
Headshots and Auditioning
Admittedly once they arrive at the audition it's up to these to show their acting skills and ultimately weather they obtain the part can be their auditioning skills, however for many clients they won't even get close to that stage with no great headshot to obtain them beyond the keen eye of a Casting Director.
From sheer professional duty we should care, but more to the point morally we should care weather or otherwise we gave the customer the right headshot, the best advice and weather it's working for them as an actors headshot. I'd hate the thought of one of my clients being constantly told that "their headshot was rubbish" or " it's not showing you very well" or " it is simply not you".
Dallas Headshot PhotographersIt's a tough business this acting game and everybody expects to take a few knocks, but we can deal with those providing there are some ups to go with the downs. However if an actor includes a poor headshot - and they have no idea it - because they've paid lots of money to a 'professional headshot photographer' - they'll soon get fed up with the rejections and think it's themselves who're at fault. When it's not it is the fact they have a poor headshot and may well have been given poor advice. The ego's of numerous in this business could be fragile at the best of times lets not add to the difficulties actors face by being sloppy in our attitudes.
I think most of my business ethos is to give people a great headshot along with expert consultancy which i have learned within the Two decades of employed in this field, after all many of the clients we shoot are young, or a new comer to e-commerce and like all businesses we should work hard at giving our customers an excellent service - if only for the purely selfish reasons of customer loyalties and good testimonials.
I know that if I didn't care bout my work, about the clients needs I'm photographing or getting the best headshot for your person word would soon spread, and that we are all aware bad news travels fast.
And finally remember - it's your career they're messing with!