Head shots for a client?

[TiaS]

Today I had a call for someone looking for a quote for head shots. I have just started advertising and so this is one of my very first clients. She wants a quote and I said that I offer them by the print or on a CD, with the CD being worth more. She wants it for a port foli, and so when its done she only needs 1 or 2 photos. I asked if she had a background color in mind and she said preferably black and white.... the way she said it I think that she was saying that she is looking for black and white head shots. I said that I can present her with both black and white and color. So I have to get back to her with a quote. Since I am new at doing this for clients, I am charging the very low end. Right now it is not about money but about my making a name for myself. But I don't want to be so cheap that it doesn't look like I value my work. I have no portable backgrounds, only a black sheet and a white sheet. So these are my questions:

1- How much to charge? The session itself won't take long and I was thinking $20 for shoot and 5 prints or $30 for shot and the CD
2-What size are head shots printed as?
3- is it terribly unprofessional to use sheets? There is no camera shop in my area and I all I have is sheets
4- if I use sheets how do I hang them? Painters tape not only looks terrible, it actually doesn't work worth a darn for me and they fall down alot
5- I don't have a studio and advertise on location photo sessions. But when she asked if I do head shots I wasn't going to turn this down! Do I do this in their home? Or can I use a solid colored building around town after closing hours?
6- tripod or not? Tripod means I am stuck to one area. I would rather move around to get different angles, sideways looks, head on looks, slightly down or up...

Any tips or ideas would be great. I am using an external flash (no rotation though, only up for bouncing) and bounce card. I have never done a head shot unless I have taken them outdoors as part of an on location photo session with trees and sky, etc. When someone asks for a headshot, I am thinking that I need to show up with a backdrop, set it up, and shoot only head shots against this one backdrop. Never done that before (first time for everything!:). So truly ANY tips are appreciated

[Jimconnerphoto]

" I don't want to be so cheap that it doesn't look like I value my work."
" I was thinking $20 for shoot "
These statements appear to contradict themselves...
sorry, had to add that.
Charge what you feel comfortable with.
With headshots it is important to find out what the client is going to use them for and what their goal is. A models headshot is going to be different then an actors, musicians, ... you get the point. Some headshots need to have character, some don't, some need retouching, some should not be retouched.

I typically charge a flat rate for a studio shoot and a little more for a location shoot. I include 10 shots retouched and they can select some for printing but that is not included.
I also offer ZED cards.
Your client is probably looking for black and white images. Let them see some color ones but for the most part stick with what they request. Don't show everything in color, then a b&w a sepia version.

[TiaS]

Thanks very much for the input.

Your client is probably looking for black and white images. Let them see some color ones but for the most part stick with what they request. Don't show everything in color, then a b&w a sepia version.

Thanks! good tip

With headshots it is important to find out what the client is going to use them for and what their goal is. A models headshot is going to be different then an actors, musicians, ... you get the point. Some headshots need to have character, some don't, some need retouching, some should not be retouched.

She's looking to make a port foli for her work with music

[TiaS]

These statements appear to contradict themselves...
sorry, had to add that.

No no. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks.

I typically charge a flat rate for a studio shoot and a little more for a location shoot.

What do you use for backdrops for on location shoots? Is a solid color wall or sheet acceptable?

How do you find a location.... do you go to the home or offer an outdoor location?

[Jimconnerphoto]

With Musicians you have a little playing room.
Depending on the type of music.
You may shoot a classical musician where they play, a rock musician can be in a grungy alley, jazz musician on the street at night.
They generally have their instrument even though most of it is cropped out.
Basically play with it.
I do think you will benefit from off-camera lights.
Google the type of musician they are and view images, that should give you some inspiration.
Have you thought of renting a studio?

[TiaS]

I live pretty far from the city... renting a studio is not an option here. Right now my biggest question is the "Where" question. From there I I am wondering "What" kind of backdrop.

I am best with outdoor portraits (most experience there). Do headshots have to be behind a white wall or black backdrop.... if it was at a park the green grass would make a nice backdrop and be in total bokeh behind her with other options being the blue water as a background or a building wall (this gives the options of red, brown, etc).... and in black and white the background will be appropriate for that photo. I am VERY unfamiliar with headshots and I advertise on location photography. I know that I can do this and am not about to turn down a client when I know I can do the job. I just need to figure out the "Where" and the "What" of how to do this to the best that I can with what I have.

[TiaS]

I do think you will benefit from off-camera lights

I agree this is ideal but I am not set up for it or have the option to rent a studio where I live

[Jimconnerphoto]

Then absolutely stick with what you know and are comfy with. You can use the Sun as your second light. What sort of musician are we talking about?

[TiaS]

Then absolutely stick with what you know and are comfy with. You can use the Sun as your second light.

I agree. As you can probably tell I am overwhelmed with the idea of using backdrops and how to get the lighting exact enough for a headshot indoors. I am unfamiliar with it. But I am experienced with outdoor shots and more confidence and comfortable with that. So that is the route that I will go.

I don't know what kind of musician, but I will ask before the shoot.

[jmg181]

I agree this is ideal but I am not set up for it or have the option to rent a studio where I live

Don't have to have a studio to use off camera flash - I've got one on a light stand, and another on a gorillapod knockoff :)

[TiaS]

Then absolutely stick with what you know and are comfy with

OH, and thanks for not ripping me apart for asking very very basic questions! :)

Don't have to have a studio to use off camera flash - I've got one on a light stand, and another on a gorillapod knockoff

I should look into one if I get more calls for this kind of shoot, definitely. Thanks for the input

[tim]

A white wall and one flash shooting through an umbrella is a pretty good start. Given your level i'd lowball it. Personally I don't do any photography for less than $1000, given the investments in gear and the time overhears.

[vfotog]

some of this advice gives me pause... if you are serious about photography, there is plenty of information out there. any basic book on portraiture will talk about headshots. start there. you need to learn about lighting, posing, backdrops, etc. if you can't buy backdrops locally, order them online. if you can find your way to this forum, you can also find your way to numerous sites that sell photographic equipment and supplies.

I would find out what your potential client really needs. Models and actors tend to have PORTFOLIOS; musicians usually don't. They may need photos for promotional purposes, but a portfolio? Also, headshots tend to be a little formal; grass in the background isn't a regular headshot by any means. The vast majority of headshots, by far, are shot indoors. Look at enough headshots so you understand what they are and how they are done. Musicians' headshots are often cropped less tight than actors' and models' headshots so their instruments can be included in the images.

It might be a good idea to do some reading and researching and practicing and picking up some basic equipment before you branch out into a new area like this. Word of mouth can be a good thing or a really bad thing. You don't want to get a reputation as someone clueless and unprofessional. Word gets around pretty quickly, especially in the entertainment community. Headshots are serious business to the people that need them; a headshot gets them work and is used to promote their careers.

[cdifoto]

1- How much to charge? The session itself won't take long and I was thinking $20 for shoot and 5 prints or $30 for shot and the CD
Do it for free so you can figure out what works and you won't have refunds to worry about. When it's free, quality doesn't matter. IMHO you really shouldn't have started advertising yourself as a professional until you have some of these basics down.

2-What size are head shots printed as?
Whatever the client needs.

3- is it terribly unprofessional to use sheets? There is no camera shop in my area and I all I have is sheets
In my opinion, yes.

4- if I use sheets how do I hang them? Painters tape not only looks terrible, it actually doesn't work worth a darn for me and they fall down alot
See above.

5- I don't have a studio and advertise on location photo sessions. But when she asked if I do head shots I wasn't going to turn this down! Do I do this in their home? Or can I use a solid colored building around town after closing hours?
There's nothing wrong with location photography.

6- tripod or not? Tripod means I am stuck to one area. I would rather move around to get different angles, sideways looks, head on looks, slightly down or up...
Whatever you're comfortable with.

[TiaS]

IMHO you really shouldn't have started advertising yourself as a professional until you have some of these basics down.


I have decided to be honest and tell her that I do more candid photo shoots. That I have never done this particular style of photo shoot. I will do it, and would like to, but I will do it at cost (e.g. cover my childcare while I'm at the shoot and the prints)


Word of mouth can be a good thing or a really bad thing. You don't want to get a reputation as someone clueless and unprofessional.

I hope that my honesty doesn't make me look unprofessional.... but I think that is the way to go.

[vfotog]

I have decided to be honest and tell her that I do more candid photo shoots. That I have never done this particular style of photo shoot. I will do it, and would like to, but I will do it at cost (e.g. cover my childcare while I'm at the shoot and the prints)



I hope that my honesty doesn't make me look unprofessional.... but I think that is the way to go.


but you ARE being unprofessional. it's not the "honesty" but the not finding out what your potential client's "needs" are, not having the skills, not willing to do the research even to gain the knowledge of what this kind of photography entails but instead going to various message boards, talking about using some wrinkly sheet... and you expect the client to pay for your child care so you can learn on her dime. When the "client" doesn't get the images they need, then they'll have to make up for their wasted time and have someone else reshoot. There isn't one part of this that is professional.

[RockSlut]

I do head shots. Both in studio and on location, it really depends on convenience and preference for the client.

Your price sounds exceptionally cheap, but I don't know your market.

Rather than a white sheet, I'd consider finding a nice, gently textured background to shoot against far enough into the background that is aesthetically pleasing with bokeh.

I mostly shoot without a tripod, but some people shoot with. That's a matter of preference.

Finally, if you're not confident shooting with flash, nice soft light (cloudy day or light curtains in front of a window) works nicely.

Good luck with your shoot.

[nathancarter]

If you want to be able to offer headshots as part of your business:
Do you have $200 you can invest in your business? Do you have a friend or family member with whom you can practice?

You can get a decent setup without spending a huge amount - a couple of light stands, a couple of umbrellas/adapters, an additional flash, some wireless triggers, a proper backdrop stand, a roll of white seamless paper, a black cloth or muslin backdrop. And, it all breaks down into a compact size that can fit in the trunk of just about any car. (except for the white seamless which I have to lay across the back seat).

Then read, practice, experiment, practice, read - until you're comfortable with results. There are plenty of tutorials on this site and others, and with just some time spent on learning to make all your gear work the way you want it to, you can really take your portraiture to the next level.

Don't go into a professional paid photoshoot without knowing in advance exactly what you're going to set up, and exactly what your results will look like. If you're trying to figure things out for the first time while you're at the client's location, things are not going to go well.

If you use your lighting correctly, a cheap black sheet taped to the wall CAN give you a pure black background*. So, for the black-background shot, you don't even necessarily need a real backdrop and stand. But, you've got to know how to work your light(s) to make this happen. Bouncing the flash off the ceiling will make it very difficult to get a dark black background.

*(if you're really good, you can get a pure black background without any backdrop whatsoever)