One of several for a "business-use" headshot. What do you think?

This is one of several shots I took for a client who needed the photos for business use. What do you think? I'll add more to the thread as I go.

A couple more.

That looks great. Were you standing on a step stool? You must have been pretty close to the client to take that shot with a 50! (In reference to the first picture)

For the others...not sure how to put this....but her bra is showing too much for a professional head shot. The first shot is great!

No, I was on my own two feet on my tippie toes. The first one, mind you, is cropped to some extent. I cropped her bra out, because, as you mentioned, that was an issue. I'm wasn't quite sure how to get rid of it in post without it looking too weird/obvious.

Thanks!

The last two are better because of the background. In the future, don't have the subject square their shoulders to the camera. Nice lighting though.

I absolutely love the first two. All three are great, but I'm getting a professional look out of the first two. Great job!!!

Mind if you let us in on the lighting? Natural or artificial?

jcolman wrote in post #17302833
The last two are better because of the background. In the future, don't have the subject square their shoulders to the camera. Nice lighting though.

Could you elaborate on the second bit? What do you mean? I struggle with posing, so any tips would be wonderful! And thank you!!

ShadowKingpin wrote in post #17302991
I absolutely love the first two. All three are great, but I'm getting a professional look out of the first two. Great job!!!

Mind if you let us in on the lighting? Natural or artificial?

Thank you Shadow!

The lighting is artificial. AB800 with a Vagabond Mini hanging off the light stand. The modifier is a 60" octabox.

Using an ND filter or anything to get that soft light with the DOF? They look fantastic!

These are not typical for business headshots. What type of business?

TheManInTheMoon wrote in post #17303484
Using an ND filter or anything to get that soft light with the DOF? They look fantastic!

Yes! Lee filters 2 stop ND filter for these.

texkam wrote in post #17303494

for a client who needed the photos for business use

These are not typical for business headshots. What type of business?

I'm not sure, hence the quotes in the thread. To be honest, I've never really done business portraits either. She seemed happy with them, so whatever. :P

Agreed with the squared shoulders. I do think her elbows back helped though. I tend to have them stand slightly angled and then turn their head towards me. It seems everyone is a little different. Some people have one side they prefer/favor over another, so I haven't landed on a single shot that works for all, but this is where I tend to start as it is an "inviting" angle that isn't too aggressive by having shoulders squared with the camera. This shot was indoors with natural light from large, front showroom windows.

quadwing wrote in post #17303142
Could you elaborate on the second bit? What do you mean? I struggle with posing, so any tips would be wonderful! And thank you!!

Try watching some of the youtube videos from B&H channel for posing tips. I learned a lot from those videos.

I shall! Is there any particular one you'd recommend?

Nice shots except the posing as noted. But the backgrounds scream the opposite of business. The outdoors setting say "I cant/wont pay for business headshots so I had my friend take these."

When I think business shots I think of something more like this....