HEADSHOTS- Starting up My business, thoughts on my work so far

Hey everyone! I'm in the process of starting my business, specifically in the world of headshots. I've attached a link to some of my work in the past year doing odd jobs and was hopping for criticisms, harsh or otherwise.

In terms of workflow I've gotten it down pretty well, can have a client happy after the first shot, and keep building from there. I shoot into capture one into a custom profile that get's us most of the way there minus retouching, lighting is starting to get pretty standardized.

Issue is I can't tell how good my own work is, nor am I an expert in marketing, and am wondering how some of you started your commercial business.

Thanks,

FelixCLC

https://www.flickr.com​/gp/125873414@N06/68U7​8J

Here is what I love about these. First, there is a good variety of shots here. Shows you know how to use different lighting. My only ask here was you don't have enough environmental shots... most are against generic background. It would be interesting if you have a few more that pointed to an industry or domain. Second - they aren't all perfect people. Absolutely love that part of it. Real people.

I think you are off to a great start. Some will complain that a few have too heavy shadows over the face. But thats kind of a trendy look right now. So I see no issues with it.

The only one I really don't love is "Alexander Caravaggio 296". Lighting is a bit heavy handed in my never to be humble opinion. But as a body of week..... good start.

Croasdail wrote in post #18721701
Here is what I love about these. First, there is a good variety of shots here. Shows you know how to use different lighting. My only ask here was you don't have enough environmental shots... most are against generic background. It would be interesting if you have a few more that pointed to an industry or domain. Second - they aren't all perfect people. Absolutely love that part of it. Real people.

I think you are off to a great start. Some will complain that a few have too heavy shadows over the face. But thats kind of a trendy look right now. So I see no issues with it.

The only one I really don't love is "Alexander Caravaggio 296". Lighting is a bit heavy handed in my never to be humble opinion. But as a body of week..... good start.

Everything Croasdail says +1. It's a great job so far. I'm not sure about Emily though, I might have put the light on the other side and did the same pose just to see if the shadow brought out a little more contour or something on the other side, but I see what you where after and you still succeeded to a large degree. **Edit to add: I have my mouse hovering over her image causing the bottom gradient to stay visible and make more perceived shadow. So less of what I said about Emily.

Keep getting people. I think the harder task is engaging with people to make the flattering shots. You're on a good roll so far.

First of, thank you for taking the time to look through them!

Really happy to hear someone outside of my circle.

One of my largest issues right now is getting new clients. I've taken my website down as of now as I don't think it was any good, and am growing my social following, but short of posting to some local facebook groups I'm not certain of what my next move should be. I'm hoping to start getting referrals in the future, but I'm not there as of yet.

Croasdail wrote in post #18721701
Here is what I love about these. First, there is a good variety of shots here. Shows you know how to use different lighting. My only ask here was you don't have enough environmental shots... most are against generic background. It would be interesting if you have a few more that pointed to an industry or domain. Second - they aren't all perfect people. Absolutely love that part of it. Real people.

I think you are off to a great start. Some will complain that a few have too heavy shadows over the face. But thats kind of a trendy look right now. So I see no issues with it.

The only one I really don't love is "Alexander Caravaggio 296". Lighting is a bit heavy handed in my never to be humble opinion. But as a body of week..... good start.

samueli wrote in post #18721753
Everything Croasdail says +1. It's a great job so far. I'm not sure about Emily though, I might have put the light on the other side and did the same pose just to see if the shadow brought out a little more contour or something on the other side, but I see what you where after and you still succeeded to a large degree. **Edit to add: I have my mouse hovering over her image causing the bottom gradient to stay visible and make more perceived shadow. So less of what I said about Emily.

Keep getting people. I think the harder task is engaging with people to make the flattering shots. You're on a good roll so far.

Thank you! On the topic of getting more people, what have you found works for you in terms of growing your clients base? I feel as if that's one of my largest issues as of now.