3 Tips for Choosing the Right Headshot Photographer

Much like a resume, a professional headshot is one of the best ways to make a great first impression on a prospective employer or client. It's your chance to put your best face on the situation and create a positive feeling in the mind of the person you're trying to make a connection with, and it needs to look like the best version of yourself. 

When a photo is so vital to your future, it's important to prepare as best as you can, and that includes making sure that you research your photographer to find someone who's going to put you in the best possible light and help you display your best self to the world. Here's what you need to look for to find the right person. 

Choose Comfort Level

One of the most underrated aspects of choosing a Washington, DC, headshot photographer is to find someone that you are personally comfortable with when taking photos. The reason is simple: most people produce their best look when they're completely relaxed and at ease with their situation. If you're tense and nervous throughout the photo shoot, you're not going to look anywhere near as good as you can under the right circumstances.

The ideal person for taking your professional model DC headshots is someone who you feel connected to and who makes you feel comfortable taking direction from to get the perfect look. If you find yourself with a negative gut feeling when you start talking to the photographer, that's a sign that he or she is probably not the right photographer for what you need. You want someone you can trust 100 percent to make you look the best you possibly can so that you make the impression you seek.

Find the Right Price

Read that again: it says find the right price, not necessarily the cheapest price. The right price is the one where you get the most value for your money. If someone charges you $99 for a photo but produces images that are substandard quality, you're not going to get back the money you paid in the form of a client. When you're not happy with the quality of work that you received, people who see your headshot aren't going to be happy either, and they're not going to make that connection. It's far better to pay $500 for a headshot that lands you two or three job interviews than to pay $100 for a headshot that gets thrown away.

When deciding on price, you need to take a look at the photographer's work and ask yourself, "Is this how I would want myself to look? Would I be comfortable paying someone to present me at this price?" If you can answer those questions yes, you have a possible photographer.

Clear Up Confusion

The best way to know if you're getting a good deal is to ask questions about anything on which you are unclear. Feel free to ask about lighting, number of shots, clothes, position, anything that comes to mind. A good photographer will be able to answer everything to your satisfaction and leave you with a good feeling about what they'll provide. If you feel like you can't ask, look somewhere else. You need to be comfortable about communicating with your photographer.

Finding a Washington, DC, headshot photographer comes down to trusting someone to make you look your best at a price that makes sense for both of you. When you can find a person who you feel comfortable with, you're going to naturally open up to them — and that's going to get you the best headshots that will help you make business connections.