Our photo session is almost here!

I’m sure you have lots of questions and concerns about what to bring, what to wear, and what to DO! Fret not and feel free to take a look at this guidebook below. This guidebook will give you some great ideas and advice on how we will enjoy our headshot session.

Welcome

A good headshot offers a glimpse into who you are, what you do, and why you do it.

It is a visual connection that offers people a chance to put a face to your name, and it’s incredibly important for any business or brand.

There are many factors that go into a headshot portrait, from posing and lighting to angles and editing, and that’s why it’s important to make the investment in a professional if you want the absolute best results.

Good images are important and you and your business deserve them.

More Than One Look for Your Headshot

While headshots are intended to present a professional appearance, there is more than one way to make your headshot work. Headshots reflect your personality, your identity and your brand. However, there is more than one use for a headshot. Headshots can be used for your resume, LinkedIn profile, company directory, and audition, or even just for fun!

Depending on how you plan to use your headshots, you will need to select a look that appeals to your audience. For instance, your company directory may require a more professional look than your LinkedIn profile, which allows for a more relaxed feel.

Check out these examples for different headshot styles and their uses:

Casual and friendly style for the business owner who wants to give off an inviting and approachable look.
Fun, not-so-corporate style for your start-up tech company whose target audience is a more youthful crowd.
Professional and qualified style for the applicant who intends to land a CEO position in a law firm or other large company.

The possibilities are endless, so determine how your headshots will be used and select the look you need No matter what you decide, be sure to let your individual personality shine through each image!

Characteristics of a Great Headshot

You have your look, you have chosen your photographer, and you have booked your photo session. Now what? How do you ensure that your headshots reflect the vibe you want, are of high quality and will help you stand out from the crowd? These are five characteristics of a great headshot. If you stick to these simple rules, you will leave your session with headshots you love.

Clean and simple – the goal of a headshot is to show who you are in a professional manner. The best way to do this is to keep your headshots clean and simple, with nothing to distract from you!
Confident and approachability – Visibly showing off your personality in your headshot demonstrates self-confidence, which automatically leads others to feel confident in you as well.
Smile with your teeth – and your eyes! This goes without saying, but real smiles radiate a genuine vibe that will attract your audience. Be open to making yourself laugh or letting your photographer make you laugh.
Personality over glamour – Make sure your headshots look like you. Do not overdo it with makeup, hair or clothing. Just be unapologetically you!
Conservative Colors – By wearing conservative colors, the focus stays on you, your smile and your personality. Occasionally, we can always break the rules but if you’re not fully sure what to do, conservative is best.

Headshot Session Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you know the characteristics that will make your headshots awesome, here are some mistakes to avoid before getting your headshots and during your headshot session.

Not coming prepared – You do have to put in the work for a successful product. This included having your outfit ready, your hair, and makeup done, and arriving on time. Otherwise, you may feel rushed or flustered, and you will likely be unhappy with your headshots.
Not looking like yourself – A headshot is supposed to reflect who you are, so do not try to be someone that you are not. For example, wearing an outfit, shoes, or makeup that you wouldn’t normally wear, might make you feel uncomfortable, which will show through in your images.
Fake smiles – A fake smile can give off an impression of ingenuity and lack of personality. Not sure how to get that perfect, real smile for the camera? Try bringing a friend with you to the session, to play music that helps you feel more relaxed and comfortable. Also, be open to one of our many terrible dad jokes!
“Statement” clothing – Headshots are about you, not your clothing Now is not the time for a fashion show, so save your statement pieces for a different kind of photo shoot!
Choosing the wrong setting – Make sure the location of your headshot fits with the image you are trying to create. For example, an indoor headshot make more sense for a corporate look than an outdoor headshot.

Branding Images

With headshots, the focus is simply on you, usually shot from the waist up. Headshots can also be a part of personal or company branding sessions, but we don’t stop there. We delve deep into not just who you are visually, but telling the story of what you do and why you do it via detail shots, lifestyle shots, photos of you in action, you with your products, and more.

The possibilities are endless and each session is customized to best reflect the type of business you run and the message you wish to convey about your brand through images. For branding, our pre-shoot experience will be a bit more involved and in-depth in the pre-planning stages. We help you decide how to best translate your brand into images that you can use on social media, your website, and in advertising. Each brand is different and each session is personalized.

We typically aim for these 5 core branding elements below. If you have any ideas of how you would like your brand to be reflected, we’d love to hear them!

Session Pricing

Option One:

This session is an up to 90-minute session with up to 5 outfit changes. Our sessions take place at either our TOPTIA Photography studio or a location you have access to. This option comes with complimentary hair and makeup services, guided posing, access to our styling wardrobe and one complimentary image with the option to purchase more a la carte or photo collection.

50,000 yen session fee

Option Two:

Headshots for multiple people. Have a small team of 5 or perhaps 10, 30, 50, 100? We also have high-volume photo sessions that can be tailored to your company’s needs and schedule. Quotations can be tailored to the number of team members and number of sessions needed for your photographic needs. Pricing includes labor rate + photo packages.

Half Day Rate: 96,000 yen
Full Day Rate: 186,000 yen

Making of a Photo Session

Coming into a photo session can have its fair share of nervousness. A large part of that nervousness is not knowing what you’re walking into on the day of your session. Whether it’s at one of our studios, your office or a public location. Myself, my assistant, hair & makeup artists are here to help you put your best look forward.

Well before the day of our session, our consultation will layout the entire workflow as well as hair & makeup and styling options if you feel you need some help in those areas.

Professional Hair & Makeup Appointment

Booking a professional hair and makeup appointment prior to your headshot session is recommended. Why? A headshot will often be your first impression, whether for employers, clients, or coworkers. Therefore, you should be prepared to look like your very best self! Professional stylists can help you cover blemishes, balance skin tones tame your hair, and more so that you look and feel your absolute best.

Another added bonus of having professional hair and makeup is that you do not have to worry about the details. Instead, you can sit back, relax, and focus on showing off your personality at the headshot session. Besides helping you look your best, your professional stylists will leave you with an added level of self-confidence and belief in yourself that will radiate through your photos.

Remember, if you are using a new stylist or makeup artist, it is always a good idea to do a trial run before your headshot session. This way, you can know for sure that you are getting the look you want, If there is anything you feel uncomfortable about, you can bring that up in the trial run, rather than scrambling when it is actually show time!

Headshot Prep Checklist

Once you have booked your session, follow this simple checklist so that you are ready!

Determine why you are getting headshots (company directory, LinkedIn profile, resume, portfolio, etc.)
Determine the setting for your headshot. Do you want to be in the photo studio, on location, or outdoors? If you are not sure, talk to your photographer to figure out the best place for your photos!
Get your hair and makeup done. Booking a professional. Getting an appointment is recommended. Besides bringing your headshots to the next level, you will radiate self-confidence that shines through the photos.
Pick your outfit. It should be clean, wrinkle-free, professional, and reflect your personality.
Get lots of sleep the night before your session.
Smile!