Professional Photographer Steve Glass
Thanks for visiting my website. I am Atlanta photographer Steve Glass, I’ve been a professional photographer in Atlanta for over 15 years. I specialize in corporate photography especially headshots. On a backdrop, using your office as the background, a view through the window, and outdoor headshots are the most common requests I get. I also do editorial assignments and use that style to create photographic collateral for companies. I can come to your location or you can come to my home studio in Gwinnett County very near I-85 and Old Peachtree Road exit.
All Great Headshots Have One Thing in Common
An unflinching gaze into the camera. If you are able to look into the lens with an unflinching gaze and portray warmth and confidence, other considerations tend to fall away in my opinion. There are occasions when an “eyes away” shot serve, but I think of headshots as eyes to lens. If you can meet the lens with confidence and warmth you’ll get the headshot you need. You are in fact meeting someone’s gaze in return. A future customer, an employer, a casting director, or maybe even a future partner or spouse. You want a subtle confidence and kindness that creates approachability.
The Headshot Process
Capturing Your Headshot
I work with individuals out of my home studio or at a location like your office or home. I will also go to Piedmont Park or some other locale. I charge more for location work because of the time, cartage, and opportunity costs involved. The process is the same either inside on location or at my home studio.
I shoot with my camera tethered to a computer or high resolution screen. We take a set of shots as I coach you in expression and posture. We look at the images together. We make observations and I make suggestions as to what we can do to improve your headshot. I coach you in expression and posture. We continue this process until we're confident we have some solid takes to choose from. As we review the takes we eliminate from consideration the shots that just didn't work for whatever reason. .
I do not limit the number of takes. The average person who comes in for a single headshot requires 50 to 100 takes to get a few good choices. This usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
On location the time is abbreviated. When you hire me to come to you to shoot a number of subjects, it’s usually tied to another event. Headshots are an add on to the day and people have meetings and training to attend. I’m usually lucky to get 5 minutes with someone on location. Of course I can take longer time permitting. I am accustomed to working quickly under these circumstances and still capturing good expressions. Conferences are also an occasion to bring a headshot photographer in. If you’re hiring me to shoot an event, such as a conference we should discuss a strategy.
Selecting Your Favorite Take(s)
After our session. I send you a link to a “proofing gallery” which is accessed online. Some people want to see a great many takes while others want me to cull the selections down to a manageable number. Most want a limited number to choose from. Either way is fine.
You select the images you want retouched from the proofing gallery. The proofing gallery lets you grade the images and then filter down the number to consider. Once you've indicated the selection(s) you want retouched you hit the yellow “submit” button in the upper right of the interface. The system emails me automatically and lets me know that you've made your selection.
Retouching Your Headshot
I do my own retouching. I'm your most affordable option for high quality retouching. I take retouching very seriously and I keep up on the latest techniques. As Photoshop adds algorithms techniques change and evolve. I purchase new courses and assimilate these new techniques into my workflow. While YouTube is replete with various techniques, and those can be helpful, I use ProEdu, CreativeLive, and a number of folks who sell their education direct.
Having said that we should strive to get as much right in camera as possible. Shaving, haircuts, clothing fit, it’s all very important to get right in camera.
Delivery Of Your Headshot
Headshots are delivered via e-mail or Dropbox. They come in print and web resolutions.
Tips For A Better Headshot
Should I Get Professional Make-Up?
It depends. Certainly for women who wear make-up, especially if you’re in the habit of applying base everyday, it can be helpful to have a professional on several counts. For men I don’t recommend it. If you you are a woman who never wears foundation, often your everyday make-up will work just fine. Since I give you all the takes from an acting session, it can improve your yield to have professional make-up. If you’re at a point in your life where aging skin bothers you, then I say it’s worth it. Some women who are in the habit of using professional make-up simply book an MUA (Make-Up Artist) because it’s relaxing.
I do not recommend stopping by the MAC or Sephora counter on the way to me. My experience is that it’s inconsistent and tends to be heavy handed. If you use one of the folks I recommend you’re using experienced MUAs who are often on the set of movie productions. It may feel heavy handed but it won’t look that way.
If you are coming to me at my home studio I can recommend professional hair and make-up folks that will meet you at my home. I do not recommend you bring your own. They may be as good as or better than my recommendations for all I know. But I don’t know their work. I know the work of the folks I recommend. They work on movie sets and television studios. I do not mark up their services and charge you. You pay them directly. All I get in return is a well prepped subject.
I don’t think men benefit greatly from professional hair and make-up. Larger societal questions and implications aside, it’s how it is. There is a visual currency and we’re not use to seeing men with make-up in most situations. Does an experienced MUA make a man look better? Yes. But in my opinion it’s not as significant as with women.
Should I Wear A Jacket?
A nice jacket looks great and is slimming. Most of us are carrying excess pounds. A well tailored jacket shaves pounds off.
There are two industries where jackets seem non-negotiable. Lawyers and Finance. If you’re going to ask to be trusted with someone’s liberty or their life’s savings, people want to see that you can afford a nice suit! Do what you have to when you’re first starting out. Just make sure of the fit. There are places on line that will make suits from your measurements. If you get measured well it works. Certainly for a headshot.
Overshirts As A Jacket Alternative
Overshirts are a great alternative to a traditional jacket. They are more affordable then jackets. They still provide those vertical lines that give can thin your body. They provide texture and dimension. Fit isn’t nearly as critical yet you should still do your best to have them fit well. Tech industry people would do well to wear an overshirt.
Men’s Ties
A lost art! I’ll give it the ol’ college try for you. I can usually tie a convincing single or double Windsor in a pinch. BUT! Don’t bunch your tie up and bring it to the session in your pocket. Spend some money on a tie that’s going to have some great fabric. It’ll take a knot better. Bring some choices. Go ahead and buy a new tie or borrow one if you need to. You’ll be glad you did!
Women’s Jackets
Women seem to need much less convincing. One caveat here. A sweater is not a jacket. In my opinion you want a fabric with some structure that hangs the clothing on your frame. A well fitted jacket that hangs (versus clinging and form fitting) will shave weight off visually.
Jewelry
Jewelry is highly personal and cultural. I am reminded of a woman, easily in her late 70’s, who introduced herself as “Ellen from Yonkers”. That classic old school New York City accent. Ellen greatly over accessorized. Huge multi-rowed large necklace made up of alternating round and square pieces of wood, large earrings, oversized eyeglasses. This all made up her persona. I didn’t dare try to talk her out of it. A younger woman I might have. Here’s the thing, a headshot is not a party. People don’t have the chance to get to know you. In many ways it might be the most unfair 1/2000th second of your life. It will be a first impression for many. In my opinion you do not want to distract from your expression. Simple adornments are best. Don’t distract someone’s eye with multiple layers of necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, and earrings. Those are all well and good and should be featured in your daily wardrobe. Come headshot day, simplify. Wrist wear usually isn’t an issue unless we’re doing “table shots” or waist-up shots.
Having said that, if you’re “Ellen from Yonkers”… by all means, be yourself.
False Eyelashes
False eyelashes can add drama to your look, but they can have a drawback. Some eyelashes block the “catchlight” in the subject’s eyes, making the eyes look lifeless. Catchlights are the “specular” highlight, the reflection of light in your eyes.
If you plan to apply lashes for your headshot session, do a test first. If you have lights over the bathroom mirror, stand at a reasonable distance from the mirror with your eyelashes on and see if you can see the reflection of those lights in your eyes. If your eyes are dark, it’s problematic. Your eye color will not show up, and your eyes will seem dead.
The artists I use for makeup do a great job on eyelashes. They are natural and do not block the catchlight from the subject’s eyes. If I have to, I can add eyelashes in Photoshop. I’d rather do that than try and bring life to an eyeball that has been shaded by an eyelash that is unnaturally long.
Colored Contact Lenses
I’m not a fan of colored contact lenses that replace your natural iris. I’ve never seen colored contact lenses that I thought looked better than a naturally colored eye iris. It looks fake on at least two accounts. It doesn’t go with your natural appearance and the lenses have too much detail and look fake in and of themselves. As a portrait photographer, specifically a professional headshot photographer, eyes hold an endless fascination for me. I give special care to them to make sure the viewer’s attention is encouraged to meet the gaze of the subject. When I see colored contact lenses with the embedded detail, I can’t help but think of low budget sci-fi. Nothing looks better than what God gave you! Trust me, your eyes are beautiful! No need to cover up the iris God gave you.
Your Expression
I saw some footage of Richard Avedon working with a very young Cindy Crawford. In his direction to Crawford, Avedon said, “Have a thought.” I find this very helpful. Most of us are not actors. There seems to be something in the very ambition of being an actor that creates confidence in front of the lens that the average person lacks. “Having a thought” Avedon explained, was to inform your nervous system as to how you might be feeling.
The closed mouth smile is a great look. For men especially I prefer it, many women too. The mistake people make is pursing their lips. You see the skin dimple around the mouth along with marionette lines being accentuated due to the compression. This is not a smile. Some might use the word “smirk” for this look. Again, “have a thought” but have a subtle thought. Mona Lisa but more obvious. As if a fond remembrance is occurring and there is a quiet satisfaction. Or perhaps you’re conveying subtle approval to a friend. The look one might have watching their grade school child perform in a play.
Do some work in the mirror “having a thought” and see what you can come up with.
Types Of Headshot Backgrounds
Gray Background
The reason gray is so ubiquitous is that it works with just about anything. The density of the gray, light or dark, is simply controlled by how much light you put on it.
Environmental Headshots & Business Portraits
Using an environment can be a way to add a bit of your company culture to your shots. If you want a portrait of a key player in your company, shooting them in an environment in an editorial style is a great way to feature them.
The biggest issue is having a great environment. For some, the solution is blurring the background beyond recognition. That can work but personally I’d rather see gray or some subtle color on seamless paper. There’s a few reasons for that and as a photographer I’m sure I overthink those reasons.
If you are an individual looking to get environmental shots from me, we’ll have to talk about a location. Many folks think it’s easy to “Photoshop” or “green screen” someone into a background. Photographers most often refer to this as “compositing”. There are no composites on my website. I do them on occasion but they require some forethought. Compositing takes great care in photographing to match the lighting and color (white balance) of your backplate and subject. My philosophy is to get it as much as possible in camera. It is a misconception to think you can shoot someone anywhere, anyway you like, and plop them on any background you like. If you want a quality shot you need to give it some forethought and preparation.
Some ideas for environments are:
Air Bnb rooms
Hotel rooms
Does the hotel your meeting in have an area they’ll let you use for a time?
Shared workspace like WeWork or Spaces
Your home or a friend’s home that has large rooms
A venue on an off day might give you a deal for a few hours in a couple of their rooms
Using The View Through The Window
This is especially good if your office floor has a view through the window with an iconic view of your city. If your brand inherits some of it's gravitas from the city you operate in, it’s a great way to show your allegiance to that city and gain the prestige that comes with that city.
The downside is weather. You might have to reschedule or have a plan B. There are some instances where once I have a the “backplate” shot of your view through the window, I can shoot your folks and composite them into that shot.
Outdoors
Here are some samples. If you can find an area that has layers of different types and heights of greenery, you’ll get an image with dimension. For a headshot that background is a lot like clothing in the sense that you don’t someone to look at your professional headshot and say, “Wow! Where was that?” Generally speaking at least. Just like you don’t want a tie or blouse that’s so busy it distracts from your face.
Options might include a park, outdoor courtyard at your office complex, a neighborhood clubhouse with landscaping. Even a hedge row lining your parking lot can work. But the more more layers and variety in the greenery, the better the image works in my opinion. Many of my outdoor headshots for companies are in their parking lot. This is easy especially if you’re in an office/light industrial space. That is a single story office type space. For offices downtown I often meet at Piedmont Park or some other city park.
Downside of course is weather. I share the risk with you on outdoor headshots. Most often I do them in my front yard which provides the background with depth and dimension.