Finding the right background for your Business Headshot

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind shooting business headshots on canvas or plain-paper backgrounds.  I think they have their place, depending on the type of business.  But I have to say, I prefer to shoot headshots in an environment, usually somewhere in the business’s office area or in a factory, or someplace visually interesting and still related to the subject.  Yes, the background for a business headshot should relate to the business, but if the business is sort of visually generic, like an accounting firm or a law office, then pretty much any office setting will do.  That’s where creativity comes in.

You don’t want to background to a business portrait so interesting that it distracts from the subject, but it should be a least a little interesting, if for no other reason than to make the photo visually appealing.  I think finding those kinds of backgrounds is something I do really well.

An experienced photographer will be able to go into an environment and select the best visual background available.  The background he chooses may never have been considered acceptable by a non-photographer, but a photographer with a good eye will be able to see all the possibilities.  A good headshot photographer will understand what good lighting and what the effect of different lenses will have on a headshot.  Many boring office areas will become visually interesting when photographed with a particular lens, a tight depth of field, and the proper lighting.

So, how do you know a photographer will be able to produce the kind headshot you’re looking for? Well, the best way is to look at their headshot portfolio.  That will tell you what to expect.

If you’d like to talk with me about having your headshot taken, please feel free to either call (412-418-2838) or email me to discuss the particulars.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!  I hope you have a great day!!