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How Professional Headshots Help You Land Your Dream Job

Professional headshot of a man with glasses in Guelph.Finding a professional headshot photographer can greatly improve your chances of finding your dream job.

The first thing people see when they view your business profile is your headshot. Having a high-quality headshot portrait makes you appear professional and gives employers a strong first impression of you. For reference, see some our professional headshots.

If you work in the entertainment industry then you understand that actor headshots and model headshots are vital for landing a job. Agencies are looking at hundreds of images per day and you need to be able to stand out from the others.

Finding the right actor headshot photographer can take you from being unknown to successful within days.

Take for example this testimonial from Jake, an actor from Ontario, Canada who saw success within a day of posting his new professional headshot by Trina online:

“I had an audition last week for the World Championships of Performing Arts, which is basically like the Olympics but for performance, and the first thing they said to me at my audition was that I had a great headshot. I got an email back from them yesterday, and I was picked to represent Canada in the acting category at the competition! So that means I’ll be going to Hollywood this summer to compete with countries all over the world!”

Jake goes on to say:

“I posted my headshot on a website frequented by agents last night, and I got a phone call less than twelve hours later from an agency asking if I was interested in doing background work with them! So a lot of stuff is happening, and a large part of it is thanks to you”

Employers will form stronger impressions of you once you have a professional headshot to showcase. Trina is experienced in doing headshot photography for various professions, from business and corporate headshots to model and actor headshots.

If you live in the Guelph or Kitchener-Waterloo area, call Trina’s studio and book an appointment for a quick and stress-free headshot session that will benefit you for years to come.

Pet Photography Tips  – PART 1

Pet Photography in Guelph, Ontario. Pet photography is getting even more popular now that everyone has cameras on their phones. If you love your pet it’s likely that you’ve got tons of pictures of them on your phone. Capturing your pet’s quirky or majestic personality on camera can give you special memories of them to cherish forever.  The common problems when taking photos of your pet are getting their personality to show through and getting clear, well-lit shots of them.

Here are some examples of pet photography that you can reference for the next time you photograph your pet.   Read on to enjoy some pet photography tips and tricks that will help you get the perfect shot.


Pet Photography Tips

  • Help your pet feel relaxed

Pet photography is difficult when your pet isn’t feeling relaxed.  Make sure that you’re feeling relaxed yourself, because animals pick up on energy and can sense when you are feeling anxious or stressed out.  Gently stroke your cat or dog to help them feel calmer if they are moving around a lot and you want to take a still picture.  You can also try taking photos after tiring them out with toys so that they aren’t as hyper.

  • Photograph your pet in good lighting

Getting good lighting is key to capturing the details of your furry friend’s face.  Natural light is the simplest method, but if you are in a room with little natural light try using cool white light bulbs as they are closest to natural light.

  • Keep your pet feeling happy while shooting

The easiest way to do this is usually by giving them treats when they sit still, so they learn over time that being your pet photography model pays off. To get a great shot of your cat, try dangling some string around and watch them become very focused.  For your dog, try holding a treat next to the camera or telling it what a ‘good dog’ it is to get them feeling happy.

  • Focus on the eyes

The eyes are the most expressive part of animals, so make sure to get some closeups.  Capturing them in action while they are playing with their toy or after they’ve made a mess and are feeling guilty can bring out some great expressions in a dog’s face (although cats are better at hiding their feelings).

  • Get on their level

To really get connected to how your pet feels, get down on the floor or in the grass when they are playing. Pet photography is all about bringing out your pet’s personality and being able to see them like another animal would see them.  If your pet sees you at the same height as them, they’ll likely feel more relaxed and connected to you, allowing you to capture them at their best.

Follow these tips to get better photos of your pet. If you live near Guelph, Ontario and want to get some professional photos of your pet, contact Trina Koster.

Professional Headshot Tips

business headshot tipsHeadshots are a challenge to get right.  There are many factors that come into play when taking the perfect headshot and it is important that you know what you are doing before deciding to become a professional headshot photographer.

How your headshot looks can have a huge impact on your chance of finding a job, so getting the right photographer for the job is crucial.

For examples of professional headshots, see Trina’s Guelph headshots gallery page. To get some tips on becoming a better headshot photographer, read on.

Tips for a Professional Headshot

  • Get the right equipment for professional headshots

Being a professional headshot photographer is an investment.  The equipment required to take crisp and high-quality indoor studio headshots requires thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment. A camera capable of capturing every detail for a headshot could cost you between $1000 – $7000 depending on the level of quality you’re going for. You’ll also need a proper lighting kit and a backdrop to pull off the perfect headshot.

  • Know what look you are going for

Depending on how you want to portray yourself, different lighting, props, and outfits can be used.  If you are an actor or model, indoor headshots and outdoor headshots can be equally effective in their own way. Studio lighting can make your good features stand out more, and provides even lighting across your whole face.  This is typical for business professionals who want a formal look. Natural light from outdoor headshots gives you a more creative look and can come across as more casual.

  • Find the client’s best side

Nobody really has a perfectly symmetrical face and hairline. When taking a headshot of your client be sure to get them to turn their heads slightly to different angles so you can get an idea of which side of their face should get more exposure to the camera.  Understanding each person’s most attractive angles will allow you to get the most flattering headshot.  You will also have to adjust the lighting according to which parts of the face you want to accentuate the most, and which features you want to conceal.

  • Make the client feel comfortable

If the client isn’t feeling comfortable during your professional headshot session, it is going to show in the photos.  Some people are naturally skilled at getting their photo taken and enjoy the shoot. Many others will feel nervous or uncomfortable with the process of getting a photoshoot done and you must learn how to put these clients at ease.  Engaging the clients in conversation and putting them at ease is a skill that you develop over time when doing professional headshot sessions.

Following these tips will help you to improve headshot photography!  If you live near Guelph, Ontario and need your headshot done or want private lessons in learning how to use you camera better, contact Trina Koster.

Part 2 of professional headshot tips coming soon!