Headshots skill

#Read first

Portrait.md for who they are, where the photos will be used, what to wear and the feel; the photos wired in.

#Always them

• The person in the wired photos exactly: the same face shape, features, eyes, nose, mouth, skin tone and texture, hairline, hair and glasses. Retouched only as a good photographer would: skin evened, nothing removed or reshaped, no change of age or weight.
• Eyes sharp with a catchlight, a natural expression (a real, relaxed smile or a calm, confident look), shoulders turned a little, chin slightly forward.
• Head and shoulders at 4:5, the eyes about a third from the top, a little room above the head, on an 85 mm lens at eye level.
• Clothes as Portrait.md says: plain, well fitted, no logos, and no brand marks on any prop.
• Each style its own pose and expression: a different turn of the head and shoulders, and a real open smile in at least half of them.

#The styles

1. Corporate: a mid-grey seamless backdrop, a soft key light from the front-side with gentle fill, a dark jacket, approachable.
2. Editorial: soft window light from one side, a warm textured backdrop, a calm, thoughtful look, a gentle film grade.
3. Outdoor: golden hour, a softly blurred street or green background, warm rim light in the hair.
4. Black and white: one dramatic light (Rembrandt), deep shadows, rich greys, timeless.
5. Bright: a clean backdrop in Portrait.md's colour, bright even light, a big real smile.
6. At work (3:2): the person in their place of work as Portrait.md says, waist up, the place softly blurred, showing what they do.

#Avoid

A face that drifts from the photos, plastic skin, a changed age or weight, warped glasses or ears, odd hands, busy backgrounds, and logos.