Let’s be honest, seeing yourself through the lens of high-resolution photography can be daunting. Many of us are accustomed to the forgiving nature of Instagram filters or Zoom enhancements, which skew our perception of reality. This shift can make viewing unretouched headshot proofs a challenge. But I assure you, you have better things to worry about. Here are a few things to keep in mind for context.
Straight Out of the Camera
Headshot photographers, often show proofs that are straight out of the camera, with only minor adjustments for color and contrast. The goal is to capture a great image right from the start, minimizing the need for heavy retouching and keeping the image as natural as possible. Yet, the best in camera captures will reveal minor imperfections like facial lines or flyaways. And that’s ok.
Too Close For Comfort
One common pitfall is the urge to zoom into these proofs to pixel-level detail. This level of scrutiny is unnecessary and unhelpful, as no one else will inspect your headshot with such intensity. People viewing your headshot, whether on LinkedIn, a company website, or a business card, will focus on your major facial features and overall expression. These images are generally viewed at a much smaller scale where many minor imperfections become invisible.
Don’t Zoom In & Second Opinions
So when reviewing your proofs, please resist the temptation to zoom in! Instead, view your images at the intended display size. Thumbnails, for example, are an excellent way to gauge the effectiveness of a headshot. Ask for feedback from trusted friends or family, who are likely to view your photo more objectively than you might.
Remember, the goal of a headshot is to represent you as you are today. Your audience wants to see the real you (today, not from twenty years ago). A little retouching is perfectly acceptable but stay true to your current appearance. You've hired a photographer to handle (and worry about) the details, so you don’t have to.
