10 Tips for an Amazing Headshot

In today’s world of social media and online networking your profile photo is often the first thing that people see when they visit your personal or professional profiles. A good profile photo can make a positive first impression and help you stand out from others. It can also help increase engagement on social media by encouraging people to click on your profile and interact with your content. With this in mind this guide will help you make the most of your photo shoot and achieve images you love.

CLOTHING

Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Solid colors and simple patterns work best as they won't distract from your face. The attention should be on you not your clothes.

MAKEUP

Try to avoid foundation and moisturisers that contain SPF as this can result in a high amount of shine from the studio lights in your image. Products that add shimmer can also have undesired effects under flash. Products with a matt finish are usually a better option.

HAIR

Please check hair before shoot, single strands can be retouched but clumps of hair out of place cannot. You may want to schedule your haircut a few days before your shoot.

FACIAL HAIR

If you use wax products try to do this a couple of days in advance to avoid redness. When shaving aim to avoid doing this directly before the shoot to avoid any excessive red bumps or rash. Don’t worry spots and blemishes can be removed in the edit.

SKIN

For best results aim to ensure you are well hydrated and have had a good nights sleep beforehand.

HANDS

Depending on the pose your hands may be in shot so consider nails and watches. Avoid hair bobbles on your wrist.

GLASSES

If you want to wear glasses in your shoot avoid any blemishes by polishing the lenses beforehand.

Expressions and POSING

Practice your smile and different facial expressions in front of a mirror to get comfortable with how you want to look. Your photographer will help with posing, but take a moment to look at previous pictures you have had taken and the poses that have worked well for you in the past. A google image search for ‘professional headshot photography’ will also help if you wanted some ideas beforehand.

Communicate with the photographer

Let the photographer know what kind of look you're going for and any specific preferences you have. Don't be afraid to ask questions or provide feedback during the shoot.

Relax and have fun

Remember that headshot photoshoots are meant to be enjoyable! Try to relax, have fun, and let your personality shine through.

Ready to book your next photo shoot for yourself or your team? Get in touch to discuss your requirements. ✋

Amazon Product Photography FAQ

What are Amazon's product image guidelines?

1. Use a white background: Product images must be on a pure white background. The image should not include any additional objects or accessories, and the product should fill at least 85% of the image frame. This only applies to your main image, supporting images allow for more flexibility and creativity to help show the products full potential.

2. Show the product clearly: The image should show the product clearly and accurately, with no distortions or blurriness. It should be well lit and show the product from all angles, including any important details or features.

3. Use high-quality images: Images must be high resolution, at least 1000 pixels on the longest side. Images should be in focus, with accurate color representation and no pixelation.

4. Avoid text or watermarks: Images should not include text, logos, or watermarks, as these can detract from the product and make it harder for customers to see the product clearly.

5. Include all necessary images: Listings should include all necessary images to give customers a complete understanding of the product. This may include images of the product from different angles, images of the packaging, and images of the product in use.

6. Follow category-specific guidelines: Amazon has specific image guidelines for different categories, such as clothing, jewelry, and electronics. Sellers should familiarize themselves with these guidelines to ensure that their images meet the requirements for their specific category.

What type of background should I use for my Amazon product images?

Amazon requires that product images have a pure white background. This means that the background should be a solid, bright white color without any shadows, gradients, textures, or patterns. Often this achieved using photoshop to cut or ‘clip’ the product out and replacing the background with a solid white (RGB 255/255/255) layer. Even you intend to cut the product out it is still important to shoot on a white background to avoid any unwanted colour casts on the product.

A white background helps to keep the focus on the product and makes it easier for customers to see the product clearly. It also creates a consistent look across all Amazon listings, which makes it easier for customers to compare products.

What size and format should my Amazon product images be?

Although Amazon specifies a minimum of 1000 pixels you can submit images up to 10,000 pixels on the longest edge as long as the file size is under 10mb. By utilizing this file size you allow amazon to produce high resolution zoom images. This means that customers can hover their mouse on images and inspect the product closely. However, it is important to remember that images must be shot on a high resolution camera in the first place rather than simply scaling up the image in a photo editor to avoid pixelation when zooming in.

How many images should I include in my Amazon listing?

Standard Amazon listings allow 7 images to be displayed in the main product image section.

What types of images CAN I include in my Amazon listing?

Main Product Image

Your main product image is the most important image on your Amazon listing. It should be a high-quality image that showcases your product in the best possible way. Your main product image should be on a white background and should show the product from the front.

Lifestyle Images

Lifestyle images show your product in use, in context, or in a way that highlights its features and benefits. Lifestyle images can be especially effective for products that are hard to visualize or that have unique features. Lifestyle images can also help customers imagine themselves using the product.

Infographic Images

Infographic images are visual representations of information or data that help customers understand your product’s features or benefits. Infographic images can be especially useful for products that have complex features or that require assembly.

Comparison Images

Comparison images show your product next to a competitor's product or a different version of your product. Comparison images can be effective at highlighting the differences between your product and your competitors' products or showing the improvements you've made to your product over time.

Packaging Images

Packaging images show the packaging that your product comes in. If your product has unique packaging, or if the packaging is part of the product experience, you should consider including packaging images on your Amazon listing.

Video/Animation

One video or animation can be included to highlight important features and show the product being used often giving your listing an edge over competitors. Although this format has its benefits it is important to note the production cost is usually much higher than other types of imagery and customers will not immediately see the video unless they specifically click on it.

Can I use stock images on my Amazon listing?

Amazon requires that all images used in product listings are original and of high quality. This means that sellers cannot use stock images in their Amazon listings.

Amazon's product image guidelines state that images must accurately represent the product being sold, and using stock images can be misleading to customers. Additionally, using stock images can violate copyright laws if the seller does not have the appropriate licensing rights.

How can I optimize my Amazon product images for SEO?

Only EBC (Enhanced Brand Content) images can be optimised for SEO using ALT Image tags. If you include images using the EBC feature in amazon then it is important to name the images using a description rather than keywords. Not only will this make your content more accessible for visually impaired users it will also help your listing on search engines and within Amazon. Amazon reads your image filenames and uses this information as an ALT Image tag. So to make use of this feature change your image filename to a clear description of the image. e.g. ‘Young woman in a white top using teeth whitening device whilst using a mobile phone.jpg’

Do I need a professional photographer for my Amazon product images?

Hiring a professional photographer for Amazon product images can offer several benefits:

• High-quality images: Professional photographers have the equipment and expertise needed to produce high-quality images that accurately represent your product. This can help your product stand out in search results and attract more customers.

• Consistency: Professional photographers can ensure that all of your product images have a consistent look and feel, which can help improve the overall quality of your listings and make your brand more recognizable.

• Efficiency: Professional photographers can work quickly and efficiently to produce high-quality images, which can save you time and resources compared to trying to take the images yourself.

• Meeting Amazon's image guidelines: Professional photographers are familiar with Amazon's strict image guidelines and can ensure that your images meet these requirements. This can help prevent your listings from being removed from the site or receiving lower search rankings.

• Creative input: Professional photographers can offer creative input and suggestions for how to best showcase your product in images. This can help you create unique and eye-catching images that stand out from your competitors.

• Expertise in editing and retouching: Professional photographers have expertise in editing and retouching images, which can help improve the overall quality of your product images and make your products look even more appealing to customers.

If you are new to selling on Amazon or an experienced seller with an under performing listing get in touch and we can talk about how to take your listings to the next level!