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The Naked Truth

Nadia Chapman : Oct 25, 2022 1:09:00 PM

Headshots Editing

As a headshot photographer, it goes without saying that I need to have a headshot. Not just any headshot, but a headshot that portrays my skills as a photographer, confidence and approachability.

When clients are looking for a headshot photographer, they want someone who practices what they preach - and I have to confess, I haven't been doing that.

My previous headshot was taken over a year ago, and at least 25lbs lighter. Like many of us, I ate and drank my way through the COVID quarantine months, and I'm now paying the price!

I knew if I was going to like the outcome, I had to focus on the key elements of a great headshot:

Expression
Expression
Expression
Lighting
Camera height and settings

Yes, lighting and camera height are SUPER important, but expression is everything when it comes to headshots. So after a couple of attempts, I finally got an image with the expression and lighting I was looking for.

Photoshop is a gift to us all! We all have those niggling little insecurities about our appearance, and Photoshop helps us smooth them away. I admire my clients who want to keep their headshot retouching very minimal, and I always respect those wishes. My standard editing process is minimal, so as not to offend anyone (my clients get unlimited edit revisions for their images if they desire). But when it comes to myself, well, I like to go to town!

Photoshop enhancements are a personal choice, just like the outfit we wear. It's a tool to help us choose how we present ourselves to the world. At this point in my life, the power of Photoshop helped me step out of the COVID shadows with a new headshot.

So for those who are delaying updating their headshot due to weight gain, a bad hair situation, a breakout, or any other exterior insecurity - I would like to say three things:

Don't deny yourself this moment; all versions of yourself are beautiful to someone (my son and husband help me feel this every day)
A good photographer will make the session collaborative, and you may walk out feeling great about yourself!
Photoshop is a gift - if supermodels get enhanced in photoshop, then the rest of us can use it as much or as little as we please!

And so, to that end, I give you my before and after edited headshot. Not to scare you, but to give you a little extra confidence before walking into your headshot session.

(Use the slider to see the full before and after effect)

If you are in the Portland and SE Washington area and looking to update your headshot, you can find out more information here.

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