Specific I need help with my professional head shot

[aromano95]

Hello,

I need to submit a professional headshot for a job I'm starting this summer. I didn't have access to a photographer, so I just took some photos of myself and was hoping you generous gurus would help me make them look more professional/better quality/what you would expect from a headshot in a photo studio. I am an attorney, so the photo is supposed to be "serious." I have 2 photos of my upper body -- one wearing a gold tie and one wearing a red tie.

Gold tie -- for this photo, I think I look a little washed out with the white background/white shirt. Can you darken the background and make it softer like one taken in a studio?
Red tie -- for this photo, the shadow from the flash makes the photo look cheap and unprofessional. Can you correct that and darken the background similarly?

Also, this may be asking for too much, but since it is the middle of the winter, I look pale. Is it possible to make my skin look more naturally tan? I'm also attaching a photo of me in a navy tie from the summer so you can see my skin tone when it is tan. It is more olive as I am Italian.

I really appreciate the help, it is vital that these look professional, and I would be unable to do it without your help. Thank you so much!

 

[Nxxl]

Is this what you were looking for?

 

[aromano95]

Definitely on the right track! Thank you.
Do you think alternate colored backgrounds would look better? Like a navy or burgundy or black?
Any way you can soften the photos so they look like they were taken in a studio with a nice camera?

Thanks so much!

 

[Nxxl]

I softened the images a bit, and changed the backdrops. Also dropped the brightness very slightly, as your face looked too bright as compared to the backdrop. Let me know if you would like any more changes, perhaps with a change in background or lighting.

 

[polarwoc]

Is a different coloured collar new fashion in professional photographs? I thought the collar has to be the same pattern and material as the shirt. Accordingly, here is an attempt - picture taken from @Nxxl's excellent work above. Request for changes if necessary.

 

[aromano95]

These look great, and I really appreciate your willingness to help. I have one more request, and then I'll stop being a pest. I think the gold tie photo would look great with the 2 blue backgrounds colors I'm attaching. Could you try those and see how it turns out? I'm also attaching a burgundy background -- do you think the gold tie photo would look good with the burgundy background? And for the red tie photo, I attached the burgundy background that I would love to see how it look with that color. Would the red tie contrast with the burgundy background? Should they be the same shade? Should we try one where they are the the natural colors and one edited so they are close to similar? Not sure and you're the expert, let me know what you think. I trust you and your work. Thanks again!

 

[aromano95]

Is a different coloured collar new fashion in professional photographs? I thought the collar has to be the same pattern and material as the shirt. Accordingly, here is an attempt - picture taken from @Nxxl's excellent work above. Request for changes if necessary.
View attachment 83855

Thanks for this, and that is an astute observation. I think the contrast color looks good -- I've worn this combination many times and have gotten many compliments about it. Thank you though! Awesome job with the edit!

 

[Nxxl]

Have changed the backdrop of the Gold tie images and made Brightness adjustments accordingly.



And here's the Burgundy Backdrop for the Red Tie image



I'm no expert with portraits and professional headshots etc, I'm barely an adult

But in my personal opinion, I don't think the tie should match the backdrop. There should be some sort of contrast.

And hey, don't be afraid of asking for more changes. You need to have a perfect portrait.