Headshot advice and Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED HEADSHOT QUESTIONS

Here are some of my favourite questions about your headshot session. If you have any other questions or are ready to book your session, contact Mandy on +44 (0)1983 617383 or Mandy on +44 (0)7719316609 or email [email protected]

Q. How do I arrange my headshot session?

Simply phone +44 (0)7719316609 or email. A date will be booked for your headshot or family session with Mandy on the Isle of Wight. At this point, you will receive a booking confirmation by email with your client contract and session guide, with the flexibility to defer your session if need be. You will also receive a questionnaire to fill in asking what you would like to achieve from your session. Once the £20 non-refundable retainer has been received, I’ll put together your personal styling guide. We’ll chat online before the session to get to know each other better and this will be another opportunity for you to discuss your requirements and ask any questions.

It is really important to me that you achieve what you want from your portrait experience and that is why I take so much care to identify your hopes and expectations beforehand.

Q. What are the hidden extras?

Zip. Zilch. Nothing. There’s no hard sell. And full transparency. You only buy what you like.

Q. How will you look after me?

You won’t need to worry about what to wear or how long the session will take. Each photo shoot comes with a bespoke brochure that is custom prepared for you. You’ll know exactly what to expect, plus I’ll share the secrets on how to take a good photo. Let me take control of the details, so you can eagerly anticipate your day, confident that your portraits will be fabulous.

Q. Worried about looking your best?

I’ll share my little-known tips on how to present yourself to the camera. You can expect light edits as standard on your images to remove the superficial blemishes that are an everyday occurrence in our lives. If you fancy the spa treatment on your digital files, you can request the luxury ‘beautify me’ package designed to show you at your best.

Q. I’m a real person, not a model

Everyone hates posing for photos, it’s just not something we do every day.

When people use the word ‘posing’ it’s easy to imagine a chorus of “say cheese”, accompanied with a contrived pose. That won’t be happening on your photoshoot.

My style is relaxed, easy-going, and a little silly… I’m not going to ask you to sit quietly, glare into the camera, and smile. My aim is to provide an engaging experience during the session, with the bonus of fabulous images at the end.

Q. What to wear

Think simple.

Headshots – The number one rule is: wear long sleeves to put the focus on your face. Tailored clothes create a flattering profile as do form-fitting outfits that flow along the body. Avoid creased, wrinkled shirts, patterns, logos and outfits that pull when you fold your arms. Everyone looks great in grey, but you’ll also want to choose colours that match your business brand which is why I offer a bespoke service and style your session.

Families …..Find one perfect article, whether it’s a dress for you or a shirt for your son, and pull colours from that for the rest of the outfits. Coordinating colours look so much more pleasing than identical outfits… seasonal styles also work well. Think spring shades, summer shawls, or autumnal wraps for the family. Choose a style then build from there… image your portrait in 10 years’ time, will it still reflect who your family are?

Q. How long do I have to wait to see my images?

I’m thrilled when you’re visibly excited about your prints.

When you first see your proofing gallery, you’ll be glad you decided to have your portraits done. Especially when your friends and family are wowed by your images. An email will be sent 2-3 days after your session, with 30 perfectly exposed previews in your private proofing gallery for a period of 3 weeks. The proofing gallery has light edits only. I know it seems like a hassle, but image theft is a huge problem, and I watermark previews to help protect your privacy.

Simply order the photos you like and I’ll handcraft your images to perfection. They will be delivered via Dropbox/Wetransfer within a week. I want you to enjoy your photographs, so make sure you share your portraits with friends and family.

Q. What can I do with my images?

Show them off!

When you hear the first click of the shutter, you sense that a moment has been captured. I take your hopes and vision and transform them with care, attention, and expertise. I deliver outstanding photographs that make you feel proud. You’ll want to make sure your portraits get the attention they deserve.

Headshot: your photographs are print-ready and full-sized to be used on websites, author pages, portfolios, and advertisements. The world is your oyster.

Q. Can I combine headshots, dating photos, and portraits?

Yes! I’ll create a range of pictures to suit your goals – business, personal, and a little bit in between.

Q. When do I see my previews?

My aim is to share your unedited images as soon as possible. It’s typically between 2-3 days. You’ll receive a private gallery which you can share with friends and families.

Q. My ideas don’t quite fit into your packages!

No problem! just get in touch and we can chat about your requirements in more detail!

Q. I literally hate having my photograph taken.

I love working with people who say this! My service is specifically designed to be easy and stress-free for you; I will talk you through each stage clearly and let you know exactly how to prepare. You’ll get great headshots that truly reflect your personality and brand.

BOOKING FOR EXPRESSIVE HEADSHOTS

Please contact the Isle of Wight Studio on +44 (0)1983 617383 or Mandy on +44 (0)7719316609 or email [email protected]

BOOK NOW

Recommended Locations

Your 90-minute session will start with a broad smile and end with beautiful portraits, delivered right to your in-box for unlimited sharing and printing.

Puckpool Park

A short walk from Spring Vale tube we’ll meet early evening in the park’s cafe to make the most of the prettiest light. Over coffee we’ll style the session matching outfits to locations, nattering like old friends. The park is resplendent in autumn with burnished leaves that provide quiet pockets of mystery, inviting us to rest awhile.

Graceful columns, elegant alcoves, and rustic walls provide the backdrop to our laughter. We’ll admire the 80-year-old pines, gaze up at the Palmerston Forts and end the session by sitting on leaf-strewn steps.

Puckpool Park is extremely quiet, providing you with the confidence to stand in front of the camera and give it your all! We’ll say goodbye at around sunset on a high, with the feeling you’ve achieved something you can actually believe in – yourself.

I had my first photo shoot today with Amanda. The communication leading up to the shoot was perfect! very professional and informative. This shoot was on location, and despite a few obstacles such as the wind, change in sun, and the fact it was very cold, we created some beautiful images. Amanda is very easy going and friendly, great to work with and I feel honored to have been able to work with her. would highly recommend it. And look forward to working with her in the future.

See a full portrait session here at the park here and here.

Appley Park

Meeting outside Appley Back cafe we’ll take a slow stroll up the leafy lanes ready for a cup of afternoon tea. Our session begins with a fallen log, overlooking the nodding daffodils. By 4 pm we’ve co-ordinated your wardrobe, fired up and walking through the grounds, excited to discover the many quiet backdrops beckoning us.

In March the bluebells will nod their heads at us and buttery-smooth sunlight will create spring-like beauty in our images. Playing hide-and-seek amongst the woodland, pausing for candid moments on the bridge and resting on the sea wall steps for clean, crisp and fresh-looking portraits making you look and feel at ease.

Your portraits will be beautiful because you’re enjoying yourself and it shows in your pictures.

See a full session here, here and here.

Priory Bay

This hidden gem on the Isle of Wight is a popular choice. Couples opt for this location when they need a quiet spot away from prying eyes, a playground that creates spontaneous sessions that connect with a deep part of their personality.

It’s especially good for people who might be hit by first-time nerves – because anxiety is real and you’ll learn to get through it. The park has little-known corners with backdrops galore – rustic logs piled in decaying beauty, sandy coves offering their graceful backdrops, battered walkways shielding us from the bracing wind and boulders acting as impromptus seats making it easy to look natural and spontaneous in your photos.

This location is right by Seagrove Bay and will help you create expressive portraits, giving you the confidence and control to stand in front of the camera and engage with the session. Ideal for creating portraits you’ll be excited to share on-line (and have fun doing it).

See a full session here

What happens on the day

REAL EXAMPLES OF SESSIONS WITH AMANDA HERBERT PHOTOGRAPHY

How I plan a portrait session with real examples

Below are the steps I took to ensure the session was planned to perfection. My goal is to do all the hard work, so you’re left free and easy to enjoy the day. Enjoy the preview of our natural portrait session.

This session with Iris is fabulous and we created a wide variety of shots in a 90-minute time slot.

Iris’ session was planned for over a month and I collaborated via email as she wanted to update her portfolio quickly. I’m proud to say that she now uses her images for her social media profiles and I think that’s because I captured her spontaneity and vibrant nature.

I took care to look beyond the model’s good looks and ensured we made a connection.

“I had the most amazing time working with Amanda !! She’s a true professional and extremely sweet person !!All of the pictures she’s got me are amazing !! Thank you very much Amanda for this wonderful day ! Hope to see you soon again, Iris” Central London, social media package

Let’s get started and see how I plan natural portrait sessions on the Isle of Wight.

How I captured Iris’ personality

1. Check availability Once you’ve screened your photographer by looking through their portfolio, earlier blog posts, and independent review sites don’t hesitate to get in touch (see my reviews on natural portrait sessions). A phone call is often the best way as it you can easily get a sense of their personality.

Iris confirmed she’d like to work with me via email and it was simply a case of booking a date, time, and location to suit us both.

2. Plan using your session guide Once I’ve booked a natural portrait session I send out my welcome pack, session guide, what to wear, and field guide. Each of these e-books is fully illustrated with real sessions and is crammed with tips designed to make your life easier!

I emailed Iris her welcome pack, bursting with ideas from what to wear, when we’ll meet, what to expect and when do you get to see your photographs.
Using dropbox I share the ‘what to wear magazine’ and ‘make up for photographs’ so Iris felt confident about what’ll happen on the day.
There’s also a questionnaire to fill in ahead of time. This helps us break the ice when we first meet (see the professional photography questionnaire here).

3. Brainstorm ideas One of the things I love about working with modern women – the chance to create different looks in just one location! My sessions normally last for 1 or 2 hours with multiple wardrobe changes – I encourage all my clients to bring props, scarves, hats, books, belts, scarves – anything that reflects their personality, life, and loves.

4. Decide what to wear The hardest part of any portrait session is deciding what to wear. I’m always excited to see a snapshot of your chosen outfit – it really helps pair location, style, and creative flair to your session. I want to personalise each experience and make it unique to you.

Other people prefer to browse my Pinterest boards, designed to help, guide, and inspire my clients. I have wardrobe guides, makeup tips, and posing guides – check out my boards here.

Note below I created a personal board for Iris so I could tailor the experience to suit her needs.

5. Tell me what you think My goal is to take the stress out of the portrait experience. First-time nerves often set in, even with Iris here who’d a number of photoshoots under her belt. Iris shared that she felt comfortable with me because I knew how to draw her personality out in front of the camera.

“Amanda, you made me feel CALM and nice (even though I have experience in front of the camera. You know how to talk to people and make them feel confident and fine.” Review of my portrait photoshoot in the Isle of Wight.”

6. On the day Expect to feel r . e . l . a . x . e . d time! I approach each session differently in order to capture genuine expressions in your portraits. I was careful to interact genuinely with Iris, I wanted to get to know her personally so she could feel at ease and comfortable throughout the session.

Don’t be surprised if you’re asked you to share your hopes and fears for the session – that way I’ll guarantee I’ll deliver what you want.

7. Sharing your photos. The most important thing is to see a preview of your photos right away. The excitement of the session is uplifting and we want to share our fabulous images with friends and family urgently. Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr – we all share our life on these social media sites. It’s a great way to keep in touch.

Within 48 hours I’ll post a preview on my Facebook page, add me as a friend so you can tag yourself and show off your fabulous images. Like my fan page here so you’ll be the first to see your sneak peek.

Want to see more of the natural portrait session here?