In my business as a South Delta photographer, I offer a wide range of sessions, including family photography, maternity sessions, in-home newborn photography and, of course, headshot sessions for business professionals, entrepreneurs and actors.
New this year, I have re-designed my home studio space to create a bright, warm, multi-purpose space that not only functions well as a headshot studio, but also as a cozy room for relaxing, reading and yoga. So, now I can offer professional, corporate or casual headshots indoors against a white backdrop OR I can meet clients outdoors at one of the many great places in South Delta suitable for headshots. But you may be wondering, which one – indoor or outdoor – is right for you? Here’s some questions to ask yourself to help decide.
Am I in a time crunch?
If you need your headshots sooner rather than later, I would recommend an indoor studio session. When shooting indoors, we don’t have to worry about the weather and rescheduling. There are also no unknown factors that may cause additional, time-consuming editing (think fly-away hairs from the wind, or people accidentally photobombing in the background), so you will likely get your images sooner.
Am I ok with my photos being weather-dependent? And/or am I ok being too cold/hot during my session?
Especially in the late fall, winter and early spring, we really don’t know what Mother Nature is going to toss at us here in South Delta! If you don’t want to be worried about whether its rainy, or windy, too cold for short-sleeves, or too hot to avoid sweatiness, outdoors is NOT the way to go. I definitely won’t make you do an outdoor session in less-than-ideal conditions, but if you are booking a hair or make-up appointment for the same day, it’s worth keeping in mind that the weather may dictate whether or not our session happens.
What kind of “look” do I want for my photos?
A white backdrop indoor session can work for a variety of situations, but it’s not always ideal for everything! A studio session can be perfect for more corporate-looking headshots, including portraits for finance professionals, realtors, lawyers etc. But it also works for entrepreneurs and those with more “casual” professions because the white backdrop can really highlight your personality. There are no background distractions so all the focus is on YOU and how awesome you are.
That being said, I do a lot of outdoor sessions for folks who are looking for something a bit more laidback and maybe wanting to focus on their lifestyle or community. The poses in outdoor sessions tend to be more casual and approachable and the setting is obviously more casual too. These types of sessions are great for actors/creatives, health care professionals, coaches, and those who work in non-profit or arts organizations.
Where will I feel most comfortable?
Will you feel self-conscious being outside where other people walking by might see you having your photo taken? Or will you feel awkward coming to my home studio? (I have cats – sometimes this helps, and sometimes this doesn’t!) Will you be worried about your hair or make-up outside if you don’t have a mirror to check? Would you rather have things outside to look at and distract you from the pressure of having your photo taken? All things to consider when choosing your indoor vs. outdoor!
Is the setting important to my photos?
If you are a soccer coach, it makes sense to do photos at a soccer field. If you love the calming effects of the ocean and want that reflected in the photos for your counselling practice, let’s meet at the beach! If hiking is a huge part of your personality and you feel like people will related to that, let’s go for a walk at Deas Island and see what we come up with. There are lots of ways that we can make the outdoor environment of your headshot session reflect important parts of your career or personality. I have lots of ideas and am always open to your thoughts, so let’s chat about it!
I just don’t know and I want you to help me decide!
Absolutely! I am totally happy to provide advice or guidance, regarding any aspect of your headshot session. Feel free to reach out to me by email with your questions and let’s make this happen!
Eran Sudds is a Tsawwassen photographer who specializes in fun & natural sessions for you and your entire family. She is available for maternity, newborn, family portraits and headshots at locations in South Delta, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Contact her to book your session!
