This is our blog.

Welcome to the Just Headshots blog!

We’re obsessed with great headshots and business portraits. And we know what makes a good one and what doesn’t.

In our blog we talk about what works well and what doesn’t. The right and wrong way to take headshots and the right and wrong way to use them too. We might put up the occasional very short video too.

We’ll be talking about why headshots matter. We’ll be talking about little details such as the relationship between pictures and words and best ways to make the pictures lead people to the written word. We’ll talk about lighting, makeup, clothing, capturing those expressions which sum a person up to a tee, and how to create and capture them.

Headshots in Chester with Amanda Bate from Redwood copy

Professional headshot of Amanda Bate taken at Wynne Marketing in ChesterIn July Nicole and I went over to Chester to do a headshots and profile photos session for Amanda Wynne Evans and her team at Wynne Marketing. They’re based in a fabulous old building in Handbridge on Chester, south of the River Dee and just outside Chester’s historic City Walls. It was a great place to take Amanda’s headshots because it’s an old building with a quirky interior which gave us some interesting, real backdrops. Amanda Bate left the corporate world nearly four years ago to start her own content writing business, Redwood Copy.

She is driven by her values and supports socially conscious organisations with their internal and external communications. As the face of Redwood Copy Amanda needed a set of professional pictures to use on her website and on her social media platforms and they had to reflect her brand’s identity. Whilst all the photos shown in this blog we went on to do team photos with colleagues using Chester’s city walls and the River Dee in the background.

Amanda’s thoughts on being photographed

“I knew I needed to have a professional profile picture but I hate having my picture taken. For a while I ‘made do’ with a photo a friend had taken of me. But this wasn’t what my company is about – it’s not about ‘making do’, it’s about delivering the best. I first met Andrew networking and his friendly, relaxed approach was refreshing. He took an interest in what I do, what’s important to me and who I am. Our paths crossed for a couple of months before I plucked up the courage and asked him to photograph me.

“I was slightly anxious the morning of the shoot. Andrew arranged for a make-up artist to do my make-up – a great help but I was a little concerned as I didn’t want to look like someone else. Prior to the shoot, Andrew called me to explain what was going to happen and what to bring, during this chat he again put me at ease.

Amanda’s reaction to how we do headshots

“Well, what can I say – the morning of the shoot was fun, yes fun. The make-up artist was brilliant and took the time to listen to me, she showed me the colour palette she was going to use and before any make-up was applied, she asked if I was happy with it. I’ve stayed in touch with her and even asked her to source make-up for me to suit my skin and colouring – how is that for great after care!

“Andrew was calm, patient, fun and made me feel completely relaxed. He understands what makes the perfect head shot, the perfect profile photograph and he makes it happen!

“Instead of dreading to see the photos, which is usually the case when I have my photo taken, I was excited. When I received the email containing the link to view the pictures, I couldn’t have been more pleased. There was such a variety of poses, in quirky locations around an old building in Chester – they were spot on. Andrew was happy to touch up a couple if I felt the need, but I’m happy to embrace my lines and imperfections – they’re who I am.

“I’ve since recommended Andrew to others. Andrew is incredibly talented and an all-round super nice guy.”

Here’s a pretty big selection from the session. I usually only show a small number on the blog but I wanted to show a full set from a session. This allows people to see what a full collection looks like.

Professional headshot of Amanda Redwood taken at Wynne Marketing in Chester
Professional profile photo of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Personal branding photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Personal branding photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Personal branding photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Professional headshot of Amanda Bate taken at Wynne Marketing in Chester
Professional headshot of Amanda Bate taken at Wynne Marketing in Chester
Business portrait of Amanda Bate taken at Wynne Marketing in Chester
Personal branding photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Profile photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Business portrait photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Business portrait photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Personal branding photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Headshot photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Personal branding photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Profile photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Headshot photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Headshot photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Personal branding photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester
Headshot photography of Amanda Bate from Redwood Copy taken in Chester

Diane Dunion’s headshot session

Professional headshot photograph by Warrington based justheadshots.photo
At a networking event in Warrington recently someone asked me what was so special about professional headshots and why did I attach so much importance to them? A few days later at another event, also in Warrington, the guest speaker talked about how important an online profile was when trying to position yourself in front of your target audience.Read More

Bruce Hunter’s new headshot photos

Professional headshot photograph on a white background by Warrington based justheadshots.photoWhen you need headshot photography it’s important to find the right headshot photographer for you. Ideally a headshot or portrait photographer with plenty of experience of shooting professional headshots for company websites, Linked In and other social media platforms and someone that you can get along with. It’s the social interaction between the photographer and the subject that makes the real difference between an average photo and a great professional headshot.Read More

Headshots for Sarah Fox

This is Sarah Fox, contract law specialist and public speaker. Sarah came to our March Headshots and Business Portraits Day in Lymm near Warrington. When you see her photograph you can tell we had a great session and that she’ll be great to work with and interesting to listen to.

Read More
It’s just for Linked In – won’t a selfie do?

Well, it’s just for Linked In. It’s only tiny, why does it matter? Can’t I use that selfie from the Christmas party? Oh, and there was that fab photo taken on the beach last summer. You know the one, with the sunglasses and the beer? Surely I can use one of them…

Well, you could. But is that the kind of first impression you want to make?

Someone who sees us in a photo for the first time instantly makes a judgement about us, whether they intend to or not, and that first impression stays for around 8 to 12 months after they have got to know us.

Read More