Real Estate Headshots 2023: The Ultimate Guide
Everything you need to know about real estate headshots, all in one place.
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Need a Professional Real Estate Headshot?
Click here to see our pricing & packages.
Interesting Fact: Did you know that you're 14x more likely to be taken seriously on LinkedIn when you have a professional headshot, and 92% of people will look you up on Social Media before working with you?
Of all the different professions out there, those in real estate need headshots the most (after actors). This is why almost every broker or agent will have a great headshot on their business card and LinkedIn profile.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know to get great headshots for real estate agents, regardless of budget or location.
Here's some of what's covered in this Ultimate Guide:
- Good vs. Not-So-Good Real Estate Headshots, and why some images you'd think are good might actually be ineffective
- The 8 Key Qualities a Great Real Estate Headshot Should Have, and how to ensure yours works properly for your goals
- How to Prepare for a Successful Realtor Headshot Session and how to easily find a reliable and trustworthy photographer no matter where you're located
- And much more...
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Real Estate Headshots: The Ultimate Guide
Why Do Real Estate Agents Use Headshots?
With so many people searching for homes online these days, realtor headshots are more important than ever. Established real estate agents know this and choose to use professional headshots for the following 3 reasons:
- They want to make a great first impression. A first impression is formed in just 1/8th of a second, and the first image people see is how they'll interpret all their future interactions with you. Using a great headshot helps them see you as someone trustworthy and established.
- They know most people will probably find them online. Whether it's through Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist, etc., most potential clients are bound to find you online these days, which is why almost all established real estate agents and brokers use headshots – they want to create a strong first impression.
- They know not having a professional headshot will instantly cost them credibility. Unless you're in an extraordinarily over-saturated market like Manhattan, you're unlikely to be taken seriously by clients if you don't have a professional headshot. Using images you've been cropped out of or having a friend take a snapshot with an iPhone photo might save you money, but it makes clients wonder whether you're as established and trustworthy as an agent who uses a high-end headshot in their marketing materials.
Realtor Headshot Examples: Good vs. Not-So-Good
So what makes for a good or bad real estate headshot? Well, as the saying goes, a picture is worth 1,000 words (actually it's worth 84.1 words according to this study).
For that reason, we'll start off by taking a look at some realtor headshot examples, good and bad, plus explanations on WHY each photo is strong or weak.
Note: The images might appear slightly blurry, but that is because we had to reduce the file size to make this webpage load faster. Learn more about High-Res vs. How-Res here.
For that reason, we'll start off by taking a look at some realtor headshot examples, good and bad, plus explanations on WHY each photo is strong or weak.
Note: The images might appear slightly blurry, but that is because we had to reduce the file size to make this webpage load faster. Learn more about High-Res vs. How-Res here.
Why it's good: Although this image was shot wider than a standard headshot, it was done purposefully so he could crop closer if needed later. For LinkedIn, he might crop as a circle, going as low as the chest region. For a website however, he might use the entire image! The shot is modern, clean, and professional, and he's well-dressed with a genuine smile. The lack of tie gives off a slightly casual feel and the hand-in-pocket keeps the shot feeling relaxed. |
Why it's not so good: This man's expression is fine, but the lighting on his white shirt is too bright. Generally speaking, you should avoid wearing white (or any pale color) as an outermost layer. Had he worn a dark blue shirt (or a navy/gray jacket), the shot would appear more professional. Also, it's generally best practice for men to only undo one button at the top - two undone buttons can look a bit too casual for a professional headshot. Learn more about what to wear for realtor headshots here. |
Why it's good: She's got a beautiful smile, her hair is in place, and the image looks very professional overall. If you were to ask yourself, "Would I feel comfortable hiring her as my real estate broker?" the answer would be "Yes!" Even though it's a great shot, take note that this image has not been retouched. The flyaway hairs could have been removed and perhaps some softening of facial features could have been done (a very common retouch adjustment). We always recommend having your final headshot retouched to ensure it looks as good as possible! |
Why it's not so good: This is a fantastic business portrait, however it would not work well as a residential real-estate headshot because his expression is a bit too serious. He feels a bit too intense, which might make some people feel uncomfortable contacting him to help them sell their home. That being said, it could work well as a commercial real estate headshot, especially if he works in major building sales. For those, you'd actually want a more serious expression. |
Why it's good: Her smile is bright, and even though she is folding her arms (some people see this as standoffish), the fact that she's got a big, open-mouthed smile and she's outdoors in a natural environment tells people she's very friendly and easy to work with. Her clothing looks great on camera, her hair is in place, and she looks well-put together – all qualities you'd want for a great realtor headshot. |
Why it's not so good: Similar to the photo above, the expression in this shot looks a bit too serious. The whitish-gray backdrop works fine for real estate, but the cropping of the photo is a bit odd. If he plans to use this shot, he should crop closer (around the chest), because the position of his arms makes him look a bit stiff and unapproachable. |
What Should a Real Estate Headshot Look Like?
In general, a professional real estate headshot should look like you spent some money on it and be in alignment with your real estate goals.
For instance, if you're trying to get into commercial real estate and want to work with major companies as your clients, you'll probably want a more formal shot with a serious expression. But if you're getting into residential real estate and want to sell homes to people in a small town, a friendly smile and outdoor background can often work better!
For instance, if you're trying to get into commercial real estate and want to work with major companies as your clients, you'll probably want a more formal shot with a serious expression. But if you're getting into residential real estate and want to sell homes to people in a small town, a friendly smile and outdoor background can often work better!
Here are a few important elements for a good realtor headshot (according to the most recent trends):
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: Real estate agent headshots can be shot indoors or outdoors – it usually won't make much of a difference to clients (but if you work for a company, you'll need to follow their guidelines and make sure your headshot matches the aesthetic of the other headshots on their site). Indoor headshots are usually done with studio lighting and have either blurry backgrounds or flat backdrops (gray, white, or blue are most common). Outdoor realtor headshots should have the background blurred so you stand out in the frame.
- Residential real-estate headshots often use a blurred background with greenery and plenty of color because they give off the feeling of a residential environment, which can be more appealing to potential clients than a standard, flat-backdrop corporate headshot. Clients want to feel connected to you in a friendly way, and nothing says “friendly” better than a big smile and a real-life background behind you.
- Commercial real-estate headshots are often done with a blurred out neutral-tone background consisting of grays, blacks, and whites (sometimes cooler tones like blues are used as well), or a flat, light gray or white background. By using less color, these headshots come off a bit more professional and "corporate" than a residential shot.
- Smiling vs. Serious: Ideally you should do some of both. If you're worried that your teeth are a bit crooked or slightly yellow, it's still a good idea take some big smile shots because retouching can fix that up a bit. Smiling shots are great to create rapport and help people feel more of a connection to you (before you even meet in person). On the other hand, serious shots, which should generally focus on a "confident but approachable" look, are great for helping people trust that you're experienced and can get them a good deal on their purchase or sale.
- Framing: The framing of your headshot should be taken at least waist up, but ideally it should be cropped closer afterwards, from chest up. Further out than waist would be considered a body shot which, although useful for certain things like websites and social media pages, is unlikely to create an emotional connection with people looking at it because your expression can't be seen in as much detail. Remember, potential clients are probably looking at your photo on websites like Zillow or LinkedIn, and when your photo is shot closer they can see your face better since it's so small. When they see you more clearly, they'll be more likely to create a positive association to you and feel like you're trustworthy and easy to work with.
- Horizontal vs. Vertical: Either works fine as long as they're shot far enough out that you can crop to whatever format is needed afterwards. For strict headshots, a vertical shot works best. But if you plan to use some of the pictures on your website or business card, a horizontal shot can give you more options.
- Natural vs. Studio Lighting: Some people prefer natural light and some prefer studio light, but it won't make a difference as to how other people perceive you in the shot. If the photographer uses specialized lighting to alter the shape of your face (making you thinner, for example), it might seem nice in the short run, but long term it could confuse people. In general we recommend that you look as close to real life as possible in your headshot.
- Background: The background should not be distracting. If you're shooting with real life (as opposed to a flat backdrop) in the background, make sure it's extremely blurred out so you can't tell what's behind you. The sharper the background, the less professional and more distracting your headshot will look. You should also "pop" off the background, meaning if the background is really dark, you should be wearing a lighter color (or the photographer should light you in a specific way) so that you don't blend in with the background.
- Props: Avoid props and keep your hands out of the shot, unless it's being taken from the waist up. Jewelry and glasses are fine as long as they're not super shiny or draw too much attention to themselves. Remember that the photo is about YOU, not about your props. Save the props for creative and promotional shots instead!
- Color vs. Black & White: Black and white was done in the past when it was more expensive to shoot and print photos in color, but nowadays since everything is digital, color is the way to go. If your shot is black and white, people looking at it might wonder if you're not up to date with modern trends, which could make them worry that you won't do a good job of selling or finding them a home!
How Often Should I Get My Real Estate Headshot Taken?
You should update your real estate headshot every 3-5 years.
- Updated headshots establish trust. Imagine being handed a business card by someone, looking at the headshot on it, and thinking that the photo looks like it taken 20-30 years ago. You'd probably wonder whether the person handing you their card was still successful, or if they used to be successful 20 years ago and are now just trying to ride on the coattails of their past. People will always trust you more if you look just like you do in your headshot.
- Updating your headshot allows you to keep it in alignment with your goals. Let's say you decide to move out of residential real estate and into commercial real estate. Well, you'll probably need to get a new headshot taken that has a more serious expression and a different type of background, so seeing your photo up to date will ensure that's never a problem.
Real Estate Headshots Pricing
Good quality real estate head shots typically cost anywhere between $150 and $600, depending on how many bells and whistles you'd like included (and also depending on where you're based in the world). If you want a multi-outfit shoot with a makeup artist included, you can expect your session to be on the higher end of that range.
- Know what you're getting. If it's not clear from their website, ask your photographer whether you'll get the full usage rights to your images. Believe it or not, some photographers charge an additional fee to allow you to use the photos in promotional materials! Other photographers might charge additional fees for retouching (typically $25-75 per image), and still others might only give you access to low-res images (a session fee), but then charge you per image (sometimes as much as $100 each) to access the high-res photos. So be sure you know all the necessary costs up front so you're not surprised.
- Beware of dirt-cheap photographers. Places like Craigslist are filled with photographers who charge prices as low as $50-60, and while it might be tempting to hire someone for a super cheap rate, remember that this is the first impression you're making on clients who might be worth tens of thousands of dollars to you in commissions. Do you want to take the chance of working with someone who might not be able to direct you into a natural, confident, and relaxed expression – and then wind up using the photo they took because it's difficult to judge yourself and you don't realize the shot wasn't a good one? Using the wrong photo can create distrust in people, and over time that bit of distrust adds up to result in fewer clients and real estate opportunities.
- Beware of scams. There are people out there claiming to be "celebrity" photographers who charge $800-1,000 or more, claiming they can get you the best real estate headshots, but really they don't actually know what they're doing. Generally speaking, when it comes to paying super high prices, just know that you're either being scammed or paying for a well-known photographer's name (some famous photographers charge a lot but their photos won't get you any more opportunities than most standard real estate headshot photographers'.
- Should I tip my photographer or makeup artist? Most makeup artists and photographers own their own business and are paid the full session fee directly, so they don't expect a tip (but they always appreciate it!). In certain cases however, a photographer or makeup artist might be working hourly for a studio, in which case tips are very much appreciated. If you're not sure, tipping is appreciated by everyone!
How Do You Take Good Real Estate Headshots?
Before the Shoot
Figure Out Your Brand and Goals
Before even picking a photographer and deciding on backdrops or clothing, you need to be clear on the goals for your shoot. To make that easy, it's helpful to start by figuring out your 4-Word Brand.
Follow this short four-step process:
Now that you've found your Brand, it's time to figure out what aesthetic will work best for your headshots.
Using Google Image Search, type each of your Pride Words one by one. Using the example above, we'd first type "hardworking." Images will show up that capture the word "hardworking," like someone pushing a boulder up a mountain or someone reading a bunch of books. Look through some of the pictures and save 2-3 that you feel represent your personality best to a folder on your computer.
Do this for each of your Pride Words. Once you're finished, you'll have between 6 and 9 images you can print to help you decide on locations, backdrops, and who you'll hire as your photographer.
You can even bring them to the shoot and show the photographer these images as inspiration for your headshots!
Finally, when you're actually in the shoot, you can think about and focus on each of your words one by one to capture expressions that work perfectly for your brand. Close your eyes and think of the word "hardworking," and then open your eyes as the photographer takes a few shots. Your expression will capture that word perfectly, and you can repeat this for each of your words.
Guess what? You've just captured your Brand in your headshots.
Follow this short four-step process:
- Who is someone you know personally and very much admire? Take a moment to think of someone specific before moving onto question 2.
- Example: I deeply admire my father because he worked very hard to help my family live a good life.
- What three personality traits do you most admire about that person? These are your Pride Words – they should make you feel proud when you think about them, as they are traits you either have inside or aspire to be.
- Example: The three traits I most admire in my father are hardworking, loving, and fun.
- What kind of work do you do? We'll call this your Job Title.
- Example: I'm a real estate agent. Or I'm a real estate broker. Or I'm a Realtor.
- Did you know? The title of Realtor is only given to real estate agents who are active members of the National Association of Realtors.
- Did you know? The title of Real Estate Broker is only given to real estate agents who have passed advanced real estate exams. They typically have more in-depth knowledge of the real estate process and a minimum of 3 years working as a real estate agent.
- Example: I'm a real estate agent. Or I'm a real estate broker. Or I'm a Realtor.
- Combine it all together into a sentence like so: I'm the [Pride Words] [Job Title].
- Example: I'm the hardworking, loving, and fun real estate agent.
Now that you've found your Brand, it's time to figure out what aesthetic will work best for your headshots.
Using Google Image Search, type each of your Pride Words one by one. Using the example above, we'd first type "hardworking." Images will show up that capture the word "hardworking," like someone pushing a boulder up a mountain or someone reading a bunch of books. Look through some of the pictures and save 2-3 that you feel represent your personality best to a folder on your computer.
Do this for each of your Pride Words. Once you're finished, you'll have between 6 and 9 images you can print to help you decide on locations, backdrops, and who you'll hire as your photographer.
You can even bring them to the shoot and show the photographer these images as inspiration for your headshots!
Finally, when you're actually in the shoot, you can think about and focus on each of your words one by one to capture expressions that work perfectly for your brand. Close your eyes and think of the word "hardworking," and then open your eyes as the photographer takes a few shots. Your expression will capture that word perfectly, and you can repeat this for each of your words.
Guess what? You've just captured your Brand in your headshots.
Decide on a Shoot Location That Makes Sense for Your Goals
We often recommend that real estate agents opt for a 2-Look Deluxe Package with us (you read about our packages here). Getting two different outfits and settings can be great for variety and give you different photos to work with depending on where you're using the image (social media, website, LinkedIn, etc.).
Here are some options for locations, along with the benefits and pitfalls of each:
Here are some options for locations, along with the benefits and pitfalls of each:
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Finding the Right Photographer
Choosing a photographer with a personality you mesh with is crucial. Why? Because if you work with someone who's not engaging or boring, it will be very hard to get good expressions.
You might end up with a professional-looking headshot, but if you look uncomfortable or seem like you're trying too hard, potential clients will think you're not confident or that you're inexperienced.
The result? Even a small loss of potential clients can lead to fewer referrals, and over the long term this slight loss of business adds up to a lot.
Here's a simple, 4-step process you can use to find the right headshot photographer for you:
Here's a much more in depth article on how to pick the right headshot photographer for you.
Note: My team and I shoot real estate head shots! Our prices are very affordable, starting at $149. See our packages here.
You might end up with a professional-looking headshot, but if you look uncomfortable or seem like you're trying too hard, potential clients will think you're not confident or that you're inexperienced.
The result? Even a small loss of potential clients can lead to fewer referrals, and over the long term this slight loss of business adds up to a lot.
Here's a simple, 4-step process you can use to find the right headshot photographer for you:
- Find at least 10-20 photographers to consider: To find photographers, you can ask anyone you know who already has a headshot or you can search Google and Yelp for "real estate headshot photographer."
- Narrow those 10-20 photographers down to a few top choices: Once you have your list of photographers, you should narrow them down using the following criteria:
- The photographer must specialize in headshots, and be very familiar with the real-estate industry – Don't hire someone who focuses on weddings or architecture because headshots are a very challenging branch of photography. A poor expression or improper lighting can actually hurt you more than having no headshot at all! Additionally, be sure to hire someone who has shot numerous real-estate headshots in the past, or at least has some knowledge of your industry so they know what type of backdrops and expressions will work best for you.
- Their prices should be clear and straightforward – make sure they don't charge hidden fees (be careful of photographers who charge both a "session fee" and a "per image fee" – it should be just one or the other, not both). Also, sales tax isn't legally required by law for services (unlike for physical goods), so be careful of photographers who charge sales tax – they might be pocketing the extra money.
- The photos in their portfolio should look great – make sure you like what you see and that the images line up with what we outlined previously. You should also look to see if they have any shots of people who look like you in their portfolio.
- Contact your final selections and see how they respond: Email or call them to see how quickly they respond and how accessible they are. Some photographers (especially very expensive ones) might offer a free in-person, phone, or Zoom consultation to explain their process and sell you on working with them. During this consultation, you can ask them questions to get an idea of their personality and see if they seem like someone you'd like to work with.
- Go with your gut and commit: Once you choose a photographer, go all in. Many will charge a booking deposit that's applied to the total fee – don't be afraid of placing this deposit. If you try to avoid putting the deposit down, the photographer might get too busy and could schedule someone else over you.
Here's a much more in depth article on how to pick the right headshot photographer for you.
Note: My team and I shoot real estate head shots! Our prices are very affordable, starting at $149. See our packages here.
Can I Take Headshots Myself or Have a Friend Do Them for Free?
Because of how specific headshots are and the skill it takes to capture good expressions, having your friend shoot your headshots is usually not a good idea unless they already specialize in it.
Remember, the first impression your headshot makes on potential clients can lead them to decide to work with you... or assume you're not established/experienced/confident enough to work with over someone else.
A headshot that looks low-budget or like it was done by a friend can make potential clients think you don't take real estate seriously and that you're another fly-by-night agent who only does this as a side gig. This might cause them to pass you up for someone with a higher-quality headshot.
All that being said, if you still want to try taking your own headshot, check out this guide we wrote that shows you how to take real estate headshots with iPhone.
Remember, the first impression your headshot makes on potential clients can lead them to decide to work with you... or assume you're not established/experienced/confident enough to work with over someone else.
A headshot that looks low-budget or like it was done by a friend can make potential clients think you don't take real estate seriously and that you're another fly-by-night agent who only does this as a side gig. This might cause them to pass you up for someone with a higher-quality headshot.
All that being said, if you still want to try taking your own headshot, check out this guide we wrote that shows you how to take real estate headshots with iPhone.
Preparing for the Shoot
Once you've decided on a photographer, it's time to start prepping for the shoot! Here are some things to consider:
- The right mindset: Go in expecting to get a great shot and have a fun time, and don't be overly obsessed with capturing the PERFECT shot. This means you should have an open mind – be prepared to try different expressions and body positions. If you're obsessed with only capturing one type of shot, it can make it difficult for you to relax enough to get good expressions.
- Action Item: Consider a practice session before the actual shoot. If you have time and a friend who wants to help you out, you can try doing some photos with them to get some extra practice in front of the camera and figure out what sides/angles work better for you. You can also see how your makeup/clothing will look to make sure you're happy with everything.
- Action Item: Spend some time looking through your smartphone to find pictures of yourself that you like. You can show these to your photographer during the shoot to make sure they capture you on your best angles.
- A great headshot should look like you on your best day: Wanting to look thinner or more glamorous in your headshot than you do in real life might sound good on the surface, but can be a mistake. As discussed earlier, when someone sees a photo that doesn't look like the person standing in front of them, they might wonder whether the person is actually still as successful as they might have been in the past (when they looked younger/thinner/etc.). This applies even if your photo is brand new (but was simply over-retouched).
- Action Item: Wear sunscreen and get enough sleep before your shoot. Avoid attempting to get overly tan for the photo because it often looks weird – especially if you're normally not that tan in real life. Even though under-eye circles can be retouched, you should still try to get plenty of sleep the night before so you've got plenty of energy for the shoot – some shoots can be tiring (especially longer ones)!
- Prepare your clothing and anything needed for the shoot: Headshot photographers almost never carry clothing in their studio, so be sure to plan out what you're going to wear and bring in more than you think you'll need. Keep in mind that you should plan to dress appropriately for the type of real estate work you do (for instance if you're in commercial real estate, you should dress more formally than if you're in residential). Wear what you'd wear if you were meeting a client for the first time.
- Action Item: Use Google Image Search to look up real estate headshot ideas to figure out what people are wearing. Look for shots of people with a similar style sense to you and pick your outfits based on what you see in those photos. Be sure to choose at least 2-3 different outfit options per "look" you're doing (if you're doing a Two-Look Shoot, plan 4-6 outfits). Doing this will allow your photographer to weigh in and help you decide on outfits once you get to the studio.
- Action Item: Be sure to try on your clothing before the shoot day to make sure it still fits and isn't wrinkly, dirty, or stained. If you find it's unsuitable to wear for your pictures, at least you'll have time to find something else (or get it pressed/cleaned).
- Action Item: Review this guide on what to wear on camera. You'll learn what colors and styles look best, and what to avoid.
- Plan to arrive early: Arriving late is one of the biggest pet peeves of headshot photographers, and if you're more than a couple minutes late to your shoot, it can eat into your session time. To avoid feeling rushed, be sure to arrive at least 5-10 minutes early (don't forget to plan ahead for possible traffic delays).
- Action Item: Some people find it's helpful to have a cocktail, beer, or shot before their session. It can help you loosen up and relax. But make sure not to have more than one or you might look tired! We've done photos for people who showed up drunk and it wasn't fun!
Hair and Makeup
Makeup is not required for headshots but can be beneficial, especially for women (or men who are not planning to have their final photos retouched).
A headshot makeup artist typically charges between $100 and $300 and will stay throughout the shoot to ensure your hair is in place, you're not looking shiny, and everything is on-point with your clothes. You can learn more about makeup for headshots here.
A headshot makeup artist typically charges between $100 and $300 and will stay throughout the shoot to ensure your hair is in place, you're not looking shiny, and everything is on-point with your clothes. You can learn more about makeup for headshots here.
- How to Hire a Makeup Artist: Most headshot photographers already work with someone they recommend. It's best to avoid going to a makeup counter in a store or hiring your own makeup artist because makeup for headshots is different than makeup for real life or for glamour photoshoots.
- You Should Look Like Yourself: Don't change your hairstyle significantly or do your makeup in a way you can't replicate in real life. If you look too different, you might either confuse people who are meeting you, or you might just feel awkward about using your headshots.
- Jewelry and certain accessories are OK: Unlike actor headshots where jewelry is a big no-no, you can absolutely wear jewelry in your realtor headshot. Aim for something that's not too big so it isn't distracting, and feel free to bring a few options to show your photographer so they can offer their opinion.
- Glasses: We highly recommend wearing glasses in your headshots if that's how you look day to day. However if you also wear contacts, your should do some shots with AND without your glasses. If you're worried about glare, you can buy anti-glare glasses or tilt the lenses down a bit by raising the back part slightly off your ears. Your photographer should also be able to adjust the lighting to get rid of glare as well.
- Shaving: Same goes with shaving. If you normally have a bit of scruff when people meet you, aim to keep it in your headshot since you want to look as close as possible to the way you do in real life when you'd be meeting your clients.
During the Shoot
What Does a Headshot Session Look Like?
Headshot sessions usually consist of the following steps:
- Pre-Shoot Discussion: When you first arrive at the studio, the photographer will probably ask some questions about your goals and help figure out which outfits you should wear. They'll also explain what will happen during the shoot.
- The Shoot: Most shoots last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or two, depending on how many "looks" you're doing ("looks" are outfits/backdrops – basically each new setup where you'll do a number of body positions and expressions). The photographer will tell you where to stand and what to do, and will say certain things to try to get you to give certain expressions. All you need to worry about is doing what the photographer says, and asking questions when you're not sure. They'll usually take a lot of shots quickly (like 5-10 images per burst) so they can capture subtle expression changes on your face. Plan on them taking around 50-100 photos per "look." Good photographers are usually willing to show you the pictures throughout the shoot so you get an idea of what they're looking like so you can make changes if you're not liking certain things.
- After the Shoot: Some photographers will sit down with you after the session to look at the photos together, and others will just send the images to you via an online link. They usually delete any unusable shots and do basic color adjustments before sending the shots to you for review. In some cases, you'll get access to the high-quality, full-size images, and in other cases the photographer will only send you small preview files with watermarks on them. Either way, your job at this point is to choose which pictures you like best and let the photographer know.
- Retouching & Finalizing: Most photographers include retouching in their packages, meaning they'll fix blemishes, whiten teeth, etc. You just need to let them know which shots you want retouched, and then they'll send them back to you when finished so you can start using them.
Tips to Get Better Shots
- The Basics: Your photographer should be experienced enough to direct you into positions that look good on camera. In general, for a good body position, you should be standing nice and tall so your shoulders look good and you're not hunched. You should try doing "the turtle," which means pushing your face towards the camera a bit – this strengthens your jawline and can help fix double chins. And you'll always want a real expression because fake smiles or awkward expressions can make people think you don't know what you're doing or you're inexperienced.
- How to Look Confident and Capture Genuine Expressions: There are two simple tricks you can use to look more confident and capture specific expressions in your headshots:
- Squint your eyes: Doing a very slight squint, almost like you're "curious" or "thinking" about something, can help make your eyes look more confident. Avoid trying to make your eyes look bigger than they are by widening them, or you'll get the classic "deer-in-the-headlights" look! Instead, doing a subtle squint can make you appear more confident and natural on camera.
- Imagine speaking to the camera: To get specific expressions, close your eyes and think of something you'd like your expression to say. For instance, if you want a friendly and warm smile, imagine saying, "Hey, nice to meet you!" Your expression will suddenly look way more friendly. Or for a more serious, confident shot, imagine saying, "Let guide you through the process of buying a home."
- How to Get Real Smiles: The fastest and easiest way to get a real smile is to fake laugh and say "Hey!" while laughing. Literally laugh as you say the word "Hey!" and imagine you're greeting someone. And then you can just hold the smile that comes right after it. If you have a great photographer, they can get you to smile naturally by telling jokes, but if your photographer isn't funny and your smiles are starting to look fake, this is one of the best and easiest tricks you can use.
- Note: in general, a more serious expression can make you appear older, and a big smile can help you look younger.
- How to Find Your Best Side: The fastest way to find your best side is to simply turn your face to each side very slightly and have the photographer take a picture of each. When looking at the two shots, pay special attention to your eyes, nose, and cheeks. If anything with them seems distracting, look at the other side to see which one you feel looks best. Once you find your favorite side, focus on that for most of the shoot so you get tons of shots you'll love! Here's an in-depth guide on how to find your best side.
- Tips for Further-Out Shots: If you're going to see more of your body in the photo, make sure to not have your arms pressed against your body (especially if you're wearing short sleeves) because it can make your arms look bigger than they are. If you're trying an "arms folded" shot, make sure to smile with teeth so you don't look standoffish!
If you don't enjoy having your photo taken or worry you're un-photogenic, we have a great article to help with that.
After the Shoot
Pick the Right Shot
It can feel overwhelming when a photographer gives you hundreds of images to look through. How do you choose the best one out of so many? And what if you pick the wrong shot?
Well, the best way to choose your headshot is the same way a client would look at your headshot: quickly.
Click through your photos very quickly and ONLY download your favorites onto your computer. Don't try to nitpick them because we're going off of FAST first impressions here. Leave the rest on the image sharing site your photographer used and don't bother with them anymore.
It's important that you ONLY consider images you like because even if someone tells you a shot is good, if you don't like it, you'll always feel awkward using it.
Once you've got only your favorites to look through, you might only be seeing 20-50 shots, which is much easier to narrow down.
At this point, you can do the same thing again – quickly thumb through all those remaining images and ONLY select your top favorites. Move the ones you like into a different folder on your computer and you should only be left with 5-10 shots, which will make the final selection process super easy.
Choose your shot based on the one you feel best captures your brand or the feeling you want to convey to potential clients. If it helps, go back and find the reference images you downloaded when you were finding your brand (from earlier in this article).
If you're still not sure, you can absolutely ask a friend or colleague to help you choose. There is also a free website you can check out called Photofeeler, which allows you to get feedback from real people on your best shot (don't worry, it can be done anonymously).
Here's a great article that dives much deeper on choosing the best headshot from your shoot.
Well, the best way to choose your headshot is the same way a client would look at your headshot: quickly.
Click through your photos very quickly and ONLY download your favorites onto your computer. Don't try to nitpick them because we're going off of FAST first impressions here. Leave the rest on the image sharing site your photographer used and don't bother with them anymore.
It's important that you ONLY consider images you like because even if someone tells you a shot is good, if you don't like it, you'll always feel awkward using it.
Once you've got only your favorites to look through, you might only be seeing 20-50 shots, which is much easier to narrow down.
At this point, you can do the same thing again – quickly thumb through all those remaining images and ONLY select your top favorites. Move the ones you like into a different folder on your computer and you should only be left with 5-10 shots, which will make the final selection process super easy.
Choose your shot based on the one you feel best captures your brand or the feeling you want to convey to potential clients. If it helps, go back and find the reference images you downloaded when you were finding your brand (from earlier in this article).
If you're still not sure, you can absolutely ask a friend or colleague to help you choose. There is also a free website you can check out called Photofeeler, which allows you to get feedback from real people on your best shot (don't worry, it can be done anonymously).
Here's a great article that dives much deeper on choosing the best headshot from your shoot.
Get Your Selected Photo(s) Retouched
Retouching can make your professional real estate headshot look even more polished. It involves removing temporary blemishes, whitening teeth, fixing facial shine and flyaway hairs, and even lightening under-eye circles.
Retouching should remove anything noticeably distracting from the image, while still making sure you look like yourself.
It can be tempting to make your face slimmer or make your teeth perfectly white and smooth out your skin so there are no wrinkles, but as we've discussed a few times in this article, it might confuse potential clients if you don't look the same in your headshot as you do in real life.
Learn more about headshot retouching here.
Retouching should remove anything noticeably distracting from the image, while still making sure you look like yourself.
It can be tempting to make your face slimmer or make your teeth perfectly white and smooth out your skin so there are no wrinkles, but as we've discussed a few times in this article, it might confuse potential clients if you don't look the same in your headshot as you do in real life.
Learn more about headshot retouching here.
How to Use Your Headshots
Now that you've got your finished headshots, what do you do with them?
Well, first off we recommend that you google your own name to see all the profiles, articles, and even images (in Google Image Search) that show up. Remove old photos from any of those places and update them with your new headshots. If you did a multi-look headshot session, you should use different images in different places so people don't always see the same image everywhere.
Here are a few other places you should consider adding your new headshot(s):
Well, first off we recommend that you google your own name to see all the profiles, articles, and even images (in Google Image Search) that show up. Remove old photos from any of those places and update them with your new headshots. If you did a multi-look headshot session, you should use different images in different places so people don't always see the same image everywhere.
Here are a few other places you should consider adding your new headshot(s):
- LinkedIn: Many sellers will research you online before deciding to work with you. They want to get an idea of your reputation and make sure there is no major reason to avoid working with you. Your LinkedIn page is one of the first social profiles that will show up when people google you, so make sure it's up to date and has your most recent headshot on it.
- Realty Networks: Websites like Zillow, Trulia, and others allow you to upload a profile photo, so be sure to do this. Just like LinkedIn, profiles without photos are often assumed to be fake or outdated.
- Business Cards: Adding your headshot to your business card is common practice in the real estate industry and you should absolutely consider it.
- Signs, Billboards, and Brochures: Most realtors will add their headshot to brochures or mailers they send out, along with putting their photo on the "for sale" signs outside the homes they're representing. For these uses, a more creative outdoor or blurred background photo can work well.
- Your Website: If you're just starting out, a professional website isn't necessary, but as you grow your real estate career you'll absolutely want to have one made. It's the perfect place to post all your headshots and other photos such as lifestyle portraits, shots of you working with clients, etc.
- Email Profile Photo and Signature: Your profile image shows up to everyone you email, so be sure it's up to date with your most recent favorite headshot! You can also create an HTML email signature that includes your photo, and this is good practice because it helps you be more memorable to the people you communicate with,.
- Social Profiles: Sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok should be updated with your favorite headshot as well so you have a cohesive brand. Clients might look you up there so it's important to ensure your presence is professional wherever clients can find you!
In Summary
At the end of the day, a professional real estate headshot is not going to make or break your career, but it WILL create a positive (or negative) first impression with potential clients, and over time that first impression will either continue to help or continue to hurt you.
Making sure your headshot not only looks professional and high-budget, but is also an image you're happy with and feel confident using, is critical to long term success in your real estate endeavors.
Making sure your headshot not only looks professional and high-budget, but is also an image you're happy with and feel confident using, is critical to long term success in your real estate endeavors.
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