Test Headshots... Critique Please!

[Avv604]

I have one of my first headshots coming up and I took some test shots hoping everyone could tell me what I can do better.
Please, all the bads. Don't hold back.

The headshots will be of two adults and one teenager. Being used for a brochure.
Thanks ahead of time.

[Saralonde]

The face in the first pic looks a little dark. Maybe a reflector to add a little light to the face would help. The second two look better. Crop is better in the second two also. Make sure you focus clearly on the eyes. Be a little wary of writing on shirts, too. They can be distracting.

[Nicole]

Aside from what Saralonde said about the first picture having the face too dark, there appears to be a car door on the left of the picture. It's not in enough of the picture to actually look like it was intentional so it appears as more of a distraction, like you didn't check your background (something we're all guilty of, so I'm not pointing fingers there ).

Overall, one thing I might consider is making sure that the pictures aren't quite as head-on as they are here. I know you're doing head shots, but by turning the body a little so that it's more sideways, it might help. I notice this in the second picture because it feels then like the shoulders have been cut off. Just my 2 cents about that. Others may say something different on that one.

One question I have is what kind of brochure is it? It probably doesn't matter, but it might influence how you pose your people or what sort of scenery you're using (like how you used the tree/pole in the second and third pictures)

[Avv604]

OK, so turn the shoulders to one side or another. Focus on the eyes. Anything else?

[SarahN]

The third one seems a bit off, composition wise. It looks oddly cropped, if that makes sense. The little boy's hand is cut off and it looks like you accidentally got something in there and had to crop it, instead of posing it the way you wanted to...also, the girl's ring in the middle is really distracting...

[jiminyClickit]

Avv604,

Go to a bookstore, look through 23 brochures, and pick a few photo ideas you like. There may be a dozen ideas you haven't considered, and may not receive here. Background, or lack of it, can set a mood. Time of day (lighting) and pose (composition, framing) always produce reactions from a viewer, good and bad. If your brochure is informal and about family stuff, the second and third are OK.

[brianfarrell]

Originally Posted by Avv604

Being used for a brochure.

What's the brochure's subject matter?

That will inform your approach and any advice given here...

[Avv604]

Originally Posted by brianfarrell

What's the brochure's subject matter?

That will inform your approach and any advice given here...

I will be for a Christian family counseling brochure. I am sure she will use the pictures for other things but this is the main thing right now.

Does that help?

[Avv604]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

Avv604,

Go to a bookstore, look through 23 brochures, and pick a few photo ideas you like. There may be a dozen ideas you haven't considered, and may not receive here. Background, or lack of it, can set a mood. Time of day (lighting) and pose (composition, framing) always produce reactions from a viewer, good and bad. If your brochure is informal and about family stuff, the second and third are OK.

Ok, good advise. Thank you.
So, not 24, stop at 23? Hardee har har...

[jiminyClickit]

Avv604,

Odd numbers are more memorable, or get your attention (more than, say, "a few dozen"). Basically, see what people do who produce brochures for a living.