Quick headshot studio lighting setup

Here’s a quick headshot studio lighting setup we do all the time.  Headshots don’t have to be overly complicated.  It’s all about lighting, posing, and expression.  Of course there are a host of other things that go into the art of a headshot, but these are the basics.  FYI, we just shot the quick timelapse video with a gopro so you could see how easy the setup is and how quickly we work on location.

Quick Headshot Studio

  • Simple Backdrop – nothing busy, no crazy prints or colors.
  • Key light or Main Light – Illuminates the face with a nice soft Rembrandt pattern
  • Hair Light – Illuminates the hair and shoulders and give a nice separation from the background
  • A Camera of course – with the proper settings and lens selection
  • Optional – bluetooth speaker for ambience (I love music) and iPad for immediate proofing on site

See, simple quick headshot setup!  The images turn out fantastic for websites, publishings, business cards, and even social media.  If you still think this is a lot, don’t worry we can help!  Contact Us today if you want to find out more information, or if you are ready to book your headshot session with Headshots Indy by MWPImages.

Professional headshot on a budget

Are you looking for a professional headshot on a budget?  Odds are that you have just been summonsed to deliver one.  Maybe you are looking to update your resume or professional appearance on social networks, such as LinkedIn.  Whatever the reason, I’m sure your first thought was to look for the cheapest route possible.  We’ve all been there, scrambling to find the best deal.

Let’s talk about your potential options.  Keep in mind we are in need of a “professional image.”

Professional Headshots | Headshots Indy

Headshot on a budget – The Selfie

First option, grab that smartphone you just finished talking on and start snapping away.  This definitely puts you in charge of your own destiny.  You’ve got this down, no problem, right?  Well, you may be costing yourself that future career you dreamed of or your next promotion, all because of your digital presence.  While smartphones have advanced greatly, did you think about your clothing, grooming, posing, or location choices?  Probably not, right?  The age of selfies have ruined us.   We have become way to comfortable with the high angles, plastic skin smoothing, and bathroom backdrops, not to forget duck lips, tongue out, or kitty noses and ears.  Ok, you get the point.  It’s not professional.

Headshot on a budget – The Booth

Option two, and the reason for this post, a headshot booth.  During my current travels, I have come across the Professional Headshot Booth in the airport terminal.  Super cool, right?  Advertised as “Business Class Selfies, where you are the photographer.”  Granted the kiosk does have a super cool and sleek design.  Clean white shell, nice translucent door, a modern stool, and some bright lighting.  Lighting, another thing missed in option one above. 

Headshot on a budget | Photobooth

 

I actually wouldn’t mind have one of these cubicle style contraptions at like coffee shops when I need to get a bit of work done.  So, what makes this better than option one?  Absolutely nothing!  Oh wait, they added a big soft light in front of you and some eye catching marketing.  You can accomplish the exact same thing by standing in front of a large window with indirect sunlight and finding a solid colored wall for your backdrop.  Take 6 photos, pick the best one, and run through some free filters in an app such as Snapseed.  Is it a professional headshot? Well, no, but it’s closer as they actually considered the backdrop and lighting this time.  The lighting, in my opinion, is very reminiscent of the horror you experience at the department of motor vehicles.  At least you were able to smile or turn side to side (aka mug shots).  Lastly, I’ll just mention this is not cheap.  Considering these kiosks are located in airports near the gates, you had to get past security first, which requires at least a one-way ticket somewhere…

headshot-on-a-budget headshot-on-a-budget headshot-on-a-budget

headshot-on-a-budget headshot-on-a-budget headshot-on-a-budget

 

Headshot on a budget – The Professional

Finally, and your best option is to get it done right the right way.  Seek a professional photographer to handle your professional image.  This may seem like a costly inconvenience to you right now, but this is a digital age and your digital presence is the first impression of potential clients, hiring professionals, or even current colleagues.  A professional headshot photographer should be able to help you make the proper decisions on clothing, locations, colors, posing, lighting, and help you be as comfortable in front of the lens as possible.  They are there to help you portray the best you!  The entire process doesn’t have to be an inconvenience at all.  A lot of our Headshots Indy clients are in and out within 30minutes.  Having multiple images taken, proofed, and selected on site real-time allows our clients to return to their busy days quickly. They also know they will be receiving a professional image, completely retouched, without going overboard, and any assistance needed for resizing or posting to professional social media sites.

Indianapolis Professional Headshot Photographer

www.mwpimages.com
www.headshotsindy.com

You could easily go with options one or two, but make sure you truly consider the quality vs. value of your professional image as well as the opportunities that are presented to confident eyes and a friendly smile.  Don’t miss out by relying on a cheap selfie.  Headshots Indy would be happy to help you make a lasting first impression!

Behind the scenes | 2018 Recap

Go behind the scenes with MWPImages.  Here’s a quick recap of our 2018 year!  We had multiple weddings and senior photography session, but our seniors killed it this year!  Take a peek at the amount of fun we had each session.  From the north side of Indianapolis to the south, on-location and in studio, each one just as unique as the seniors themselves.  I’ve seen the best nine on instagram and facebook, but how about the best 3:24?!?!? 🙂 Sorry, I just couldn’t fit it all into nine photos.

Behind the scenes with MWPImages 2018

 

We can’t wait for all the 2019 amazing experiences!  If you’re looking for senior pictures, or wedding photography, look no further.  Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and book you session with MWPImages.  When your senior has gone off to school or entered adulthood, you’ll have some fantastic images to remind of all the quality time you spent together.  If you are a bride, think about all the things that go unnoticed as you are cloud nine during your wedding.  Let us help you capture those moments.  Now that you’ve read all that, click the contact button, we look forward to working with you in 2019 and beyond!

Taylor C | HHS2019 Senior Session

Taylor came out and rocked her senior session with us here at MWPImages!  We couldn’t have asked for better weather for downtown Indy during the middle of October.  This is just a sneak peek of a few images from her session.  If you enjoy this, consider booking a session with MWPImages and capture your own priceless memories!

Taylor’s Senior Session

These are so good! I think we made it a bit hard on ourselves to choose favorites!  I know mom loves them all and I can’t blame her!

taylors senior session blog collage

About MWPImages

I’m Mike Washington, owner and photographer at MWPImages. My studio is based in Mooresville, just outside of Indianapolis. I specialize in wedding and engagementseniorsfamiliescorporateevent, and fashion photography.

I have been documenting life around me since the early 90’s. Whether I was using a point-and-shoot or a Polaroid, I was vigilant about capturing moments that would turn into memories. If you’re like me, you probably have boxes and boxes containing these everyday moments that rarely get opened. One of the many things that I love about being a photographer is creating images for you that are special enough to hang on your walls or be featured in a uniquely-designed photo book that sits on your living room table.

I am proud to be a Professional Photographers of America Certified Photographer and the 2013 RAWardsPhotographer of the Year Award. But, what gives me the greatest satisfaction is creating images for my clients that are uniquely them. We have a lot of fun in the process.

Check out my portfolio to see my work in the areas of wedding and engagement, family portraits and lifestyle, seniors, corporate events and head shots, and fashion photography. I strive to provide a unique experience for each of my clients, and can’t wait to discover what we can create for you.

 

 

Senior Look Book | MWPImages

MWPImages has just release their first Senior Look Book! This is one of the coolest products we’ve done thus far! Imagine flipping through a magazine and seeing your senior session images in a publication. Well, this is it! The entire magazine dedicated to you, the senior!

mwpimages senior look book cover

Get the Senior Look Book

Your senior year is one of the best years of your life. Make sure you capture those moments in print to share with your family and friends. You could also just keep it as a memento to look back on when you’re old and grey like myself, HA! I guarantee that will not happen! Once you get one of these gems in your hands, you will want to share it with the world. I can’t blame you, I would too!

Schedule your senior session with MWPImages and ask how you can get a Senior Look Book for yourself! Juniors entering senior year, this is the best time to schedule your senior session!

Make sure you follow us on instagram @mwpimages and facebook @mwpimages

 

Upcoming Event

If you are in or around the Mooresville, IN area on Thursday June 21st, make sure you stop in on the Mardi Gras event.  This will take place from 5pm to 10pm right downtown by our studio!  We are a title sponsor for the kids zone with multiple bounce houses for fun! Also, we will be giving away some fun stuff over by the studio!  Stop by and check us out, some of our senior models will be on hand to help out.  So, make sure you say hi, grab some swag, and snap a photo/selfie to post on social media. Maybe we’ll give a big prize away to the best image!  (I hope you read to the end, because this may be worth more than one senior look book!)