The Art of Headshots / Professional Portrait Stuido and Photographer tools

Art of Headshots Photo Session

2014-07-16T21:43:00.001-07:00

Tommy Ramone of the Ramones died today

2014-07-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Tommy Ramone the remaining original member is dead at age 65...

Thank you for your Genius music that later would be called Punk Rock, created by you. You influenced me more than I have ever known.

In 1979, we my favourite albums included Pink Floyd, The Ramones, Be Gees and Donna Summer. It never made any sense to admire one style of music when at one moment I could wear bell bottoms and another moment it would be ripped jeans. Music in the 70's was real expression from the heart, a political movement and a sense of hope towards the future.

"What do you think of that Rock N'Roll stuff", " I learned that Good Music, is Good Music regardless of colour, shape or form " replied Luis Armstrong during an interview in the 50's.

"I am a teenage lobotomy", what did it mean? " slugs and snails are after me ddt keep me happy, now I guess i'll have to tell'em that i got no cerebellum, gonna get my ph.d. I'm a teenage lobotomy"

Tommy Ramone of the Ramones was considered the creators of Punk Rock N'Roll. Some of the establishment treated their music as teenage lobotomy, reflecting back on the times Tommy exceeded his ph.d and showed the world his creative genius immortalized through his music.

Father's Day Message

2014-06-15T16:40:00.001-07:00

Headshots, a marketing tool for Success

2014-06-12T22:49:00.001-07:00

Headshots, a marketing tool for success:

At Art of Headshots we have made our tagline “the optimum branding identity”, because in most cases you are the brand and your modern portrait is an image of you- at your best. What can be more important than the visionaries, the team, the creators and inventors? How do you purchase a service that will provide you with a headshot that will help your sales people make millions, the creators communicate their genius and the professionals express unparalleled competency?

Our ability to recognize faces and expression is one of humanity distinct qualities. We look at people and immediately in our sub-conscious mind make decisions about that individual. Our defence system will accept or reject that person based on our innate perception. How can you have a headshot that will engage with your future client, boss or even lover?

Neuroscientists who specialize in the study of online engagement have determined that we will look at an image of a face before anything else. Secondly would be a picture of an animal, followed by an image of food, when looking at someones online profile or web page. We resist reading content right away, it's not an instinctive response. So your headshot is a tool to help the reader in a deeper level decide if he or she is going to read your content.

So, if a portrait is the first visual point, shouldn't all online websites have a portrait to the left of a page, helping people visually follow a sequence? Being a headshot professional, I have witnessed the engagement related to headshots, and the difference it makes when people use our system for realizing a great headshot.

Do we relate to faces because we human beings are narcissistic and will respond to things that matter to us, mainly us and about us? Or does it have to do with bonding and social development? I wonder if we also will automatically and intuitively make judgements toward the headshot in a profound and intuitive way?

It seems that by passion, trial and error and curiosity I have been building an online neuroscientific approach for producing a headshot that is 'the optimum branding identity'. My first experience of the magic and power of a great headshot was the discovery that National Geographic magazine would boost sales every time they add a portrait called the 'Afghan Girl', I wonder how many millions and millions of dollars they have earned on the account of a single picture of a13 yrs old girl photographed 30 yrs ago?

Walking to a book store we will see autobiographies of great people and the cover isn't painted or designed it is more often than not a portrait of the person. Writers of all ages, races and hierarchies benefit from a great portrait cover of themselves to entice the reader to purchase the book. Would we see Nelson Mandela's portrait in a Vogue magazine article? But his portrait earns his family millions of dollars. While a model's portrait might be somewhat exciting it may become a hinderance for book sales since we automatically determine who has life experience interesting enough to read a thousand of pages and who doesn't?

After a long process of analysis and studies of headshots, we have devised a failed safe approach to producing a modern portrait to help our customers bring out the best of themselves. A meaningful headshot specific to become the optimum branding identity.

History of Headshots and Headshot Photography

2014-05-14T15:40:00.001-07:00

Being a photographer for more than 20 yrs has afforded me the pleasure and privilege to work with many outstanding people of all ages and professions. The next leaders, today's leaders and leaders of the past and some not publicly known but equally outstanding.

The terminology, headshot was adopted by the movie industry through a popular movie director that often complained about his actors portraits. "Mug shot, Mug Shot, why do they send me mug shots - I want professional portraits:. Inversely the casting agents modified the term mug shot to headshot when speaking to their clients. Eventually it became a definition for portraits used casting exclusive to the movie industry and printed in 8X10 attached to the resume. In those days actor's and dignitaries were the only people purchasing professional portraits of themselves.

Real Estate industry were the early adopters of head shot photography for branding an agent. They realized that attaching a portrait to their marketing material improved the (ROI) return on investment for marketing material. Now, all we need to do is step outside and in less than a few blocks, realtor headshots are plastered all over the place.

Being one of the few, and the only Vancouver based photographer specializing in corporate headshots, I have witnessed a great deal of change once clients have professional portraits of their staff. Sales staff can build relationship and be professional through their headshot.

Why is this a novel idea? Most agencies boast about their staff being the greatest asset and will force the office manager to pull out a $20 camera and capture mug shots instead of headshots... That is no way to acknowledge your greatest asset. Please read my latest page dedicated to the progression of headshot photography ( http://www.artofheadshots.com/a-headshot-a-modern-portrait-for-online-engagement-branding-advertising/ ).

Now, headshot is becoming a standard practice for all industries and professions to have a professional image of yourself in linkedin, twitter, facebook and a dedicated social media website to one's individual vocation.

Art of Headshots Photography Studio Vancouver

2014-04-22T20:35:00.001-07:00

First and last promotion of the year

2014-03-24T11:46:00.002-07:00

Portrait and Headshot Promotion for Early Spring 2014

Headshot is your optimum branding identity. This Thursday and Friday March 27 to 28th, we are offering our highest value service by Art of Headshots. Please choose one of the three options:

a) VIP Service, a $325 service for just $155.

For $155 + GST here’s what you’ll get:

• A 1-hour sitting at Carlos’ home studio in False Creek

• A gallery of photos to choose from

• One selected photo professionally finished into 4 high- resolution files:

o Colour optimized for fine printing

o Colour optimized for web and social media

o Black and white optimized for fine printing

o Black and white optimized for web and social media

• Full rights to all images

*Bonus photo professionally finished into Four high- resolution files

b) VIP Complete Service, a $415 service for just $185.

For $185 + GST here’s what you’ll get:

• A 1-hour sitting at Carlos’ home studio in False Creek

• A gallery of photos to choose from

• One selected photo professionally finished into 4 high-resolution files:

o Colour optimized for fine printing

o Colour optimized for web and social media

o Black and white optimized for fine printing

o Black and white optimized for web and social media

• Full rights to all images

• Half an hour makeup session with our professional artist - Yingbo

• Option to shoot outdoor additional to studio

*Bonus photo professionally finished into Four high- resolution files

c) First Satisfied Experience service:

Have you had a few headshots with some of Vancouver's elite photographers but have never been satisfied? We are here to correct this situation, if you book by March 27th and tell us your experiences, we will offer you a completely free trial and send our photographers chosen image for your review. Pay only if you are completely convinced that finally, you have a portrait worth while of you.

First Satisfied Service free or $325.

Offer expires March 27 ( no rain checks )

www.artofheadshots.com

Master Portrait Photographer Yousuf Karsh

2014-02-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

Yousuf Karsh is the master photographer for portraits today and last century equally. Regardless of all the product development in equipment. Karsh continues to lead.

Why? Some people will say that the film equipment was better than our current digital technology. Others will disagree with my earlier statement and mention another photographer as the leader for portrait photography.

I believe that no mega or gigapixels can replace what truly makes an outstanding portrait. Please have a look at some of Yousuf Karsh's work and ask yourself a few questions?

What is it about this portrait that arouses my curiosity?

What is the common theme in his work? How is it different than most portraits?

As a professional headshot photographer dedicated to the art of headshots... I can not speak for Yousuf Karsh, as much as I wished to have had him mentor me. But I can speak about my own work and process.

Its an honour to meet people of all walks of life and help them produce an engaging portrait and a branding identity.

Yousuf Karsh managed to immortalize the life of those fortunate enough to have been captured by him.

professional headshots vancouver

2014-02-07T21:09:00.001-08:00

Professional headshots in Vancouver by Art of Headshots is a portrait studio dedicated to capturing branding images for business professionals.

Art of Headshots is a company that is uniquely designed in thorough understanding of fine portraits, people and their branding needs.

Great portraits are achieved through a four step approach; a) Shooting Style, b) Gallery of images, c) Post Production and c) Optimization of Headshots.

a) Shooting Style

Carlos Taylhardat of Art of Headshots shoots portraits through an interaction that resembles a counselling session to help his clients bring out their personality or if you will the human spirit.

b) Gallery of Images

Following the session, clients receive a proof gallery of all images captured. The gallery allows users to build their own lightbox to facilitate choosing.

c) Post Production

Upon selecting the image, the portrait is touched up and designed to perfection. The emphasis are the eyes.

d) Optimization of Headshots

Clients will receive four versions of the same headshots, in colour and in black and white, optimized for web and optimized for fine printing. Full rights of all the files and images.

For more question go to www.artofheadshots.com
or
call 1-888-212-8112

Photographer for Commercial Headshots

2013-02-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

Photographer for Commercial Headshots providing international services,

Art of Headshots, is growing beyond our city and are offering our unique process for capturing headshots, portraits and images that make everyone look great! We are now offering our services anywhere in North America and Europe to a client needing a minimum of 150 headshots.

For your corporation we will capture an image of each person, have a gallery per person, touch up and use our unique photoshop techniques to reveal the greatest portrait. A file of all images taken, plus four files of your chosen headshot, in B&W, color, optimized for printing and WEB.

Feel free go enjoy an outstanding portrait headshot, that will be meaningful for you and your agency.

Regards,
Carlos

Portrait Studio Photographer

2013-02-12T17:14:00.001-08:00

Portrait Studio Photographer, Carlos Taylhardat of ART OF HEADSHOTS has updated a new website www.artofheadshots.com. Our previous website in wordpress content management system.

Our portrait studio has had a number of websites, from the earlier days of having a flash based website to today, a wordpress site aimed at making the process of selecting images, viewing portfolio quite easy. I am looking for your feedback regarding the new platform.

Did we accomplish an easily understood site? Please let us know,

Kind Regards,

Carlos Taylhardat

Website for headshots services

2012-10-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Art of Headshots

Its been 2 yrs since we have designed our last website, due to financial restraints. Our website was somewhat limited and have had a few complaints that the images are greater than the design.

Well, I am happy to announce that over the next few weeks, we will be re-designing a whole new site. I am looking forward to your co-operation and feedback,

Kind Regards,

Carlos

Spirit of Vancouver

2012-10-10T13:48:00.002-07:00

Spirit of Vancouver

What a tremendous Sunrise this morning, Vancouver. The spirit inside our city has woken up to remind us that 3 mths of no rain isn't Vancouver. If disappointed, remember green and fresh air.

I love our city,

Carlos Taylhardat

www.artofheadshots.com

HDR Photographer in Vancouver

2012-09-26T13:33:00.003-07:00

While photographing people is my passion and has been our specialty, we are now also offering HDR photography services.

What is HDR?

High Dynamic Range allows you to view more information between the lightest and darkest points of an image. Its great for Architectural Photography, Landscapes and even people?

David photographed in HDR

This image was taken for my clients headshot, we decided to do the first HDR Portrait. The result is a richer image.

Another recent work was an image of my area Olympic Village finished in a unique style, and then printed in Canvas and painted.

Now, we are offering a new service for Realtors, Architects and for Portraits.

Love to love you baby... Donna Summer

2012-05-17T12:57:00.001-07:00

A tribute to Donna Summer

With a little sense of guilt and remorse I blog about Donna Summer and her 1975 Hit, "Love to Love you Baby".

As a little boy of six in 1975 it was my favorite song, I loved to love, "Love to Love you baby". But when I became a teenager in the 80's all things seventies were considered cheesy. Certainly, it seemed social suicide listening to "Disco Queen". Eighties loved to hate, "Love to love you baby".

I had forgotten just how wonderful this tune is, was... Until today when I read that we lost, Donna Summer due to cancer at 63.

I Love to Love You, Donna Summer... I am sorry to have been influenced by the anti-disco era of the 80's and forgotten your great tune. Rest in peace, and thank you for your tremendous & majestic sound, "love to love you baby". Tonight, I challenge my readers to listen to "Love to Love you baby", while loving.

Kindly yours,
Carlos

Best Mother's Day Gift in Vancouver

2012-05-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

I am dedicating today's blog to promote an associate's Mother's Day gift. Promoting someone else's service in my blog isn't something that I would easily accept, but in this one rare chance, I will make an exception.

WHY?

Some people want to see Paris, before they die, while others choose Disneyland, the Pyramids in Egypt or the Amazon Jungle... Equally as exciting is Craig's Addy, under the Piano - in out own city.

February the 28th, 2011. My wife and I endeavoured to experience this unique and interesting service called "Under the Piano"... Which is precisely what we did, we lied down in Craig's Addy Grand Piano as he improvised wonderful music for us. Craig Addy is a master and talented classical musician with keen intuition, the sounds became a body and mind spa.

What I thought was interesting before my actual experience became a much needed respite, that has helped me immensely. What an outstanding experience for my wife and I to have this talented musician play tunes specifically for us while we lied with our eyes shut under his Grand Piano.

Your Mother will feel loved and appreciated should you chose to give her an opportunity to experience " Craig's Addy, Under the Piano", please check http://craigaddy.com/2012/05/mothers-day-what-is-the-perfect-gift/ - Your Mother will be glad, you did.

Headshots Photographer

2012-03-13T17:21:00.001-07:00

Douglas Anderson ( DA )

Yesterday during a networking breakfast I was asked by an associate to critique his headshot image. I looked at it and knew exactly what to say, but did not know how to say it?

His Portrait was flawless, great lighting, dark grey background, he dressed as a young business professional should... A nice smile, everything was fine - except that there was no soul behind the image. He was simply a subject matter.

"I was the Headshots Photographer for this image", my associate said. " I set my camera for the timer to shoot, I am a videographer and have all the equipment".

Now, I was forced to tell him the truth... "A Headshots Photographer isn't much about photography but more about people. You look fine, its professional, I just don't see you, your soul, your personality & intelligence. It is an image but not a portrait that builds relationships".

Headshots Photographers, are people astute towards their clients story and experiences revealing an image that captures essence. Not a picture with a vacant smile or nice clothing, but a sense of the person being photographed.

Look at the image of DA, what do you see? Can you relate or almost hear his story in this image taken a couple of months ago? I clicked the shutter following his disclosure of an experience where he protected a friend in Junior High, from being bullied.

Please contact us should you want a presentation on the Art of Headshots, or have questions.

carlos@artofheadshots.com
www.artofheadshots.com
(604) 506-1766

Need a headshot photographer

2012-03-10T10:16:00.001-08:00

Scotty Grabb

I am a professional photographer and principal for Art of Headshots ( www.artofheadshots.com ), our blog is dedicated to all things portrait headshots.

Today's topic is the need of a headshot photographer? Which is our specialty and we believe it to be an integral part for today's modern branding ways.

Consider Scotty Grabb, a Man of integrity hard work and a family Man. Did I need to say it? Or did you get all that and much more simply by looking at his Headshot image?

Need a Headshot? If you don't have a headshot you are missing the most valuable type of communication. Speaking to the sub-conscious mind, building a relationship, offering a piece of yourself.

A headshot, portrait, picture, self photo or whatever you call it, is integral for messaging who we are in our modern marketing e.g; twitter, facebook, linkedin, google, yahoo, blogs, websites and the latest and newest Pin It.

Hire a photographer or agency that is dedicated to Headshots, look at their portfolio, and see the plethora of images and if most of them gravitate a response, you can be assured that your image will have a similar influence on your potential audience.

Be careful of hiring a photographer that offers a number of services, such as Weddings, Architectural photragraphy, pet images as they may not have the necessary proficiency or passion to provide you with the desired outcome.

Feel free to contact me with your questions or to schedule a presentation on The Art of Headshots .

Carlos Taylhardat
carlos@artofheadshots.com
(604) 506-1766

Vancouver

2012-03-08T10:57:00.001-08:00

Vancouver

Two weeks ago we had the most spectacular Sunset. I ran, and pulled out my camera looking for a marvellous scenery to be captured. To my surprise I didn't need to go any further than a block away. My neighbourhood was perfect.

How lucky we are to live here in Vancouver, where its safe, clean and beautiful. Today's Headshot is Vancouver.

Kindly,
Carlos Taylhardat

Networking with a purpose to end homelessness in Vancouver

2012-03-07T10:33:00.003-08:00

Sid

Last Saturday I was invited to capture Headshots for two Homeless people in Vancouver invited speaking at a Networking Group. I have always been concerned about the downtown Eastside and wished I could help?

Ricky Shetty is uniting business people and the homeless with the purpose to end homelessness in Vancouver. Ricky's plan is simple, network, promote your business, gain new clients during his function. Proceeds go to help the homeless in an Entrepreneurial matter, not by enabling but by providing meaningful resources.

"I feel it for the business person that hit hard times and becomes homeless, much harder for them...", explained Sid during our seating session. "They are so tough on themselves with their expectations, its harder to recover and often they get into the harsher drugs". "We see so many of those people, now".

Sid spoke about his plans to ride to Saskatchewan and is currently saving $5, every cheque to achieve his goal. He will collect his last welfare cheque this Summer.

"At times people don't believe that I am homeless, because of my education and ability to speak well and pretend all is great..." explained Leigh.

Sid and Leigh are two intelligent talented individuals that are currently homeless, with plans for doing great services to society when they get out of their current situation. Expect Leigh to become a great counselor, helping others from getting into her current situation. Sid's bike trip will raise awareness all around Canada.

Thank you Sid and Leigh for allowing me to capture your portrait, now. Looking forward to our next session when Sid is cycling and Leigh is counselling street people.

Kindly,
Carlos

Networking With Purpose http://www.artofheadshots.com/gallery/Networking-with-Purpose-to-end-Homelesness/G0000eiZd6orDBC0

Photographers best kept secret in Vancouver, a jewel of a store

2012-03-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Image Taken for a Art of Headshots Ad Campaign

I have been to all major photography stores in Vancouver and have had mainly good experiences, but one store stands out above all others...

One would expect that a professional photographer would be recommending one of those - dedicated to professional stores?

Actually, I have had the worse experiences with the so-called professional photographers stores. Never mind the fact that any photography equipment marked professional is priced at least double than the consumer equal. In todays competitive market I have to be careful as to how I purchase product and equipment. In the past I have had to sacrifice getting great service vs price.

Last Christmas I researched all prices for my Wife's Christmas present ( a camera ) around town and beyond. The best deal was found at Blacks Photo in downtown. They couriered a camera with in hours, offered my Wife lesson on how to use all the features, no other store would do the same... She also received a photography book of images to be binded.

My experiences with Blacks on Robson also includes printing that rivals no one else in Vancouver and was obtained promptly with a satisfaction guarantee. I also purchased my passport pictures from the store, it was delivered in minutes and taken by a staff who is also a professional photographer.

The store manager, Jaynene Rail is attentive, dedicated and proficient. Leading by example a staff group of passionate and educated photographers. Its a photographers best kept secret in Vancouver, a jewel of a store.

I will stop praising Black's store on Robson, because I wouldn't want me readers to think that I was either asked, or paid to write an article. I am simply marvelled by wonderful service and value.

Thanks,

Carlos

carlos@artofheadshots.com

www.artofheadshots.com

the mentioned store,

Blacks

579 Robson Street,

Vancouver, BC

tel. (604) 681-6625

Professional Headshots

2012-02-29T16:43:00.002-08:00

Professional Headshots

It wasn't too long ago when the only people purchasing professional Headshots were performers. Now everyone is wanting a professional image of themselves for marketing, branding and advertising.

Sometimes I get hired to capture professional headshots because an office photo enthusiast thought he or she could do it. Later they realized that surely the have an image of the professional staff, but not a professional image. Becoming aware of the importance towards having professional images of their staff.

Hire a professional for professional Headshots, otherwise its just a picture. Probably not engaging, but an image of the person nonetheless.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about professinal headshtos,

carlos@artofheadshtos.com
artofheadshots.com

Corporate Headshots

2012-02-28T16:20:00.005-08:00

Headshot image of David Barrett

What is corporate headshots?

We communicate through google more than any other tool, through social media, email, web browsing, research - google rules. While we search for information our first response is the images we see.

A corporate headshot is an image that brands you, illustrates a part of your personality, aura or spirit.

Please write to us if you want corporate headshots or have questions to artofheadshots.com

Portrait Professional

2012-02-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

I am a portrait professional with more than 30 yrs experience capturing people needing to show their best either for casting or professional needs.

A portrait professional usually is an artist that has passion for people and what they do. We have our unique style of capturing images of all our clients ( www.artofheadshots.com ), if you have any additional questions feel free to email them to carlos@artofheadshots.com

Thanks

The "Pro" profile pics

2012-02-15T17:51:00.001-08:00

courtesy Amber Mac

5 Ways To Put The "Pro" In Profile Pics

BY AMBER MACThu Feb 9, 2012

Your profile photo is an important part of your online image, so if you still have an egg as your Twitter avatar or a blue-and-white silhouette for your Facebook page, it's time to step things up. (Hint: This photo is a "don't.")

If you still have an egg as your Twitter avatar, it's time to step things up.

Your profile photo is an important part of your online image. Not only is this pic the first thing people see when they look you up on the web, whether you're using Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google+, this image is now regularly transported into people's in-boxes and pulled onto their phones as users rely on services such as Xobni to put faces to their digital networks.

It's worth noting that these images have also moved well beyond tiny digital squares. Facebook, with its Timeline feature, gives you two opportunities to promote yourself--a large cover image and a smaller profile pic. Google+ gives you the option to insert a main image and then a series of images across the top of your account. LinkedIn is more traditional, with room for one photo, but you can manage who can see that picture to include your connections, network, or everyone.

Here are five tips to put your best face forward online.

1. Go pro. You can't go wrong with a professional headshot. Use a solid-colored background and ask a photographer friend or hire a professional to capture your image. For example, Ford's head of social media has a professional picture with the company's logo embedded in the bottom corner. He also includes his business information beside his photo, and his background image extends his brand, portraying the same look and feel.

2. Be your brand. If a professional headshot is too stuffy for your business, try to capture the essence of what you do in your profile pic. Travel expert JohnnyJet (@johnnyjet) does just this on his Twitter page. He shares a close-up shot of himself in travel gear on one of his many adventures. His background image is composed of dozens of thumbnails of his many travel experiences, making it very clear that he's not a banker, but a jet-setter.

3. Animate yourself. While I've seen animated profiles go horribly wrong, there is a place for these moving images. Take a look at technology blogger Cali Lewis's banner image. This sequence of professional photos, including the logo from Lewis' online show, help to give her entire page a more professional feel. Also, these moving images make her page stand out from other, plainer-looking pages. To animate your Google+ banner, check out this post on Ghacks.

4. Have fun. There is no shortage of creative profile pics, but some of the most interesting work in this space has been done within Facebook's Timeline. A copywriter from E3, a web design agency in Italy, shows off some extraterrestrial love in his cover art and profile image. This clever photo integration helps to give his Facebook account a quirky and interesting look. If you plan to use your Facebook account for building your brand, it's a good idea to figure out how you plan to use both of these image opportunities to promote what you do.

5. Avoid the "MySpace pose." As whimsical as it may seem, there is nothing professional about a profile photo you snapped in the mirror on your smartphone. While there is a time and a place for self-portraits, your avatar isn't it; in other words, don't waste this precious real estate on a crummy image. If you want to take your own profile pic, ensure that you use a decent camera, shine light on your face so you're not backlit, and allow for some headroom so your hair isn't cut off. Also, wear clothing that reflects how you would dress in your professional world.

Now it's your turn--say cheese, and don't forget to smile!

For more tips on building your personal brand and working smarter, see Amber Mac's Work Flow series.

Additional question to

carlos@artofheadshots.com