OUTDOOR PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS: INDOOR VS OUTDOOR HEADSHOTS

Outdoor Headshots: Environmental Portraits, Men & Women: Outdoor Headshot Poses & On Location Headshots

San Francisco photographer specializing in unique, powerful, beautiful professional business headshots, professional portrait photos, creative casual headshots, not so corporate headshots, natural headshots, executive headshots, employee headshots, natural headshots, website, social media, acting headshots, business branding photos, lifestyle images, press and corporate LinkedIn profiles.

Whether you are looking for a natural, casual headshot, personal branding for your website, a customized backdrop for your personality, or environmental office and professional business image photography for your team, let’s talk!

Outdoor Headshots San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland, Berkeley, Marin County | Outdoor Professional Headshots

My approach for professional headshots is to highlight strengths and capture individuality of people in flattering, unique customized environments during the photo session.

Location scouting and creative direction is my specialty and I assist with outfits, poses, wardrobe selection and color coordination for the photoshoot.

I shoot outdoors, public spaces, client sites with natural light for approachable yet professional pictures. I seek a balance of professionalism, approachability and trust in my photos.

Outdoor Business Portraits | Creative Business Portraits | Outdoor Linkedin Portraits | Outdoor Headshot Poses

Indoor vs Outdoor Headshots – Can Professional Headshots Be Taken Outside? Professional Headshots Outdoors

Most photographers shoot headshots indoors, in studios, against generic backdrops. This can be great for consistency for company branding, but creativity and uniqueness is lost in the process.

The only companies doing this are more legacy companies like finance, law firms etc. that are more uptight. Most startups, tech companies and creative and small businesses prefer more personalized, unique backgrounds.

Most people default to studio shots that are ok for consistency (conformity, stiffness, photoshopping) but lack individuality and creativity. This might have been fine in 15-20 years ago, but these days, more and more companies rely on photos and other media to set themselves are apart.

A great photographer can improvise with surrounding and environments like wind, sun, crowds etc., whereas studio photographers prefer controlled, generic environments. If you want something generic or want to maintain consistency, studios might be your best bet.

If you want individuality or want to have the environment as part of your branding, go with someone who shoots outdoors. Also consider an indoor environment, such as an office, atrium, or hotel lobby, that offers protection from the elements but without the stiffness from a studio headshot.

The purpose of a headshot is to convey individuality and brand. Don’t get lost in another stiff, boring studio headshot.

For more casual, artistic and creative portrait and headshot examples, click here

What To Wear For Outdoor Headshots: Outdoor Headshot Tips, Ideas For Best Outdoor Headshot Poses

For women’s wardrobe tips, read this guide. For men’s clothing tips, be sure to read this guide.

For tips, examples and ideas on how to prepare for your photography headshot, including what size and orientation do you need, how often you should update your headshots, cropping tips, colors to wear, how to look good in your headshot and should you smile for your headshot, how to pose read this post.

For tips on cropping, pixel sizes, photo dimensions, and size requirements for social media and website use, read this reference guide

Travel Update! Check my contact page for upcoming travel locations.

How Do You Take A Good Outdoor Headshot? Outdoor Headshot Ideas, Examples

Analyze wind, sunlight, background colors, outfits, skin tone, moisture in the air, hair color and what you want to convey in the headshot. There are lots of factors to balance, which is why most photographers stay away from outdoor headshots.

 

What Makes A Great Headshot? What Makes A Headshot Standout? Outdoor Business Portraits

New, original, fresh headshots stand out the most. Ones taken in a studio with generic backgrounds, excessive photoshopping techniques, and self-absorbed, narcissistic expressions are glossed over easily because of their cliche nature.

Outdoor environmental shots provide unique backgrounds that can add dimension and a unique angle to your photos.

 

Headshot Backgrounds: What Color Background Is Best For Headshots? Outdoor Headshot Backgrounds

There are a number of factors here, including industry, skin tone, hair color, and outfits. There is no perfect, absolute answer, as it’s more qualitative than quantitative. A good photographer should be able to guide you through recommendations that factor all these items together to make your photos pop.

Creative, Artistic Outdoor Headshot, DUMBO Brick Multi Color Wall Background, NYC - San Francisco Bay Area Photographer

Creative Portraits

Ramona Demure Vintage Fashion, Lifestyle Photoshoot, Modeling Portrait - San Francisco, Woman

Fashion & Modeling Portraits

Woman's Professional Business Portrait - San Francisco Bay Area, Professional Photo

Business Professional Photos

CEO Headshot, Business Professional Headshot, Female Executive Portrait Example, Pose, Hanna Wu Amplify Life Insurance

CEO / Executive Potraits

Men's Outdoor Professional Business Headshot, Casual Business Portrait, San Francisco

Personal Branding Portraits

Outdoor Urban Business Professional Headshot, Female Portrait Pose, Idea, Creative, Palo Alto, Stanford, Silicon Valley, MBA

Corporate Headshots

Koren Keiner, Yoga Instructor, Wellpreneur - San Francisco, Woman's Wellness Portrait, Yoga Photo Example

Yoga / Wellness / Fitness Photos

Kayla Fowler, Indoor Kitchen Chef Portrait Headshot Example, Pose, Woman, Female - San Francisco Bay Area Photographer

Lifestyle Photography

Creative Headshots & Portraits

Outdoors, client sites & public spaces. I rely heavily on my creative side for styling and poses to obtain effortless, fun, approachable photos that don't look awkward, stiff nor cliche. 

About Eddie Hernandez

Eddie is a professional photographer in SF w/ clients internationally. He balances approachability & professionalism, focusing on wardrobes, appearance, location scouting.