Morton Visuals' COVID Safety Certificate

Photography Safety for Headshots in a COVID World

Morton Visuals always works to ensure the safety of their clients and visitors. In the current times, with health considerations being at the forefront of everyone’s mind, we are implementing new procedures to help us ensure photography safety for your headshots. We have consulted with the Professional Photographers of America as well as the American Society of Media Photographers (two national professional organizations, both of which we are members) for their guidance.

Our studios, Camera Ready Studios, have outlined a number of COVID Policies and Procedures to improve safety. Our studio facilities will be thoroughly wiped down and sanitized prior to your arrival, including our camera rooms and our lounge/TV room. A few points are highlighted below.

  • Hand sanitizer will be provided to guests upon arrival.
  • Your photographer will wear an appropriate mask for your safety.
  • We will maintain social distancing to the greatest extent possible. We will not approach you to straighten your tie or clothing without your express permission.
  • Should you bring a guest, spouse, colleague or partner with you, they may straighten your attire or make any needed adjustments at our direction. We will ask that they wear a mask.
  • Only one client (or small group) will be allowed in the studio facilities at any time. Anyone not being photographed will be asked to wait in our lounge/TV room.
  • We ask that you please notify us if anyone is not feeling well. We will be happy to reschedule with no cancellation fees provide sufficient notice is provided.

We have also received a COVID-19 Notice and Waiver from the Professional Photographers of America, and have a copy of this for our clients as well.

We know that this is only a beginning, and we are certainly open to your wishes and suggestions. If you have any questions at all about photography safety, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us so that we can discuss. You may call Headshots In Dallas or email us. Thank you for your support during this challenging time!

 

directing shooting reviewing headshots

Headshot Preparation: Look Your Best For Your Business Headshots

Morton Visuals wants to ensure that you look your very best for your headshot session. So we’ve compiled a listing of tips to help you with your headshot preparation. To that end, we consulted with professional Makeup Artist Mary Erickson, a 30-year veteran in the world of commercial print and advertising. Recently retired, Mary now focuses on her highly successful professional makeup store. Her recommended tips are listed below. (The photographer’s suggestions are added in italics.)

  • Bring shirts with a collar as well as different necklines.
  • Women should bring at least 6 different tops to choose from. Men should bring several (3-4) different shirts and/or ties.
  • No sleeveless shirts for headshots, they can make the arms look big and distracts from the face.
  • No solid white. Men’s dress shirts under a jacket are the exception. 
  • If you’re very light-skinned you may want to avoid solid black.
  • Solid colors are ideal; stay away from busy patterns and busy prints. For men, a dress shirt often gets “scrunched” under a suit jacket or sports coat. If the shirt is striped or patterned, retouching those wrinkles will be virtually impossible.
  • Bring a lint brush or lint roller, fuzz will show on dark colors.
  • Make sure your clothes are pressed and clean – very few photographers have irons or extra time. Photo retouching on soiled or wrinkled clothes will usually cost extra. Bring your wardrobe to the shoot on hangers.
  • Stay away from clothes with big buttons or ornaments that shine and compete for attention.
  • If you wear earrings they should be small studs. Keep jewelry at a minimum, because anything flashy will distract from you.
  • Men should be clean-shaven, and a recent haircut is recommended.
  • If desired, we can recommend a professional makeup artist to ensure that your makeup is flawless.

Remember, whether your headshots are for your social media image or business branding for your professional resume, you want to present your very best image to your prospective clients or employers. Headshot preparation will help ensure you present the very best “you” in your images.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.

Note: This article was originally published on the Morton Visuals photography blog. Updates included here.

headshots on-site in your Dallas office

Dallas Executive Headshots – Save Time and Money

This article originally published on Morton Visuals' blog

Morton Visuals was had the opportunity to photograph more Dallas executive headshots for a group of business executives from my favorite car dealership. One thing we've learned over the years is that executives are busy people, and their time is very valuable. So we focus on efficiency and getting the shot dialed in before the executives ever step foot in front of the camera. This is the way we approach all of our Dallas photography.

The Headshot Process

Visiting the North Dallas corporate headquarters, we set up for on-location headshots in a little-used office area next to a row of empty cubicles. (See the image at the top of the page.) Our client elected a good neutral background, and we created a setup that will allow consistency as we photograph other executives in the future. Because we shoot tethered to a laptop, we are able to see each image immediately. This allows us to fix anything that may be sub-optimal, and make adjustments as we go. The net effect is that we know that we have good, strong professional headshots - ideally the best headshots in Dallas - before we free up the executive to get back to doing what they do best.

Properly valuing a client's time -- by minimizing the imposition on their time -- ultimately saves them money.

Providing Value for Dallas Executive Headshots

We've emphasized this value to our Dallas executive clientele since 2015. We know that our clients need strong headshot images for their marketing and public relations. But they also need for them to be affordable, and of value. Our efficiency greatly reduces any opportunity cost, and therefore saves money. And we add the convenience of coming to you anywhere in the Dallas metroplex for your Dallas executive headshots!

Dallas executive headshots
Dallas Executive Headshots - Sam Pack Auto Group

Looking for a professional headshot photographer in Dallas? Care to discuss how we can take care of your entire team? Give us a call, or send us a message. We'll be happy to help!

 

headshots for the entire team

Maintain Brand Consistency for Your Team’s Headshots

Brand consistency is a crucial thing to consider for any business. Providing a consistent tone and image for your company helps your clients to place you and remember you. Plus, it makes you look professional and reliable — key for any company!

Corporate headshots are a great way to improve your brand image and credibility. However, when they’re done wrong, they can easily mess up your carefully designed brand image. Here are some tips on ensuring your corporate headshots work with you rather than against you. 

Set a Color Scheme

First thing’s fist, decide on how you want your images to look. Think about the tone of your brand and try to convey that in the images. Setting a color scheme can be a great way to keep things professional while alluding to your brand’s image. Go for colors that match your logo or brand design for a super sleek and professional look.

headshots for the entire team
Business headshots of the entire team with a modern look

business headshots of the entire office team provide consistency
Business headshots of the staff with a traditional look

To get more ideas of photography styles, browse some of our other headshots on this site.

Chat With Your Photographer About Brand Consistency

Headshot photographer William Morton
Professional Photographer William Morton

A good headshot photographer will know how to keep your brand looking good. If you’re worried about maintaining a consistent image with the rest of your content, speak to your photographer about how you can take photos that are in line with your company’s brand. For some companies a ultra modern, corporate look with studio lighting will work best. For others, a laid-back, outdoors-y look is better suited. We can replicate the style of prior images or create a totally new look for your staff. Either way, your photographer will be ready to work smoothly and efficiently to minimize the time impact on your team, and still make everyone look their very best

Chat With Your Team

Make sure that everyone on your team is ready to arrive to the headshot session “in character.” Set a general dress code and ask your employees to think about how they as individuals can support the brand in their photos.

Let Morton Visuals Help You Deliver Brand Consistency in Your Headshots.

Find out whether Morton Visuals is right for you. We take care to cater to your company’s needs so that you can have the best possible headshots for your team. Contact us to find out more!

NOTE: This article was originally published on our parent company’s blog.

modern cropping of a headshot for a website

Headshot Cropping Options

Headshots have come a long way from the portraits many of us remember from our youth. Styles evolve just like fashion, and today's online needs usually dictate what each person may need. For this reason Morton Visuals is accustomed to shooting for a variety of uses. We can deliver images for any uses you might need. Most people don't think about headshot cropping, so let's take a look at some of your options for Headshots In Dallas.

Social Media Headshots

Our basic session is our Social Media Headshots. This 30-minute session delivers a finished image that is cropped and sized and ready for uploading directly to social media websites. Most social media channels like LinkedIn now use the square format for profile photos. These images are sized to 400px x 400px based on the current 2020 recommendations.

Remember that what is visible is often in a circular mask, meaning the corners aren't visible. Because of this it is important to allow room for those corners, and allow the face to fill the area that will be visible on a small amount of your computer or mobile screen. Below is an example of how we normally crop those social media headshots, as well as what it will look like when posted online. We are displaying thumbnails, since that is closer to what you normally see online. Click to view the enlarged version.

Business Headshots

Our most popular sessions are our Business Headshots. This is because the longer session allows more time for more different looks (and more choices). We include a high-resolution 8x10 digital image along with a bonus social media version like the one illustrated above. The 8x10, a longtime standard for headshot cropping, can be done in a traditional vertical crop or in a trendier contemporary crop as illustrated below.

Traditional business headshot 8x10 format
Contemporary headshot cropping

As you can see, the contemporary style crops in to the image much more, and is typically a horizontal image. Because of this more emphasis is on the face, which is "closer" to the viewer. Many feel that this makes the headshot more personal. Additionally this style often lends itself to a crop that I call "extended wide," which can be specifically cropped for the growing number of uses like website banners and social media cover images. The clean background can be extended indefinitely so that the image fits most any panoramic dimensions.

Obviously not everyone cares for the cropped in headshots. Many prefer the traditional versions, to which they have become accustomed for everything from business headshots to family portraits. However, we want you to know that Headshots In Dallas can accommodate whatever style you need to match your business, your brand, or your preferences.

What do you prefer - traditional or contemporary? Click here and let us know in the comments!

executive portrait headshot

How Professional Headshots Improve Business Leads

One of the most important parts of running a successful business is finding new leads in order to grow your business. Whether you sell to customers to other businesses, generating good leads is crucial for business growth. If you’ve been struggling to convert your leads into actual sales, you may need to make some changes to your business. Using professional headshots for business leads is an excellent way to instantly improve your growth rate. Here are three reasons why.

Professional Headshots Build Brand Trust

If you want people to buy into your brand, you need to make sure they trust you. Brands that come across as reliable and professional are far more likely to draw in new customers. It has been shown that professional branding and imagery:

  • makes an impression
  • makes you memorable
  • builds trust

Trust is crucial, as it means customers and clients won’t only choose you once, they’ll choose you again and again.

“Fake It Till You Make It”

If you are a fairly new business, you may think that it’s best to wait till you’ve grown a little to focus on brand image. However, the reverse is actually true. The best way to grow your business quickly is to adopt a ‘fake it till you make it’ attitude. This means creating an ultra professional look for your business, including branding and headshots. 

People Trust Individuals More Than Corporations

It has been shown that most customers are more likely to put their trust in individuals rather than in a faceless brand. By putting a face to the name for each of your company’s main players, you’ll help customers feel connected to the people behind the business, which will in turn, help them to trust your business as a whole. 

Discover the professional photography at Morton Visuals that will put your business a step above its competitors. 

NOTE: This article was originally published by Morton Visuals.

3 business branding headshots

Headshot Facts You Must Know

Headshots Facts You Must Know

A headshot can showcase your brand, age, occupation, profession, personality, and many other things. It’s essential to get good ones, especially in a professional setting. No matter if you are on a job interview or preparing for an audition, your headshot can make a big first impression.

executive portrait headshot

You might think that it doesn’t carry a lot of importance, but it does. On the other hand, a business website with trustworthy headshots can make a difference in whether someone contacts you or not. Today we are going to explore this subject and learn more about headshot.

Why Are Headshots Needed?

Getting a professional headshot of yourself means investing in personal branding. This is an opportunity to show yourself professionally, with your best look. As the saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Nowadays people’s first impression of you may be from a website visit – so putting a face to the name is important in building trust.

Here are 4 reasons why it’s a good idea to get a professional headshot:

  1. A quality headshot can showcase your personality to people before they meet you. This will make you more approachable, and reinforce your trustworthiness, which is very important.
  2. Good professional images make you look professional, meaning that potential partners, collaborators, clients, or investors will be more open to meeting you.
  3. With a professional headshot, you can boost all of your social media profiles and stand out from the rest.
  4. Having a recent headshot makes it easier for people to recognize you, and this opens up new networking and business opportunities.

Ingredients for a Good Headshot

Below are some tips to get your best headshot:

  • Find a Professional Photographer
    If you want to get a good headshot, be prepared to spend some money. Professionals have a lot of experience and knowledge that you and your friends don’t. Leave your cameras and phones for social media selfies and find a Pro to create a great headshot for you.
  • Focus on Your Personality
    Try and show off your personality as best as you can. Talk to your photographer and tell them that you don’t want to look like someone else. Go for the best version of yourself with all your flaws and virtues.
  • Pay Attention to Your Eyes
    Given the fact that headshots are close-ups, your eyes will carry a lot of importance. You need to ensure that your eyes are energized, alive, and focused perfectly.
  • Don’t Overdo With Makeup
    Putting on too much makeup will make you look surreal and funny. This is something you should look to avoid, especially if you want a professional headshot. In this case we always suggest a professional Makeup Artist. He or she will be capable of making you look great, without looking like you’re wearing makeup (or much makeup). We do list some recommended Makeup Artists on our website.
    business branding headshot
  • Don’t Add Accessories
    Some people like to add certain accessories like birds, funny glasses, effects, and so on. They try to look appealing but come off as desperate. Nobody likes this, so avoid doing it.

How to Find a Reliable Headshot Photographer

The first thing you can do is look out for the images you like. Make a list and ask the people who did the photos for them. In most cases, they will add contact information on social media. Additionally, ask around about the photographer, their personality, and method of work.

Subsequently, make sure to research the photographers in which you’re interested. Go through their websites and check out their work. Do they have any accreditations? Do they clearly explain their costs and processes? Once you’ve created a shortlist of the photographers you like, make sure to have a conversation with them before committing.

Things to Know Before Taking Your Headshots

You must know what kind of images you want. Apart from that, you need to prepare yourself as well. Make sure to wear the right clothing, makeup, haircut, and so on. We have added a blog article, authored by a top commercial Makeup Artist, on How To Prepare for your Headshots Session.

Additionally, keep in mind the purpose of your photos and try to adjust your expression appropriately to convey the right message. You need to get into a role and stick to it as much as you can. This includes both your attitude, style, and clothing. This is how you will send out a strong message that will make the right impression.

General Headshot Poses That Work Well

There are several headshot-poses you can always rely on to leave a good impression:

  • Face the camera directly for a head-on pose and let the viewers see you in full.
  • Try out the pose where you slightly look away from the camera.
  • No matter which poses you are doing, always make sure to pay attention to your eyes and keep them engaged.
  • Always try and control the position of your chin. Having it too far up or down can make the photos look weird. Your photographer should be able to guide you with this positioning.

Questions You Should Ask Your Headshot Photographer

When you schedule the first meeting with the photographer, there are several questions you need to ask them. Through these questions, you can check whether they are legit and the right fit for your needs:

  • Can you show me any portfolio of your previous work?
  • How do you charge for headshots?
  • Is there both an indoor and outdoor shooting option?
  • What do I get for the total price?
  • How long does a session last?
  • How many photos will you take in a single session?
  • How many photos do I get?

Make sure to ask these questions (or similar ones) to get a better understanding of how a photographer works and what you can expect from them.

Should I Look for Retouching Services?

All headshot photos need to be retouched or edited. Normally the photographer will do this for you, and is best positioned to do so since he or she will have talked with you to understand what you would like retouched. If for some reason you use a photographer who does not provide retouching, you can getting professional retouching services from another vendor. Factor this cost in to your headshot session! Some scars or marks can easily be removed or changed during the retouching stage. If there are things you don’t like, retouching can handle it. However, it’s essential to make sure that you don’t look artificial.

Conclusion

These are some essential considerations you need to know about headshot photography. Just like with any other photo, you need to take it seriously and do the necessary preparations to get good results. In the end, remember to find competent professionals like Morton Visuals to create your images.

 

business headshots in dallas

Welcome to Business Headshots in Dallas

Welcome to the newest portfolios of corporate photographer William Morton. This site features the business headshots and corporate portraits created by Morton Visuals. Whether they are needed to update your LinkedIn profile, your company website, business cards or marketing materials – we create images that will make you look your best. And we do it professionally, based on over two decades of professional experience, with the last 9 years specializing in corporate communications photography.

Browse the pages of this site for examples of our Social Media Headshots, our Business Branding Headshot Sessions, and our On-Location Business Headshots and Executive Portraits. We can photograph individuals or entire offices, showcasing your staff with a consistent style for your marketing needs. Book a photo shoot online, or contact us for a custom quote for your specific needs. We look forward to showing you what we can do!