This would be my first post in this forum. I have recently been contacted by a close friend that is a real estate agent to do some pictures for his new business cards. This is a new area for me since i usually do sports and concerts. I know that with real estate pictures the poses are usually much more "forceful" if you will then a normal portrait. I was wondering if anyone had some examples of poses they have used and been successful with.
Also i will be renting a 2 light studio kit with a soft box and umbrella. I am also new to the studio lighting side of things if anyone has any tips on good lighting setups.
I will be using a D300 with either a Tokina 16-50 2.8 or a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 if that helps.
In my area, the real estate agents typically have free magazines in stands around town. These are usually glossy and have listings of properties in them. I usually see these around a grocery store. Look around places that have papers or newstands.
Inside those, there will be dozens of Real Estate Agent headshots. So, you can pick your look and get a feel for how they present their image.
I don't pursue this business myself. Reason: I had several estate agents tell me they get their headshots done for $25 (includes digitial files on disk) by a local photographer who has a studio. That is too low for me.
Never seen a forceful real estate photo. At least not where I live. Happy and inviting smile would be more what I would want to shoot. I like a solid clean background and sometimes match the business card color. Why try to learn studio lighting. Sit him down if front of a window and use soft natural light. It is free and no learning curve assuming you understand basic camera adjustments. Use the 70-200 at a minimum of F4.5 so the whole front of the face is in focus( nose, lips etc). If the ears start getting a little soft that is OK or go to F5 or F5.6 depending on what look you like.
Did 3 RE shots today and never turned on a single light but did have to diffuse some for a softer look. Still around 85 degrees where I live and very bright.
one word of advice, weather it is real estate photos, or any corporate headshots ... study your area ... what are the businesses in YOUR area using? what are those styles like? this is what you want to emmulate
google local realty companies & study their staff headshots ... this should tell you exactly how to do them for your area
