Making executive portraits during COVID-19

Making safe headshots during Covid-19

Like others in this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I am concerned with taking care of those around me. When it comes to providing a safe environment for creating photographs of people, cleanliness, masks and as much physical distancing as possible are my main concerns.

My client Susan and I spoke on Zoom to get a list of photos she wanted to create for her marketing and re-branding. During the call, we discussed my booking a hair and makeup artist for her session.

COVID-19 caused all of us to be extra careful during the shoot. Here’s how we all worked together to complete the list of photos safely.

First steps before a photo session during COVID-19

I checked with one of my favorite makeup artists and hairstylists, Jypsy Nichols, about her practices during the virus pandemic. She told me she’s seen no one for two months, was working from home and staying in except for brief visits to the grocery store, that she was available for the date Susan wanted and agreed to meet us at my home studio.

I called Susan back and related what Jypsy had said. Susan, who is a medical detective, said she was comfortable with Jypsy being much closer than the suggested six feet of physical distancing while doing her makeup and hair.

Making safe headshots during Covid-19
Before Jypsy or Susan arrived at my location, I deep cleaned all of the surfaces finishing with the two products you see here.

Cleaning & disinfecting my studio against COVID-19 spread

The day before the session, I deep cleaned the area where Jypsy would be working with Susan. This involved washing all surfaces with Dawn detergent, wiping them down then spraying Clorox cleaner on all of the surfaces and letting it stand for 10 minutes. After another wipe down with paper towels, I finished with Clorox wipes. I even disinfected the director’s chair Susan would use while being made up.

Making safe headshots during Covid-19
Masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes were on hand.

I provided hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves and masks. This time, the shoot had no snacks that weren’t individually wrapped. It was sad not having a tray of cheeses, cold cuts and fruit to graze on, but in these abnormal times safety comes first.

Hair, makeup & COVID-19

Jypsy wore a mask while applying Susan’s makeup. Professional photographic makeup takes time — from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

Making safe headshots during Covid-19

After the makeup was finished, Jypsy styled Susan’s hair. Hair and makeup required the two of them to be in close contact for the entire time. Jypsy washed her hands often during the process and sanitized each of her brushes as soon as she finished using it.

First setup is outdoors

It was a beautiful day and getting the “Susan-in-a-natural-environment” shot went quickly. I’d set up a light for fill and made test shots with my ColorChecker. Jypsy tweaked Susan’s hair between sets of photos. Even a slight breeze causes flyaway hair.

Making safe headshots during Covid-19
Jypsy steps in as an assistant holding a scrim to reduce the bright sun on Susan’s shoulders.

The fewer the number of people I had on the shoot, the safer everyone would be. That meant no photo assistant. Fortunately, Jypsy was happy to don that hat when needed.

Studio photos

Susan had several ideas she wanted to achieve in the studio. Each one required different lighting and props. Again, everything we used had been wiped down in advance. Jypsy touched up Susan’s makeup and hair throughout the day. I made the photos. During the shoot, Jypsy and I did our best to keep as much physical distance from Susan and each other as we could.

Several hours later, we finished the shot list. I helped Susan take her clothes and accessories to her car while Jypsy packed up her supplies and hair tools. It had been a great day, full of laughs and fun. We all wanted to hug but … we had all agreed to stay physically distanced. The two of them drove off in their cars and returning my waves and smiles.

The monitor on a camera is to review work not to compose a shot unless the camera is on a tripod
Tips & techniques

Be solid! Hold your camera the right way

Sharp photos start with a stable camera. When the camera moves, the picture it takes has some movement blur. High shutter speeds minimize the effect of camera movement, but they do not eliminate it. Here’s how to hold your camera steady.

Read More »
Congressman John Lewis at the dedication of Al Farooq Mosque in Atlanta, GA August 17, 2008
Events

John Lewis, 1940-2020

Congressman John Lewis who died on Friday, July 17, 2020, at age 80 is what human beings aspire to be. He focused his life on ending racism and pursued it with purpose and humility. Dedication of Al-Farooq Mosque I had been hired to photograph the dedication ceremonies of Atlanta’s Al-Farooq Mosque on 14th Street on

Read More »
Making safe headshots during Covid-19
Client Stories

Making executive portraits during COVID-19

Like others in this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I am concerned with taking care of those around me. When it comes to providing a safe environment for creating photographs of people, cleanliness, masks and as much physical distancing as possible are my main concerns. My client Susan and I spoke on Zoom to get

Read More »
Painting of astronaut on the moon with American flag on the cover of Time magazine
Events

Happy Anniversary Neil, Buzz & Mike!

Fifty years ago, today, July 20, 1969, the whole world paused to watch a really fuzzy video in black and white of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the surface of the moon. That week the July 25, 1969 issue of Time magazine arrived in my mom’s mailbox in Boise, Idaho. The cover said “Man on the

Read More »
The Diamond Ring with solar flares from eclipse 2017 by Kevin Ames
Events

Eclipse photography

Yup. I know. Everyone has heard of it. A lot of people viewed it. Some of us gathered to photograph it. I joined other photographer friends on a just built deck of a not-yet-finished house in Marble, North Carolina to shoot the moon as it passed in front of the sun. This one was made

Read More »
Makeup artist required
Client Stories

Makeup Artist? No question it’s a great idea!

“Do you want a make up artist for your portrait session?” When I used to ask a potential client this question, some women would answer “No, thanks. I can do my own.” The savvy ones said, “Absolutely!” Most men would give me a look that said having them wear make up was an idea from

Read More »
Scroll to Top