by Inman Hebert
Summer, despite its often-hectic schedules, offers horn students a chance for self-assessment, particularly within the practical side of being a musician. In April, we discussed resumes, but what about a headshot? If you have one, does it reflect who you are today? If not, create a plan to add an updated photograph to your portfolio.
If you have the resources, consider working with a professional photographer. Do you need someone more affordable? Look to other students who are launching their photography careers. To find the appropriate photographer, review the portrait photographs they have taken of others to determine if their quality and style suit your needs and desires. Just as we hope to be paid as musicians, photographers are also artists who expect to be paid for their work.
As another alternative, today’s cell phones have amazing cameras. Work out an arrangement with a friend or fellow musician. You will want a headshot, focusing primarily on your face and shoulders, and a musician portrait with a wider angle that may be more creative.
Even if working with a professional photographer, that individual likely has little experience with musician portraits. Look at photos of horn players online to determine attire and potential poses. A quick search shows a variety of results ranging from formal tuxedos and dresses to informal button-downs and blouses. The attire choice ultimately represents your personality. In browsing photographs of horn players online, carefully examine the poses. The horn photographs beautifully as an instrument. In what ways is it being held? Watch how the intricate parts of the horn often face the camera and where the hands are holding the horn in these photographs.
Match the attire and poses with potential backgrounds (which are often readily available on college campuses). Start paying attention to walls, the sides of buildings, steps, and greenery as potential options. Browse senior photos taken on your campus and evaluate if such settings would work for your portrait.
Backgrounds only work when combined with one of the most crucial aspects of portraiture: light. Look for soft, muted light, which creates more flattering portraits. Consider a cloudy day or the warm light from the golden hours after sunrise or before sunset. If shooting in harsh light, look for open shade in the shadows cast by objects such as tall buildings, doorway edges, or a forest’s boundary. Watch for dappled light and blown-out backgrounds. Change angles if squinting into the sun.
In portrait photography, eyes are considered the window to the soul. While an engaging photo may have you looking into the distance, the eyes should always be visible and in focus with the chin slightly down. Experiment with angles, the rule of thirds, and different distances, as the entire instrument need not be in the shot. Typically, eye-level shots prove more favorable. Most importantly, choose someone who can help you to feel comfortable in front of the camera so that the result represents the image and style you wish to portray.
