A fashionable way to add variety to your virtual session

How can you ensure not to create boring, run-of-the-mill virtual photos?

Add a lil’ fashion flare, of course, :

When you prepare the night before an in person portrait session, what’s the thing that takes up the most time - aside from convincing yourself in the mirror that you are photogenic and this will be a good time and it’s worth it, :)?

That’s right - you spend a ton of time rifling through your closet trying to find the outfits to wear. 

Well guess what? 

That’s the same thing you need to do if you signed up for a virtual photo session, as well. 

Much in the same way that it’s boring and repetitive to see lifestyle portraits of you in the same location, in the same outfit doing the same thing, it also is painstakingly boring to see you on a laptop screen wearing the same top over and over again. 

So, avoid that outcome by going through your closet and pull out the looks that work best for your session. 

Here are a couple questions to keep in mind when debating which outfits to wear?

• Does this colored top compliment the brand colors on my website?

• Do I feel confident and comfortable wearing this top sitting down and standing up in front of the webcam?

• Is the pattern too distracting or does it help accentuate the overall aesthetic of the presentation?

• Does this shirt help contrast me from the background or am I blending in? 

• If it blends in but I want to wear it, should I use a virtual background that will help pop this shirt off the screen?

• Accessories - do I need them? And if so, which ones?

• Do these earrings distract or enhance my appearance? 

• Do these bracelets make too much noise when I talk with my hands and they move or will they stay in place?

• Is the necklace reflecting light back into the camera or will it be okay to wear?

• Hats? Is that a good or bad idea? If it's a good idea, how do I adjust my lighting to avoid heavy shadows in my face and eyes?

The good news here is that you only need to worry about your top half!

Next, once you’ve chosen a bunch of outfits that make the cut, the next step is determining when to leverage them during your staged virtual session. 

Here’s the way that I break it down during my staged virtual client sessions:

• When we’re shooting SPEAKER VIEW photos, I have the client change looks 2-3 times.

• When in SIDE BY SIDE mode, and the Speaker is sharing slides or a writing tablet screen, I’ll have them change 2-3 more times so that we can see them sharing content in multiple looks. 

• When conducting a virtual headshot, I’ll ask the client to prepare 2 looks for that

• When there is a staged audience involved, I will suggest to the client to build in a break of some sort so they can step off camera for at least one change. 

With regard to the “break” idea, I worked with a client the other day who shared a video she put together to give herself time for an outfit change AND time to change her virtual set to include white boards for the next part of her presentation. 

A very creative solution, indeed - one that you can totally steal and use it for yourself!

At the end of the day, the average amount of outfit changes for one of my 90-minute sessions with virtual headshots included is around 5 to 8 in total. 

This ensures my clients the opportunity to consistently share a variety of images that don't look like they all were shot within the span of an hour. 

Keep all of this in mind before you invest in a virtual photo session - it will help maximize the value of your time and money investment. 

It’ll also ensure that your website promotes your virtual services and the content you share on social will feel and look different from shot-to-shot, which will help maintain your audience’s attention when they come across your posts.

And if you want help, I’m here, :)

As I mentioned on Monday, if you book a Zoom Event Coverage + Strategy + Virtual Headshot Session (valued at $650) by 4pm EST TODAY, I’ll include a complimentary Review + Strategy Call (valued at $350) to help you select the best photos to use based on your specific marketing plan.

Email me at info@johndemato.com with the subject headline “COMPLIMENTARY REVIEW” and we’ll take it from there.

There’s only a couple spots left, so make a move quickly on this one.