The Headshot

In The Headshot: The Secrets to Creating Amazing Headshot Portraits, author Peter Hurley shares everything the student needs to know in order to get great images of their subjects—whether it's on assignment, a personal project, or simply shots of family and friends. Starting with his trademark "recipe"—"white background, flat light, chopped-off heads"—in over a dozen chapters he covers the following: the technical aspects of the shot, including lighting, composition, and camera setup; establishing a rapport with your subject, as well as provoking thought in order to drive expression; and how to direct the subject, including detailed discussions of how to influence the jaw, the smile, the eyes, and the eyebrows. With The Headshot, students will be equipped to dramatically improve their headshot photographs—from lighting to composition to directing the best expression from their subjects.

Peter Hurley is well known among headshot and portrait photographers as a passionate photographer and teacher. His business has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years, and he is a go-to resource as both a photographer and an educator. He teaches his own workshops, and is a regular instructor at conferences such as Photo Plus, WPPI, and Photoshop World.