Dallas Headshots: Indoor vs. Outdoor

Let me start this blog post by stating that I am a big fan of the outdoors. In fact, I am currently writing this outside on my back porch. It's a crisp and sunny winter day, and I absolutely love it. However, when it comes to selecting a location for your headshots in Dallas, I want to make sure that you weigh your options. I by no means want to discourage you from shooting outside, but make sure that you are aware of some of the risks involved.

A Dallas headshot photographer is sure to photograph in just about any location imaginable, inside and out, and I can certainly tell you that I have. I remember the time I photographed the owner of a racetrack and my fingers almost froze to my shutter button. We also had a little trouble getting the tires to really grip the track as he took me on what basically amounted to a roller coaster ride in a Dodge Viper, but that's another story for another day. Conversely, I remember photographing contractors in Texas summer, in the afternoon, and I felt like my shoes were going to adhere to the pavement. I was very glad to wearing my UnderArmour shirts on days like that.

Why these two crazy examples? Basically, if you are doing Dallas headshot or portrait photography in the outdoors, you run a risk with weather. Texas is remarkably unpredictable in how weather patterns operate, and in fact I often don't check weather for shoots very far in advance because it changes so much down to the last minute. As they say, if you don't like the weather in Texas, wait an hour. It is very true. Because of that, it can be difficult to manage personnel and employee schedules to coincide with favorable conditions, so if you want to shoot outside, I suggest having an indoor backup plan that you would be happy with as well. If you do end up shooting outside, make sure to time it for the best temperature depending on the season. If it summer, have your Dallas corporate photographer take pictures earlier in the morning before the heat gets overwhelming. With colder temperatures, the afternoon would be optimal as that is when it typically is warmest.

The other factor for you to consider is the wind. I've had wind wreak havoc on shoots before, especially regarding women's hair, men's suits and women's hair. Did I mention women's hair? When shooting outside, make sure that the area you choose blocks the wind instead of acting like a wind tunnel. An area that has dense treecover or is in the path of a building may make a huge difference.

Now, depending on the location, you may be able to bring some of nature in with you for your headshots, which would eliminate the need to go outside into the weather. Some may only have a building that faces another building, a giant HVAC array or parking lot, but if you have trees or skyline you've got a great shot at it. I think greenery and beautiful buildings for your background make for a very contemporary look while also making for nice color and contrast against businesswear. Just something for you to think about.

So, in conclusion, be aware that weather conditions are everything when doing outdoor headshots in Dallas. It could be really hot or very cold, or galeforce winds could blow you and all of the lighting equipment away. Of course, it could also be 72 degrees with no wind and be amazing. Just be prepared, and always have a contingency plan made with your Dallas commercial photographer!