The Two Essential Elements of a “Hero Shot”

Seattle Portrait Photographer | Hero shot | Portraits | Headshot

What is a “Hero Shot”?

Imagine watching your favorite action movie. You’re settled deep in your couch, got the snacks around you or whatever, and the flick is just opening up. Maybe it starts with a little drama or maybe its full blown action. But the moment you first meet the “Hero” of this movie… You know. Its a “Hero Shot”. The camera may linger on them for a while… shirt torn, things are blowing up behind them and they are just standing strong and powerful.

I like to think of this whenever I’m working with creatives of any kind (musicians, authors, actors, entrepreneurs) while we capture their brand. It’s the one image that you go back to again and again. It’s the one publicity image that works on its own, every time. It is all you with a punch!

This hero shot doesn’t have to be incredibly dramatic like that visual of the action movie - you don’t have to walk through fire or smoke to get this right. In fact, this shot could be stripped down and quite simple. Yet there are two main elements that are necessary in every hero shot: Authenticity and Emotion.

Authenticity

This image should sum up who you are in one shot. Wardrobe matters, location matters. It could be that your wardrobe is a white tee shirt and the location is a plain grey backdrop - but it has to represent YOU all the way and your brand. This authenticity is important because it will often be the first image that anyone sees of you.

Emotion

You could be authentic for days, but if there is no emotion in your shot, if your face is without feeling and there is no mood to resonate with, the shot looses its effect and your potential audience will just keep it moving. Our lives are so saturated with visuals these days, that it takes true emotion to draw someone in.

Alright, so how do we do all this?

This is the fun part! We start by talking about who you are at your essence. Don’t worry if you don’t feel that you have a solid brand yet, we will work it out! I love to hear about your interests and passions - even outside of the project we are shooting for. It all lends to who you are. Maybe you are a climate scientist and we are shooting for you new book, but you also play guitar in a band some weekends, and you’re an avid swimmer. Or maybe we are shooting new publicity images for an album you have coming out and you also have three young kids at home and you love to collect vintage items together. All of this will bring insight to me as we shoot your hero shot. At the least, it will give us more to pull from as I seek to capture that emotion. We will choose the location, wardrobe, and color palette that fits you and your story best. On shoot day, you only need to show up. We’ll have fun, and let the magic happen.

Ready to start the dialogue? Reach out: