Professional headshot guidelines

Getting an appealing professional headshot is essential for making a positive first impression. I’m a professional headshot photographer with 10 + years experience in portrait, headshots and commercial photography. Here are some tips to help you get the best professional headshot:

Consider the usage and your target audience.

Where will the photos be used? Who will see your headshots and what do you want your target audience to feel about you? The answer of these questions will be different under different situations.

If the headshot will be used on a social media profile, your target audience will be mostly new visitors, people that don’t know much about you and might or might not be interested in your service. In this case, a friendly and welcoming look will serve better. You want people to like you, remember you and hopefully interact with your content. In other words, you want to turn a visitor into a potential client.

If the headshot will be used on your website, like a blog or an about me page, the look should be different. People don’t randomly visit your website. They either find your website through social media, Google search or referral. The reason they click your website is because they are interested about your service and considering hiring you. A more confident, experienced look will make you appear successful and trustworthy.

A great headshot might damage your business if not used at the right place and to the right audience. A confident look might look unfriendly and cocky if your audience doesn’t know much about you and your background. A friendly look might look too salesy or eager for business, which leaves an impression of being untrustworthy.

Being a photographer, I always keep getting feedback from my client during the photo session. A photo that looks good to the photographer might not work for the client. It might not even look like the client because she or he normally don’t smile like that. Here are some great headshot posing tips that will help you learn how to stay relaxed in front of camera and how to get that genuine expression.

Ask your photographer to show the photos throughout the session to make sure there is no surprise at the end. The communication between the client and the photographer is crucial for the the success of any professional headshot. And ALWAYS make sure that you’re working with a professional photographer who specialized in business portraits and headshot. Different photographers have different specialities (a wedding photographer won’t take good portraits!). Make sure the photographer you hire has the right equipment and expertise for this type of work. I can’t stress this enough.

Make sure the styling aligns with your brand.

I have done professional headshots for years. Based on my experience, the outfit style has become more and more diverse. I had clients that brought 4 different suits and 7 different ties to the session, I also had client who chose causal outfits throughout the session. For some professions, business formal is still the top choice, like lawyers and financial advisors. But more and more people go with business casual. There is no wrong choice as long as the style matches your brand and speaks to your target audience. If you want to know more about outfit selections. I have another article talking about what to wear for headshot.

Browse through websites or social media platforms in your industry to find headshots that you like and represent your desired image. Share these examples with the photographer to give them an idea of the style you're looking for. Think about your target market and the image you want to portray. Your headshot should align with your personal brand and attract the type of clients you want to work with.

Give some thoughts about the location: Discuss with your photographer whether you want an in studio or on location headshot. Sometimes, you might need both. Studio shots looks more formal, while on location shots can provide a more natural and relaxed feel. Select a location that complements your desired image. Do you want to shoot at your office or somewhere outdoors?

Considering using candid and life style photos for your marketing material.

Many people think that they should look at the camera on all the portraits and headshots. It’s not true. Candid portraits have the power to tell stories. This is a huge advantage over formal portrait/headshots. They capture moments, emotions, and interactions that convey narratives without the need for words. These images can be used in your marketing materials, social media platforms, or website to engage your audience and draw them into your brand's story. People are naturally drawn to stories, and candid portraits can create a sense of intrigue and curiosity that encourages viewers to learn more about your business. Candid portraits help create a sense of authenticity, which can foster a deeper connection with your target audience. When customers see real people in your business's portraits, they are more likely to relate to them and develop trust in your brand.

Choose the right lighting for your headshot

Lighting plays a crucial role in portrait photography as it directly affects the mood, atmosphere, and overall feeling of the image.

Soft, diffused lighting creates a gentle and flattering effect. It reduces harsh shadows and produces even illumination across the subject's face. Soft lighting is often used in portrait photography to convey a sense of warmth, tenderness, and approachability. It can create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making the subject appear more inviting and trustworthy.

Hard lighting creates well-defined shadows and contrast. This type of lighting can be used to create a dramatic and bold effect. It can evoke a sense of strength, power, and leadership.

The specific lighting setup and techniques used will depend on the intended mood, usage and the subject's characteristics. Skilled photographers understand how to manipulate lighting to achieve the desired effect and create portraits that resonate with viewers. This is why photo review during the session is very important. It’s the only way to make sure the photos align with your brand.

Retouching and editing is important, but never ever over do it.

Editing usually contributes to around 20% of the whole work. It’s not the main part, but this final touch is crucial. Minor touch-ups like blemish removal or colour correction can help create a polished look, but excessive editing will look unnatural and greatly reduced the quality of the whole image. Avoid photographers who outsource their editing to retouching companies who have a big team and process photos in high volume. They usually do more bad than good. We see people’s faces everyday and we can easily tell any tiny mistakes that these retouchers made. Many of them lack the knowledge of human anatomy. It’s not just they make the skin look like plastic, they also change the appearance of people’s faces without knowing. They eliminate the eye bags and wrinkles but end up make the whole face look fake and without dimension. We see people’s face every day, so these mistakes can be easily tell by your audience. This usually give people an impression of being cheap and untrustworthy.

Choose a photographer that is Specialized in professional headshot photography.

Professional headshot is a very specialized photography. It requires the right equipment and skills to produce high-quality images that works for you and your business. It’s essential that the photographer has extensive experience working with various clients and understand the specific requirements of headshot photography and how to tailor the shoot to match your industry and personal brand. Coaching during the shoot to help you feel comfortable and confident, guidance on posture, expression, and angle are quite important. These skills are not something that other photographers have. For example photographers who mainly shoot wedding, new born, maternity or fashion are not the best choice for professional headshots.

Conclusion

Remember, your headshot is an important marketing tool, so invest the time and effort to get it right. It's worth consulting with a professional photographer who can guide you through the process and capture a headshot that reflects your professionalism and personality.