Most people hate having their photo taken
If the thought of a headshot makes you want to hide behind your laptop, you’re in good company. Most of the people we photograph tell us, within the first few minutes, that they hate having their picture taken. It’s completely normal, and a good photographer expects it.
But your headshot matters. It’s often the first impression you make, long before you meet a client in person. It appears on LinkedIn, your website, email signature, social profiles, speaker bios and press coverage. People form an opinion of you from that small image in a matter of seconds.
The good news is that a great headshot isn’t about looking like a model. It’s about looking like the best version of yourself on a good day: confident, approachable and recognisably you. Here’s how to get there.
What makes a great business headshot?
The best headshots have a few things in common:
- Confident but approachable. You look capable and professional, but also like someone people would be happy to work with. Warmth matters as much as polish.
- It looks like you. Not an airbrushed or heavily posed version, but you as you’d appear walking into a meeting. When a client meets you, there should be no surprise.
- Sharp and well lit. Your face is clear, your eyes are in focus, and the lighting is flattering without looking artificial.
- Free from distractions. The background supports the image rather than competing with it.
- Fit for purpose. It’s framed and shot with its uses in mind, so it works as a small circle on LinkedIn as well as a larger image on your website.
Above all, a great headshot connects with the viewer. People notice the eyes and expression first, and a skilled photographer works hardest to get them right.
Why selfies and old photos let you down
We’ve all seen them: the profile photo cropped from a wedding, the selfie in the car, the holiday snap with a sliver of someone else’s shoulder at the edge. They’re easy, but they quietly undermine the professional image you’ve worked hard to build.
- Phone lenses distort. Held at arm’s length, a phone’s wide lens exaggerates features closest to the camera, which is rarely flattering.
- Lighting is left to chance. Harsh overhead lights, shadows under the eyes and mixed colours from windows and lamps all show.
- Backgrounds distract. A kitchen, a car interior or a busy street pulls attention away from you.
- Crops look like crops. A low-resolution image enlarged from a group photo looks blurry and unplanned.
Old photos have their own problem. If your headshot is ten years old and features a different haircut, it can be out of date; the first meeting with a client can start with an awkward moment of recognition. A current photo builds trust; an outdated one chips away at it.
Before the shoot: how to prepare
A little preparation makes a big difference to how you look and, just as importantly, how you feel on the day.
What to wear
- Dress as you would to meet your most important client. If you’d wear a suit, wear a suit. If you’re more relaxed, that’s fine too.
- Choose solid colours over busy patterns, small checks or stripes, which can look distracting on camera.
- Make sure clothes fit well and are freshly pressed. Collars and shoulders show most in a headshot.
- Bring a second outfit or a different layer, such as a jacket with and without a tie, so you have options for different uses.
Grooming
- Get a haircut a week or so before, rather than the day before, so it has time to settle.
- Keep makeup natural and similar to what you’d wear day to day. A little powder helps reduce shine under lights.
- If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your photos too. Your photographer will adjust the lighting to avoid reflections.
The day before
Get a good night’s sleep, drink plenty of water and think about where you’ll use the photos. Sharing that with your photographer helps them plan the right look.
On the day: how to look relaxed and natural
This is the part most people worry about. The secret is that you don’t have to do it alone. A good photographer will guide you through every step.
Let your photographer direct you. Small adjustments make a big difference: turn slightly away from the camera, lean forward a touch, and lower your shoulders. You don’t need to know any of this in advance. That’s our job.
Don’t hold a smile. A fixed smile quickly looks forced. Instead, relax your face between shots and let the expression come naturally.
Think of something real. Picture someone you’re happy to see, or remember something that genuinely made you laugh. Real feelings show in your eyes in a way a posed smile never does.
Breathe. It sounds obvious, but many people hold their breath when the camera comes up. A slow breath out just before the shot helps your shoulders and face relax.
Talk. The best expressions usually happen mid-conversation, not in silence. That’s why a good photographer will chat with you throughout, about your work, your weekend or anything else, so you forget about the camera and simply look like yourself.
Most people find that after the first few minutes, it’s far easier than they expected.
Choosing the right style for your brand
There’s no single “correct” headshot. The right style depends on your industry, your clients and how you want to come across.
Studio or plain background. Clean, timeless and consistent. Ideal for corporate profiles, professional services and anywhere the photo needs to sit neatly alongside others.
Your workplace. Photographing you in your office, shop, workshop or studio adds context and personality. It tells people what you do and who you are.
Outdoors. Natural light and a softly blurred background give a relaxed, friendly feel that suits many creative and people-focused businesses.
Formal or relaxed. A solicitor or financial adviser may want a more traditional look, while a designer, coach or tradesperson might prefer something warmer and more casual. Neither is better; what matters is that it fits the way you actually work with clients.
If you’re not sure, a good photographer will talk this through with you beforehand and can often capture more than one style in the same session.
Headshots for teams
A “Meet the Team” page filled with mismatched photos, some professional, some selfies, some missing altogether, sends the wrong message. Consistent team headshots show a business that’s organised, professional and proud of its people.
On-site sessions. Rather than sending everyone to a studio, we can set up a portable studio at your workplace. Each person typically needs just a few minutes away from their desk, so there’s minimal disruption to the working day.
A consistent look. Matching lighting, background, framing and editing ensures your team looks cohesive on your website, in proposals and across LinkedIn.
Planning for new starters. Teams change. Recording the setup and style means new team members can be photographed later to match, keeping your team page consistent as you grow.
Team sessions are also a great opportunity to capture a few group and candid shots for your website and social media while the photographer is there.
Getting the most from your headshots
Once you have a headshot you’re happy with, use it everywhere. Consistency helps people recognise you across platforms and builds a stronger personal brand.
- LinkedIn and other professional networks
- Your website’s About or Team page
- Email signatures
- Social media profiles
- Speaker bios, event programmes and award entries
- Press releases and media kits
- Proposals, brochures and business cards
And don’t let it go stale. As a rule of thumb, update your headshot every two to three years, or sooner if your appearance changes noticeably, such as a new hairstyle, glasses or beard. Your photo should always look like the person a client is about to meet.
A headshot you’ll be happy to share
A great headshot builds trust before you’ve said a word. It shows people that you’re professional, approachable and someone they’d like to work with. And with the right photographer, getting one is far easier, and far more enjoyable, than most people expect.
We photograph individuals and teams across a wide range of businesses, at your workplace. We’ll guide you through every step, keep things relaxed and make sure you leave with photos that look confident, approachable and, most importantly, like you.
Ready for a headshot you’ll actually want to use? Book a session for yourself or your team, or get in touch for a free consultation.