The advantage of professional headshots

Since the onset of the pandemic, there’s been a bigger appetite for headshots than ever before. Headshots are like a virtual calling card.  No longer are they something we keep on file “just in case.” They punctuate the little circles when our cameras are off in Microsoft teams meetings, they announce our presence on LinkedIn, they add flare to a contributed article or publication. But, even more than this, they let us present our best self, even on those days we aren’t feeling it.

Good headshots have a lot in common. Flattering lighting. Thoughtful backdrops. Careful positioning. These things are all my job.

And it’s funny because headshots often cause my clients anxiety, when their only responsibility is to show up!

It’s true that hair, makeup (if applicable) and style choices can influence the quality of a picture, but most of the magic happens in studio, before my clients arrive.

This should be a great relief to those who feel a bit hesitant or vulnerable when getting a headshot. There’s no doubt that a headshot is deeply personal, so it’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive. But that doesn’t mean the experience needs to be uncomfortable.

And, while all good headshots share certain elements of composition, the bad ones can be wildly different.

A friend of mine once likened a company headshot she’d had done to a “startled rabbit poking out of a hole!” The angles were wrong, the distance was too far, the expression was a little too surprised, and the total effect was unfortunate.  But nothing about those challenges aren’t inherently solvable. These weren’t her problems…they were problems of lighting, angle, you name it. And they reflected on the photographer’s rushed composition, not my friends’ perceived resemblance to Flopsy, Mopsy or Cottontail.

The point is a bad headshot can make us feel badly about ourselves…when in reality, if we hire a writer to draft our bio and they butcher it, it doesn’t diminish our accomplishments, but rather points to their lack of skill.

I say this because for many men and women, our appearance is our bugaboo. We can spend a lifetime finding fault, and headshots are a perfect invitation to do just that.  A good headshot doesn’t change what you look like, just as a good bio doesn’t remake history…but both should showcase you in the best possible light.

Here are a few quick tips when preparing for a headshot:

• If you wear glasses, consider keeping them on for the photo, you may feel more connected to the person you see in the picture
• Ask about the colour of the backdrop, and make sure to wear something that contrasts
• If you love large hoop earrings and bright colours in daily life, replicate them in your photo, you’ll recognize yourself and showcase something of your personality
• Ladies: if you’ve done a blowout, but usually wear your hair up, bring an elastic just in case…an up/down alternative can give your shots more versatility and you may far prefer one aesthetic above the other
• To smile or not to smile? Do both. But always smile with your eyes…even a “closed mouth” smile should result in a slight upturn of the lips
• Don’t worry about skin imperfections, we all get them, and most photographers can banish blemishes in the editing process

See, that wasn’t so hard, was it. Say CHEESE! 

For more information, please visit my Facebook page or click over to the headshot information page on this site for further details. I’m always available to answer questions or discuss how an updated headshot can help you!