The Art Of Headshot Photography: Tips And Tricks From A DC Professional

Everyone will need a professional-looking photo of themselves at some point. You might need to update your LinkedIn profile, work page, or even resume—that professional headshot is imperative.

And when that time arrives, it is best to tap into the services of a pro because you have to nail that one picture that can potentially change your life. And surprisingly, headshot photos are not the most straightforward pictures to snap. 

But don’t worry; with these tips and tricks, you can get a good start on the process, feel more confident doing it, and enjoy the photo shoot.

Defining Headshot Photography

A headshot is an image whose primary focus is your face. It is carefully cropped so that all your facial features are highlighted. You might get confused and argue that it is the same as getting your picture taken for your passport or driver’s license.

A headshot stands out because it conveys more than what you look like. A professionally taken headshot should be able to show your personality and character; that’s why most headshot photographers would appreciate it if you let them know where you’ll be using the photos.

Note that the headshot you’ll use for your website will differ from a model’s headshot, intended to highlight good skin.

Typically, headshots are used professionally and become your primary way of greeting an associate, a future client, or a prospective business partner. 

Your image should complement whatever description you plan to add under your photo. A simple look at your headshot should be able to arouse interest and curiosity.

The Different Kinds Of Headshots

Headshots are classified as either creative or business headshots. And there are three different kinds of headshots under these two categories. It pays to know the purpose of your headshot so your photographer will know how to approach the photo session.

1. Creative Or Acting Headshot

Under this type, you’d want your headshot to communicate with and relate to the viewer—or, in most cases, the artistic director. 

This is one of the requirements for auditions, and with acting headshots, you have to follow the standard size of 8” by 11”. 

There are several types of acting headshots.

• Comedic Headshots

The main goal of comedic headshots is to bring out your character, so expect this kind of headshot to be energetic and vibrant. Usually, the lighting used for these images is bright to boost the warm and happy feeling.

• Commercial Headshots

Similar to comedic headshots but with more shadow work incorporated. The photographer can have more variety and flexibility to achieve a more relaxed and natural look.

• Dramatic Headshots

This kind of headshot can make or break the career of a performer or artist. This is a photo that they send for castings and auditions. For a dramatic headshot, a play of shadows and lighting is standard, with the subject’s expression more intense.

2. Corporate Headshots

As the name suggests, this headshot is used for professional purposes. This may be the photo you’d want to include in your LinkedIn profile or organizational chart.

And similar to the actor’s headshot, corporate headshots are of three different kinds:

• Standard Headshots

 Often referred to as the “LinkedIn headshot,” this is a simple shot that showcases your face with a natural and friendly smile. The lighting used in standard headshots is soft, without any distracting shadows.

• Team Headshots

This is almost identical to the standard headshot but should match your organization’s standard. These are often shared on the “About Us” page or “Meet the Team” page on websites or are printed for your organizational charts.

• Speaker Headshots

Among all the corporate headshots, this is the kind that shows more of your personality. The main goal of speaker headshots is to highlight your personality and qualifications for a specific event. 

When you are the guest speaker at a symposium, your headshot will be used during the introduction and promotion. The headshot may be dramatic, inviting, or less intense, with you just naturally smiling at the camera.

Tips And Tricks In Perfecting That Headshot

There is a functional art and science to taking headshots, and your photographer should also be able to capture the message you are trying to convey in a single photo. Yes, headshots are not the easiest to take, but with the help of these tips and tricks, you’ll get a good head start on your project.

1. Select A Good Backdrop And Lighting

The most recommended location for headshots is indoors, away from natural light. Yes, the sun always gives the best lighting but not in this case. Pick a spot where the backdrop is of solid colors, like a wall or even a curtain or sheet.

For headshots, direct sunlight can be harsh and unforgiving, and it can cause your subject to squint, so a good spot will be somewhere with no windows or open spaces where the sun can shine through. You can add lighting and strategically place studio lights on your setup.

To achieve this perfect lighting, place your artificial lights around two feet away from where your subject will stand or sit. Using multiple lights—one on each side of the subject, one to the side in front of the subject and one behind the subject pointed towards the backdrop, or three lights in these positions, should help you achieve that natural, balanced look.

2. Make Your Subject Comfortable

Not everyone is a natural in front of the camera, and unfortunately, this can be quite apparent as the images can capture the awkwardness. 

This is why your subject must feel comfortable with you. You want the facial expressions to be genuine, and if your subject feels pressured and uncomfortable being photographed, you won’t achieve the result that you are aiming for.

Be a professional photographer by being friends with your subject. Involve them in the process and share what the goal is for the shoot.

3. Do Warm-Up Snaps

Many photographers need to avoid simply jumping right into the photo session. And this usually ends poorly and takes longer than planned. So similar to exercise, do some warm-up snaps first so you and your client can assess and talk about what’s working and what’s not and even brainstorm recommendations.

This is part of involving your subject in the process. As you look at the trial photos, you can also make the necessary adjustments to your camera.

4. Understand And Apply The Color Theory

It is always smart to refresh your understanding of color theory, especially when photographing headshots, to make the colors work to your advantage.

Find out beforehand what your subject is planning to wear so you can prepare possible backgrounds that will seamlessly complement the color. Or stick with solid and neutral colors.

5. Isolate And Focus Accordingly

It’s not called a headshot for nothing because your subject’s face should fill most of the frame. But you don’t want it to look like a mugshot, so you have to ensure that there is adequate distance between your client and the background that you are working with.

This is where you need your subject to “pop up” from the backdrop. Widening the aperture to f/5 or even wider can isolate your subject and make it the picture’s focus. Blurring the background with a lower aperture is also another way to keep the focus on your subject.

Most importantly, focus on the eyes of your subject for headshot photography. William Shakespeare once said, “The eyes are the window to your soul,” so let your client’s eyes tell a story.

Final Thoughts

Headshot photography is not the easiest, but it can become a photographer’s favorite genre in time. 

Capturing authenticity, confidence, wit, and credibility in a single photo takes plenty of skill and a good eye for detail. Headshot photography speaks volumes, can tell stories, and even change lives.