The headshot below is just one of many headshot styles available and there is no set way a headshot has to be done in most cases. It’s often a matter of personal taste and intended purpose. That typically makes the difference in the style used. On the other hand, someone may want their business headshot to be more dynamic, edgy, creative than traditional which is fine as long as it represents your personality and works for your intended use.

The style below may not fit every need. However, a more traditional, centered, smiling headshot may not fit every need either. You can read more below the image.

Dramatic Headshot Taken In North Raleigh Studio

FYI, this guy has an amazing smile, but I chose to post a serious shot. Just going from serious to smiling or vice versa will make a difference in the perception of the person viewing the image.

There are many styles and many uses for professional headshots:

1) Business Headshots – Used for LinkedIn, Websites, Brochures, Business Cards and More

2) Acting, Theatrical And Modeling Headshots – Used for many purposes but may be taken different than a business headshot.

3) Fashion and Glamour Headshots – Although still a headshot like 1 and 2 above, the intended purpose may be different.

This could even be taken a step further by separating out the styles listed in #2 and #3 above because a theatrical style headshot will be different than modeling style headshots, but the lighting style used could also make the headshot work for either purpose. In addition, #1, #2 and #3 are not meant to be all inclusive, but they should provide a general idea for you to start thinking of what style of headshot you may need for your intended purpose.

The headshot example in this post could be used for multiple purposes, but if the subject is in a certain type of industry, the example above may not be suited for a LinkedIn profile to properly portray the individual.

Headshot photography may seem very simple and easy, but in reality, it should portray you properly based on your personality and your intended use. If a photographer just plops you down on a stool with one light left and one light right on one basic background, the photographer is not doing your headshot photoshoot justice. Whether you choose me or another photographer for your headshot, make sure that you get a variety of shots and discuss the intended end use of your image(s) with the photographer that you choose to go with. If you are a photographer, please keep in mind that one style does not fit all intended uses.

Here are 4 core pages on my website that you may want to take a look at:

Business Headshots

Acting, Modeling, Theatrical Headshots

Horizontal Style Headshots

Lifestyle – Beyond The Headshot

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Tip #1 – Be Well Rested

Tip #2 – Take A Deep Breath – Be You
Unless you are a model and love being in front of the camera, it can be little stressful getting a headshot taken. Just take a deep breath, think happy thoughts (seriously) and be you. You being yourself is only part of getting a headshot done. A good photographer can also help put you at ease which is why it’s better in most cases to work with a professional rather than have your hobbyist next door neighbor with a nice camera attempt to do your headshot. Yes, it’s just a headshot, but it’s often the first impression someone gets of you visually. It’s important to get it right.

Tip #3 – Change Your Outfit
Clothes often have an emotional attachment for multiple reasons and certain colors look better on certain people better than others. The lighting and background can also change how clothing makes you look. Therefore, it’s a good idea to bring along more than one outfit to your photoshoot and have various colors to choose from. For men, it could be as simple as having 3 different color ties to be photographed in. Ask the photographer that you are using how he or she feels about this and figure out in advance how a change of outfit will be factored into the session.

Tip #4 – Choosing The Photographer
Whether you are trying to decide on your neighbor, Uncle Bob with a nice camera, your best friend or a professional photographer, you have to make a decision on who you trust to do your headshot photoshoot. If it’s important that it’s done right the first time, you may want to seriously consider hiring a veteran professional photographer. In the Raleigh market, in studio headshots are likely more affordable than you think. Two key questions to ask a professional photographer are … “How experienced are you at doing headshots?” …”Are headshots a core part of your business?” Just like someone with a nice camera, all professional photographers are not equally qualified to do a headshot. Headshots are truly a specialty within professional photography. If you need a professional business headshot, you should seriously consider a professional photographer who specializes in business headshots.

Tip #5 –  Hair and Makeup
Men often do not have to be as concerned with hair as much as women, but hair is important for both men and women. Men should not get their haircut just before a headshot and women may want to consider going to their hairstylist just before their photoshoot. Some photographers may be able to provide a hair stylist to help with the session as an alternate option. And the final option is to just do your hair yourself. Most photographers will have mirrors for you to look into before getting in front of the camera.

As for makeup, even men may be need some foundation to keep the shine down. As for women, it’s nice to have access to someone who does makeup professionally. Makeup will make a difference in most cases. No matter what you do for makeup, it should not be overdone. Makeup does not have to be pilled on for a photo shoot. You want to look good, look natural and look like you.

Ask your photographer about hair and makeup options.

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