Professional Headshot Dos and Don’ts
There are all sorts of reasons that you might want to get a professional headshot. Maybe you’re a real estate agent looking to put forth a friendly face in advertisements. Perhaps you’re a medical professional or an ERAS MD residency applicant. Or maybe you need a business headshot for your professional career, whether that be in an office or on the stage.
Here at Jonathan Fanning Studio & Gallery, we’ve provided headshots for all the above and more, so we wanted to share our expertise on the dos and don’ts of showing up ready for a great headshot.
Professional and Business Headshot Dos
Do Dress For the Job You Want
The attire you wear to a business headshot session is the subject of a lot of our dos and don’ts, so open up that wardrobe as you read along! The old adage “dress for the job you want” is as true today as it was when it was first spoken. If you’re getting a headshot as part of a career change or job application, dress appropriately for your field. Attorneys will want courtroom attire, real estate agents might want to aim for something more casual, and actors should bring multiple changes of clothes to portray different potential roles and characters.
Do Wear the Right Colors
Similar to dressing for the right job, color choice depends on factors such as your career and matching your skin tone. Highly professional fields will want to stick with neutral colors (grays, navy, black), but you can include a pop of color with your tie or other accessory. Real estate agents and actors can experiment with more “fun” colors, but stay away from neons and other bright tones that might not translate well in a photograph.
And, as always, consult with your photographer ahead of time. They might have some specific color dos and don’ts based on the background on your headshots.
Do Smile Genuinely
This is almost universal advice. Around 90% of the time, you should smile for your professional headshot, but you can see some examples of more “serious,” no-smile headshots in our business headshot gallery. More than just a smile, you should find a genuine smile for you, your face, and your personality. Some people look more natural with a smile that reveals teeth, but you might be more comfortable with a slight, closed-mouth smile. Your headshot photographer can help you find the right smile if needed.
Do Trust Your Photographer
You’re hiring a professional for a reason! Consult with them ahead of time about anything we’ve discussed here (what to wear, what to expect, how to smile) and listen to their direction and guidance during the shoot itself.
Don’t Do It Yourself
We’re obviously a bit biased as a photography studio that specializes in business headshots, but we highly recommend hiring a professional photographer. Going the DIY route might be tempting in the era of high-powered smartphone cameras and easy access to amateur photography gear, but it’s well worth the cost of hiring a professional to get the lighting, angles, setting, and editing right.
Grooming tips:
- If you plan to have a trim or haircut, or have your hair colored, we recommend doing so one week prior to the session date
- If your look is clean-shaven, be sure to shave that morning. If you wear a beard, we suggest trimming or shaping at least a day or two prior to the session.
- If you wear makeup, we recommend a neutral, everyday style that makes you feel comfortable and confident
Don’t Over Edit
This is more of a tip for your photography studio: don’t go too crazy with the photo editing software! Any headshot, business headshots included, should accurately portray what you look like. People have developed a keen eye for the signs of photo editing, so don’t get caught with a “shopped” face!
Don’t Lose the Focus on Your Face
A headshot is all about your head! If you wear too many distracting accessories or loud colors, you risk drawing focus away from your face to those elements. For photographers: make sure that the shot composition and zoom properly center the face (don’t go too wide).
Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
Getting your picture taken should be fun, not stressful. If you have any anxiety or concerns about your professional headshot session, make sure to chat with your photographer so they can help you feel more at ease. The more fun you have, the more natural your smile will be and the more charisma will come through in the pictures.And, if you’re looking for a fun, friendly, professional headshot photographer in the Clearwater/St. Pete region, you’re in the right place. Drop us a line on our online contact form or give us a call at (727) 851-9965 to schedule your business headshot!
