Your headshot is often the first thing people see before they meet you. It's on your LinkedIn, your website, your casting profile, your team page, and the email signature you send fifty times a week. So why do so many of us dread getting one taken?
Usually it's because we've seen the alternative: a stiff, over-lit photo where everyone looks like they're waiting to be called into the principal's office. It doesn't have to be that way. Here's how to get a headshot that looks professional and still looks like you.
What makes a headshot work
A great headshot does three things:
It looks like you. Not a filtered, airbrushed version of you. The person who shows up to the meeting or the audition should match the photo.
It feels approachable. Viewers should feel like they'd enjoy working with you.
It's current. A photo from ten years ago, or from a different hairstyle, creates a mismatch the moment you walk in.
That's the whole formula. Everything else, from lighting to background to wardrobe, supports those three goals.
Why a candid approach works for headshots
The trick to a good headshot is getting a real expression, and real expressions don't come from "Say cheese." They come from comfort and conversation.
When I shoot headshots, we talk and move. I give light direction on where to angle your shoulders and chin, and then I keep you chatting while I shoot. The shots where you're mid-laugh or mid-thought are often the keepers.
Byron, a recent headshot client, said I have "good instincts for posing" and that he was "very happy" with the results. Kaitlyn booked headshots and said she "left with the most beautiful, fun, lively photos of myself." Lively is exactly what I'm going for.
Headshots for actors
In Little Rock's theater community, I've photographed actors, educators, and performers, and I love working with people who are comfortable being expressive.
A few notes for actors:
Look like yourself on a good day. Casting teams want to meet the person in the photo, so avoid heavy retouching or a dramatic change in your look right before the shoot.
Bring a couple of looks. A solid-colored top in a flattering color and a second, slightly different option give you variety. Your session includes up to two looks.
Practice a few expressions. Warm and friendly, thoughtful and serious, playful. We'll try a range so you have options.
Update regularly. If your hair, facial hair, or overall look changes, it's time for new photos.
Thomas, an actor who came in for headshots, said it was "easy, quick, enjoyable." That's how I want it to feel, especially if you're juggling rehearsals and a day job.
Headshots for professionals
Whether you're a realtor, consultant, teacher, therapist, or small business owner, your headshot says something about how you work. A natural, friendly photo builds trust faster than a stiff, formal one.
Choose solid colors that feel like your professional self. Navy, deep green, warm gray, and soft neutrals are all reliable.
Keep jewelry and accessories simple so the focus stays on your face.
Think about where it will live. A LinkedIn photo, a website bio, and a conference badge all call for slightly different crops, and we can plan for that.
Headshots for creatives and brands
If you're an artist, writer, musician, or business owner with a distinct style, your headshot should show it. We can shoot in a location that reflects your work, such as a studio, your workspace, or a favorite place in town, and build a look around your brand.
Lo, who did a creative studio shoot with me, said the photos "speak so well to my brand and authenticity." That's the aim: pictures that feel like an extension of who you are and what you do.
Team and office headshots
If you manage a small team, an on-site session can save everyone time. I come to your office, set up in a space with good light, and photograph each person in a short, relaxed slot, so your whole team gets a consistent, natural look without leaving work for long.
A busy firm I photographed on-site said I was "on prompt, great with direction, and fast," and that they loved my "natural aesthetic" and felt "very comfortable shooting" with me. For many people on a team, comfort is the biggest concern. Nobody loves getting their headshot taken at work, and my approach makes it far less painful.
If you'd like team headshots, reach out with the number of people and your location, and I'll put together a plan and a quote.
How to prepare for your headshot session
Pick your outfits ahead of time. Solid colors, good fit, steamed and ready. See my guide on what to wear for more ideas.
Get a good night's sleep and drink water. It shows.
Do your normal grooming. Get a haircut a few days before, not the day before.
Bring a few ideas. Share examples of headshots you like, and any you don't.
Tell me how you'll use them. A casting profile and a LinkedIn photo may call for different framing.
Don't overthink it. Showing up relaxed is the best prep.
What you'll receive
You'll get a full album of original images and up to 10 high-end retouched images within about a week, in a private online gallery. That's enough to refresh every profile you have and still have a few extras to spare.
Ready for a headshot you'll actually use?
If you've been putting off a headshot because you hate getting your photo taken, you're my kind of client. I'll keep things easy, quick, and low-pressure.
Book your headshot session today. Book a free consultation and tell me what you need your photos for. I'll help you plan the rest.
