In the digital age, your online image is often the very first impression you have on a potential client. Understanding what is a headshot and how it differs from a full branding suite is essential to ensuring your visual identity matches the caliber of work you provide. In this guide, I will review the details of a professional headshot, how it compares to branding photography, and how to decide which investment will best serve your business goals.
What is a headshot?
A headshot is a tight, focused portrait designed to showcase your face and personality in a professional context. Unlike a full-day session, a headshot session is streamlined and specific, typically resulting in a refined selection of up to 10 images captured from the waist up.
These images are the cornerstone of your professional presence online. They are best utilized for professional bios, LinkedIn profiles, about pages, speaker profiles for conferences and the like. When someone needs to know exactly who they are talking to, headshots are the answer.
What is a professional headshot?
A professional headshot is a strategic tool that communicates competence and approachability. It utilizes lighting, thoughtful composition, and expert posing to ensure you look like the most confident, “on-the-clock” version of yourself.
Good headshots vs bad headshots
The difference between a good and a bad headshot comes down to intentionality. A bad headshot is often characterized by distracting backgrounds, poor lighting with harsh shadows, or an expression that feels forced or insincere. We want to avoid the “deer in headlights” look or anything that feels like a dated school portrait.
On the other hand, a good headshot features a clean or intentionally blurred background that keeps the focus on you. It utilizes soft, flattering light and, most importantly, captures a genuine expression that makes the viewer feel an immediate sense of trust.
Professional headshot tips
- Practice your posture – Sit or stand tall, but keep your shoulders back and relaxed to avoid looking stiff.
- Mind the chin – Slightly extending your chin towards the camera to define the jawline will prevent unwanted shadows.
- Hydrate – Drink plenty of water in the 48 hours leading up to your shoot for clear, glowing skin.
- Bring a lint roller – Small details like pet hair or lint are magnified with high resolution headshots, be sure to lint roll your clothes.
- Check your teeth – A quick mirror check and a bit of floss right before we start ensures your smile is camera-ready.
- Trust the process – My job is to guide you through posing; you don’t need to be a natural in front of the lens.
Professional headshot ideas
To keep your headshots from feeling cookie-cutter, consider these variations:
- The Classic Studio – Choose a clean, neutral backdrop, like white, cream, or grey, and wear a bold color to stand out.
- The Environmental – Taken in a workspace or office setting to give a hint of your professional context.
- The Outdoor Urban – Using the architecture of Old Town Alexandria as a backdrop to provide a seasoned, cultured feel.
What to wear for headshots
Clothing communicates so much. What you wear should be an extension of your brand’s uniform. The goal is to choose pieces that make you feel confident, but don’t distract from your features. Here are some wardrobe examples depending on your profession or industry.
- Corporate/Legal – A well-tailored blazer, a crisp button-down, or a structured dress in neutral tones.
- Creative/Entrepreneurial – A stylish knit sweater, a chic jumpsuit, or a blazer paired with a high-quality tee. Don’t be afraid of a pop of brand color.
- Wellness/Lifestyle – Soft textures, breathable fabrics like linen, and a palette of earth tones or pastels that feel calming and approachable.
What is Branding Photography?
If a headshot is a handshake, branding photography is the entire conversation. While a headshot focuses on who you are, branding photography encompasses the what, how, and why of your business. It is a curated library of images that tells the story of your brand.
Branding photography includes lifestyle imagery of you in action, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your process, detailed shots of your tools, and supplemental atmospheric shots. This imagery is designed to be used across every single touchpoint of your business: your website headers, social media content, email newsletters, and even printed marketing materials.
The key distinction between branding photography and headshots
Headshots can (and should!) be included in a branding session, but branding photography cannot be squeezed into a simple headshot session. A branding session provides the negative space and variety needed for web design and detailed marketing campaigns.
Branding photography examples
Brand photography should include more than headshots. It captures the people, process, products, and personality behind your business, creating a complete visual story.
Want to see what a complete brand session looks like? Explore real client case studies featuring the planning process, creative direction, and selections from the final galleries here: Lisa Scontras – Brand Photography Case Studies.
Holistic Total Health website
During a brand photography session, we always include brand headshots. These differ from traditional headshots because they are styled specifically to match the aesthetic of the entire brand story we are telling that day, using the same light, location, and color palette as your lifestyle shots for total cohesion.
How to decide if you need headshots or branding photos:
Deciding between the two often comes down to where you are in your business journey:
- Choose headshots if: You are just starting out, you primarily need to update your LinkedIn, or you are a member of a large team where everyone needs a uniform look.
- Choose branding photography if: You are launching a new website, you want to show up more consistently on social media, or you are looking to elevate your brand to a premium level where storytelling is vital for conversion.
Ready to step into the spotlight of your brand? Whether you need a refreshed headshot or a full brand library, let’s create something intentional together. Get in touch to learn more.
