Terrible headshots (and how to avoid them)
What makes a great professional headshot? In this post, I could give you some well-worn tips on how to pose, what to wear...
But that would be boring.
Here’s what happens when headshots go wrong (with useful tips on how to stop it happening).
Faking it
Good professional headshot photographers never just ask anyone to smile.
Why?
Because you end up with something that looks like this:
The smile got as far as her mouth. After that, it lost interest and went off to find someone who meant it.
That false smile isn’t actually her fault. The photographer messed up. If she’d been asked to think about something that made her happy, the smile would have reached her eyes.
Most humans can spot a fake smile. To get scientific for a moment, we subconsciously notice the orbicularis oculi muscles on the outside edge of the eyes. A natural smile causes it to contract involuntarily, lifting the cheeks and narrowing the eyes.
If your own headshot smile is a bit rictus-like, you can blame your photographer. It’s our job to build rapport and draw out genuine emotions.
Mike Reynolds, Managing Director, Vattenfall Heat Networks | Shoot Me Now
Can I be your best friend?
A great headshot communicates confidence rather than an over-friendly ‘let’s be best pals’ neediness.
It should never give the impression that you’re trying too hard...
Or that you’ll beat someone up if they sneeze too loudly.
Top tip: It’s not compulsory to smile in your headshot. If a more serious expression is your natural thing, that’s perfectly OK. Some people look fabulous when they’re not smiling.
Keep it simple
One of the important things about a professional headshot is the background. As a general rule, keep it simple.
A good headshot should draw the attention to your face. It should also be suitable for your brand.
To be honest, I’m failing to work out this guy’s brand.
Perhaps he’s a professional flourescent whirlpool manufacturer. Who knows? Moving on...
This woman has taken the opposite approach. She has chosen to camouflage herself by blending into the background.
As a general rule, if you opt for a non-neutral background there needs to be a good reason for it.
For example, I chose an exterior location for this shot for because my client in the photograph works in the green energy sector. It makes sense... it’s clearly a natural environment, but it’s been shot in a way that blurs the background out, ensuring that it’s all about the subject, not the setting.
Robb Cunningham, Marketing Lead, Clean Growth UK | Shoot Me Now
Top tip: Go for a simple, neutral background. If your background is non-neutral, it must be relevant to your brand, without drawing attention away from your face.
Keep it current
Yes, it’s tempting to use your favourite photograph – the one from 20 years ago, when wrinkles happened to other people and Celine Dion’s heart went on... and on.
Please avoid the temptation of using an old photo. Styles of photography come and go, as do fashions. And hairdos.
Keep your headshot current. Even though you’ve aged with the grace of a gazelle, the photographic style, hair style and clothing will give you away.
We’ve all heard horror stories about dating website profile pictures taken 10 years ago. The same principles apply in business. When you turn up to a client meeting, you don’t want them escaping through a toilet window.
Top tip: Update your headshot every couple of years. It’s your first point of contact for potential customers, colleagues and employers. A genuinely representative headshot is the initial stage of creating trust.
Talking of trust...
Make eye contact
As humans, we use subconsciously use eye contact to establish trust.
Apparently, it stimulates ‘eye cells’ in the amygdala, the part of the brain that processes emotions and social interactions.
It makes you look socially acceptable. People who make and maintain eye contact are usually seen as more reliable, warm, sociable, confident and honest.
In short, if you fail to make eye contact with the viewer of your headshot, you might look a bit shifty.
Top tip: Avoid looking ‘past’ the camera, or away from it. Look directly into the camera lens to make eye contact with the viewer.
Helen 0lszowska, Managing Director, Seashell Digital | Shoot Me Now
Dress to impress
As a headshot photographer, one of the most common questions I’m asked is `What should I wear?’
Here are some answers:
Firstly, it shouldn’t be too casual...
Or too formal…
Avoid large patterns or overly bright colours, prominent logos and statement jewellery. Above all, don’t wear any kind of hat.
Top tip: Dress as though you’re meeting a client for the first time. Your outfit should be comfortable, and convey a professional image without trying too hard.
Lorena Ciciriello, Head of Debt Financing | Shoot Me Now
Avoid the selfie
Yes, I know. Here’s me, a professional photographer, telling you to avoid selfies and get a professional photograph.
But look...
Selfies distort the face.
OK, this is an extreme example, but even high-quality camera phones in portrait mode are likely to make just one facial feature the star of the show.
Your nose.
More importantly, a selfie headshot will signal that you don’t take yourself seriously as a professional.
During a photo session, your photographer will guide you on pose, facial expression and background. They'll make you feel at ease, taking photographs that make you look your authentic, genuine best.
Your phone can’t do that, no matter how many bells and whistles it has.
Top tip: Steer clear of selfies. I won’t go on about it, but they make you look unprofessional and a bit weird.
And finally...
Adopt a natural expression and make eye contact. Look warm, friendly and approachable and most importantly, relax.
If you do all that, your headshot will go down a storm.
