What Makes a Good Headshot?

First impressions last. That’s why many business owners, employees, or anyone who wants to make a good impression wants to have the perfect headshot.

Your headshot photo is a very important part of your business. If you want to earn your client’s trust and give them a great first impression, you need to make sure your headshot will look good. A professional headshot will help demonstrate the quality of your service and the credibility of your business.

But what makes a good headshot? Let’s dig deeper.

What Makes a Good Headshot?

Corporate headshot of a young professional male on a plain background

To ensure that your headshot looks good, you need to make sure that it looks professional and decent. But aside from that, you also have to consider these elements:

Expression

Your expression is one of the most important factors that can make your headshot look “good”. If you don’t know how to take a good headshot, start by practicing a facial expression that will help you deliver the character you want to convey. When taking your headshot photos, make sure to have an expression that reflects how you want other people to see you.

Think of it as your first impression when meeting someone for the first time. You need to look good and impress them with your confidence.

Pose

Yes, your posing can also account for a good headshot photo. If you are aiming for a formal headshot, you need to make sure to know where to put your hands. 

Even if you are looking forward to having a more natural and outgoing headshot photo, you still need to be mindful of your poses. Make sure that all your poses will look good for your headshot photo. Don’t exaggerate your poses that much.

For the best headshot photo, make sure to accentuate positivity that will immediately earn the trust and approval of your audience. Hide your “flaws” (if you have one) by posing at an angle that you think will look best.

Styling

Your style can also affect your headshot photo. Wear something that does not stand out that much but will surely help impact your personality and give a great impression to your audience.

Men can wear ties for a more formal look. Jewellery can give an extra sparkle to your headshot photo. Put on your usual  makeup (unless you’re having professional makeup at the shoot).

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important elements in photography. A simple change in the lighting can make a huge difference in your photo.

If you want to go for a natural headshot photo, soft and flattering light will usually be the best choice. But there are also times when edgy or contrasty lighting can give a lasting impression as well.

For those who want to go for the best lighting, having your headshot photo taken inside a photo studio will be the best. They have all the right lighting equipment that will give your headshot photo a professional look. But if you want to go for natural lighting, you can have it done outdoors.

Background

Your background is also an element of a good headshot. However, compared to lighting, it’s less important. Most headshot photos focus on the person, not the environment. So as long as you have a nice background, then you’re good to go. But if you are planning to have an outdoor headshot photoshoot, a good background will make for a good headshot photo.

Makeup

Makeup and retouching are very important when doing a headshot photo. Great makeup and lighting can help smooth away any blemishes, signs of tiredness, black circles, etc at the time of the shoot, which means that minimal retouching is needed afterwards 

All of these elements make for a good headshot photo. So, make sure to keep them all in mind. If you’re looking for a professional headshot photographer, get in touch with us today at Jesse Taylor Photography.

We also offer services like commercial photography Sydney, business photography Sydney, corporate photography Sydney and corporate headshot photography Sydney.