What makes a great Corporate Headshot?

Or, why is this man laughing?

When people book a photoshoot with me, whether for a new corporate headshot, a portrait or an editorial session, the main reason they do so is that they don’t want a “traditional” headshot. The term traditional is of course subjective, but when they say that to me, I know what they mean. We’ve all seen the brightly lit, no shadows, blown out highlights profile pics that are so popular these days. And while that’s a look we can certainly achieve, it’s not as genuine as say, the photo above, which would be considered an outtake in most studios. The subject is laughing (probably at some silly joke I just made) and it’s a look that breaks down the barrier between him and anyone who sees his photo.

It’s not stiff or posed looking, because it wasn’t a stiff, posed moment. It’s also not something that can be recreated every time with every client. And why would we want it to be? Your photo should be uniquely you, whatever that means. I always work to find the look that’s right for you. Not the look that makes you appear like everyone else.

In the next post we’ll talk about another controversial headshot topic - shadows! So stay tuned…