15 Things to Avoid in Your Business Headshot
When it comes to your business headshots, there are a few things to avoid. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your headshot looks great and represents you and your business in the best possible light.
1. Selecting an unprofessional photographer
Researching a headshot photographer is important if you are truly invested in getting a strong professional business headshot.
Look at the photographer’s reviews. If you like the photographer but have concerns, address the concerns before making the commitment with them.
Does the headshot photographer have a studio for you to go to? Not all photographers have a home base studio and that is ok. If you are looking for a headshot photo with natural light, then the studio shouldn't be a concern.
If you are looking for creative photography that does require artificial light, then your best bet is to make sure that the headshot photographer has a studio with the different lighting tools available at their hands.
Make sure you like the photographs you see on their website and that it's consistent with their social media pages.
You want to choose a photographer that does this full time and is established.
Here are more tips on how to choose a professional headshot photographer.
2. Being photographed from above
We do not recommend being photographed from above for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, being photographed from above makes you look like you don't have a neck. It can make you look bulky. Also, it can make the person look smaller than they really are (not in a good way).
If a person has thinning hair, this will all show in their headshots, and no one wants to show that off.
In our orange county headshot studio, we photograph subjects slightly from below. Why? It makes the subject look very strong, confident and overall flattering.
3. Crossed arms
Posing with your arms crossed can make you look defensive or unapproachable. Crossed arms can give you bad posture. It also can make the close bunch up which won't look good in your headshot photo. Instead, try to pose with your arms at your sides.
If you are getting portraits done, crossing your arms is a different story as you can see in the photo above.
4. Slouching
Professional business headshots need to communicate that you are a strong and confident leader. It's important to have the appropriate body language in front of the camera. Slouching can make you look lazy and unprofessional. Be sure to sit up straight and tall for your headshot.
5. Sitting
Headshots photographers have different philosophies. Our philosophy is that people should be standing when getting their headshot taken.
Standing in front of the camera gives the subject better posture than when seated. Also, standing makes people look slimmer than when sitting for headshots.
6. Patterns and logos
Busy patterns and bright colors can be distracting and can make it difficult for viewers to focus on you. Stick to solid colors or simple patterns when selecting your outfit for your headshot.
Read more about what to wear for professional headshots.
7. Ill-fitting clothes
Preparing for your professional headshot takes a bit of work on your end. Choosing the right clothes to wear for your headshot is a very important part of the headshot process.
Try on your clothes ahead of your photoshoot. Make sure that nothing fits too snug or too loose. If nothing is fitting you the way it should, it's time to go shopping.
You can work with a personal stylist and most stores like Nordstrom. Are you in a time crunch? A personal stylist can pull all the clothes ahead of your arrival and all you have to do is try them on in the fitting room.
If you want to wear short sleeves for your headshot, bring some layering clothing like a blazer. Not all people like how their arms look in photos.
Bring in more than one outfit option for your headshot session. Clothing can look different in photographs than in real life. That way if for some reason you don't like how something is sitting on you in your photo, you have other outfit options.
While you don't need to dress in a suit and tie for your headshot, you should avoid dressing too casually. Dressing too casually can make you look unprofessional and may not be appropriate for your business.
8. Revealing Clothing
A revealing outfit can be inappropriate for a business headshot. Stick to clothing that is professional and modest for your headshot.
Keep in mind that you will be using these photos for your professional profile. Even if you are going for more casual corporate headshots, wearing business professional clothes is a must.
9. Accessories
Jewelry can be a distracting factor in your corporate portrait. We recommend having a clean neckline not wear your earrings or necklace for your headshot. You can always bring it with you and ask the photographer what their opinion is.
Sunglasses and hats can obscure your features and make it difficult for viewers to see your face. If you're not comfortable being photographed without sunglasses or a hat, be sure to take them off for the shoot.
10. Too much makeup
Too much makeup can be distracting and can make you look like you're trying too hard. Keep your makeup simple and natural-looking for your headshot.
You want your professional photographs to look like you do in real life.
We recommend working with a professional makeup artist to create a natural makeup look that will help you feel comfortable and confident.
Can men get professional makeup done for their headshots? Absolutely. The makeup artist will make sure you look natural while bringing out your best features.
Avoid any shiny makeup. It doesn't photograph well and can be too distracting.
A little bit goes a long way in this instance.
11. Black & white photos
Black and white photos can seem very artistic and interesting. In most cases that is true. When you are planning to use your headshot as your professional profile photo such as on your LinkedIn profile, a black and white photo will not make you stand out.
Having vibrant colors with contrast are details that make a social media profile to stand out. Good lighting is important to achieve a strong profile photo that can be also used on your company website.
Are black-and-white professional headshots okay to use?
12. Fake camera smile
Fake smiles are very easy to spot, and it doesn't communicate approachable body language. Your headshot photographs should be genuine and give people a hint of who you are.
All the headshots in our studio come with professional facial coaching. It is our job to make sure we get the best expressions that are natural.
Just to give you an idea, a too-broad smile can look cheesy and unprofessional in a headshot. Instead, try to smile with your teeth slightly exposed and your eyes crinkled up in amusement.
You can have the best smile but if you don't have that extra spark in your eyes then it's not a solid professional headshot.
13. Distracting backdrop
A distracting backdrop doesn't do anything for your professional headshots.
If you are getting your headshot taken on location, make sure the photographer scouts the place and chooses a spot that won't take the attention away from your face.
If your headshot is being done in studio, work with the photographer to select a backdrop that is neutral and will work best to show off your features. Typically, we go with a neutral gray backdrop.
Here are 5 key tips to find the best corporate photoshoot locations.
14. Looking away from the camera
Keep in mind that your corporate headshots are not glamour shots from the 80's. For your professional portrait, you need to be looking directly into the lens.
Looking away from the camera can make you look uninterested or unapproachable. Make sure to look directly into the camera's lens for your headshot.
If your portrait photographer does suggest for you to look away from the camera, please run away from that studio.
The only time you should be looking away during a photo shoot is if you are getting lifestyle photographs or branding portraits taken.
15. Not enough rest
If you are a working adult, rest can be a hard task to achieve. Make getting rest a priority the week of your headshot appointment. You want to look refreshed and the best version of yourself.
Looking for more tips on how to prepare better for your professional business headshot? Here’s the ultimate guide on preparing for your business headshot photo session.
