Should I Wear Glasses in My Business Headshot Session?
When it comes to business headshots, there are many considerations to take into account. An important point is whether or not it’s appropriate to have a headshot with glasses during the photo session.
On one hand, glasses can be a powerful tool for making a strong business statement and creating an overall professional look.
On the other hand, glasses in a business headshot, may also have some potential drawbacks that should be taken into consideration before deciding what’s right for you.
In this blog we will cover:
The purpose behind your headshot.
Key factors to consider when deciding if wearing your glasses for a headshot is necessary.
Pro's & Con's to glasses in a headshot.
Tips for avoiding common issues if wearing glasses in front of the camera.
Conclusion on whether or not to have glasses for your headshot.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Whether to Wear Glasses for a Headshot
We always encourage professionals to be authentic and staying true to their professional brand.
Part of getting a headshot photo taken is to show your personality as a professional. The headshot needs to be a strong representation of yourself.
If you use glasses in your everyday life when working with your peers and clients, then it makes sense to wear your glasses for your headshot photo.
However, if you don’t normally use glasses in business settings, then it may be best to go without them for business headshots.
The Purpose Behind Your Headshot
The purpose of a business headshot is to capture an accurate representation of who you are as a professional. It should also showcase your personality and brand identity in your business portraits.
A high-quality headshot makes a strong first impression. It can build trustworthiness, make you more approachable, and confident.
A headshot is part of the stepping stones to establishing a personal connection with clients, customers, and employers.
A great portion of having a strong headshot is being authentic and true.
If you use glasses practically every single day of your life and thats how people see you, then it's important to include glasses in some of your headshots and portraits.
There are pros and cons on whether you decide to include glasses for your headshot.
The Pros and Cons of Wearing Glasses for a Professional Headshot
When deciding whether or not to include glasses in a business headshot, there are a number of factors to take into consideration.
6 Pros of wearing glasses for your headshot
Authoritative presence that portrays confidence. Glasses can help to convey a sense of professionalism and intelligence.
Can be used as an accessory that complements your overall look. For example, plastic frames can be a great pop of color in your headshot.
Adds interest and personality to your headshot.
Highlight your best features and draw the attention more towards your eyes.
Hide imperfections such as bags under your eyes.
If you have a round or oval face, glasses can help better frame and shape your face.
3 Cons of wearing glasses for business headshots with glasses
Not all glasses have anti reflective coating in the lenses. This can result the way the light affects the lens.
Some eyeglasses can have a glare and this can make it difficult to see the eyes clearly. This is very common with flash photography. It's important the photographer works with you to properly position the glasses on your head.
Fashionable versus professional. Depending on the style of your glasses and the profession you are in, your glasses can convey a different message than intended.
In some instances plastic frames can communicate one message while metal frames another.
Avoid bringing transition lenses for your photo session because the lenses themselves can be unevenly dark or light. It is distracting and not meant to be worn for headshots.
Keep in mind that some lenses reflect more than others. It's always a good option to get non reflective coating on your lenses. If you have more than one pair of glasses, it's a great idea to bring in your top choices.
4 Tips for Avoiding Common Issues When Wearing Glasses in a headshot
Here are some tips to help you avoid common issues when wearing a pair of glasses in front of the camera and lights for your headshot:
Make sure your glasses are clean and the lenses are free of smudges or fingerprints before the photo shoot to reduce the risk of glare or reflections.
Adjust your glasses so that they sit comfortably on your ears, head and nose and they don't slide down or tilt at an angle.
We always ask to position the glasses up as high as possible on the nose so that the tops of the frames do not cut into the eyes in the photos.
Consider investing in lenses with anti reflective coating, which can reduce glare and reflections in photos especially with flash photography.
Take off your glasses: If you're still having issues with glare or reflection, consider taking off your glasses for some of the shots.
When we are photographing an individuals headshot and the lenses have a strong reflection, we take some photos with and without the glasses so that later during the post production we can easily edit out the glare or reflections from the headshot in photoshop.
A pair of glasses can be a part of your unique look and personality, and wearing them in your headshot photos can help you feel confident and comfortable.
We’ve photographed corporate headshots, real estate headshots, headshots for doctors, headshots for lawyers; and they all have a variety of photographs with and without glasses.
Conclusion: Should You Wear Glasses for professional headshot photo?
Is there a point to include glasses or not in for your pictures is the million dollar question here.
Whether or not to have glasses for professional headshots ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific context of the professional photo shoot.
If you wear glasses regularly as part of your professional appearance, then of course it's a good idea to wear them in your headshot.
Generally, when working with clients or your peers, you want to appear in your headshot the same way as in real life.
Glasses can be an important part of your personal brand and can make you look confident and professional.
On the other hand, if you only wear glasses occasionally or prefer to go without them for formal events, then you may choose to take them off for your headshot.
Some individuals feel that glasses can be distracting or take away from their facial features in photos, so they prefer to go without them.
Often times we encourage professionals to have their headshots and business photo taken with and without glasses as a way to have more variety in photographs.
Ultimately, the most important step is to make a decision that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
If you are unsure, you can always take some test shots with and without your glasses to see which option you prefer.
