What makes a good headshot? Is it just a case of saying “Say Cheese”?

The answer is that it depends on how you are going to use the image. If you need a shot for your personal Facebook page then usually a smiling shot works great. If we are talking about a business headshot then the answer may be different so in this article I am going to share with you what I think makes a great headshot.

• Expression. Let’s start with what I think is the most important component. Your expression needs to speak to the viewer and it needs to communicate the right message. Are you trying to come across as trusting, friendly, confident, knowledgeable, etc? Your image will form a first impression that can’t be undone so it needs to be right from the start so make sure you get it right.

• Lighting. The way your light someone’s face can change the mood and the feel of the image. It can also be flattering to specific features if you can craft the light to do so. This is something I see people get wrong all the time. They use light that is too hard and really unflattering so make sure you use soft light all the way.

• Posing. Why would posing be required to get a headshot? The way you stand affects every other part of your body, including shoulders and neck which are part of your headshot. So make sure that the way you stand and the way you pose is complementing to the overall look.

• Wardrobe/Hair/Makeup. These are huge! Did you know that your eye will automatically look at the brightest part of a photo first? If you look at images of successful business people you will notice that the clothes they are wearing compliment the photo. They don’t take over the photo. Do you also notice that successful women don’t seem to be wearing makeup? They are but it is applied so well that it appears that they are not wearing any. All these things are unconscious changes that lift the quality of the image.

• Camera, lenses, lights, photoshop, etc. I included these here in order to exclude them. That may sound like a strange sentence but the truth is that a good headshot photographer can get a great photo using nothing but a smartphone. This is because the equipment is only a tool. It’s not the tool but the knowledge of how to use that tool that is important.

Of course, the best way to get a headshot photograph is to see a headshot photographer. Even photographers have their photo taken by other photographers. It’s not expensive and you are guided the whole way. It’s an investment in you.

Want to know how I can help with your headshot or commercial photography. Click HERE