What Separates a Forgettable Headshot From a Great One
Every headshot shows a face, but good ones show more than that. They show the person inside. The photos are sharp, with nice lighting, and plain backgrounds. These are things you can expect from most professional photographers. What makes a photo different is the face someone makes. A great expression can feel like the person is about to talk to you and say something you want to hear. Take a look at the photos on alexblairphotography.com, and you will see the focus is on natural, relaxed headshots. You get to see who they are, not just a pose.
The Technical Basics Still Matter
Personality can not save a photo that is blurry or has bad light. A really good headshot gets the basics right first:
- Lighting that makes your face look good and does not create hard shadows
- Focus that is clear on the eyes
- Framing that shows your head and shoulders with some space around
- Background that does not take away attention from you
- Retouching that removes things that pull the eye but does not change who you are
Those details are the base. You add your own style on top of that. What you wear is important, too. Simple and good-fitting clothes in solid colors are better in photos. Busy patterns can take attention away from your face.
Why Personality Belongs in Your Headshot
People have an attraction to other people. An approachable photograph that makes someone warm, smiling, or relaxing to look at will draw others closer to you.
As reported by statistics from Social Media Today, even simply having a photograph in your LinkedIn profile may lead to an increase in your views as much as 21 times and get you nine times more connection invitations. This is just how effective it can be. Think about what would happen when your photograph makes you seem like an easy person to approach. In no time, you can find your photograph popping out everywhere else without your consent in the program agenda, in the podcasts’ websites, or news articles.
Have you ever found yourself not liking the photographs that you are told are good by your friends? Read this article that talks about the psychology of feeling ugly in photographs. You are assured to believe in your photographers’ and friends’ eyes more than you do in your tough self.
Work With a Photographer Who Gets It
A good photographer does more than just tell you to smile. The work starts with a short chat before the session. In this chat, they will ask you about your work, your clients, and how you want people to see you. After that, they will help you with your look and guide you through different expressions and poses. This goes on until you find something that feels real to you. Before you come in for your session, spend some time on alexblairphotography.com. Look at the style and choose some photos that show the look you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be smiling in my headshot?
Yes, in most cases. A genuine smile will indicate that you are approachable. A quiet smile, where you don’t have your lips apart, is also acceptable.
Can I use an amateur shot instead of a professional headshot?
Yes, but then an amateur shot will not make a very favorable first impression.
How should I choose which shot to use?
Choose the one that makes you feel like you’re your best self. You may also ask for another opinion from someone you trust.
Conclusion
A professional headshot stands out when great camera skills bring out who you are. Lighting, focus, and framing help people see you. Your look helps them remember you. Don’t use a photo that is like all the others. Go to alexblairphotography.com, check out the photos, and set up a session to show people what makes you, you. What do you want your headshot to tell people before you speak?
