Here’s what separates a great headshot from a shitty one.
The obvious:
Without a genuine smile and presence in the eyes, a viewer can’t connect with you. They move on. It’s why the session pays for itself: Actors cover the shoot with their first booking; office workers get it back hundreds of times over with a job offer.
The subtle:
- Good lighting supports the story you want to tell. For office workers, it’s clarity. For actors, adaptability. For everyone, authenticity. Lighting tell us who’s the hero… and who’s an NPC.
- Backgrounds should stay in the background. They give context, but should never take over. YOU are the star.
- Your face should take up at least 60% of the image. Style’s important, but we connect with faces, not clothes. And are you really going to jam half your body into a tiny circle on LinkedIn? Who’s going to recognize you?
The best part of working with a professional photographer? You don't need to know what you don't know. I do. I've shot hundreds of headshots out of my Oakland studio—actors, founders, attorneys, therapists—and the principles are always the same.
If you're ready to level up your opportunities, hit me up.