Professional Headshots: Do They Make a Difference?

5/27/2020

"Professional headshots are crucial to your success."

Well I guess you probably expected a statement like that coming from a headshot photographer.

But I mean it seriously, and I can explain!

You see, years ago when I first started City Headshots, I was afraid to show my face.

Oops, did I really just admit that?

Yes, I did.

Why was I afraid? Well, because I looked like I was 15 years old (I was actually 20 at the time – though ten years later I'm now 30 and I STILL look 15).

This is the photo I used for the first few years of running City Headshots:

Even though I used that picture, people DID still book with me for photos, but day after day I was always greeted by the same confused look:

"Wait, how old are you?"

Awkward, I know.

There was always a certain level of distrust people had because they thought I was too young to be experienced enough to take their professional headshots.

They kept saying they thought I would be older, or that I "sounded a lot older on the phone."

I always had to work hard to gain back their trust during the shoot, and even after a great session, I still had some people who felt like I did a "bait and switch" on them (probably also because I was shooting out of my apartment at the time).

It was definitely awkward, and every once in a while someone would ask why I didn't just show my picture on the website?

Well, eventually I saw the "light" so to speak, and I posted a professional headshot where you could see my face clearly:

So What Happened?

Well, at first bookings went down.

What the heck? DOWN?

Yes, bookings dropped for the first couple of weeks. But I noticed something interesting:

The questions about how old I was stopped completely.

In fact, my clients suddenly seemed way more trusting of me, and a few people even complimented me on my headshot!

And after a few weeks, I noticed the number of referral bookings I was getting began to increase!

And guess what? After a few months, I was shooting WAY more people than I had been originally.

So What Did I Learn?

Well simply put, I learned I should take my own medicine and use a pro headshot myself.

It's truly embarrassing to admit that I was afraid to use a professional headshot and yet I constantly recommended them to my clients each day!

But that story really showed me how important it is to have a high-quality photo that shows your face clearly and lets people get a sense of who you are.

Not having a photo or using one where you don't look approachable (or can't see your face clearly) will decrease people's trust in you (even if in the short run it feels good to hide your youth, imperfections, or anything else you're self-conscious about).

But we still need to go a step further: What's the difference between using simple photos taken by a friend (where you can see yourself clearly) and modern, high-quality professional headshots taken by a professional headshot photographer?

Does it really make that big of a difference, and if so, why?

Note: This article is primarily written for business and LinkedIn headshots. If you're an actor, read this: Actor Headshots – The Ultimate Guide.

Why should I get professional headshots?

Shooting for so many years and seeing the results our clients have experienced by working with us, we've realized that headshots do more for you that just put a face to your name.

Adding professional headshots to your social media and LinkedIn profiles creates a great first impression and builds trust between you and people looking at your profile. And if you're an organization, matching headshots for everybody on your team can unify your website and company brand, making it come across as more professional and aesthetically pleasing.

Here is what using professional headshots subconsciously says about you:

I am established and have reached a level in my career where I both need AND can afford professional headshots.
I take my career and professional presence seriously.
I have a well-established personal brand and people trust me.
I am in-demand. People are requesting professional photos of me.
I am detail-oriented and make sure important things are done properly.
I stay up to date with modern trends.
I'm the type of person who goes above and beyond most others.

Each of these is important to being perceived positively, whether you're looking for a new job or just searching for opportunities to advance your career (or you're a company looking to wow your clients).

Professional headshots should never look bored or worried. You must look confident.

So why not learn how to take headshots with an iPhone or just hire a photographer for $50?

Having a nice camera and snapping a photo doesn't equate to a great photo. No matter the style of photo you're looking for, be it a landscape, wedding photo, or portrait, each requires a certain eye and unique set of skills.

Trained headshot photographers are important for great headshots because they know how to capture specific expressions and how to direct you for great posture, no double chin, and finding your best side.

Learn how to find the right headshot photographer for you.

Photographers in department stores or the "portrait photographers" you can find online for extremely cheap rates almost never understand how to direct those subtle things that are so important. Learn more about professional headshots costs here.

And if a photographer says he/she specializes in portraiture, you should always make sure the people in their portfolio have fantastic expressions.

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought to yourself, "There's something slightly off with this person?" They look worried or "out to lunch"? That's exactly what you want to avoid in your headshot.

Check out our portfolio page where we list the exact expression each person is showing.

If your expression doesn't look natural or the lighting is off in your shot, thousands of people will see it every month and each will be thinking, "There's something off here."

Is that the first impression you want to make?

Many people are surprised when they come in for a shoot by the amount of direction we give. From body position to the subtle squint of your eyes, to how far your chin is tilted down, we leave no stone unturned. Each of these details really matters.

Make the right decision for your needs.

I understand that paying for professional headshots can be expensive. If it's going to completely break your bank and you're giving up your savings to do it, STOP. I don't want you to spend all your money on a headshot if you truthfully can't afford it.

But if it's not going to break the bank and you're debating whether to have a friend (or photographer who doesn't specialize in headshot photography) shoot your headshot, think twice.

There is a lot more that goes into professional headshots than most people realize, and a lot more riding on your photo than you think.

The decision of course is completely up to you, but hopefully this article sheds some light onto what goes into professional headshots and why hiring a pro who specializes in them can make a difference.

Regardless of whether you choose to work with us (feel free to click around using the site menu), a different photographer, or a friend, feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions.

You can also email us directly at [email protected] and we're happy to give you advice.

BONUS: How to Take Professional Headshots at Home

I wanted to add this additional section into this post because since the whole Coronavirus situation, a lot of people asked me whether there's a way to take photos from home and not have to go on public transportation or visit a studio.

Luckily, we've found an answer that still involves using a professional photographer and getting a result that works, and here it is:

The Virtual Headshot
(see pricing on "packages" page)

If you're thinking you need a good photo soon, you can now get a highly professional headshot with a great backdrop – no matter where you are in the world.

All you need is yourself and a window, and we'll guide you through the rest!

how to take professional headshots with iPhone

This is the original photo.

Digitally edited for a professional, flat backdrop.

Digitally edited for a professional, blurred backdrop.

If you choose to book a Virtual Headshot shoot with us, we'll take you through the process via video chat, directing you to find your best angles, expressions, and positions.

By the end of the 20-minute session, you'll have a few shots to choose from and you can email us your favorite to be retouched.

We'll digitally change the background to match your preference and adjust lighting, fix blemishes, whiten teeth and more, so your final image looks highly polished and ready for LinkedIn.

Have questions? Email us at [email protected] and we'll get back to you within a few hours.

Want to book a "Virtual Headshot" shoot? We'd love to work with you! Click the button below.

Book "The Virtual Headshot"