When people talk about professional headshots, lots of people still picture the same thing:
Stiff poses.
A forced smile.
Smart clothes.
Arms crossed, against a grey background.
But professional headshots have changed a lot over the years.
While there’s still a place for traditional corporate headshots – particularly in industries or situations where a clean, formal image is important.
But more and more people are realising something:
Professional doesn’t mean personality-free.
Your headshot should feel like you.
Your headshot should reflect who you are
People connect with people.
Strong personal brands help you to stand out and connect with like-minded people. However even a single headshot can reflect who you are. And often, the businesses and professionals who stand out most are the ones who allow a little personality to come through in their branding and imagery.
This doesn’t mean your photos need to be over-the-top or unconventional.
It just means your images should feel authentic to you, your values and your brand.
Recently, I photographed a woman working in the banking industry.
Years ago, many people expected headshots that meant:
- smart suits
- neutral colours
- traditional corporate styling
Instead?
She had bright blue hair and wore a bold pink outfit – the final images still looked polished and professional, yet authentic and personable.
Confidence, professionalism and credibility don’t come from wearing beige, or being like everyone else.
They come from showing up as yourself!
I also recently photographed a women with alopecia, whilst this was a studio, plain background shoot, I was also able to capture the personality that she was going for as a ‘bad girl’ vibe, and she’s since been cast as a football hooligan in Betfred’s “We Are The Believers” ad.
I also recently photographed a woman with alopecia who wanted a very specific look and feel from her headshots. Whilst this was a studio, plain background shoot,, the images weren’t intended to feel corporate or conventional. Instead, we focused on creating a stronger, more rebellious “bad girl” vibe.
The result? Headshots that felt authentic to her and reflected exactly the character and personality she wanted to portray.
In fact, shortly afterwards she was cast as a football hooligan in Betfred’s “We The Believers” advertising campaign.
It’s a great reminder that a headshot doesn’t have to be complicated to communicate something powerful. Sometimes it’s not about the background, props or styling at all. It’s about capturing the confidence, character and individuality that make someone memorable.
Modern headshots are about connection
The way we do business has changed.
People are no longer just buying services or qualifications – they’re buying into people. Even platforms, like LinkedIn, have become increasingly important for networking and connections, and people want to see and get to know the person behind the profile, not just the qualifications and experience.
They want to know:
- who you are
- whether you feel approachable
- whether they can relate to you
- whether they trust you
A headshot with personality helps show this far more effectively than a stiff, corporate image ever could.
Professional doesn’t mean “Blending in”
One of the biggest mistakes people make with headshots is trying to look like what they think a professional person should look like.
But often, the most memorable images are the ones that feel genuine.
That could mean:
- wearing colours you naturally wear
- incorporating subtle elements of your personality
- choosing a relaxed expression instead of a forced grin
- photographing you in a setting that reflects your work
Of course, every industry is different.
An actor’s headshot needs to meet a specific brief. A law firm may prefer a more formal and consistent look across the team.
But even within more corporate industries, there’s more flexibility now.
LinkedIn profiles, websites and personal branding have shifted expectations.
People increasingly want to see the human behind the job title.
And you can absolutely look:
- polished
- credible
- trustworthy
…without losing individuality.
The best headshots feel natural
Interestingly, what makes a headshot feel “professional” is not down to the clothes you wear.
Instead, it’s usually:
- your posture or pose
- your expression
- the lighting
- your connection
- your confidence
Someone who feels comfortable in what they’re wearing will also feel more confident, and will almost always photograph better than someone dressed in something that doesn’t feel like them.
That’s why I always encourage clients to choose outfits that reflect both their industry and their personality, without trying to be someone else!
The goal of a professional headshot is to create an image, that reflects your true self and where people think:
“You look approachable, trustworthy and like someone I’d want to work with.”
Professional – with personality.
Why professional headshots matter for your website & marketing
Professional headshots help with:
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Website SEO – Google prefers high quality/resolution, unique images over stock photos used across thousands of websites, or low quality imagery
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Engagement – people are far more likely to click on and interact with posts that feature real faces
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Personal branding – recognisable images help people connect your name to your face
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Algorithm visibility – platforms tend to prioritise content that keeps people engaged
Your headshot isn’t about vanity.
It’s about:
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Building trust instantly
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Helping visitors understand what you do and form a connection with you
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Showing professionalism
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Creating consistency across your website and social media
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Making your business feel real
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Before someone reads your credentials or services, they’ve already formed an opinion based on your image. So, a professional headshot on your homepage or About page can be the difference between someone staying to read more or clicking away.
See my post on ‘12 reasons why Professional Headshots are worth it (Even if you hate having your photo taken)‘
Feeling nervous about having headshots taken?
You’re not alone.
Lots of people say they:
-
Don’t know how to stand
- Don’t know what to do with their hands
-
Feel awkward smiling on cue
-
Worry they’ll look stiff
Whether it’s an actor needing to hit a specific brief or a small business owner wanting to feel more confident online, my job is to guide you so your images feel natural and work for you.
A good headshot isn’t just a photo…
It’s part of your visibility – and if used in the right way, it should work hard for your business long after the shoot is over.
So, if you’re in Swindon or the surrounding areas, and you’re thinking about updating your headshot, or brand photography – I’d love to help ❤️
Check out my professional headshot packages, or brand photography packages on my website, or get in touch so we can chat through what would work best for you and your business.
And if you’d like to get to know me better, then why not book a free, no-obligation discovery call, so you can ask questions, talk through ideas and make sure I’m the right photographer for you.
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