Types or styles of Headshots & business photos
While headshots are intended to present a professional appearance, there is more than one way to make your headshot work. Headshots reflect your personality, your identity, and your brand. However, there is more than one use for a headshot. Headshots can be used for your resume, Linkedin profile, company directory, an audition, or even for a dating app profile.
Depending on how you plan to use your headshots, you will need to select a look that appeals to your audience.
So how do you decide which type of headshot is right for you? Here are a few different options to consider:
CORPORATE HEADSHOTS
Corporate style are often photos from either the shoulders up or the waist up and usually have a plain coloured background. These headshot photos are used consistently used across multiple platforms & are often used on company websites to introduce their staff.
For this purpose simple, plain colour background are better because they remove distracting elements, is less visually complicated and keep the focus on you. They also provide uniformity when multiple images are presented together as you would see on a âmeet our staffâ webpage.
This style is usually the preferred kind of headshots for Linkedin profile photos or the applicant of executive jobs, law firms, real estate groups & other large organisations in general.
OUTDOOR HEADSHOTS
Headshot photos can also be done on location or outdoors but you should still need to ensure your background is fairly simple or nicely blurred, so that you are still clearly the focus of the photo.
A good headshot is one that helps connect with your target audience. So, if your job or role, is a people friendly one, you may want to present a warmer and more approachable, a less formal appearance and a not-so-corporate image.
If this is the case then an outdoor location with a natural background (which creates a softer appearance) could be the way to go. This style of headshot can be used by psychologists, real estate agents, or people in customer friendly roles in general.
ACTOR HEADSHOTS
A professional headshot is a must for actors and models. It shows off your character and makes you look confident and credible. To catch the attention of the right casting directors & agents you need clear & good photos that present the best version of you. These photos need to project the image that would attract the eyes of casting directors that are going to pick you for the roles you WANT.
Business portraits & Branding Photography
In todayâs competitive world of business, potential customers want to see the face behind the brand. It helps build trust in the business & create brand awareness.
Business branding photos need to represent the brand you want to create & appeal to the audience you want to attract. So, itâs important to remember that these images are meant to create a connection with your customer. For this reason most business portraits aim to present the business owner in a casual and friendly style to create an inviting look. They can have a lifestyle or documentary feel to them. And so, these images are usually captured in natural poses like laughing, smiling & in your work environment. As an example, if you are the business owner of a starter up company that targets a more youthful audience, the photos could done in a fun & candid style with an instagram style vibe.
The possibilities are endless, so determine how your headshots will be used and select the look you need. No matter what you decide, be sure to let your individual personality shine through each image!