Who decided that looking professional means wearing a suit, standing against a grey background and smiling politely at the camera?
I’m not sure, but somewhere along the way, professional headshots became rather predictable.
You know the ones. Arms folded, shoulders turned slightly towards the camera, perfectly even lighting and a smile that says, “I’m very approachable, but I’d also like to discuss your quarterly targets.”
There’s nothing wrong with a traditional corporate headshot. They have their place, and I photograph plenty of them.
But what if you’re a designer, musician, writer, artist, independent business owner or somebody working in a creative industry?
What if your personality, individuality and the way you approach your work are precisely what make people want to hire you?
Shouldn’t your headshot reflect that?
Looking professional doesn’t have to mean looking corporate.
Here are a few ways to create professional headshots that feel interesting, authentic and unmistakably you.
1 – Think about what professional means for you
Before deciding what to wear or where to have your photograph taken, think about the people you want your headshot to reach.
What do you want them to think when they see your photograph?
Perhaps you’re an illustrator who wants to appear approachable and imaginative. A musician who wants to show a little attitude. Or a consultant whose clients value independent thinking rather than corporate formality.
Professionalism isn’t really about wearing the right clothes or standing in the right pose.
It’s about showing people that you’re someone they can trust to do a good job.
And you can communicate that without looking like you’re applying for a job at a bank.
2 – Wear something that feels like you
I always encourage people to wear clothes they’d naturally choose when meeting an important client or doing the work they love.
If that’s a beautifully tailored jacket, fantastic.
If it’s a black T-shirt, jeans and a favourite necklace, equally fantastic.
The important thing is that you feel comfortable and recognise yourself in the photographs.
For creative headshots, clothing can also tell a story.
Interesting textures, colours, jewellery and accessories can add character without becoming distracting.
I’d suggest bringing a few options to your session. Sometimes a simple change of jacket or top completely transforms the feel of a portrait.
Just don’t turn up dressed as somebody you think you’re supposed to be.
3 – Forget the standard headshot background
A plain white or grey background can be a great choice. It keeps the attention firmly on your face and works particularly well for profile photographs.
But it’s far from your only option.
In my studio, we can experiment with different backgrounds, lighting styles and colours to create something a little more distinctive.
We might use a darker background for a more dramatic portrait, or introduce some colour to make the image feel more contemporary.
And sometimes the best background isn’t in a studio at all.
Your workspace, a favourite outdoor location or an interesting architectural setting can add context and personality.
The trick is making sure the background supports the portrait rather than competing with you for attention.
4 – Make lighting part of the personality
Lighting does far more than make sure your face is properly exposed.
It changes the entire mood of a photograph.
Soft, even lighting can feel welcoming and approachable. Stronger directional lighting introduces shadows, depth and a little drama.
Neither is inherently better.
It depends on the person, the purpose of the photograph and the impression we’re trying to create.
One of my favourite parts of portrait photography is experimenting with lighting to find something that suits the individual.
For somebody working in a creative field, we might spend time producing several different looks, from a natural, straightforward headshot to something a little more editorial.
You don’t have to settle for one lighting style just because it’s what everyone else seems to have.
5 – You don’t have to smile in every photograph
There’s a strange assumption that professional headshots always need a big, friendly smile.
And while a genuine smile can be brilliant, it isn’t the only way to look approachable or interesting.
A thoughtful expression can communicate confidence. A relaxed, neutral expression can feel authentic and direct. A slight smile might be far more natural for you than a huge grin.
I often encourage people to try a range of expressions during a portrait session.
We’ll talk, move around, experiment with different angles and see what happens.
Sometimes the strongest photograph is the one where you’re not smiling at all.
The important thing is that your expression feels believable.
6 – Think beyond the head and shoulders
There’s a reason traditional headshots are framed tightly around the face.
They’re practical, recognisable and work well when displayed as small profile pictures.
But if you’re investing in professional photography, why stop there?
Creative professionals often need photographs for websites, social media, press features, speaking engagements and promotional material.
A wider portrait showing more of your body can work beautifully on a website homepage.
A photograph of you sitting in your workspace might be perfect for an About page.
Something more dramatic or unusual could be ideal for a magazine feature, event poster or creative portfolio.
I like to build variety into my portrait sessions so clients leave with photographs that work in different places.
You might only need one headshot today, but a small collection of useful portraits gives you much more flexibility.
7 – Let some personality into the photographs
This is probably the biggest difference between a perfectly competent headshot and a portrait that makes somebody stop scrolling.
Personality.
And I’m not talking about exaggerated poses, forced laughter or pretending to be somebody you’re not.
Sometimes it’s a slightly raised eyebrow. A particular way of standing. A genuine smile that happens halfway through a conversation.
Perhaps it’s the clothes you wear, your tattoos, your favourite glasses or the way you naturally carry yourself.
These are the things that make you recognisable.
When somebody visits your website or looks at your LinkedIn profile, they’re not just trying to work out what you look like.
They’re forming an impression of the person behind the business.
Give them something worth connecting with.
8 – Make sure the photograph still works as a headshot
There’s one important thing to remember when creating something a little different.
A creative headshot still needs to do its job.
People should be able to recognise you. Your face should be clearly visible. The photograph should work at the size and in the format where it’ll actually be used.
That dramatic portrait with half your face in shadow might look fantastic on your website, but it might not be the best choice for a tiny LinkedIn profile picture.
That’s why I usually recommend creating a mixture of images.
Get a strong, straightforward headshot first. Something versatile that works almost anywhere.
Then we can have some fun.
Experiment with lighting, expression, composition and different styles to create portraits that show more of your personality.
You don’t have to choose between practical and creative. You can have both.
Your headshot should look like you, not everybody else
Here’s what I think.
..The best professional headshot isn’t necessarily the most polished or traditionally corporate one. It’s the photograph that helps the right people connect with you.
If you’re an independent creative, a freelancer or somebody building a business around your personality and expertise, looking exactly like everyone else probably isn’t doing you any favours.
You can look capable, trustworthy and professional without losing what makes you interesting.
And you don’t need modelling experience or a collection of carefully rehearsed poses to make that happen.
You just need a photographer who’s willing to spend a little time finding out who you are.
Ready for something a little different?
I photograph actors, musicians, artists, business owners and other creative professionals at my portrait studio in Cranleigh, Surrey, and on location across the Surrey Hills and beyond.
My sessions are relaxed, collaborative and designed to produce photographs that feel like you.
We can start with the essential professional headshots, then experiment with different lighting, backgrounds, clothing and expressions to create something more distinctive.
Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn profile, refreshing your website or building a collection of portraits for your creative work, I’d love to help.
Take a look at my portrait photography packages and prices and get in touch to book your session.
Let’s create some professional photographs that don’t make you look like you’ve just joined the management team of a large accountancy firm.
