Photographing several versions of the same headshot helps uncover the strongest expression, refine the smallest details and create a useful range of images for different professional settings.
One question clients sometimes ask is why photographers take so many headshots when the final photographs can look quite similar.
From the other side of the camera, it can feel as though we’re repeating the same shot.
You’re standing in the same place, wearing the same clothes, looking towards the same camera. Perhaps your head moves slightly, or your expression changes for a moment, but surely one or two frames should be enough?
In reality, those small differences are often where the strongest photograph is found.
A slight change in expression, chin position, shoulder angle or crop can alter how a headshot feels. Two photographs may appear almost identical at first glance, yet one might look warmer, more confident or more natural. They may also be useful for completely different purposes.
That’s why I photograph several versions of the same headshot rather than trying to produce one supposedly perfect frame.
The strongest expression can happen quickly
Expressions are constantly changing.
Even when someone thinks they are holding the same smile, their face will be moving slightly between frames. Their eyes might become more engaged. Their jaw may relax. The smile might soften and begin to feel more natural.
Sometimes the strongest expression appears for a fraction of a second.
It might happen just after someone laughs, as they settle back into a more neutral look. It could be the moment before a full smile, when there is enough warmth in the face without the expression feeling too broad.
It may appear when the person stops thinking about what their face is doing and responds naturally to the conversation.
Taking several photographs allows me to catch those brief changes.
This isn’t about firing the camera continuously and hoping something works. I’m still watching closely, giving direction and making deliberate adjustments.
The extra frames allow us to explore the small differences that can turn a perfectly acceptable headshot into one that feels genuinely right.
The strongest headshot is often found in the fraction of a second when you stop thinking about your expression.
Tiny changes can alter the whole photograph
A professional headshot is usually a simple photograph, but simple doesn’t mean easy.
With fewer elements in the frame, small details become more noticeable.
Moving the chin forward slightly can strengthen the jawline. Lowering it a fraction can make the eyes feel more direct, although taking it too far can create tension. Turning the shoulders a little can make the pose feel more relaxed or add shape to the composition.
Even the position of the head can change the message.
A very straight position can feel confident and direct. A slight turn might appear more open and conversational.
Neither is automatically better. The most effective choice depends on the person, their role and where they plan to use the photograph.
These adjustments are often tiny. In isolation, they may sound almost insignificant. When you compare the finished photographs side by side, the difference can be surprisingly clear.
Two headshots can look almost identical, yet create a completely different impression.
I don’t expect you to know your best angle
Many people arrive for a session worrying that they don’t know how to pose.
They shouldn’t need to.
You don’t have to practise a professional headshot expression in the mirror or work out exactly how far to turn your shoulders. Directing those details is part of my job.
I’ll guide you through changes in posture, head position and expression, then show you what we are creating. Because I photograph tethered, the images appear on a larger screen during the session. We can look at the results together and make informed adjustments.
You might notice that you prefer a particular angle. I may see that a slightly softer expression creates a stronger sense of connection. We can then build on what is working rather than guessing.
This process is much more useful than taking three photographs at the start of the session and hoping one happens to be right.
Choosing one final image can be difficult
The downside of creating several strong options is that choosing a favourite can be difficult.
Clients sometimes worry that this means they are indecisive. Usually, it means the photographs are doing slightly different jobs.
One headshot might feel more approachable. Another could appear more authoritative. A third might be the one that simply feels most like you.
Rather than asking which photograph is objectively best, it can help to ask where each one will be used.
A warm, open expression might work well on LinkedIn or an about page. A more focused version could suit an article, speaker profile or company announcement. A wider crop might be useful for a website where text needs to sit beside the photograph, while a closer crop may work better as a small profile picture.
Once you think about the purpose, the choice often becomes easier.
How many professional headshots do I need?
There is no single correct number.
Some people only need one strong photograph for a specific use. Others need a small library of professional headshots that can work across LinkedIn, their website, presentations, press coverage and social media.
For most professionals, having several useful options is better than relying on one photograph everywhere.
That doesn’t mean you need dozens of almost identical finished images. The point is to create enough meaningful variety to cover the situations you are likely to encounter.
A useful set might include a full smile, a softer expression and a more neutral or focused look. It could contain both close and slightly wider crops. We may also vary the angle or composition while keeping the lighting and background consistent.
The result still feels like one coherent set, but each image has a slightly different purpose.
Similar does not mean redundant
Two headshots can look almost identical until you consider the job each one needs to do.
A small change in expression might make one feel better suited to a client-facing page. A little more space around the subject could make another much easier for a designer to use. A subtle difference in posture might shift the balance from approachable to authoritative.
This is why I don’t treat near-identical frames as wasted photographs.
The process helps us discover which small changes work best for you. It also means you leave the session with more than one version of yourself to use.
You aren’t the same in every professional situation. You might need to look welcoming in one place, assured in another and more relaxed somewhere else.
You aren’t the same in every professional situation, so one headshot shouldn’t have to do every job.
Your headshots should give you that flexibility.
Photographing several versions isn’t about creating more images for the sake of it. It’s about paying attention to the details, finding the strongest expressions and giving you a range of photographs that remain useful long after the session.
Need a new headshot, but not sure which expression, angle or style will work best for you?
You don’t need to arrive knowing how to pose. I’ll guide you through the process, show you the photographs as we create them and help you build a set of images that feels natural and works across your professional life.
