Most corporate headshots are awful because they are built to be safe instead of memorable.
Somewhere along the way, the goal became “look professional” rather than “look like a human being anyone would actually want to work with.”
The result is row after row of people standing stiffly against the same bland background, wearing the same tight half-smile, looking like they are about to be called in for jury duty.
The first problem is the expression. Too many headshots are taken in total silence, with the photographer clicking away while the subject tries to remember how to smile. The result is the dreaded polite grin, which says absolutely nothing about the person other than “I survived this photo.”
A good headshot needs personality. It should have some spark in the eyes, some real energy, not just a frozen mask of professionalism.
Then there is the lighting. Bad corporate headshots often rely on flat, even lighting that removes all depth from the face.
Yes, it is “safe” because there are no harsh shadows, but it is also lifeless.
Good lighting creates shape, brings out features, and makes the image feel alive. Flat light turns you into a passport photo.
Backgrounds are another killer. The endless parade of grey, beige, and mottled blue backdrops does nothing to tell your story. It is corporate wallpaper, designed to be inoffensive but succeeding only in being forgettable.
Your background should either complement your brand or disappear completely, not drag the whole shot into early-2000s stock-photo territory.
Wardrobe choices often add to the problem. People wear what they think they should wear, not what actually suits them or reflects how they work.
A suit that does not fit, a colour that drains the skin, or a tie knotted out of obligation can make someone look uncomfortable before the shutter even clicks.
But the biggest issue is that many photographers treat corporate headshots as a box-ticking exercise. Stand here. Chin up. Smile. Next.
There is no conversation, no attempt to put the person at ease, no curiosity about who they are or how they want to be seen. The whole thing becomes a production line for mediocrity.
The irony is that a headshot is often the first impression someone gets of you. It lives on your company website, your LinkedIn profile, your email signature.
It should be doing some heavy lifting, showing that you are approachable, competent, and confident. Instead, too many headshots say, “I was told to stand here and hope for the best.”
It does not have to be that way. A great corporate headshot should feel alive. It should make the viewer feel like they could walk into the frame and start a conversation.
That all takes more than technical skill. It takes a photographer who will engage with you, guide you, and create space for real expression.
If your current headshot looks like it could be swapped with half your colleagues without anyone noticing, it is time to fix it.
I work with professionals in Cranleigh and the Surrey Hills to create headshots that are confident, approachable, and completely individual.
Get in touch and let me make yours stand out for the right reasons.
