Does your Headshot Make the Grade?
Good or bad? What makes a headshot work on LinkedIn and other platforms… and what doesn’t
Headshots matter. When you want to stand out in a crowded marketplace, one of the first things that catches people’s eye is a headshot. It’s the equivalent of meeting someone for the first time. First impressions count and mean whether or not that person is going to stop a while and find out more.
A good headshot - clear lighting against a dark backdrop
The New Shop Front
You are your shop front on LinkedIn or Instagram. And you must do what all good retailers do. You must make sure you attract your client. So, how do you do that?
You need to stand out; you need to be approachable; friendly; relatable or striking in some way or another.
It can be outside - but make sure the background is blurred and not distracting
The Human Connection
We are drawn to eyes and faces. In an ideal world, a full face with eyes facing the camera is inviting. It seems more trustworthy when we are sussing out who to connect with; who to work with; who to invite into our environment.
Something Intriguing
But sometimes, something different works, too. Profiles; eyes down; off to the side – all can work, as long as the image is intriguing, striking or dramatic in some way. It can appeal to our curiosity and leave us wanting to know more.
Sometimes, something different can seem intriguing
Check out your Connections
A great exercise to establish what you find appealing in a headshot, is to visit your connections on LinkedIn and view the headshots to see which stands out and for what reason. Which headshots are you drawn to? Which headshots do you not take seriously? Which leave you unsatisfied? Do you want to connect with that person or know more about them? Which headshot leaves you disinterested or passes you by?
Bad headshots? Are you committing The cardinal sin of not having one?
What doesn’t make a good headshot
A badly lit photo with a strange tint in an unprofessional setting - lots of no-nos
When I did this recently, there were a lot of great headshots. But I also noticed a few that were:
Unfocused
Had a strange tint
Were taken in an unprofessional environment
The face was too small in a background
The image included others (family/friends)
The image was of something else entirely – a mug, for example
There was no headshot at all
The image was dark or used creative lighting
Heads were wonky
Face was too dark against a well-lit background
Logo only – no face at all
Subject clearly on holiday
A background that speaks more leisure than work or business (unless that is your business)
Other people in the background – even if they are blurred
Selfies
Blown-out highlights
Family picture
Distorted picture – such as can appear on phone at wrong angle
Images that look like ‘Wanted’ Mugshots
Sun glares
Sunglasses
Wearing something inappropriate for a work setting – Hawaiian shirts or too glam an evening dress
fun pictures are great for your posts - but keep your headshots strictly professional
And these are the things that helped a headshot stand out in a good way:
Face to camera – looking ideally
Striking picture of speaker
Mostly headshot rather than full body
Clear striking image – laughing/engaging
Splash of colour
Blurred or plain background
Well-lit
Sharp image
Clear even lighting
Hats, actually! But make sure your face is clear to see!
A good strong image with a neutral background. The subject is approachable and engaging
Headshot Photography Days in Central London, Wimbledon and Epsom
If you have analysed your headshot and think it’s time for an update or upgrade, then a quick and easy way to get a new headshot is to book on to my headshot days in Epsom, Wimbledon and Central London. You can find out more here.
I can also offer you a variety of ways to build a portfolio of images you love. You can choose from studio photography, lifestyle photography and documentary style or a mixture with a blend of my personal branding packages. If you would like to know more then please visit this page here
