Here's the thing about Headshots

Here's the thing about Headshots

Here's the thing about Headshots. There are no real statistics about whether or not someone actually trusts you after seeing your image, except that you should have one. They will only start to trust you after you meet and have discussions about what you can do for them. However, your headshot that may only seen for a few seconds does have an impact that you may never be able to measure. A person that looks at a crappy photo of you and doesn't trust your image, just wont call to set up that appointment. You don't get any feedback, they just keep scrolling, they just move onto the next person. You may never know the reason why.

Your headshot isn't just a photo. It is your personal Icon, your image that lets people know they have the right person. It is how they know you in an instant. Which means it should probably be up to date and not just taken with your phone. It's working 24/7 as your silent salesperson. And right now, what is yours saying about you?

The 3-Second Trust Test (And Why Most Headshots Fail It)

I've shot headshots for over 500 professionals—lawyers, doctors, therapists, real estate agents, corporate executives, even a professional juggler (long story). And I've learned something crucial:

People decide whether to trust you in about 3 seconds.

That's how long someone spends looking at your headshot before deciding:

• "This person looks competent." ✓

• "Eh, maybe I'll keep looking."

• "Hard pass." ✗

Think about the last time YOU hired someone. You Googled them, right? Checked their LinkedIn? Scanned their website? And if their photo looked sketchy, unprofessional, or just... off... you probably moved on to the next candidate.

Your potential clients are doing the exact same thing to you right now.

What Your Current Headshot Is Actually Saying

Let me decode some common headshot mistakes I see (no judgment—we've all been there):

The Cropped Wedding Photo: Translation: "I don't take my business seriously enough to get a proper headshot."

The Bathroom Selfie: Translation: "I have no colleagues willing to help me, and I definitely don't invest in my business."

The Vacation Photo (with the beach blurred behind you): Translation: "I couldn't be bothered to spend 30 minutes on my professional image."

The Photo From Your College Graduation... 15 Years Ago: Translation: "I'm hoping you won't notice I look nothing like this anymore." (Spoiler: They will notice. At the worst possible moment. Like when you meet in person.)

The "My Kid Took This in Our Kitchen": Translation: Actually, sometimes these aren't bad! But the weird shadows from overhead lighting usually are, and they are always looking up your nose.

The Industries Where Bad Headshots Hurt the Most

Lawyers: The Confidence Conundrum

I once photographed a defense attorney who showed up in a t-shirt. "I want to look approachable," he said. Noble goal, but his clients weren't hiring him to be their buddy—they were hiring him to be a bulldog in the courtroom.

We compromised: Sharp suit, but we softened his expression from "I'll destroy you in court" to "I'll destroy them in court for you." Subtle difference, huge impact.

What works for lawyers:

• Confident but not arrogant expression

• Professional attire (yes, the suit matters)

• Direct eye contact with the camera

• Neutral or office-like background—nothing distracting

What doesn't work:

• Arms crossed (looks defensive)

• Sitting behind a desk (too formal, creates distance)

• Smiling too broadly (you're not selling used cars)

Health Professionals: The Confidence Factor

Here's what Dr. Jennifer taught me: "My patients need to trust that I know what I'm doing. They're already anxious. The last thing they need is a doctor who looks unsure of themselves."

She was right. When you're about to let someone poke you with needles, prescribe medication, or recommend surgery, you want to see competence and confidence in their face.

We shot her headshot to convey exactly that—direct eye contact, natural expression, professional but approachable. Not stiff and clinical, but not overly casual either. The goal was: "This person has seen your problem a hundred times and knows exactly how to handle it."

Her office manager later told me that after updating the website photos, Several mentioned they'd looked up the doctors online before booking and liked the photo.

The takeaway? Your headshot isn't a fashion show, most Doctors and health professional are not models, It's about looking like someone who knows their stuff and can be trusted with something as important as someone's health. Riding that line between Warmth, Empathy, and Confidence.

Patients aren't hiring you to be their friend. They're hiring you to be their doctor.

What works for healthcare providers:

• Warm, genuine expression

• Professional but approachable attire (white coat optional—many doctors are moving away from it)

• Softer lighting that's flattering

• Eye contact that conveys empathy

What doesn't work:

• Looking too serious (you're not delivering bad news in your headshot)

• Sterile, overly clinical backgrounds

• Forced smiles that don't reach the eyes

The Great Red Shirt Incident (And Other Color Disasters)

Let me tell you about Sandra.

Sandra showed up to her session in a beautiful, vibrant red blouse. It was her power color. She wore it to important meetings. She felt confident in it.

On camera? It reflected onto her face and neck, making her look like she'd just run a marathon. Or had a terrible sunburn. Or both.

"But I love this color!" she protested.

"And I love chocolate cake," I told her. "But it doesn't photograph well on my face either."

Here's What I've Learned About Colors After 500+ Headshot Sessions:

The Safe Bets:

• Navy blue: Works for literally everyone. It's professional, creates contrast, and photographs beautifully. If you own one thing for your headshot, make it a navy blazer.

• Charcoal gray: Sophisticated without being harsh

• Soft white or cream: Great for darker skin tones, creates a clean look

• Muted jewel tones: Think burgundy (not red), forest green (not lime), deep purple (not violet)

The Risky Business:

• Bright red and Green: Causes color cast on skin. If you must wear red, go darker—burgundy or wine.

• Bright white: Can blow out and wash out the image. Though sometimes it works with Dark backgrounds and at the beach.

• Neon anything: Just... no. This isn't a rave.

• Plaid: Dressing like the Bay City Rollers. Ok, Ok, Old reference! Look it up! It illustrates my point.

• Busy patterns: Stripes, plaids, and florals fight for attention with your face. Your face should win. Reference above.

The Secret Weapon: Earth tones are underrated. Olive, rust, camel, chocolate brown—these colors work with almost every skin tone and background.

But Here's the Real Secret:

The best color is the one that makes YOUR skin look great. Bring 2-3 options to your session. A good photographer will tell you within seconds which one is working.

How to Prepare: The 48-Hour Checklist

Two Days Before:

For Everyone:

• Iron or steam your outfit choices

• Get a good night's sleep (seriously, it shows in your eyes)

• Drink plenty of water (hydrated skin photographs better)

• Avoid salty foods (reduces any puffiness)

For Men:

• Decide: shave or don't shave. The "I forgot to shave" stubble doesn't photograph well. Either clean shaven or intentionally groomed facial hair.

• Trim nose and ear hair (I can see it, and I can't unsee it)

• Clean and trim fingernails if we're shooting hands

For Women:

• If you're getting your hair colored, do it now, not the day before

• Consider getting a professional makeup application (or plan to do your makeup slightly heavier than usual—cameras wash out color)

• Test your outfit in different lighting

The Day Of:

• Eat normally (hungry people don't photograph well)

• Moderate caffeine (alert, not jittery)

• Bring a bottle of water

• Arrive 5 minutes early to settle in

• Silence your phone

• Bring any props or accessories you might want to try

• Wear your outfit, don't carry it to change into (unless makeup concerns)

What to Bring:

• 2-3 top options (on hangers)

• Any specific accessories (watch, necklace, glasses if you wear them)

• Hair brush or comb

• Any touch-up makeup

• A photo or two of headshots you like (helps me understand your vision)

• Your questions and concerns (let's talk through them)

The Questions People Actually Ask Me (Honest Answers)

"Can you make me look 10 years younger?"

Honest answer: I can make you look like the best version of yourself right now. Good lighting, flattering angles, and subtle retouching can take off a few years of stress and tiredness.

But here's the thing: You're going to meet these people in real life eventually. If your headshot looks nothing like you, that first meeting is going to be awkward. "Oh, uh, you look... different" is not how you want to start a business relationship.

My goal is to make you look like YOU on your best day—well-rested, confident, and professional. Not like a different person.

"I hate having my photo taken. Will this be torture?"

I hear this at least twice a week. And I get it—most people feel uncomfortable in front of a camera.

Here's what I tell them: My job isn't just to take your photo. It's to make you comfortable enough that you forget there's a camera.

We'll talk. I'll tell you terrible jokes. I'll show you what's working on the back of the camera so you're not wondering if you look weird. And if you need to take a break, we take a break.

The best headshots happen when you stop thinking about the camera and start just being yourself.

"Should I smile or not smile?"

Depends on your industry and what you want to communicate.

Smile for: Healthcare, customer service, real estate, coaching, therapy, hospitality, education

Serious/Neutral for: Law (sometimes), corporate executive roles, security, certain tech positions

Slight smile (my favorite): Almost everything else. It's approachable without being overly casual.

When in doubt, we shoot both. Smile and serious. You can decide later which one feels right.

Let your face change try different things. There is something I have noticed I call the Selfy effect. I will get 30 pictures exactly the same. Same smile, same dead eyes, same angle. It is as if the person decided this is the only thing that works for me. I could pop a balloon, or put a squeeky clown nose on and still the same expression. Lighten up after i get the one that you give me, then let your face change and try new things. You might find something new with feeling in the eyes.

"Can I include my dog/cat/motorcycle/guitar?"

Maybe?

If it's essential to your brand, yes. I photographed a veterinarian with her dog. A guitar teacher with his vintage Gibson. An artist with one of her sculptures.

But if it's just "I really like my dog"—save that for your personal Instagram. Your headshot should be about YOU and your professional credibility.

"What about glasses?"

If you wear glasses regularly, wear them in your headshot. People should recognize you.

We'll just adjust the lighting to minimize glare on the lenses. Easy fix. Though if you have progressive lenses that darken they won't work with studio lights.

"I've gained/lost weight since my last headshot. Should I wait?"

No. Take the headshot now. Your photo should look like you currently look, not like you looked five years ago or hope to look six months from now.

People hire the person who shows up, not the person from the old photo.

What Actually Happens During a Session (Behind the Scenes)

Let me walk you through a typical session, so you know what to expect:

We Talk: We'll spend the first few minutes just chatting. I'll ask about your business, what you're hoping to use the photos for, who your clients are. This isn't just small talk—I'm figuring out how to photograph you.

Setup and Test Shots: I'll get you positioned, adjust the lighting, take a few test shots. You'll probably feel awkward. That's okay. We're not really shooting yet.

Finding Your Angle: This is where I'll ask you to turn slightly, tilt your chin up, shift your weight. We're figuring out what works for your face shape, your features. Everyone's different.

The Real Shooting Begins: Once we've found what works, I'll shoot 50-100 photos over the next 10-15 minutes. I'll give you direction, show you what's working, adjust as we go.

Review: We'll look at the back of the camera together. You can tell me what you like, what you don't. If something's not working, we'll try something different.

Wardrobe Change (If Applicable): If you brought another outfit, we'll do a quick change and repeat the process.

Total Time: 10-60 minutes depending on how many looks we're shooting.

After the Session: I'll cull through all the images, select the best ones, and edit them. You'll get a gallery to review within a few days.

The Bottom Line

Your headshot isn't vanity. It's not shallow. It's not "just a photo."

It's a business tool that's working for you 24/7, making first impressions while you sleep, building trust with people you haven't even met yet.

P.S. — Still using that photo from your cousin's wedding in 2018? I promise we can do better. Let's chat.