What is a Headshot?

By definition, a headshot is a photograph where the focus of the image is the person's head. That seems pretty straight forward, but it also sounds an awful lot like a portrait.

A portrait displays the likeness of the individual in the focus of the photograph. While your portrait can be used to identify you, it also tells the viewer something about the person, like characteristics and personality.  A headshot is an image we, as consumers, HR, directors, agents and viewers, use to identify a person, displaying their facial features, and can go as low as their shoulders.  Well that is confusing. The key difference is a headshot is a professional representation, and a portrait is an artistic representation, something telling a story.

 

Portrait

A portrait tells a story about the subject. I just see this fun loving girl, who is always running around and focused on what is happening, growing in to a gorgeous young musician.

Headshot

A headshot focuses on the subjects face, providing the viewer a way to identify the subject.

With the rise of digital photography, and the ease of obtaining photographs, headshots have split in to 2 different categories: Commercial and Theatrical.

Theatrical headshots are used by actors and models displaying looks, features, and type for agencies and casting directors. This is what most people think of when they hear headshot, something used to get hired for an acting or modeling job. This is the first impression, and audition, a calling card leading to callbacks, jobs and money.

Commercial headshots build your brand and help promote your business while displaying your features. You can almost think of a commercial headshot as a business portrait, how you make your first impression with people searching for your services, industry, or even trying to find you specifically.  This is often a first impression, and can even be the deciding factor in being hired, having your product purchased, or getting the consult.

Who needs a Headshot?

With the rise of social media, pretty much everyone needs a headshot.  If you are a professional in a service industry, a business owner, an author, someone looking to sell themselves or their product, you need a headshot. 

Have a LinkedIn profile? your headshot will lead to more views, connections and a larger network.  It would be terrible if you missed that great career move or job interview because you were missing out on a key feature in your profile.

Have a website? Guess what should be on or in your "About" section to help prospects, consumers learn about who they are working with

Have you published anything? Publishers, blogs, magazines want an image to accompany your work.

Do you sell? Realtors, consultants, sales representatives, entrepreneurs, inventors, direct sellers and marketers, creators, this list can go on.

Have a business card, mailers, posters or flyers? What a great way to help people remember you and your business.

What makes a good Headshot?

For starters, you headshot needs to be an 8x10 color image.  Black & White, while it may be absolutely gorgeous, is more artistic provoking a feeling, and appears dated.  A headshot shows reality, this is not a glamour shot.  Airbrushing is a no-go, this is you, on your best day, it shows who you are now.  Professionals are trained in lighting, portraying key features, and understand positioning and interaction with you, for the best image possible.  While it will save you money going with a camera phone or even have your friend with a big kid camera, there is a lower quality produced, which can lead to fewer jobs, and less money

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