Tips for getting a authentic, professional headshot

Headshots used on social media profiles, business websites and in other career contexts are like virtual handshakes, often introducing people to potential employers, collaborators or audiences long before an in-person meeting.

It’s natural to want to feel good about your appearance in those pictures, but conveying the image you want to project is even more important, said Chris Gillett, a Houston-based photographer who specialises in headshots.

“It’s going to be a first impression, and the research on first impressions shows that they’re formed instantly and are sticky,” Gillett, a former attorney, said.

Even a millimetre shift in a smile or an eyebrow can change someone’s expression, he said. A smile should look authentic, while confidence is communicated through the eyes. The face should always be the focus; that’s why Gillett prefers classic headshots — which show the head and shoulders — over portraits that feature folded arms or waistlines.

“It’s the simplest form of people photography, but it’s endlessly fascinating,” he said.

Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to creating and using headshots:

Make sure you’re recognisable

There’s no rule of thumb for how often to update your headshots, Gillett said. Just make sure they still look like you. A noticeable difference between a headshot and how you look in person can erode trust.

Heavily edited photos present the same hazard, said Emily Lauro, an area director for Goodwin Recruiting, a New Hampshire-based company that matches job-seekers and employers.

“Look like you on your best professional day and not a completely different person,” Lauro said. “They’re not meant to be how photogenic you are. They’re meant to be your real likeness and image.”

Figure out what you’re trying to communicate

Gillett once did headshots for two young lawyers. One wanted to convey that she was tired of being underestimated. The other liked being underestimated because it could throw her opponents off guard.

“There’s no right answer to how you want to be perceived,” Gillett said. “The only wrong answer is leaving it up to chance.”

Your headshot should also align with your profession. A start-up founder may want a photo that emphasises innovation and energy, while a financial adviser may want to convey trustworthiness and reliability.

Know when and where to share headshots

It’s generally not a good idea to put a headshot on your resume, said Jenny Battershell, the director of marketing for Goodwin Recruiting.

Resume designs should be simple and straightforward, she said. Photos can confuse automated resume-tracking systems, which are designed to scan text.

Including a photo on a resume could also have unintended consequences. Battershell said Goodwin Recruiting works with employers to get them to recognise and overcome biases, but they can exist. She remembers one client who had a successful first interview by phone but was rejected when the employer saw the client’s unusual hair colour during a second-round video interview.

Lauro said the absence of a photo or a less-than-stellar one on a LinkedIn page wouldn’t deter her from working with a qualified job candidate.

“If someone is open to work and they don’t have a photo and their qualifications line up with the job, I’m reaching out to them anyway,” she said. “Some people are more social media savvy than others.”

Consider the pros and cons of AI-generated headshots

Artificial intelligence has made it easier and cheaper to obtain a headshot. ChatGPT can turn a selfie into a headshot with a few prompts. The website HeadshotPro uses AI to turn a few selfies into 30 headshots for US$29. By comparison, Gillett charges US$290 per sitting plus US$295 for each headshot you pick.

AI-generated headshots may suffice for people who are short on time or money, but Gillett thinks the confidence that comes from learning to hold yourself in front of a camera is invaluable.

“I can make you look like the best version of yourself possible, but only you can make you better,” he said.

Headshots created with the help of AI might raise other issues. They can look heavily edited and unrealistic, Lauro said. You want a potential employer to focus on your experience and qualifications, not on whether your photo is authentic.