Learn How To Avoid Becoming a Victim of a Bad Headshot
Today, we are keeping our promise to discuss three common mistakes businesses make with their professional headshots. I will highlight these errors, including some cringe-worthy blunders I’ve made myself. When I say “seen,” I mean that I’ve sometimes been the one holding the camera when these mistakes occurred. I may have also made a few of these errors while mistakenly believing that achieving a “natural light look” involved setting up next to a dusty window in a hallway. We learn through experience!
So, pull up a chair, grab a strong coffee, and let’s talk about how to stop making your executive team look like they’re waiting in line at the DMV.
Mistake #1: The “Deer-in-Headlights” Stare
“We’ve all seen the corporate mugshot mistake: The photo where an appealing human being looks like a wax figure about to sprint away. Their shoulders are hunched, their eyes wide and glassy, and their smile is so tight it looks like their jaw is clenched so tight it looks like they’re trying to bite off a thick piece of deer jerky.
The Mistake: Believing that a “headshot” refers to a stiff, motionless portrait taken against a wall. This approach often results in images that lack energy and personality, conveying a message of “I hate having my picture taken.”
How I’ve Seen This Happen: A photographer once advised an entire sales team to “just relax.” While this sounds like good advice, it backfired. The resulting photos made the team look as if they were bracing for a surprise tax audit. I learned that “relaxing” is not a pose in itself, and that a lack of direction can be detrimental to achieving a good portrait.
The Fix: It’s all about Direction! A good photographer will coach expressions. We encourage tiny movement: “Shift weight, push the forehead slightly forward (it hides the double chin, trust me!),” and use conversation to elicit genuine reactions. We don’t ask for a smile; we ask about their weekend. The goal is to capture the smile a second before or just after a pose, when the real person peeks out.
Mistake #2: The “Where’s Waldo?” Background
You scroll through a company’s “Meet the Team” page, and there he is: the VP of Operations, brilliantly dressed, perfectly positioned, but wait, is that a mysterious water cooler photobombing his left shoulder? Is that a half-eaten sandwich on the conference table behind her?
The Mistake: Treating the background as if it were an afterthought. A busy or messy background is visual noise. It screams “amateur,” and worse, it takes the focus away from the most important subject: your client’s face.
How I’ve Made It Happen: Early in my career, I was so focused on the lighting on the person that I once missed a small stack of papers behind a subject that, upon closer inspection, looked suspiciously like a pile of unfiled tax documents. I failed to treat the background as the silent, very judgmental co-star it is.
The Fix: Shallow Depth of Field and Simplicity. A professional headshot should have a background that is either clean, simple, or—ideally—blurred (a shallow depth of field). This technique ensures your face is in sharp focus while the background melts into a pleasing, complementary wash of color. Whether it’s a clean, solid color studio background or an artfully blurred office setting, the background’s only job is to provide context without stealing the show.
Mistake #3: The Casual Friday, Every-Day Wardrobe Fail
I love a good t-shirt as much as the next person (especially if it features a group I saw in the ’80s), but a professional headshot is not the time for wearing your favorite Hawaiian shirt or a Parliament Funkadelic tee.
The Mistake: Choosing clothing that is ill-fitting, too distracting, or simply inappropriate for the industry you are representing. This could be anything from wrinkled clothes to a shirt that is excessively bright and distracts from the subject.
How I’ve Seen It Happen: I once saw a CEO photographed in a brilliant, blindingly white shirt under a light gray jacket. When the flash hit the shirt, he appeared as just a floating head surrounded by a halo of pure, intense white glare. The photographer should have immediately adjusted the camera settings upon noticing the white shirt. The problem began with the choice of fabric, but a good photographer could have avoided this by thoroughly briefing clients on the dos and don’ts of wardrobe for headshot day.
The Fix: The Wardrobe MVP (Most Valuable Player) Section:
The Best Colors and Clothing to Wear for Headshots
Colors: Mid-Tones and Jewel Tones —think navy, charcoal gray, forest green, deep burgundy, or royal blue. These colors photograph beautifully and look professional.
Solids—Solid Colors Reign Supreme. They are classic, non-distracting, and keep the focus entirely on your eyes and expression.
Fit: Tailored and Structured. Wear clothes that fit. Too baggy looks sloppy; too tight looks uncomfortable. A well-fitted jacket or top conveys competence and authority.
Undergarments—Layering is Key: A button-up shirt should be worn under a jacket. For women, a well-fitted blouse or dress is ideal. The neckline should frame your face rather than conceal it.
Fabric—Iron, Iron, Iron: Clothes should be wrinkle-free. Smooth, matte fabrics (like wool blends or cotton) are generally better than highly reflective synthetic materials.
The Wardrobe Walk of Shame (What to Avoid)
- Anything with a Logo or Text: Unless you are explicitly advertising that logo, it’s a distraction and can quickly date the photo.
- Highly Reflective Materials: Shiny fabrics, such as satins or high-gloss shirts, can create unwanted hotspots and glare when struck by studio lighting.
- Bright White: As I painfully learned, bright white tends to blow out in the photos. If you wear a white shirt, always wear a jacket or sweater over it. Off-white or cream is a safer base layer.
- Fine Patterns (Especially Pinstripes or Herringbone): These patterns can create a strange optical illusion on camera called “moire,” which makes the photo look like it’s vibrating. Just don’t risk it.
- Distracting Accessories: Skip the oversized, glittering jewelry. Simple, classic pieces are best. Anything that draws the eye away from your face needs to go.
I hope these hard-won (and sometimes embarrassing) lessons save you a little time and a lot of embarrassment. Choosing professional headshots for your business is an investment in your brand’s credibility. Don’t cut corners!
If you’re ready to ditch the deer-in-headlights stare and get headshots that truly shine, give us a call at Awe Video & Photo Studio. We don’t just take photos; we capture the confident, approachable professional you truly are.