What are headshots & portraits and what do I need them for?

What is the difference between a headshot and a portrait?

A headshot is a close up portrait of your face where you look directly into the camera. In the past headshots used to be reserved for actors and models, but in today’s world headshots are used for CVs as well as LinkedIn profile pictures.

A portrait however is a much broader term and can be many different things. It could be a slightly wider version of the headshot or the person intentionally does not look into the camera. The person can stand, sit, lean or hold an item in their hands. Portraits are generally better for ‘about me’ sections as they show more of the person and are less impersonal.

I never only take headshots or portraits, it is always a mixture of them both and the biggest emphasis is on exploring the person’s personality, making them look authentic

Do you only take headshots during a session?

No I don’t. I typically take a variety of full body and half body portraits as well as close up headshots. However I do not use a studio setup as I find those kind of headshots and portraits too clinical and most importantly they are lacking character. Incorporating your work environment, nature or your home makes portraits and headshots far more personable and therefore you become more of a person and approachable to your clients.

How do you make headshots and portraits authentic?

Capturing the person in an authentic way is the most important aspect of the session, but also the most difficult one as in most cases I don’t personally know the people I photograph.

Communication is key, so is trust and honesty. I like to have a telephone conversation with the person before the shoot to establish what the intended use for the photos is. This usually informs the choice of location and wardrobe. During the shoot we try out different angles, poses and light to try and capture a great variety of pictures. Sometime I include the business setting (office, studio) and sometimes the setting is more neutral (home, nature).

Here are some examples from my headshot & portrait sessions, showing how much of a variety of images you can achieve in a short time: