You might have noticed that headshots are looking a little different nowadays. And if you haven’t, it takes only a quick comparison to see the difference between a headshot that’s out of date and one that follows the more modern approach. The truth is, contemporary headshots are more like portraits than what we are used to seeing from photography Studios five or ten years ago!

In this Blog post, you will learn what defines the modern headshot approach and why the rules are completely different when it comes to creating these types of images.

3/4th body shot vs just the head

It’s still important to have a closely-cropped headshot for an online profile thumbnail image, but more and more often, our headshot does so much more than that. As we end up using our headshots on our website About page, as part of a magazine spread, or in an annual report, a bigger portrait format is necessary. This doesn’t mean that we lose that close up.. In fact, I provide both the three-quarter body and the cropped in headshot in the final set of files so you have exactly the images you need for the different uses! The key is to step back and allow for the camera to take that full-format portrait instead of focusing just on the head and shoulders. That means that the whole body needs to be posed, and body language becomes infinitely more important. It also allows you to communicate a lot more in your headshot than you were able to before.

A Simple background

Gone are the days of patterned backgrounds. Modern headshot photographers are also no longer using the “halo” effect which creates a lighter hot-spot area right behind the person’s head. These are two of the most obvious signs of an outdated or old-fashioned headshot. A contemporary headshot is all about simplicity. The focus isn’t on background patterns, it’s on the person. And only the things that are purposely important are allowed to stand out.

Natural lighting

Photography school will teach you a 3-point lighting system for headshots, but nowadays, a more natural lighting approach not only makes things simpler, but better-looking, too. Photographers are opting for natural light or are recreating that natural light look using artificial strobes (this is my preferred method as the sun can be unpredictable and hard to control), while throwing the old-school rules out the window. The headshot is no longer about a specific set of lights. We no longer want those harsh shadows or the highlight on the hair that makes it look so obviously staged. The higher-end headshots look effortless and completely natural, and lighting plays a huge part in that. Studio lights are no longer the star of the show, and that’s really important! If the lighting in the headshot takes up more attention than the person, then it’s a problem.

Showing personality

From a slight smirk to a fully engaged smile, business professionals are showing more of their personality in their headshots, and for good reason! We are all more open on social media, want to be more approachable, and yes, want to communicate the best of ourselves in our headshot. And that means showing more of our unique features, demeanor, and stature. It’s now completely OK to be more personable, or more serious, depending entirely on how you are in real life! And that’s where all the points above come together, too. By showing more of the body, you’re allowing body language to communicate. By keeping things simple without a distracting background and lighting, you can be sure that the focus is on you, and only you. All these elements combine to create the modern headshot that looks fresh and relevant today.

Headshots seem really straight forward from the outsider’s perspective. And they definitely can be as simple as “sit here and look at the camera”. But true professionals know the real amount of knowledge and skill that actually goes into creating an engaging headshot. All the behind-the-scenes work is what determines whether the image is successful, looks like the person being photographed, communicates effectively and presents their best features in the most flattering way.