A Complete Guide to Headshot Photography: Dos and Don’ts

In the realm of photography, headshots are one important skill to master whether you are seasoned or a total newbie, they can boost your portfolio and land you some well-paid work. 

In fact, portrait photography is an industry worth $20.6 billion.

There is much to consider when capturing the perfect shot from composition and experimentation to modern online skills. Ultimately the thing that makes a headshot great is its ability to resonate with the client, so communication is key.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the do’s and don’ts of headshot photography and some tips for protecting your portfolio online in 2024.

Tips For Taking a Great Headshot

Headshots are lucrative, and these days, many people want a professional one because evidence shows they make you appear 76% more competent. 

However, there are a few principles to understand before mastering the art. Below are four pillars for getting that perfect shot, presented in a “Do vs. Don’t” format to help you.

Do: Use the Eyes As Focus

The perfect headshot focuses on the eyes, which tell it all, there is a reason they get referred to as the windows to the soul.

The point of a headshot is to make a lasting impression, so the subject’s eyes should draw the viewer in and capture their gaze powerfully.

Whether you use natural light or studio lighting, the eyes should always remain your focal point.

Don’t: Neglect the Background

With the subject being the focus of portrait photography sometimes the background gets overlooked. This is a big don’t.

While the attention should be on the subject the backdrop could steal the show if it is cluttered or distracting. 

Most 2024 headshots are minimalist when it comes to the chosen backdrops, so keep it simple and keep your work on-trend.

Do: Discuss Client Expectations

Most headshots are for work purposes, but the needs of an actress will differ heavily from an SEO executive. So having a thorough discussion is important to help you understand their goals and work out their needs.

Having good communication also helps to build rapport and settle a client. 

A good headshot is one that feels authentic and nervous; uncomfortable clients might not be able to muster up much more than an awkward smile.

Don’t: Retouch Too Much

Sometimes, a little editing is required or requested, but ultimately, a headshot should reflect the person authentically, so don’t overdo the retouching.

Granted clients want to look their best and they should look polished but If you alter a subject’s features beyond recognition with editing software then it defies the object.

Technical Headshot Do’s and Don’ts

Of course, there are technical dos and don’ts to consider on top of the advice laid out above.

Do: Experiment with Lighting

Bad shadows, poor lighting conditions, and overexposure all instantly ruin a headshot. It is therefore important to be able to use light to your advantage well. 

Get comfortable playing with light. The golden hour can provide glorious, flattering natural lighting conditions.

Ring lights work well for keeping indoor lighting even, and the three-point lighting system also works well in studio setups, helping to balance shadows and highlights.

Don’t: Ignore Composition

You might think composition is less important because of the close-up nature of headshot photography, but it still needs consideration. 

The rule of thirds technique can be put to good use by making the top horizontal line focus on your subject’s eyes.

You can also experiment with subject placement to learn how it changes the dynamic; they don’t always have to be centered.

Do: Invest in Your Equipment

A skilled worker will produce great work regardless of their tools, but investing in the right gear can make all the difference. 

For headshot photography, you will need a prime lens that captures sharp focused images with good depth and zero distortion. Something like a 50mm or 85mm lens gives an iyllic focal length for the job. 

A decent tripod can also provide extra stability making sure you don’t spoil a shot.

Online Photographic Protection in 2024

As you build your portfolio and begin to promote your headshot skills, keeping your online images safe can be a concern. So we recommend the following tips for protecting your online headshot photography:

• While arguably distracting, a subtle watermark can go a long way in preventing unauthorized use of your work.
• Embed your copyright in the Metadata of your image files so that they can be traced back to you. Embed your copyright and contact details in your image files. This way, if someone tries to use your photo without permission, the metadata will trace it back to you.
• To protect against accidental loss or hardware faults, remember to back up images to cloud storage.

Protect your Data with a VPN

The photography industry operates digitally, so some tech measures should also be considered before you share your images online. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help by encrypting your internet connection and keeping it secure. The best VPN is one that offers fast speeds without limiting your processing. Head to Surfshark to learn more about the VPNs.