The ideal attire for a business headshot is dependant on the image you want to convey in your professional field. In any case, it is good to dress with a professional and polished look.

Here are some general guidelines for choosing what to wear for your business headshots:

Consider the field you work in

Take into account the expectations of your specific industry. While a suit may be appropriate for some professions, others may have a more casual dress code. Dress in a way that aligns with your professional environment.

Look sharp
Ensure that your clothing is clean, crease free and in good condition. Also, consider your personal grooming, such as making sure your hair is neat and well-styled, eyebrows are under control and if you’ve just had lunch that none is stuck in your teeth, or on your chin. I do try to keep an eye out for these things, but the camera sees all. 😉

Bring multiple options
Whilst there are a limited number of looks/changes achievable with my packages, it’s good to have options, especially if you find that your first option doesn’t work as well on camera as you’d hoped. There are occasions that, for example, a top has been too reflective, or creased etc. so a second option has been required.

After your shoot, you’ll receive a selection of proof images, delivered in a private online gallery, within 24h. Once you have submitted your choice/s, the edited headshot/s will be completed within approximately 7-10 business days (this can vary if you purchase additional edits). I always endeavour to get the edits completed as quickly as possible depending on my current work load.

If you need your edits quicker, express editing can be purchased when booking. This only applies to the number of edits included with your package and is an additional £50 to have them completed and returned to you within 48h of your selection.

Whether to smile in your LinkedIn headshot depends on the image you want to project and the nature of your professional field. Personally, I feel that a smile, even if it’s just a small twinkle, conveys an element of warmth and approachability.

Here are some considerations to help you decide if smiling is the way to go:

Industry Norms

Consider the norms of your industry. In some professions, a friendly and approachable smile is well-received, while in others, a more serious or neutral expression may be preferred.

Corporate vs. Creative

For corporate or formal industries, a confident and approachable smile can convey warmth and openness. In creative or artistic fields, a more expressive or unconventional look might be acceptable.

Audience Perception

Think about your target audience. If you're connecting with clients or colleagues in a client-facing role, a smile can create a positive impression. However, if your audience expects a more serious demeanour, adjust accordingly.

Brand Representation

Consider your personal brand and how you want to be perceived professionally. A smile can project friendliness and approachability, while a serious expression (The Boss Look as I call it), may convey competence and professionalism.

Authenticity

Aim for authenticity. A genuine smile is more likely to resonate positively. Forced or unnatural expressions may come across as insincere. Whilst I can’t guarantee to make you smile, I do try and have one or two jokes up my sleeve.

Multiple Options

If possible, consider having multiple headshots with different expressions. This is especially good if you’re not just getting headshots for use on LinkedIn and provides flexibility, allowing you to choose the one that best suits different platforms or situations.

Consistency

Ensure consistency with your overall online presence. If you choose to smile in your LinkedIn headshot, make sure it aligns with the tone of your other professional profiles.

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Assess the cultural expectations of your industry, your personal brand, and the message you want to convey. It might be beneficial to look at headshots of professionals in your field on LinkedIn to get a sense of the prevailing trends. If in doubt, a friendly and approachable smile is generally a safe choice for many professional contexts.

The choice between a studio or outdoor setting for your LinkedIn headshot depends on several factors, including your personal style, the nature of your profession, and the image you want to convey. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

In-Studio

Professionalism: My in-studio photoshoots provide a controlled environment with a lighting setup, which results in a polished and professional look. This can be well-suited for those in corporate or formal professions seeking a polished image. However, for those in creative industries, I also provide a range of painted canvas backdrops that add an artistic touch to your headshots.

Being in-studio also minimises distractions, both to you with passing public, and in the background if people are standing around having a chat. This keeps the focus solely on you and can be beneficial if you want a clean and classic headshot.

Another benefit to being in-studio is that it isn't weather dependant and provides a reliable option regardless of the season or outdoor conditions.

Outside

My outside headshots are usually taken under a local bridge that provides am artistic and dynamic look, along with providing cover if there's a sprinkling of rain and shade if it's a bright sunny day. This can be beneficial if you want to convey a friendly and approachable image and/or if you work in a creative industry.

Choosing outside could also be relevant to your profession. If this is the case and my local bridge doesn't fit the bill, please get in touch to let me know what would work for you. I'm familiar with the local area and spots that can be used with nature, or others for a more urban look.

Regardless of the setting, ensure that your attire, grooming, and overall presentation align with the professional image you want to convey on LinkedIn.

Ultimately, the choice between a studio or outdoor setting is a personal one. You may also want a combination of both to have a diverse set of headshots for different purposes. If so, the Portfolio Package is a perfect option as it allows enough time to move between studio and outside, along with the option for multiple clothing changes and background options.

I do with an out-of-hours surcharge. For evenings this is £50 and for weekends it is £100 on top of the full package price.

The evening session for the Profile Plus package is available to book from the ‘More Info and Booking’ page for Monday and Thursday evenings.

If you would like to book an evening session for another package, or a weekend photoshoot, please contact me.