Executive Headshots: The Rookie Mistake Series

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So, I’ve said time and time again that small nuances make big differences in executive headshots. You’re probably tired of hearing it. Maybe you don’t even believe that a camera angle or head tilt or choice of blouse can be the difference between a effective executive headshots and lousy ones.

If that describes you, I have but one thing to say: welcome to the Rookie Mistake blog series. In each post, I’ll show you an effective executive headshot, side-by-side with one that makes a common (and costly) mistake. You’ll see the difference for yourself.

Of course, it is hard to take a bad photo of a subject as lovely as Katherine, who was kind enough to help me out with this series. But remember – a pretty photo is not the same thing as an effective executive headshot. This is something that many photographers don’t seem to understand, especially if they specialize in portrait photography rather than executive headshots. Different principles apply when you’re talking about business photography, and a photographer who doesn’t get it might give you a pretty picture that isn’t a great headshot.

Ready?

Rookie Mistake 1: the level of professionalism in the photo is not in keeping with your line of work

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Ready for quitting time.

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Ready to work hard for you.

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Katherine’s blue suit and crisp white shirt suggest that she’s in a professional line of work: finance, medicine, or perhaps law. A profession where you expect someone to be precise, accurate, and maybe even a bit conservative. But Katherine’s choice of hairstyle suggests that work is over for the day – she’s let her hair down, and she’s on the way home to change that suit for a comfy pair of jeans. Now, we have nothing against comfy jeans at C1M. But we wouldn’t wear them to a business meeting with our ideal client, either. And remember, the objective of your executive headshot is to connect you to your ideal client. The one whose business would mean success and security for your business. If you wouldn’t want to appear casual when meeting them in person, why would you put out that impression in your executive headshot, where potential clients will judge it – and you – without the benefit of a personal interaction?

To learn more  about how we can help you make your headshot its very best, visit our Executive Headshots page.

Walter Schnecker, CPP

Walter Schnecker is the owner of C1M Photography, LLC, in Amherst NH. He specializes in Executive Business Headshots and crafts hundreds of headshots each year for businesspeople in a wide range of professions.

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