So you’ve made the decision. You’re ready to have a new professional headshot taken. Now, for the next step. Deciding on a portrait style.
Think about your company culture for a moment. Is your work environment fun and laidback? You might want to convey that casual vibe in your portrait. Do you like to incorporate your branded color whenever you have the chance? That might make for a good backdrop (no worries: we have an endless selection of background colors and textures to choose from). Where do you spend most of your workday? Consider having your portrait taken in your workspace.
Every person and every brand is unique. That’s why, when it comes to headshot styles, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Your headshot should represent who you are and fit your distinct image.
Ready to discover which portrait style is best suited for you? Keep scrolling.
Traditional
This is the type of headshot you see most often. The setting is indoors (either in studio or on location), with a canvas backdrop. The subject is looking directly at the camera with their smiling face as the predominant element.
This headshot style is meant to be a very accurate representation of what you would look like if we were sitting across the table from you. You can’t go wrong with this style of headshot, especially if you work in a formal corporate culture. Think insurance, banking, etc.
Casual
Casual headshots are more candid than the traditional style of headshot. The subject is usually in action and not acknowledging the photographer, which gives less of a “staged” look.
These headshots range in tone from pensive to silly, and tend to give the subject a more approachable and relaxed image. Candid portraits are great for journalism and media publications, or for companies with a more casual culture.
Environmental
This is where we get out of the studio setting and into the real world. While many places can make for an interesting background, we most commonly take environmental portraits in a person’s everyday workspace: factory, hospital, store, office, etc. These settings are meant to complement the subject, highlighting their character and offering a more personal look at who they are.
The advantage of being in your own element is that it can help you feel more relaxed. When you feel at ease, it will show through in the final product as confident and professional. These portraits also give a peek at your personality, allowing customers to bond with you and get a feel for who you are.
Conceptual
This style is definitely the most unusual of them all. While it is not the right fit for everyone, it is definitely the most memorable. The purpose of the conceptual headshot style is to stand out as an authority in your field. This style allows you to be more expressive and individualized than a standard headshot.
Our team gets excited about fun challenges like these, as it’s an opportunity to break out the bag of photography tricks and special effects. Most of the conceptual portraits we’ve taken have been for magazine covers or other media publications. However, some folks still find these to be a great fit for their brand and use them on their business cards, email signatures, and LinkedIn profiles.
Group
Gangs all here! Group portraits are ideal for duos, committees, small business staffs, and other groups ranging in size from 2-30. A group portrait is commonly used on a business website or in a press release.
And, thanks to photoshop, it isn’t even necessary to have everyone together at the same time.
Every single week, we have entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large corporations coming through our studio for their professional headshot photography… and no two sessions are the same! The sky really is the limit when it comes to your headshot style.
If you haven’t booked your headshot session yet, what are you waiting for?! A great professional headshot will help you take your career to the next level.
It’s time to invest in yourself and your image. Click below to get started!
