Business Headshots

Business Headshots

Business headshots are a specific type of portrait photography commonly used for various purposes, such as company websites, business cards, press releases, presentations, and LinkedIn profiles. While they share similarities with general professional headshots regarding attire, backgrounds, and overall impression, business headshots carry a slightly different emphasis. They aim to convey that you are someone others would find trustworthy and ideal to do business with. Therefore, during your shoot, your photographer may offer subtle suggestions or make minor adjustments to align with this objective.

It’s important to consider that business headshots often adhere to a traditional corporate style. However, professionals from startups or small businesses can benefit from a headshot that balances professionalism and a more relaxed demeanor suited to their careers and businesses. A well-executed business headshot should effectively demonstrate your professionalism, approachability, and expertise to the world outside.

Are Business Headshots Important?

Have you encountered someone you were instantly drawn to or repelled by? Sometimes the reason for this inclination is apparent, while it remains a mystery at other times. Nonetheless, most individuals tend to form “first impressions” of others within a mere fraction of a second. These initial perceptions can significantly influence decisions about hiring, purchasing, and even who to listen to. In today’s digital age, most of these first impressions occur online. Hiring managers scrutinize applicants on platforms like LinkedIn. Potential clients investigate vendors through their LinkedIn profiles. Investors turn to a company’s “About Us” page to gain insight into its executives. A high-quality business headshot can play a pivotal role in making a positive initial impact on these individuals, potentially shaping your career trajectory or your company’s success.

What Do I Wear for Business Headshots?

Your choice of attire depends on various factors, such as your personality, industry, and the intended placement of the photos. For conservative fields like law and finance, opting for the standard suit-and-tie attire (or the female equivalent) is advisable. 

In other industries, a helpful rule of thumb is to observe how your successful peers and senior executives dress on LinkedIn. Give more consideration to those who have achieved your desired success rather than confining your evaluation to your immediate network.

Remember, dress for the position you aspire to, not solely for the one you currently hold. If you still need clarification, feel free to reach out to us! We are always delighted to offer guidance.

How Do I Pose for Business Headshots?

There’s no need to go overboard with your poses regarding business headshots. In our sessions, we believe in embracing minimalist poses. We’ve witnessed other photographers pushing clients into peculiar positions, but we steer clear of that. Our focus is on showcasing your professionalism rather than our photography skills.

At the start of your session, it’s best to warm up with simple poses. Just stand tall and bring out your best smile. We can explore some classic arms-crossed headshots as we progress and capture a few candid shots.

Backdrops For Business Headshots

For more conservative industries like law and finance, opting for neutral backdrops in white, gray, or black tones is advisable. These colors help capture clean and sharp shots that convey reliability and consistency. However, if you work in creative industries, non-profits, or the tech field and desire photos with a livelier touch, consider selecting a colored studio backdrop or exploring outdoor or in-office sessions. For a comprehensive view of all available options, visit our headshot backgrounds page, where you can preview each choice.

For senior executives, entrepreneurs, or thought leaders, it is highly recommended to have a collection of multiple photos that can be utilized across various platforms. Complement your studio headshots with candid outdoor or office shots in an ideal scenario. Employing identical headshots on LinkedIn, the company website, and press releases may unintentionally convey a sense of amateurism. Therefore, using distinct and diverse photographs is the most effective way to showcase your professionalism.

Discover the wide selection of studio backdrop options available at Zen Studios!

How To Prepare For A Business Headshot?

Preparing for your headshot in advance requires three key steps. To begin with, make it a priority to focus on rest, exercise, and getting exposure to sunlight in the weeks leading up to your session. While our editing team ensures your chosen photos are airbrushed to perfection, your preparation plays a vital role in achieving a natural look. 

Next, try on your desired outfits a few days before your session to confirm a perfect fit and identify any items needing dry cleaning. 

Lastly, take a moment to review previous photos of yourself and pinpoint any that you particularly like. Sharing these with your photographer upon arrival will help us capture the most flattering angles for you.

What If I’m Not Photogenic or Hate Getting My Photo Taken?

At Zen Studios, we’ve got your back! Unlike many, on creating a comfortable and enjoyable experience for our clients. We always force awkward poses and understand your vision for the session. We encourage open communication and play upbeat music in our studio to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. We aim to capture a fantastic headshot you’ll proudly showcase online.

How Much Do Business Headshots Cost?

Depending on geography, package, and provider, business headshots can cost $225 and above.

When considering pricing, consider a) licensing (who owns the photos) and b) retouching fees.

Regarding licensing, photographers usually grant ownership of the photos you purchase from them. But wait, there’s more! This fee is separate from the “session fee” that covers your time in their amazing studio.

However, some extra licensing fees might be involved if you want to use those stunning photos for a press release, advertisement, magazine, or book cover. Oh, the price of fame!

Now, here’s something to consider: retouching services. Many talented photographers charge between $50 and $150 to work their magic per photo. Be sure to factor in those fees when calculating the total cost of your session. It’s all about capturing that perfect moment, after all.

But hold on! At Zen Studios, things are different. Our sessions start at $225, but guess what? You get to keep 100% usage rights for ALL the images from your epic shoot. And that’s not all! We’ll even throw in a custom-retouched image of your choice. How awesome is that?

So, why wait? Let’s make some memories together at Zen Studios. Your journey to picture-perfect moments starts here!