Top 5 Characteristics of a Great Headshot (And Why They Still Matter Today)
- Pierre R Michel
- Mar 17, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4
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Opening: The Real Struggle Behind Updating a Headshot
Most professionals know they need a strong headshot, but figuring out what actually makes one effective can feel vague. You’ve seen the overly styled photos, the stiff poses, the dated images that look nothing like the person who shows up to the meeting. Those photos don’t build trust, and in today’s corporate world, trust is currency.
At Headshot Solution & Beyond, we see this all the time. People come in thinking they need a glamorous makeover to look “professional,” when in reality, the best headshots are the ones that look like them on their best day. Clean. Confident. Approachable. Real.
A Quick Story
A few months ago, a client came in for updated headshots after her company rebranded. She told me she had tried another photographer first, but the photos looked nothing like her. Heavy styling. Harsh lighting. Lots of retouching. She said, “I look great, but I don’t look like me.”
When we reshot her session, everything changed. Simple styling. Clean background. Natural expression. Conservative colors. She loved the images because they finally matched the way she presents herself at work every day.
That’s exactly what a great headshot should do.
Booking a Headshot Session With Purpose
Before we talk about characteristics, it helps to understand why these elements matter. A headshot is often your first introduction. On LinkedIn. On your company website. In email signatures. On speaking engagement pages. People make quick judgments based on what they see, so the image needs to communicate:
professionalism
confidence
approachability
personality
A great headshot isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity. That’s what sets the tone for everything else.
What Makes a Great Headshot Today
The core principles haven’t changed much over the years, but their purpose has. Today’s corporate clients want photos that feel modern and authentic. No overly stylized looks. No distracting elements. No glam for the sake of glam.
Let’s break down the five characteristics that still hold strong.
1. Clean and Simple
A clean image removes anything that competes with you. This means:
Keep distractions out of the frame
No busy backgrounds. No props. No competing colors. Your face should be the center of attention.
Neutral or soft backgrounds work best
A simple background keeps the photo timeless and versatile for corporate use.
Clarity equals professionalism
When an image is crisp and clean, it naturally communicates reliability.
This is why Headshot Solution & Beyond always starts with a stripped-down approach. The cleanest photos tend to be the ones that last the longest.
2. Confidence and Approachability
These two qualities are the heartbeat of a corporate headshot.
Confidence shows competence
A small shift in posture or chin angle can change the entire mood of the image. You want to look like someone people can trust.
Approachability helps your audience feel at ease
Even in the corporate world, people connect with warmth. A rigid expression creates distance. A slight smile invites connection.
Both work together
Confidence gets attention. Approachability keeps it.
This balance is something we coach during every session at Headshot Solution & Beyond.
3. Smile With Your Eyes
A genuine expression pulls people in. It’s not about forcing a big smile. It’s about letting your eyes participate.
Real expressions read better
When your eyes relax or spark a little, your whole face opens up.
Your audience can feel authenticity
A genuine expression builds trust faster than anything else in the image.
It prevents the “posed” look
You don’t need the perfect smile. You need the believable one.
This is often the moment where clients say, “That’s me. That’s the one.”
4. Personality Over Glamour
Corporate headshots don’t need heavy styling or dramatic transformations.
You should look like yourself
Your team, clients, and partners need to recognize you in person.
Light touch-ups only
Retouching should support clarity, not create a new face.
Your personality drives connection
Your natural energy shapes the image more than layers of makeup or styling.
At Headshot Solution & Beyond, we help you show up as your best version — not a different version.
5. Conservative Colors
Your clothing should support the image, not overpower it.
Stick to clean, balanced tones
Navy, charcoal, soft neutrals, whites, and deep greens are always safe choices.
Avoid loud patterns or flashy pieces
These distract from your expression.
The goal is focus
When colors are simple, the viewer sees you first.
This is especially important for corporate websites, where consistency across a team’s photos matters.
Final Thoughts: Great Headshots Don’t Happen by Accident
A strong headshot blends clarity, confidence, personality, expression, and thoughtful styling. When those pieces come together, the result is something you’re proud to share across every platform.
If you’re updating your corporate profile, onboarding new team members, or preparing for a company-wide refresh, we can help you create headshots that actually represent who you are.
Ready to schedule your session with Headshot Solution & Beyond?
Reach out to start planning your updated headshot experience. Whether it’s one person or your entire team, we’ll guide you through every step so you walk away with photos that feel natural, confident, and professional.
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