TOO GLAMOROUS

Strong. Confident. Good lighting. And way too glamorous to be an effective executive headshot.

This image has a strong portrait or fashion edge to it. As with several of the other blunders, it is not a bad photo, but it would be a bad idea to put it on your business card. A shots like this is very impressive, of course. It is gorgeous. It has the wow-factor. And under the right, circumstances, we love crafting images just like it.

The problem is that it is selling something your potential clients are not in the market for. (Unless, of course, you are an aspiring fashion model. If that’s the case, we can help with that, too.) A shot like this takes attention away from your professionalism and expertise. Although it is flattering and dramatic, it is not very approachable. Although the attention is on Katherine’s face, her expression doesn’t welcome conversation. It showcases Katherine’s strength and power. It is all about Katherine. And that’s what a glamour shot should be about, so that’s OK - except that a headshot, as we’ve said before, is not about the subject. It’s about the potential audience. It’s about communicating with them and conveying to them that you are the person they want to do business with.

This is a mistake that many photographers make when they craft a business headshot. They forget about the potential audience. They take a great photo - or sometimes a mediocre photo - of their subject, but they fail to think about how the intended audience will feel when they see the image. And that’s what your headshot should be about. We would even go so far as to say that’s what your headshot must be about, if you want it to be as effective as it possibly can be. The purpose of your headshot is to create in your potential clients the feeling that you are the best person they could choose to do business with. It is about you only in as much as your body language and wardrobe speak to the clients you wish to connect with.