Most professionals these days are choosing to include a headshot on their business cards. This is a particularly popular option among medical professionals, realtors, and any other professions that rely on facial recognition.

If you’re considering doing the same, you might be wondering what headshot to use or if you should include a photo at all.

To begin with, every professional should have at least one good headshot, whether this is for a business card, marketing materials, or their online profiles.

Let’s take a close look at the dos and don’ts of Professional Headshots.

 WHAT TO DO 

Firstly, if you want to include a headshot on your business card, do hire a professional photographer. These photo sessions don’t take too long and are affordable too. Before you hire a photographer though, make sure that headshots are one of their specialties. A photographer who specializes in headshots knows how to tell your story and highlight your personality. 

Hiring a professional also means you will receive high-resolution images that have been retouched, which will look good on your business cards. 

Before you start your session, take the time to consider your audience. What would you usually wear to a client meeting? What you wear and how you look will create a positive first impression. When it comes to choosing an outfit, there’s business professional, business formal, small business, and business casual attire to consider. 

Opt for colors that look good with your skin tone but stay away from any clothing or accessories that will serve as a distraction. This is especially true if your business card is colorful and creative – you will want your headshot to be simpler. 

Here at our Johns Creek, Ga studio, we help you coordinate your personality, your style and your audience with the best backgrounds, props and lighting styles to highlight your Personal Brand.

 WHAT NOT TO DO 

Stay away from busy, distracting backgrounds that take the focus off your face. The background you choose should also speak to what you do and offer. Props are not recommended for headshots – less is more for this type of shot. 

Lighting is also important. If you won’t be shooting in a studio, don’t choose a location or time of day that has insufficient natural lighting. Speak to your photographer about lighting options if you will be shooting at home, in your office, or in a public location. Your photographer should be well versed in how to properly use additional light sources to make your images stand out from the crowd. 

Before your session, don’t forget to give your photographer some insight into what you’re all about and what you specialize in – this will help them showcase your personality through your photos.

We specialize in creating awesome Professional Headshots & Personal Branding Images. Connect with us for more information or check out our Headshot & Branding gallery. Get more information about our Personal Branding Services.

We offer everything from Half Day Sessions to Quarterly Full Day Sessions that give you all the images you need to post on your social media platforms for a full 90 days!

Cindi Fortmann Photography is a full service studio, specializing in Professional Headshot, Commercial Photography, Personal Branding, and Portraits.  We are located in the heart of Johns Creek, serving the surrounding areas including Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and the Metro Atlanta area.