How to choose headshots that work for non-designers

Your headshot is often one of the first visuals someone sees of your brand—on your website, social profiles, marketing materials, and beyond. But not all headshots are created equal. A beautiful photo doesn’t automatically translate into a useful one. Strategic headshots are versatile, easy for non-designers to use, and built to scale with your business. Let's dig into how to make that happen.

Common mistakes

Here’s where so many people go wrong: they choose photos that are trendy, overly stylized, or cropped in a way that makes them unusable later. Maybe the lighting is harsh. Maybe the clothing clashes with brand colors. Maybe the vibe of the photo sends a totally different message than the business intends. While these photos are all beautiful, they may not be practical for every instance a headshot is needed. These small missteps can have a big impact. Don’t worry—we’ll help you avoid them.

When looking for a versatile headshot when you don't have much brand photography yet, avoid these common mistakes.

What to look for in a headshot

Headshots should be strategic, not thrown together at the last minute or pulled from your archive of selfies. Here are some things to consider as you think about your headshots:

• Neutral Clothing: Solid colors and simple patterns will always serve you better than loud prints or trendy styles that may not age well. Neutral clothing is also easier to edit, should you need to change colors or quickly remove a background.

• Uncropped Composition: Get your full upper body in the frame. Designers love flexibility—and tightly cropped headshots are hard to work with in multi-use layouts. Don't end up with a photo you can only use on the left or right of an image because of it's limiting crop.

• Clean, Even Lighting: Skip dramatic shadows or directional sunlight. Soft, even lighting makes your photo easier to edit, cut out, and reuse.

• Appropriate Expression & Pose: Consider your brand voice. Is it warm and approachable? Elegant and polished? Your body language should visually reflect that tone.

  
  

The test: Will you headshot scale with your brand?

Here’s a simple test: Imagine your headshot on your website header, your newsletter, a speaker slide, and a press feature. Does it hold up in all those places? Can the background be removed cleanly? Does your outfit clash with your brand colors? If the answer is no—or even maybe—it might be time for a refresh.

Before you book your shoot

I recommend booking a session with a local photographer specializing in brand photography to get the best results. But before you do that, keep these tips in mind:

• Share your brand colors and mood board with your photographer

• Ask for both vertical and horizontal photos

• Request a few shots with extra negative space (designers will thank you!)

• Wear something you feel confident in and that fits your visual brand. When in doubt, keep it simple!

  
  

the diy option

If a professional headshot isn't realistic right now, you can create something flexible yourself! You'll need the following:

• a nice camera or a newer phone with a good camera

• a tripod

• a ring light or other bright/diffused lighting

• someone to take the photos or a remote

• a clean backdrop, a.k.a: a blank wall

• a few simple, friendly poses

things to avoid

I've worked with alot of less-than-ideal photography, and here's a simple list of what not to do

• don't use an outdated photo that no longer represents you well

• don't use moody or romantic lighting if it isn't intentionally a part of your brand

• avoid patterns or textures in your wardrobe unless specifically tied to your brand

• avoid taking too many group photos of your team, people come and go

• don't take photos in areas that aren't brand related like outside in the woods or in an airbnb

Headshot checklist

Use this simple checklist to get headshots that will work for you in the long run:

✅ Neutral, solid clothing

✅ Full upper body visible

✅ Clean background or easily removable

✅ Relax, and be yourself

✅ Soft, non-directional lighting

✅ Expression and pose that match your brand tone

✅ Negative space for flexible design use

Note that all of these examples are pretty... boring. That's a good thing for when you are just starting out. Before you have a clearly defined brand and a ton of photography, it's best to get a "work-horse" photo that will work in many different scenarios.

Great headshots require a plan

If you’re rebranding or just want to elevate your presence, getting a flexible, universal headshot is a great place to start. Once you have a solid brand identity and are ready to tell your story in your brand photography, that's an entirely different ball game.

One day, and photo, at a time! Say cheese!

Need some help figuring out the best plan for your headshots or want to discuss other brand strategy ideas? Reach out and schedule a chat!