Month: August 2024

Every background has a slightly different feel and effect. For instance, a dark background can add a sense of power and drama to a headshot, while an office-setting background communicates the subject’s work environment.

If you want your headshots to have maximum impact, choosing the right background is crucial. This article looks at the ten best backgrounds for headshots to help you make an informed choice. After reading this, you’ll have a clear idea of which backgrounds will work best for your headshots and which ones to avoid.

1. Solid Light Neutral Colors

Solid light neutral colors, such as white or light gray, are a classic when it comes to headshot backdrops. They convey a sense of professionalism, minimalism, and cleanliness, giving headshots a sophisticated, contemporary feel. They also make the subject’s features and clothing stand out, creating a crisp, polished image.

Flattering on the Skin

Light neutral colors also happen to be flattering to a range of skin tones. They reflect light evenly, reducing harsh shadows and creating a soft, natural glow on the subject’s face. Solid light backgrounds are also non-distracting, helping to emphasize the subject’s face, expression, and personality.  

Very Usable

Headshots with light neutral backgrounds can be used across various platforms and media. Whether it’s a website, social media profiles, or a printed business card, a headshot with a light neutral background can be incorporated without clashing with other design elements. Plain backgrounds can also be easily expanded in Photoshop to fit any dimensions.

Versatile

Headshots with solid light neutral-colored backgrounds are versatile and work well for professionals in various industries, including:

• Corporate
• Finance
• Legal
• Healthcare
• Government
• Creative
• And more

2. Solid Dark Neutral Colors

Solid dark neutral color backgrounds, such as dark gray, black, and navy, offer a sophisticated, polished look. Dark backgrounds are known to convey a sense of authority and power, making them an excellent choice for those in executive and leadership roles.

Contrast

Dark neutral backgrounds contrast well against lighter color clothing and skin tones, making the subject’s face and expression really pop in the headshot, standing out with no distractions. However, these backgrounds also work well with darker skin tones, hair colors, and clothing, especially with proper lighting, creating a more subtle contrast and an elegant aesthetic.

Timeless Look

Solid dark colors like black and navy are classic choices that never go out of style. They give headshots a sleek, enduring look, with the simplicity of the background adding to the photo’s timeless appeal. Dark backgrounds are also excellent for adding a sense of drama, mystery, or luxury to your headshots.

Broad Appeal

Solid dark neutral backgrounds are highly effective for professionals in many industries, including:

• Corporate (especially leadership roles)
• Finance
• Law
• Creative industries
• Fashion
• Luxury goods

3. Outdoor Urban Environments

You’ve likely seen outdoor urban backgrounds before, especially if you’ve ever seen headshots for professionals in finance, law, or corporate industries. The classic example is a smart, formally dressed professional in a business suit, standing on the street with modern architecture as the backdrop.

Sets the Tone

The example we just discussed works well because it sends a clear message. The viewer can instantly see that the subject is a professional working in a major, top-tier city, conveying a sense of competence, credibility, wealth, and success. This can be beneficial for those in the corporate world for several reasons.

Other Urban Scenes

Outdoor urban backgrounds can also work well for professionals in other industries, depending on the feel they want their headshots to convey. For example, a brick wall backdrop can evoke a sense of community or history, a graffiti mural can add a creative or edgy touch, industrial areas can create a gritty and raw look, and alleyways can introduce a sense of mystery.

Great For

Outdoor urban backgrounds are great for professionals in the following fields, and more:

• Corporate
• Creative arts
• Marketing
• Journalism
• Architecture
• Photography

4. Outdoor Natural Settings

Outdoor natural backgrounds have become increasingly popular for professional headshots in recent years. With the rise of more casual and approachable corporate cultures, many professionals are opting for headshots that showcase their personalities in a natural, relaxed setting.

Balance

A natural outdoor backdrop can offer a less formal yet still professional look, providing a balanced feel. If the natural background is quite busy, it will normally be blurred to ensure it doesn’t take attention away from the subject. Outdoor natural backgrounds are an excellent way to convey trustworthiness, authenticity, and warmth in professional headshots.

Classic Examples

Classic examples of outdoor natural backdrops that work well for headshots include city parks, which offer a relaxed yet professional feel; forests or wooded areas that create a sense of groundedness and connection to nature; and well-kept gardens, which can add a touch of elegance and refinement. However, people can and do get more creative with their natural outdoor backgrounds.

Work Well For

Outdoor natural backgrounds can work well for a variety of fields and industries, but in particular for:

• Charity and non-profits
• Education
• Wellness
• Corporate
• Creative
• Community organziations

5. Bright Colors

Bright color backgrounds can work well in certain contexts. For example, bright color backgrounds can be great for acting headshots to land roles in commercials or comedic parts. Bright color backgrounds can look bold, fun, energetic, and modern.

Complementary

Bright colors can complement certain features of the subject. For example, if the subject has blue eyes, a blue backdrop can really help to bring out the eyes in the headshot. You might also hear the phrase “wear the backdrop,” meaning that if you’re wearing a dark green shirt, a lighter green background can work well in harmony.

However, it’s important to have a contrast in shade between the clothing and the background to avoid blending.

Attention Grabbing

Bright colors can make the subject stand out and grab the viewer’s attention more effectively. However, the bright color mustn’t look out of place and go against the norms of your industry, unless you’re branding yourself as a disruptor. Bright colors work best when they align with your personal or company branding.

Specific Appeal

Bright color backgrounds are not typically used in formal industries like law and finance unless it’s a trendy startup, but they can work great for:

• Actors and comedians
• Creative industries
• Tech and startups
• Influencers
• Designers
• Entertainment
• Fashion

6. Office Environment

Another classic background for headshots is the office setting. This obviously works great for people who work in offices, such as those in the corporate world, accounting, and IT. You’ve likely seen this type of backdrop many times before; it’s usually slightly blurred or out of focus to avoid distracting too much from the subject.

Workplace Associations

Office-related backgrounds work well because they clearly demonstrate that the subject works in an office environment, which is expected for certain professions and helps them appear credible. For example, when someone visits an IT services company’s website and sees staff headshots with an office background, they might subconsciously think, “They’re working in a nice office, with computers, dressed smartly; they’re probably good at IT and are a professional, trustworthy firm.”

Great for Teams

People usually work in offices as part of a team, so choosing headshots with office backgrounds for all or the majority of staff can convey a sense of cohesiveness, teamwork, and organization, which can help build trust and credibility. It also enhances branding on websites and social media by giving all staff a consistent and harmonious look across company images.

Clear Use Cases

Office setting backgrounds are clearly an excellent option worth consideration for any businesses or organizations that work in an office setting, such as:

• IT
• Corporate
• Accounting
• Consulting
• Marketing
• Human resources
• Banking

7. Workplace Setting

Not everyone works in an office; many people work on construction sites, in healthcare facilities, studios, workshops, and more. Having your headshot taken with a backdrop of your workplace has the immediate benefit of associating you with your field of work. Again, workplace-related backgrounds are usually slightly blurred to avoid distracting from the subject.

Demonstrate Credibility

If a doctor is wearing a white lab coat and standing in a surgical setting for his headshot, it sends a clear and direct message of credibility that is hard to dispute. Similarly, a blacksmith wearing an apron, holding a hammer, and standing in a smoky workshop clearly conveys, “I’m a blacksmith.” Workplace backgrounds help you immediately appear credible, professional, competent, and trustworthy in your field of work when people visit your website or social media.

Authenticity

Having your headshot taken in your actual work environment can look more authentic and less staged than one taken in a studio. This authenticity can make you appear more approachable and genuine, which can be important for building trust and establishing your personal brand.

Who They’re Great For

A workplace-related background is a solid option worth considering for individuals who work in a clearly defined setting, such as:

• Healthcare
• Arts and crafts
• Science
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Sports and fitness

8. Textured

Textured backgrounds allow you to achieve a wide range of styles and moods for your headshots, with almost unlimited variations to choose from. If you’re working with a photographer, they will likely have a set number of textured backdrops in the studio but may allow you to change the background using Photoshop. On the other hand, AI headshot generators like PixelPose can offer any textured background you request, along with the ability to easily swap backgrounds.

Common Textured Backgrounds

Commonly used textured backgrounds for headshots include solid color backgrounds with a subtle gradient, which adds depth. Soft fabric textures, such as velvet or linen, can create a luxurious or cozy feel. Additionally, smoky effects can add a dramatic atmosphere, while mottled backdrops provide a hand-painted vintage look. With the right textured background, you can achieve almost any vibe or aesthetic.

Non-distracting

Textured backgrounds not only enable you to set the tone of the headshot but, just as importantly, they do not distract from the subject. This is because the textures used for headshots are typically quite subtle and unobtrusive, allowing the subject to stay at the forefront while the background quietly enhances the overall composition.

Suitable For

Textured are incredibly versatile, and can be so subtle that they’re barely noticeable, such as a gradient on a solid neutral color. This means textured backgrounds are suitable for all types of individuals and industries, including:

• Corporate
• Healthcare
• Tech
• Creative industries
• Education
• Fashion
• And more

9. Bokeh

Boken is when the background is deliberately blurred, which can be achieved by using the right camera lens or in post-production. In headshots, bokeh is popular and beneficial because it means even busy backgrounds can be toned down so they become non-distracting. Bokeh comes from the Japanese word boke, which means ‘blur.'”

Subtle Associations

Bokeh backgrounds allow you to use any settings like forests, cityscapes, skylines, workplace environments, and more. The bokeh effect blurs them enough to work well aesthetically for headshots, while still subtly resembling the actual background. This subtle resemblance creates associations with these environments, which can have a subconscious effect on viewers and help convey a specific message.

Emphasize the Subject

As mentioned, bokeh backgrounds are non-distracting while also being aesthetically pleasing. They allow the subject to stand out and be in focus while adding a soft, dreamy, or artistic quality to the headshot. This makes them a popular choice for professional headshots.

Can Be Good For

When used quite subtly, bokeh backgrounds can be suitable for a wide range of industries. However, they can also be quite artistic, making them great for:

• Creative industries
• Fashion
• Actors
• Photographers
• Designers
• Models

10. No Background

Our final background is, well, not a background at all! Having a professional headshot without a background is a valuable asset to have since it is so versatile. You can either request your photographer to provide a headshot with no background or use AI tools or Photoshop to remove the background from an existing headshot.

Unlimited Customization

A headshot without a background can be customized with any background you choose. Throw it into Photoshop or another editing program and have fun placing different background images behind it to see how it looks. If you work for a large company, you can hand over the headshot to the marketing department, and they can add whichever background works best with their current project’s branding.

Use Anywhere

A headshot without a background can often be dragged and dropped onto existing platforms and designs and still work great. For example, if you already have a white, black, colored, or textured background on your website or business card design that you like, the headshot can be added and seamlessly blended in, appearing as if it has the same background.

Excellent For

Since a headshot without a background can be customized in any way, it’s suitable for all individuals and industries, but especially for:

1. Businesses with marketing teams
2. Tech-savvy individuals who can use editing tools

Choosing the Perfect Background

The right background for you depends largely on how and where it will be used and the look you’re aiming to achieve. However, as a general rule, simple, non-busy backgrounds tend to work best. For those in business or corporate roles, a softly blurred office setting or a solid neutral color background is often the ideal choice.

Sometimes, a bit of trial and error is needed to find the ideal background. If you want the flexibility to choose from a wide range of backgrounds at no extra cost—including all the ten best mentioned in this guide—PixelPose is an excellent, highly realistic AI headshot generator to consider.

Different people have different headshot needs. For example, actors typically need a different type of headshot than someone working in corporate finance. That’s why understanding the types of headshots available can help you determine which style is right for you.

In this article, we’ll explore the five most common types of headshots, providing a clear overview of each. We’ll look at what they are, how they are used, and the typical backgrounds, outfits, and poses they feature.

Here’s a quick summary of the five main types of headshots:

1. Business headshots
2. Acting headshots
3. LinkedIn and social media headshots
4. Creative headshots
5. Team headshots

Let’s dive in!

1. Business Headshots

These headshots are a key tool for presenting yourself professionally.

What Are Business Headshots?

Business headshots, also known as corporate headshots, are professional photos used for work, business, or professional purposes. While they are often associated with formal, corporate, or academic fields—such as law, medicine, entrepreneurship, academia, sales, or office work—anyone who wants to present a polished and professional image, regardless of their profession, can have a business headshot.

How Are Business Headshots Used?

Business headshots are commonly used on company websites, business cards, marketing materials, email signatures, CVs/job applications, and media kits. They help create a strong first impression by portraying positive attributes such as professionalism, competence, and friendliness to the target audience, helping you attract clients, land a job, sell your services, build credibility, and more.

What About Executive Headshots?

Executive headshots are a subcategory of business headshots, intended for individuals in high-ranking positions within an organization, such as CEOs, CFOs, managers, and directors. These headshots are designed to look highly formal, professional, and sleek, portraying a sense of leadership, confidence, credibility, and trustworthiness.

While they are used similarly to other business headshots, they are also used for specific purposes related to executive roles, such as leadership pages, media interviews, speaking engagements, and investor presentations.

What Backgrounds, Outfits, and Poses Are Used for Business Headshots?

Here are the types of backgrounds, outfits, and poses commonly used for business headshots:

Backgrounds

Plain gray or white backgrounds are often used, sometimes with a gradient. Additionally, office settings, corporate environments, modern urban cityscapes, or outdoor natural settings, such as parks, may be used but are typically blurred.

Outfits

Outfits are often formal, such as a business suit, or work-related attire, like a lab coat or scrubs for a doctor or nurse, or an apron for a chef. In less formal industries, such as tech and startups, the attire might be smart casual. These outfits are typically in neutral or muted colors.

Poses

Business headshots often feature simple and minimalist poses to maintain a professional appearance. A standard pose includes the subject facing the camera with shoulders squared or slightly angled, often with a natural smile.

2. Acting Headshots

These headshots are essential for any aspiring or established actor looking to land roles.

What Are Acting Headshots?

Acting headshots are professional photographs specifically for actors and actresses. Virtually every actor or aspiring actor needs them, as they are a standard requirement in the entertainment industry. Whether you aspire to be a movie star, act in commercials, perform on stage, or work as an extra in a television show, having a quality headshot is essential.

How Are Acting Headshots Used?

In the entertainment world, casting directors, producers, and agents use headshots to assess an actor’s appearance and suitability for a role. These images are essential for actors seeking auditions and parts in movies, theater, or commercials. When actors apply for roles, they will send their headshots along with their resume and any other required materials. Additionally, actors may use their headshots on their personal websites and social media profiles.

What Backgrounds, Outfits, and Poses Are Used for Acting Headshots?

Here are the kinds of outfits, backgrounds, and poses typically used for acting headshots:

Backgrounds

Acting headshots typically use neutral or simple backgrounds, such as solid colors, gradients, or blurred outdoor settings. This ensures the focus remains on the actor without distractions.

Outfits

Outfits are often tailored to the types of roles being targeted, meaning almost any outfit can be used to reflect the era or style of the genre. However, outfits should always be well-fitting and presentable. Most actors will have at least one headshot in casual everyday clothing and another in formal attire, such as a suit.

Poses

Actors often have multiple headshots with different poses and expressions to showcase their versatility and ensure they can submit the most appropriate one for the role they’re seeking. The goal is to capture a natural and engaging look that highlights the actor’s unique personality and potential character types.

3. Social Media Headshots

These headshots can help you create the right first impression on social media.

What Are Social Media Headshots?

Everyone is on social media nowadays, with many using these platforms to promote their personal brand. Whether you are an avid user of LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or all of the above, a high-quality social media headshot helps you portray yourself in the best light possible.

How Are These Headshots Used?

Social media headshots can be used for both personal and professional purposes. Whether you are a content creator looking to build an audience, promoting a product or service, aiming to enhance your employability, or seeking networking opportunities, a professional headshot—rather than a poor-quality image—can be used to help you build credibility and create the right impression to achieve your goals.

What Backgrounds, Outfits, and Poses Are Used for Social Media Headshots?

Here are the sorts of poses, outfits, and backgrounds often used for social media headshots:

Background

For LinkedIn headshots, a plain background—either a solid color or a gradient—is often used to achieve a professional look. For other social media platforms, you might choose a blurred indoor or outdoor setting, while content creators may opt for a background that reflects their brand colors or theme, such as neon lights for a gamer.

Outfits

For professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, more formal clothing is often worn, such as shirts, blouses, and suits. However, for other social media platforms, everyday or fashionable clothing may be more appropriate, or industry-related attire if promoting a service or product—for example, sports clothing for a fitness coach.

Poses

A natural, relaxed pose, with the subject either standing or sitting and offering a slight smile, is often used for social media headshots. Shoulders are normally either squared or slightly angled from the camera. The goal is to appear friendly, approachable, competent, and confident.

4. Creative Headshots

These headshots help creatives make an eye-catching first impression that draws attention to their work.

What Are Creative Headshots?

Creative headshots are specialized portrait photographs tailored for individuals in creative fields such as art, music, design, and writing. Unlike traditional headshots, which emphasize professionalism and approachability, creative headshots are designed to showcase the subject’s unique personality, artistic flair, and distinctive style.

How Are Creative Headshots Used?

A professional in the creative industries may use their headshots on their website, in author bios, portfolios, social media accounts, album covers, promotional materials, and more, to create a memorable and interesting impression that attracts attention and interest in their work or events. Creative headshots are a powerful tool for marketing, networking, and developing a personal brand in creative and artistic fields.

What Backgrounds, Outfits, and Poses Are Used for Creative Headshots?

The typical poses, outfits, and backgrounds used for creative headshots can be:

Background

Backgrounds in creative headshots can differ significantly from the plain, neutral backdrops commonly seen in business headshots. They often align with the subject’s style or the branding of their current work. This means you might see vibrant colors, black-and-white photos, outdoor or in-studio locations, dramatic lighting, or themed or abstract backdrops.

Outfits

Clothing worn in creative headshots can range from smart casual to vintage garments to unique costumes that make a bold statement, and everything in between. It all depends on what clothing aligns with the artist’s brand. Props related to the artist’s craft are often included, such as a guitar, paintbrushes, a typewriter, or a camera.

Poses

With an interesting outfit, background, lighting, and colors, a standard face-the-camera headshot pose may be all that’s required to capture a creative yet professional look. Others may prefer experimenting with unique angles, holding props, or using dramatic or theatrical expressions to make their headshots even more intriguing.

5. Team Headshots

These headshots help companies and organizations present a professional, cohesive image that leaves a positive impression on customers, investors, and others.

What Are Team Headshots?

Team headshots refer to a collection of individual headshot photos featuring members and staff from the same company or organization. The objective is to maintain a consistent style throughout, ensuring that the branding and aesthetic are cohesive and professional. Often, the headshots are all taken at a similar time by the same photographer to ensure consistency.

How Are Team Headshots Used?

You’ll often find team headshots on the ‘About Us’ or ‘Our Team’ pages of a business’s or organization’s website. However, team headshots are also frequently used in press releases, business cards, marketing materials, email signatures for staff accounts, and sometimes social media profiles. They help to convey the professionalism, values, and culture of the team, which could help the company land new clients, attract talent, and appeal to investors.

What Backgrounds, Outfits, and Poses Are Used for Team Headshots?

Team headshots will often feature the following types of backgrounds, poses, and outfits:

Backgrounds

Team headshots, especially those for corporate companies or large organizations, often feature a plain gray, navy, or white background, perhaps with a gradient, or a blurred office or workplace setting. This helps to create a professional, uniform look across all staff members. Smaller businesses and teams may opt for more creative backdrops that match their branding, but these will typically be consistent across all team members to ensure cohesion.

Outfits

Outfits depend on the type of company or organization, but they are typically formal in traditional industries like finance, smart casual in creative industries like tech, or work-related in fields like medicine. A dress code is often provided to ensure that everyone wears similar colors and styles of clothing.

Poses

Poses are often very consistent across the team, with the most common being a standard pose of looking directly into the camera, with shoulders square or slightly angled away from the camera, usually accompanied by a smile or neutral expression.

How to Determine Which Headshot Type Is Best for You?

The truth is, there’s a lot of overlap between different types of headshots. For example, you might have an acting headshot that looks very much like a business headshot because it suits the acting role you’re pursuing, or you might have a business headshot that appears more like a creative headshot because you work for a trendy startup.

The most important thing is to consider how and where your headshots will be used, and then choose the types of backdrops, clothing, poses, and expressions that will be most suitable for that context.

Many people find that they need various types of headshots—such as a team headshot for the company website, a formal business headshot for LinkedIn, and a more casual or smart-casual headshot for social media. It pays to make a list of all the places you might need headshots!

Fortunately, if you work with a professional headshot photographer or a leading AI headshot generator, such as us here at PixelPose, you can usually fulfill all your headshot needs in one place. In fact, if you need multiple headshots, AI platforms are probably your best bet, as they are far more cost-effective and fast.

That said, before choosing a provider, it’s always wise to look at examples of their work to ensure their style matches what you’re looking for.

Putting It All in Focus

Choosing the right types of headshots is essential if you want to make the best impression. Whether you need business headshots, acting headshots, LinkedIn headshots, creative headshots, team headshots, or a combination of these, this article has hopefully provided some helpful guidance on your options.

If you’re looking for a versatile solution that covers all your headshot needs, PixelPose offers a fast and cost-effective way to create professional-grade AI headshots in any style.

A Lawyer’s headshot is the first visual representation any potential client will see. A lawyer headshot is a business portrait representing the lawyer’s professional persona. Headshots are presented on business cards, online profiles, law firm websites, and press releases.

Most attorneys require an especially high-quality headshot for use on their business cards and the websites for most law firms. The headshot needs to communicate the values that potential clients will care about most.

Why Lawyer Headshots Are Important

Potential clients seeking an attorney for any reason are looking for assurance. While it’s unwise for anyone to “judge a book by its cover”, the science demonstrates that we do exactly that. People see professional photos and judge the character of the person they see in less than a second.

These facts aren’t lost on most professionals. But lawyers, in particular, need to be abundantly well aware of them.

People expect their attorneys to possess certain virtues and qualities:

• Professionalism 
• Competence
• Confidence
• Approachability
• Affability

It takes a long time to develop oneself to the point where people see these qualities in you. But people judge quickly. Their fast, initial judgements of you will boil down to the first image they see of you.

A great headshot is the first step in building a powerful reputation. It helps you make a better impression, get hired, and attract new clients.

Instant Judgements

If you think about it, you can probably relate to the judginess most people demonstrate. Have you ever met someone and immediately liked or disliked them? Did you ever get a good or bad feeling right as you saw them and introduced yourself?

Many of these judgements are passive. You can probably explain part of what gives you those feelings, but much of your judgment is on “autopilot”.

These findings don’t matter much in many social situations. But in professional fields, especially law, those fast judgments have a large impact on:

• Establishing trust
• Hiring or purchasing decisions
• Perceiving someone as “worth listening to”

If you’re still looking for a job, you should remember all of these factors when uploading your next LinkedIn profile picture. Hiring managers at law firms take your professional image at least as seriously as potential clients do. A profile with a headshot that appears to be low-effort or inappropriate will quickly be swept aside. In other words, a good headshot is a foot in the door during many crucial decisions.

Fair or not, a lawyer’s headshot is going to be judged quickly and harshly. But following the standards for headshots of practicing lawyers can turn this fact into a great personal asset.

Lawyer Headshots: A How-To Guide

Lawyer headshots follow the same photography standards of headshots for other professionals. In addition to the standard headshot guidelines, there are additional expectations for an appearance of formality and competence for people practicing law.

What Are Professional Headshots?

A professional headshot is the visual representation of one’s professional persona. Unlike casual social media posts, professional headshots attempt to communicate a strict and narrow set of ideas to viewers.

Headshots, in general, must provide a feeling of:

• Friendliness
• Openness
• Competence
• Confidence
• Pride

To these ends, the focus of a headshot is your face. Your face will be centered, with the lighting set up to ensure there are no shadows on it. Photo studios use lights, reflectors, and mirrors to ensure your face is bright and focused. At a professional studio, you’ll be prompted to keep your head upright, with a confident and friendly smile. Your eyes will be facing the camera.

Your upper torso is also included in headshots to some extent. Your attire and posture are not the main focus of a headshot but compliment your overall appearance. In professional headshots, you’re expected to be wearing attire appropriate for your work. In general, your posture should be good and upright, displaying confidence and energy.

Most professional headshots are taken against a bright, blank background. A white or bright gray background keeps the focus on you. In some cases, other backgrounds can be used if they support the virtues and qualities you’re trying to communicate. But the photographer will still keep the background out of focus so all attention is on you.

Unlike other forms of personal photography, professional headshots don’t have a foreground. There’s nothing in front of you that can distract from your face.

To further cement the focus on your face, all professional headshots have a vertical focus. You need to keep this in mind if you plan to crop your headshot into an online social media profile. But the final result should always be more vertical, as humans are vertical beings and we’re trying to focus on your human appearance!

Lawyer Headshot Guidelines

Professional headshots for lawyers meet the same requirements as those for other professionals. The main differences are:

• The standards are higher for lawyers
• There’s little room for creativity and experimentation

1. Keep It Orthodox

If you practice law, you will be trusted with things of deep personal significance to others. Depending on what you practice, clients’ entire futures are in your hands. Their finances, freedom, and trust in justice will to some extent depend on their trust in you. They aren’t looking for creativity or exquisite personality traits.

2. Formal & Conventional Attire

Professional attire is a must. A well-fitted suit and tie or a formal blouse are appropriate. Solid and cool colors with the exception of white shirts will work best. A custom-tailored bespoke suit for women or a 3-piece suit for men are ideal. In any case, trustworthiness, seriousness, and professionalism are what your attire should communicate.

3. Non-distracting Background

The background of a lawyer headshot should be simple gray or white. If you deviate from this, it should be extremely minimal and the focus should be edited to be almost entirely on your head.

Compared with other types of professional headshots, it’s best to be conservative with lawyer headshot backgrounds. The best backgrounds for other professional headshots aren’t the same as those for lawyers.

4. Posture

When it comes to posing for professional headshots, posture is another area where lawyer headshots are a bit different. You should not worry too much about a serious or dramatic pose. You can be standing up or sitting in a confident upright position. Your arms can be rested in any one of many positions, as long as the pose isn’t overly dramatic. Again, the focus should be on confidence and competence, not on an overly theatrical flair. Having your arms crossed or laying on your legs (while seated) in a confidently relaxed manner can come across excellently.

5. To Smile or Not To Smile? It Depends… But You Should Probably Smile!

The question of whether to (and how to) smile is controversial. Research on the question is slightly ambivalent, but leaning towards expressing positivity with a smile. Your smile, so long as it’s genuine (yes, people can tell!), makes you appear more approachable and sociable. These are both good qualities to have potential clients perceive in you.

In general, there’s nothing immature or inappropriate about smiling. In almost all sales and marketing contexts, a smile is a helpful feature of photography. It’s the easiest “hack” to your non-verbal communication. 

The only time you shouldn’t use a headshot that includes you smiling is if the smile isn’t genuine. People are sensitive to subtle details in your facial movements. If your smile is forced and you’re not fully comfortable, people will pick up on it. The feeling of awkwardness will then cause your efforts to appear approachable to backfire.

6. Don’t Be Too Serious!

The main mistake you can make in this regard is feeling that, as a practitioner of law, you need to appear more “stern” or “serious” than others. A face that appears too stern will certainly repel most people who check out your profile, so you don’t want to look uninviting. Lawyers are humans too, and your potential employers and clients will understand that. So, if you opt not to smile, maintain a confident yet relaxed expression on your face.

7. Pay Attention to Grooming & Small Details

Lastly, remain particularly aware of your grooming! Professional headshot photography entails a brutal level of attention to detail. Any wardrobe malfunctions, bad hair days, makeup mishaps, or spots you missed while shaving are bound to be noticeable.

How To Get a Great Lawyer Headshot?

Now that you know what details to pay attention to, the main question is where to go.

Professional/Corporate Photo Studios

The best professional photo studios will have the equipment and expertise to provide an excellent headshot. It’s important to make the right decision in a photo studio if you go this route. 

Many photo studios can provide great photo quality. With the right industry-standard equipment, a professional can maximize your appearance. They can take the best possible shot with the right angle, lighting, and more. Then, they can edit your headshot in a way that it remains lifelike but with any small issues corrected.

Equipment and technical skill are great, but the other part of great photography is setting and social skills. A great photo studio will be able to coach you into the best possible position and mindset for a photo. Their photographers will make you feel relaxed and comfortable, which will translate into an expression of relaxation and confidence in your headshot.

Especially good photographers are also humorous; they’ll coax that genuine smile, which is the golden layer of your photo! 

The social aspect of a good photo shoot can make a huge difference in the final outcome. So, it’s best to go somewhere comfortable, quiet, and relaxing.

This may sound overwhelming, but that’s why some professional photo studios charge so much money. Every little detail contributes to your final lawyer headshot outcome. And remember, that final outcome can pay back dividends if it’s truly the best possible picture!

Corporate photo studios charge more money than alternatives and the photo shoot may take some time. But the value of the final headshots they provide to corporate clients are what makes them the elite option for professionals like lawyers.

Local Photo Studios

Other photo studios, including ones in or near your neighborhood, may suffice to produce a great lawyer headshot. They’re likely also a lot easier to find and will probably come with a lower price tag.

You can find photo studios in your area with a simple Google search, or even by just going on a drive. Many people use photography studios for different purposes, so you can ask around for recommendations. You should also check for online reviews from people purchasing professional photos from there.

Many local photo studios don’t specialize in just one type of photo. They provide headshots for work, photos for schools, passport photos, and so on. So, be aware that while they may offer a great headshot that you’ll love, they might not specialize in headshots for lawyers.

AI Generated Headshots

Generative AI has come a long way in recent years. In the last year alone, it has reached a stage where many AI-generated images aren’t easily distinguishable from real images. 

Image generators can produce lifelike images with the right engine and the right prompts. But the new development in headshots is highly specialized AI headshot generators. You simply provide photos or selfies of yourself, and they generate a headshot. You can then use the AI settings to change all the details including:

• Backgrounds
• Poses
• Lighting 
• Clothing

AI headshot generators use generative adversarial networks (GAN) to set two neural networks against each other. They take turns replicating the photo you’ve fed them and scrutinizing each other. This repetitive and iterative process leads to progressively more realistic recreations of a human face. It doesn’t take long though, compared to going to a photo studio, and you come away with affordable, AI-generated headshots.

If you choose to use AI for a professional headshot, there are a few things you can expect.

First, it’s many times cheaper than most formal alternatives. An AI “photoshoot” for several dozen headshots should cost between $20 and $40. 

You can expect an AI headshot generator to produce a set of headshots with varying degrees of quality. This is normal, which is why they provide many options for you to choose from. You’ll need to take a moment to look closely at each headshot the AI generator produces to make the best choice. While this and the two hour wait to get your headshots take some time, it’s a far faster option than any physical photo shoot.

The other time- and cost-saving feature of AI headshots is that you don’t need great attire. Headshot generators focus on capturing your facial and upper torso structure. But they have no problem transferring your facial features and torso into AI-generated clothes. In fact, most AI headshot generators provide a list of presets for clothing, poses, and facial expressions.

The one thing to keep in mind if you use an online AI headshot generator is that it will need quality inputs to produce quality results. So, make sure you use photos or selfies with high resolution, good lighting, and a clear focus on your face. This makes the GAN iteration process better, with the final results looking very realistic. 

Overall, you can expect AI headshot generators to look slightly less realistic than traditional photos. However, these apps have come a long way and are getting better by the month. Right now, they provide a fast, inexpensive, and convenient alternative to photo shoots.

Check LinkedIn or Networking Events

If you’re looking for a job or want to develop your career, you’ll likely end up browsing LinkedIn and visiting professional events. While you’re going to expos and similar events, keep your eye out for photo opportunities. Some events will have other businesses present, including professional photography services.

These opportunities can be especially convenient. On-site and prompt service from professionals known to the legal community can be one of the best options if you find yourself running into them.

Using LinkedIn, you can search for photographers close to your home or workplace. You can check those studios’ and professionals’ recommendations from your colleagues. You can also message colleagues or make a post asking for advice.

It’s also worth checking out other people’s profiles on the platform to find LinkedIn headshots you like for inspiration.

Final Thoughts

Lawyer headshots are serious tools in any attorney or lawyer’s arsenal. As your first impression, they deserve close attention and scrutiny when they’re being produced.

Getting a great lawyer headshot is much like getting any other kind of professional headshot. Most of the differences are simply accommodating the public’s image of what a good lawyer looks like.

With the 7 points we’ve covered in mind, you can step into the process with the right foot forward. With a deep breath and following a few instructions from your photographer, you can get a great headshot.

Or, with a few inputs into an AI headshot generator like PixelPose, you can quickly create multiple hyper-realistic headshots to choose from.

In this day and age, getting into your chosen profession is harder than ever. The job market around the world is in a tough spot, with many people finding it difficult to enter into their dream jobs. However, something that can help set you apart from the herd is a solid professional headshot. 

Taking the time to invest in a professional-quality headshot is a great idea. Depending on the field you want to get into, a headshot can help to show off your proficiency in certain skills. For example, in modeling or acting careers, a headshot is one of the most important parts of your resume. 

Even for people just looking to get into a standard office job, a professional headshot can help make your application look and feel personalized, and make your prospective employer interested in you. 

With all these benefits, you want to make sure you’re taking a good quality headshot. However for most people, access to professional level camera equipment can be prohibitively expensive. In this case, it’s a good idea to know how to get the best out of your phone camera.

To avoid having to shell out for a top-notch professional photographer, follow the below tips on how to take a professional headshot with your phone. 

1. Check the Camera Quality

Ultimately, you’re going to be limited in the quality of the picture by the quality of the camera you use. The plus side, though, is that most modern day smartphones come equipped with some pretty fantastic cameras.

Now, each and every person has their own personal smartphone preference and, honestly, there isn’t a massive divide in the quality of cameras between most modern phones. 

Something that’s important to know about your phone’s camera is the aspect ratio and resolution. Aspect ratio refers to the relationship between the width and height of an image while resolution determines the number of pixels displayed in the image. 

Aspect ratio and resolution work together to create the overall sharpness of your image, and can have a significant impact on the quality of the image if it needs to be resized. Because headshots can be used in a variety of ways, you should think about what size of image you’re likely to need as well as the format it will be displayed in to determine which aspect ratio and resolution you should shoot in. 

Most smartphone cameras have an aspect ratio of 4:3 but the resolution of the cameras differ wildly. Try to ensure you have a camera with a high number of pixels to give yourself flexibility in what the images you take can be used for. 

2. Select an Appropriate Outfit

When taking professional headshots, it’s important to remember that these images will represent you in your workplace or when you’re trying to make an impression on hiring managers. As a result, you should carefully consider what to wear, and make your choice based on how the outfit can suit your needs. 

Having a goal for your headshot can help you to select the best outfit option. For example, if you’re looking to land a job in a specific industry, like as a chef, having a headshot of you in a chef uniform will help to immediately show hiring managers and collaborators what your specialty skills are.

On the other hand, if you aren’t certain what industry you want to get into, or if there isn’t a set uniform for that industry, the outfit you wear can help to show off your personality and show attributes that can be generalized to many industries. 

Try doing some research on what others in your industry are wearing, and look at how those clothing options make you feel about the person wearing them. For example, if you’re working in an office, does having a headshot in a suit give off the impression that you’re put together and capable when compared to a button up shirt giving off a more approachable and friendly vibe. 

Once you have down what sort of outfit you’ll be wearing, you can go about selecting the clothing items themselves. There are several important considerations to factor in when selecting specific items for use in a headshot. 

For example, the color of clothing that you wear in a headshot can have a major impact on the overall quality of the photo. Bright colors like neons can draw attention to the clothes so think carefully about using them in a headshot photoshoot. Normally, you want the focus to be on your face. 

If you go with a more neutral color palette, make sure to pick muted hues that don’t wash you out. This refers to choosing colors that work with the natural undertone of your skin to reduce shadows and avoid reflection of light onto your face when taking the picture. This can help make your face look brighter and can make you seem more alert and awake in the image—good qualities for a professional headshot. 

These outfit considerations are especially important to think about when taking professional photos at home with a phone camera. Unlike in a more traditional scenario, you won’t have the advice of a professional photographer, nor are you likely to be trained in careful editing of shadows and spots from the skin. Taking the time to reflect on your outfit choices can help reduce the potential need for touch ups later. 

3. Choose the Best Poses

Much like how different outfit choices can change the viewer’s perception of your image, so can different poses. You should put an equal amount of thought into the pose you want to use for your professional headshot and think about what this pose says about you and the way you work. 

For example, posing while performing an action like working in a laboratory can show off specialty qualifications or experience you have without the need for the viewer to go into your CV. This can help attract recruiters for particular roles who might be scanning through thousands of potential candidates on sites like LinkedIn. 

If you aren’t looking to show off a particular skill, you can also use poses to display attributes. For example, posing while sitting at a desk may give off the impression that you’re hard working while smiling straight into the camera might signal your approachability and congeniality. 

In addition, having the right pose for your particular face or body type can help make you look professional. Make sure to show good posture and try changing the angle from which you take the image to explore how it affects the way light plays on your face. 

Changes in lighting can allow you to avoid shadows on your face, which can make you look tired or withdrawn. Taking a photo from the best angle can give you the best output for your camera and make it so you don’t have to do touch-ups later. 

When taking photos on your phone at home, you don’t have the benefit of a professional photographer to give you tips on what looks good in a professional setting. So here are some general rules for taking professional headshots:

• Avoid covering your face. The face should be the focus of the image, so make sure to take pictures that give a clear and unobstructed view. 
• Avoid having distractions in the photo. It can be tempting to use props in professional headshots, but this can sometimes give a contrived quality to the photos if too much focus is drawn away from the subject of the photo (you). 
• Make eye contact. In most cases, making eye contact with the camera will enhance your photos. It can help to give a sense of connection between the viewer and you, and will make them more likely to be interested in meeting and talking to you. 
• Be aware of your hands/clothing. The worst feeling is when you take a really nice photo of your smile and then realize that you were doing something weird with your hands and the photo is unusable. Keep in mind what your whole body is doing—or at least the parts that will be visible in frame. 

Luckily, using an AI headshot generator like PixelPose simplifies posing by automatically creating pose variations from your pictures (but more on that soon!) 

4. Find an Appropriate Background

The background you choose for your photo can have a significant effect on the overall quality of the image. This can impact many factors, from how visible you seem in the image to showing off past collaborators to even creating negative experiences through clutter or distractions in the background. 

Picking an appropriate background usually is the first thing you should decide when taking your photo. The background will give you an idea of the location of the photo, which can be incredibly important when determining factors like lighting. 

It also helps to establish the goal for the image. For example, taking a photo on a sunny beach will have a much different vibe than taking a picture against a solid colored wall. In general, try going for a neutral background to avoid taking focus and awareness away from your image. The only exceptions to this should be when the location or background has a potential benefit in showing expertise. 

Make sure to clear your background if you’re using something like a contemporary office or taking a picture at home. Not everyone has the space for a solid colored wall good for taking photos against. And if you do decide to take your picture in a setting,like in front of a bookshelf, then ensure that you have at least tidied up the area around where the picture will be taken. 

Making sure to have a clean space around you helps give off that professional quality you’re looking for in headshots for work purposes. This will help you maintain your image as a professional and makes you look far more competent than if you’re in the middle of a cluttered image. 

5. Consider the Lighting

Another major consideration for taking a professional headshot at home is the lighting. Lighting has a massive impact on the quality of images, from being able to erase dark shadows on the face to giving highlights and making you seem bright and aware. 

Having bad lighting can make your image seem dark and unprofessional. Bad lighting often looks like light coming in from the wrong angle as to where the image is being taken from. If you have a light source, you generally want to take the photo with you facing into the light source. 

You can play around with the effects of light in terms of changing the angle of your face. This will help create contrast and reduce the impact of blemishes and changes in skin tone. It can also help create mood for an image. In general, bright lighting gives off cheeriness whereas darker lighting gives off a more moody and mysterious vibe. 

Bad lighting can also be too harsh. Most artificial lights can be overly bright in photos, and this can create shine that looks like sweat or oil on your face as well as creating overly heavy shadows in contrast areas. This often results in a poor-quality photo. 

Most people find natural lighting to be their best bet for taking a good photo. Softer natural light is more forgiving and can help hide blemishes or imperfections to make you seem more professional. However, there are issues with natural lighting in that it’s often hard to find in the appropriate background. It can also be transient. If the sun goes behind a cloud at the wrong moment, it can completely change the outcome of the image.

Professional photography studios often have incredibly complex lighting rigs in order to ensure that they have a good quality of light no matter the time of day. Because you’re only trying to take photos for one person, you may have more flexibility in the time you’re able to take your photos. So consider taking photos throughout the day to determine where your best lighting is. 

Alternatively, you can purchase lighting aides like ring lights, which help create that natural light effect while also being strong enough to give good lighting in the evening hours. Depending on your time and money constraints, investing in some lighting tools may help to give photos taken on your phone a more professional look and feel. 

6. Utilize AI 

Artificial intelligence has come a long way in recent years, with a variety of apps and tools created specifically for solving different puzzles. When it comes to taking professional quality headshots, there are several ways that AI tools like PixelPose can help to make your life easier. 

These tools can range from simply helping you select a background, outfit, or pose, or go all the way to generating artificial images of you to use as the headshot itself. Whether you use the artificial image is up to you and you can always simply recreate the image once you’ve selected your favorite pose, background, and outfit. 

Try searching through a range of options in terms of outfit, pose, and background. These artificial images can be a great way of planning out what you want your photo to look like if you decide to recreate it in real life. There’s nothing worse than spending money on a particular outfit only to decide later that it doesn’t fit in with the background you had planned. 

Artificial intelligence has some significant benefits in that it can help make professional quality images from simple phone cameras. These pictures are generated in incredibly short time frames, anywhere from a few hours to 30 minutes depending on the tool you use.

These pictures come from a variety of “seed” images that you upload onto the AI photo generator website, which gives the generator’s algorithm the ability to recreate your face. It’s important to make sure you use good quality photos from a range of angles to ensure that your image is accurate. You want to make sure that your headshot is recognizable so that if you meet with recruiters or collaborators in person you look as expected. 

Photo generation through AI tools can be a great way to explore a variety of options or help you get over insecurities. Some people are shy when taking photos, or feel unphotogenic. AI tools can help give you a good quality image that you have full control over to make you more confident. 

To learn more about the process for generating AI images, or to create your own custom gallery of professional quality headshots without the need for fussing around with your phone, check out PixelPose today!

For anyone looking to take their career or personal brand to the next level, getting professional headshots done is a no-brainer. Headshots make you look polished and competent, and they can also be utilized across various platforms, like your website, LinkedIn, company directory, or professional portfolio.

However, if you want to get the best quality professional headshots, the costs can vary. While it may not be the cheapest investment for your professional career, it can be made affordable if you use the right option. And the impact it can bring to how others perceive you is immense.

The Cost of Professional Headshots 

The cost of professional headshots will vary depending on a number of factors. 

• Your location 
• The location of the photography studio (if you’re getting them done on-site)
• The headshot package (how many headshots you want)
• The headshot format 
• The Photographer’s experience
• Any extras (post-image editing, retouching, printing, off-site photography)

Generally, one headshot can range in price from $100 to $1,500 if you’re getting them taken by a professional photographer. However, AI-generated headshots can range in price from $10 to $80, and you’ll get a selection of headshots to choose from. 

Another big factor that affects the final cost of professional headshots is the type of headshot you want. For example, luxury headshots will be more expensive than corporate headshots, while AI-generated headshots will be cheaper than any type of studio headshots. 

Types of Professional Headshots: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Cost

1. Studio Headshots 

Studio headshots are taken in a photographic studio setting, usually by a professional photographer and sometimes an additional team of lighting experts and photography assistants. Compared to environmental headshots, studio headshots offer a clean, minimalistic, and simple end-result that can be applied to various professional careers—like acting headshots or modeling headshots. 

Advantages 

• Get optimized lighting. In a photography studio, there’s ultimate control about the type and intensity of the lighting, ensuring a consistent photoshoot. 
• Stable background. In other settings, getting the background just right can be tricky. Fluctuating weather, people walking past, or even dirt and grime on an otherwise appropriate wall can impact the final headshot. In a photography studio, you’ll get a consistent and non-distracting backdrop every time. 
• Use sitting and posing props. Convenient props that support how you sit or stand are readily available in a studio setting. 

Disadvantages 

• Limited creative freedom. There are only so many types of headshots you can have taken before it gets repetitive. If you’re looking for more creative or out-of-the-box headshots, you may not get it with studio photography. 
• Need to travel to the studio. Because these professional headshots will be taken on-site, you’ll have to travel to the studio, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient. 

How Much Do Studio Headshots Cost?

Depending on the experience of the photographer, the length of the session, and if there are any outfit, prop, or background changes throughout, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $800—or more!—for a studio headshot session.

Some studios will offer extra services like makeup artistry, headshot retouching, or longer sessions for additional fees. 

2. Corporate Headshots 

As a type of business portrait photo, corporate headshots are all about displaying working professionals in the best light possible. Because corporate headshots are usually used on professional networking websites like LinkedIn, on business cards, and for company websites, these headshots focus on making you look confident and approachable. They can be taken at your office or workplace, at a photography studio, or at another location with an appropriate backdrop. 

Advantages 

• Make the perfect first impression. When you’re applying for a new job or want to stand out to potential clients, corporate headshots provide the optimal polished look. 
• Build trust and credibility. Corporate headshots show that you are who you say you are and can help employers and clients see you in a trustworthy light. 
• Clean appearance. Unless you’re in a particularly creative industry, corporate headshots have a simple, clean, and straightforward look. 

Disadvantages 

• Lack of originality. Business-casual clothing and neutral backgrounds are common for corporate headshots, which can be uninteresting. 
• Can only be used for professional applications. Due to the formal nature of corporate headshots, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to use them for more casual settings, like social media profiles or dating apps.

How Much Do Corporate Headshots Cost?

Corporate headshots usually cost between $500 to $1,500 for a session, however this will also vary depending on how many headshots you want and whether they’ll be taken in your office or at the photographer’s studio. 

Some corporate headshot photographers will offer extra services, like bringing backdrops to your office, licensing the images (for use on business cards or company websites), retouching, and airbrushing. 

3. Outdoor Headshots 

Despite popular belief, outdoor headshots can be used for professional purposes and they’re actually an extremely popular choice for people who want a unique professional headshot in a more relaxed setting. During these photoshoots, both the photographer and the subject can leverage environmental elements for stunning backgrounds and lighting. 

Advantages 

• Utilize the beauty of nature. The beauty of outdoor headshots lies in their organic and natural feel. Trees, parks, and even flower shrubs can provide visual interest to headshots and bring out certain colors and shades in your face. 
• Able to play around with colors and poses. Unlike corporate or studio headshots, outdoor headshots suit relaxed stances. Lean against a tree, sit on a park bench, or simply incorporate movement and fluidity, like the environment around you. 
• You can stand out from the crowd. Since corporate headshots taken in a studio have become the norm, taking headshots outside can help you stand out. Just make sure it looks professional enough! 

Disadvantages 

• Post-image editing is needed. Outdoor headshots aren’t taken in a controlled setting. This means it’s likely that post-image retouching is needed to remove unwanted passers-by, tidy up the background, and ensure the lighting hits your face just right.
• Unpredictable photography sessions. Nature is beautiful, but it can also be unpredictable. The weather, time of day, and other factors can impact the final headshot, making the outdoor environment more unpredictable than headshots taken in a studio. 

How Much Do Outdoor Headshots Cost?

For outdoor headshots, pricing usually ranges from $200 to $500 for a session. However, in some cases, they can go up to $1,000. This is due to the necessary expenses of transport to the location, setting up equipment, organizing the day, and the need to be flexible due to timing and weather conditions. 

Outdoor headshots can be taken at your local park or at a more exotic location, like on a mountain top or in front of a lake. If you decide on an exotic location, it’s likely that extra costs will be added on top of the base price. 

4. Luxury Headshots 

If you want to bring a touch of luxury and glamor to your headshots, then opt for luxury headshots. Characterized by strong poses, subtle yet elegant clothing and accessories, and vibrant backdrops that are beautiful yet lavish, luxury headshots can make you look wealthy, powerful, and ready to achieve everything you set their mind to. 

Advantages 

• Elevate the perception of your brand. If you want to be perceived in a certain way that sets you apart from the crowd, luxury headshots can help you do so. 
• Reinforce professionalism. When your hair, makeup, and outfit look luxurious and high-class, luxury headshots can greatly reinforce your prestige and credibility. 
• Adds visual interest. Unlike corporate headshots, which are usually shot with a neutral and simple backdrop, luxury headshots can be taken in front of a yacht or plush lounge area, which adds visual interest. 

Disadvantages 

• Expensive to prepare for. To match the luxurious environment that you’ll be shooting in, you’ll need to have the right hair, makeup, accessories, and outfit to match. This can be expensive to prepare to ensure you look as polished as possible. 
• Potential for negative connotations. You’re likely to be perceived as high-class and glamorous. But in some cases, luxury headshots can make you look elitist and out-of-touch, especially if it’s taken overboard. 

How much do luxury headshots cost? 

Like the name suggests, getting luxury headshots taken of you means you’re choosing a premium level of service that goes above and beyond a typical professional headshot. It’s likely that you’ll undergo a consultation with the photographer beforehand and discuss how you can customize the final headshots so they look as high quality and personalized as possible. 

Because of this, pricing for luxury headshots usually cost between $800 and a few thousand dollars. Additional services like complimentary hair and makeup appointments, snacks on set, sophisticated props, and exclusive locations will incur extra fees. 

5. AI-Generated Headshots 

With the rise of AI technology in so many areas of our society, it’s no surprise that AI-generated headshots have exploded in popularity in the last few years. If you aren’t the most comfortable being in front of the camera, AI-generated headshots provide an ideal option. You simply need to upload a few existing selfies or casual photos of yourself and let the AI software create professional headshots in no time. 

Advantages 

• No preparation needed. If you’re wondering what to wear or how to pose for a professional headshot, AI headshot generators take care of your outfit, pose, and even optimize how your hair and makeup looks. 
• Cost-effective. Unlike professional headshots taken by a photographer, AI-generated headshots are cost-effective, saving you hundreds of dollars. 
• Convenient and accessible. No need to travel to a photography studio—AI generated headshots can be created in the comfort of your own home. You’ll just need the AI platform and some good photos of yourself, and a reliable internet connection. Since the images are created on the platform, they can be delivered as soon as they’re generated—usually in under an hour. 

Disadvantages

• Can look unrealistic. Low-quality AI headshot generators utilize AI machine learning that may not be as skilled as better generators. To avoid that unwanted “uncanny valley” look that can originate from AI images, it’s worth going for high-quality and credible AI headshot generators like PixelPose. 
• Concerns around data security and privacy. Because AI headshots are created by processing your personal data, concerns around privacy and data security have been raised. It’s recommended to opt for AI headshot generators with clear policies around how they process and protect your data. 

How Much Do AI-Generated Headshots Cost? 

The cost of AI-generated headshots is noticeably lower than professional headshots taken by professional photographers. Packages usually range in cost from $20 to $100. You’ll also usually receive a selection of 30—100 headshots to choose from, giving you more control about picking the headshot(s) that look the best. 

Some AI headshot generators also offer prompts for extra customization, like adjusting the poses or outfits. In these cases, the total cost may be more, but it’s likely to be only a $10—$20 difference. 

Where To Get Professional Headshots Done 

An easy way to search for places to get your professional headshots done is by looking up “professional headshots in *your city or location*” or “professional headshots near me” in Google or other internet search engines. The results will show a list of photography studios or freelance photographers that can take headshots for you. 

If you want to be even more specific, you can search specific keywords pertaining to the type of headshot you want. For example, “luxury headshot photography near me” or “headshot photography in nature.” 

And if you don’t want the hassle of traveling to an in-person studio or meeting a headshot photographer, AI headshot generators can be accessed from the convenience of your own home. Best of all, these AI generator platforms aren’t limited to your location, so you can choose the best one for you. 

If you’re looking for incredibly lifelike AI-generated headshots created by cutting-edge technology and AI experts, PixelPose is a realistic AI headshot generator. Packages currently range from $29 to $69, depending on the number of headshots you want and your preferred turnaround time. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Professional Headshots 

Why Are Professional Headshots so Expensive? 

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to taking professional headshots. Sure, you’re paying for the photographer’s time and expertise, but there’s also a lot that goes on behind the scenes and into the preparation of a professional photoshoot. 

• Studio space and rental
• Lighting equipment
• Upkeep of backdrops and props 
• Camera equipment 
• Business expenses (if it’s a photography studio)
• Insurance 
• Travel fees 
• Use of editing software 

Because of all of the above factors, professional headshots aren’t the cheapest type of photography out there. However, if you’re serious about establishing your personal brand or advancing your career, getting a good selection of professional headshots is highly recommended. 

Should I Use an AI Headshot Generator or Work with a Photographer? 

Both AI headshot generators and professional photographers come with advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, deciding between the two will boil down to your budget, if you have the time to travel to an in-person location, and whether you’re looking for a more niche type of headshot. 

While most headshot photographers don’t offer free trials, you may be able to work out an initial trial or “beginner” deal with them, especially if you don’t want to commit to a full-length headshot photoshoot. Sometimes, you won’t be sure if you’re comfortable with a photoshoot until you’ve done a trial. 

Some AI headshot generators offer free headshot generation, especially for first-time users to their platform. Others will offer free headshot generation, but with a watermark attached. The watermark can only be removed by purchasing digital tokens or a subscription plan. Either way, this is a great way for you to decide whether AI headshots are what you’re looking for. 

Which AI Headshot Generator Should I Choose?

Choosing the right AI headshot generator for you is a highly personal choice. However, there are several factors to consider that give you the best chances at finding the AI software that works the best and is a joy to use. 

• Check the price range of each platform. Which one is within your budget? 
• Check if they offer customization. Is there a specific type of headshot you’re looking for? 
• Check any additional services that may be provided. Do they offer post-generation editing tools? 
• Check that their website provides clear information about the AI headshot generation process and what you can expect. Does this align with what you’re comfortable uploading? 
• Check if they provide examples of the AI headshots that can be generated by their software. Do they look realistic and high-quality? 

It’s also important to read customer reviews of the AI platform to ensure the website is credible, safe, and trustworthy. Read up on their policies around refunds (if the results are completely off the mark), data security, and how they process your personal photos and the created headshots.