The Biggest Corporate Headshot Mistakes Have Nothing to Do With the Camera
"Don't make me look awkward."
This is one of the most common things I hear before a corporate headshot session. It usually comes with a nervous laugh, but honestly, there's some truth behind it. For many people, the camera feels like the biggest challenge.
In my experience as a professionalcorporate photographer, it rarely is. The real obstacle often shows up long before the first photo is taken. So, if you're interested in using corporate photography to build brand trust and understand the role of photography in brand recognition, it helps to start by avoiding a few common mistakes.
Once they're out of the way, I promise you'll get better headshot results (from me, obviously).
1. "I Need to Look More Professional Than I Actually Am"
I see this all the time. People arrive for a headshot session thinking they need to look more serious, more formal, or somehow more "corporate" than they are in real life.
The funny thing is, the harder someone tries to look professional, the more uncomfortable they often look. Remember:
Great headshots don't come from pretending to be someone else. They come from feeling comfortable enough to be yourself.
2. "Maybe I Should Wear Something I Normally Wouldn't"
I've seriously lost count of how many times someone has shown up in an outfit they bought specifically for the headshot session. And it makes sense. The photos feel important, so there's a temptation to dress like a completely different version of yourself.
The problem is, if the outfits are uncomfortable, it shows in the photograph. So, there’s no need to pull off the fanciest jacket or blazer. Be someone that people will actually meet when they walk into the room. After all, you're using corporate photography to build brand trust, not trying to collect likes and comments on social media.
3. "I Need to Get My Pose Perfect"
I've seen people spend more time worrying about their smile, posture, or which side of their face to show than the actual photo itself. I’m a professional corporate photographer, and can tell you that nobody looks their best when they're busy thinking about every little detail.
The more you try to control the pose, the more unnatural it tends to feel. The strongest headshots usually happen when you stop performing for the camera and simply relax into the moment.
What I Hope You Take From This
A corporate headshot shouldn't feel like a performance. It should feel like a conversation. When you're comfortable, confident, and able to be yourself, the photos tend to take care of themselves.
If you're thinking about refreshing your headshots, feel free to get in touch. I promise it will be far less awkward than you're probably imagining.