Professional Headshot Tips for No-Cringe Headshots in the Twin Cities

When you think about professional headshots, what comes to mind? Sitting against a plain background and smiling awkwardly for a photographer who gives you almost no direction?

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way! You can get great headshots that you won’t cringe at every time you see them on your business’s website or LinkedIn profile.

As a professional headshot photographer in Minneapolis, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to take non-cringe photos. Here are my top tips!

Headshot tip #1: Keep your photos up to date

The first rule of headshots is to keep them fresh. My recommendation is to get new headshots every year if you’re a small business owner, or every 2-3 years if you’re a corporate employee.

Why?

Headshots can seriously help you stand out in a sea of applicants, foster a personal connection with your audience, build your personal brand, and attract new employers, clients or customers by showcasing your personality.

Headshot tip #2: Define your style

Whether you’re looking for that next position in your career, need headshots for your website/LinkedIn/newsletter, or just need an update, there are different styles you might like to go for. Choose a few adjectives from this list (or make up your own) that define your style:

Professional
Creative
Approachable
Corporate
Classic
Modern
Relaxed
Confident
Sophisticated
Polished
Artistic

When you have a solid idea of what styles you like, that can really help your headshot photographer give you more tips and direction so the photos turn out the way you want.

Headshot tip #3: Choose a headshot photographer you jive with

Once you’ve got a sense of how you want your headshots to look, it’ll be much easier to decide on and work with a photographer who matches your vision.

Not only do you want your headshots to match that style you’re looking for, but you also want to be comfortable with the photographer you choose. Check out photographer website bios and examples and choose one that aligns with and understands you.

If you’re looking for a headshot photographer in Minneapolis and the surrounding area who can make the whole process painless and really capture your personality, let’s connect!

Headshot tip #4: Pick your outfit(s) strategically

The outfit(s) you choose to wear will depend on your preferred photo style, of course, but I’ll give you a few tips to keep in mind as you’re choosing:

Keep it simple. Especially if you plan to use these photos in multiple places for a good few years, keeping your outfit on the simpler side is a good way to go. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t add some color and a jewelry piece or two, if that’s your style!
Solid colors typically photograph better than busy patterns. Small prints or subtle textures can work, but large patterns or bold stripes can be distracting and take attention away from your face.
Avoid logos, graphics, or branded clothing. Unless it’s part of your brand strategy, keep text and logos out of your headshots so they stay timeless and professional.
Wear something you’d actually wear to work. Your headshot should feel authentic to you. If you never wear blazers in real life, don’t force it just for the photo. You want to look like yourself!
Consider layers for versatility. A blazer over a blouse, or a cardigan over a simple top gives you options to switch up your look during the session.

Headshot tip #5: Location matters

If you’re hoping to have a photographer come to your location, think carefully about your space. You want a space that isn’t too tight or cluttered, looks nice in general, and most importantly of all, it needs to have good lighting.

Lighting is the most important part of great headshots. It can make or break your photos! Ideally, you’ve got somewhere with natural lighting from some big windows that comes in at a nice angle (like not straight at your face). I can bring good lights to photoshoots, but because of their size, natural lighting is always the first choice.

Otherwise, having headshots taken at a studio location is a good way to ensure you get a good shot!