Looking to improve your headshot photography? Whether you're new to the game or refining your skills, these tips—based on my experience—will guide you toward creating professional-quality headshots.
Tip #1: Get to Know Your Client and Their Needs
This is one of the most important steps, yet many photographers overlook it.
Understanding your client’s specific requirements ensures your results align with their expectations. For example, some clients need headshots for their company with specific guidelines (logo placement, resolution, background color, etc.). Others might need photos for LinkedIn, resumes, or personal websites. Asking these questions upfront saves time and avoids rework.
Tip #2: Ask About the Location and Offer Options
Clients often look to you for guidance on location choices. Start by understanding their needs (see Tip #1), then offer them multiple options.
For example, suggest:
In-Studio vs. Outdoors
Controlled Lighting vs. Natural Light
Whenever possible, show examples of each option to help them visualize. People respond better to visual references than verbal explanations.
Tip #3: Master Lighting for Headshots
Lighting is the foundation of photography—it’s how we capture the subject. For headshots, particularly business or corporate ones, lighting plays an even bigger role.
In my early days, I relied solely on natural light. While it works in some situations, I quickly learned that controlled lighting is far more reliable and versatile. Here's why:
Natural Light is Unpredictable. You can't control the sun's direction, intensity, or the weather. A client’s schedule may not align with ideal lighting conditions, leaving you to deal with cloudy skies, harsh sunlight, or rain.
Controlled Light Offers Consistency. It allows you to create the desired effect regardless of the environment.
I recall one of my first business headshot sessions. Shooting outdoors under harsh sunlight, I moved the client into tree shade, only to find later that the uneven shadows created a distracting pattern. That experience taught me the value of controlled lighting.
If you’re starting out:
Invest in a reflector—it’s a cost-effective way to manipulate natural light.
Bring an assistant to hold it, or use a stand. Just be cautious with reflectors on windy days—they’re light and can tip over easily.
Tip #4: Essential Equipment for Headshot Photography
Your gear depends on your budget and needs, but knowing how to use what you have is even more important. Here's what I use:
Cameras and Lenses
Canon 5D Mark IV Â (main)
Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8 L II (ideal for studio sessions)
Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L II (great for outdoor headshots)
Lighting Equipment
I primarily use Godox lights because they offer great quality at a reasonable price:
Godox Ad 200 Pro   – My favorite portable light, perfect for outdoor sessions.
Godox Gemini GS 400 II – Reliable as a side/backlight in the studio.
Godox AD 600 Pro – A powerful light for studio and outdoor use (though its battery issues are well-documented; consider the Godox AD 400 Pro as an alternative).
For studio work, I use an adapter for the AD 600 Pro to avoid battery issues and connect directly to a power outlet.
Modifiers and Softboxes
Softboxes are essential for creating flattering, diffused light. My go-to modifiers:
Godox 14"X63'' Strip Softbox
Godox P 90L Parabolic Softbox
Godox 47" Octabox or Godox QR-P90 47.2''
Neewer 31.5" Umbrella
For studio headshots, I also use a triflector to add soft fill light under the chin and chest while creating catchlights in the eyes.
Learn More!
For more detailed advice on headshot photography, including step-by-step lighting setups and techniques, check out our classes! You’ll gain the skills and confidence to create headshots that truly stand out.
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