The Photographer Michelle Kaffko is a headshot photographer and fashion/beauty/portrait photographer based in Chicago. With over 12 years of cross-functional professional experience as an independent art photographer specializing in darkroom and black and white fine art works, her background includes portraiture, promotional imaging, event coverage, and wedding/engagement photography. See her personal portfolio here About Headshots “Is that what I really look like?” If that’s what you think when you pick up your headshot, you need a new one. You would not put someone else’s phone number on your business card, so why put someone else’s head in your headshot? A headshot can be responsible for making a good (or bad) first impression on your website, in business, or in an audition. A headshot must be an accurate, professional, and inviting representation of your true image. In other words, you need an organic headshot: a headshot that looks like the all-natural you, your current look, and what kind of person you are. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Marketing yourself in business or as an entertainer means having a headshot that speaks on your behalf. Your headshot is a communicative tool that should say, “I am a comedian,” or, “I am a theatrical actress,” or, “I work hard for my clients.” If your headshot shows you with too much makeup or reveals that your freckles have been airbrushed, a casting agent will likely toss it aside, or a client won't recognize you in person. Everyone seeks consistency: someone who looks how they say they look and someone they can trust to perform the necessary work. When you hand someone a headshot, you’re saying, “This is who I am, and here is what I can do.” If they don’t believe your headshot represents your true image, they may very well not believe that you can play the part or do the job.

Good vs. Bad Headshots

A Good Headshot

• Depicts a relaxed, confident you
• Catches you in a natural, approachable state, like you didn’t even know your picture was being taken
• Is taken by a photographer who can make you feel relaxed and capture you at your best
• Communicates something about your style and personality

A Bad Headshot

• Looks like you prepared for a glamour shot by doing your hair and makeup for hours
• Is a yearbook picture or a family photograph from Christmas
• Was taken with an iPhone
• Is not taken by a professional photographer: professional headshots are the most effective way to show others that you are serious about your career

Dressing for your headshots: If you always wear glasses, wear them in your headshot No patent leather or shiny fabrics No logos or writing on your shirt Clean your clothes of any wrinkles, lint, hair, etc. If you choose to wear jewelry, keep it to a minimum or refrain from it altogether. Simple stud or hoop earrings or a simple necklace chain might work, but if the jewelry you wear distracts from your face, it is not in your best interest to wear it Mid-tones in solid, neutral colors, no solid black or white. Choose colors near your skin tone or that accentuate your eye or hair color. No bright colors (like neon green or lipstick red) or busy patterns that distract from your face

Makeup/skin blemishes: Do your makeup how you usually wear it for an average day, or possibly a nice dinner where the steak is $30 but not $75. Do not wear heavy makeup; a close headshot will show clumps of mascara or dark lipstick. Choose light eyeliners, eye shadows, and lipsticks that are only a shade or two darker than your skin tones. This brings your features out in a subtle manner. It is also important to keep in mind that caking on your foundation is not a good idea. Skin blemishes, pimples, and even wrinkles can be retouched. It’s not cheating. I promise.

 

For professionals and executives:

• Hair: Don’t cut or dye your hair right before the shoot.  Freshly colored hair can look too vibrant and unnatural on camera- drawing more attention to your hair than your face.  A new haircut also looks its best after at least a week, and colored hair looks more natural after 1-2 weeks’ worth of shampooing.
• Men: If you have a beard, trim it evenly so it’s nice and groomed.  If you’re going clean-shaven, get a good shave that morning.  The best rule of thumb for facial hair is to commit to your look- either a beard, mustache, or nothing at all.  Anything scruffy or stubbly in between is not advisable.
• Ladies: do your makeup like you would for a nice dinner out, but not a black tie event—not too much, not too little.  If you “never wear makeup,” consider using just a little eye shadow, eye liner, and lipstick at least a shade or two darker than your skin/lip tone. 
• Clothing- Men: Think classic.  Pick your favorite suit that fits you well and is preferably a classic dark color like navy blue.  Preferably a suit that doesn’t bunch up when you button it or sit down in it.  Pick a shirt and tie that match each other and the suit. 
  • Don’t choose anything with bold, distracting patterns or colors.  Clothing with tight grids or a small herringbone pattern can have a moiré pattern effect on camera, so stay away from grid-like patterns.   Thin stripes are okay.
  • Ties look best when their tone lands between the suit and the shirt- so a light shirt, a dark suit, and a tie somewhere between the two.
  • Some ties are too shiny- try to stay away from really reflective, shiny silk ties.
• Clothing- Ladies: Choose a professional suit or outfit that has a classic look.  You shouldn’t be able to tell what decade it is in the photo.
  • Don’t choose anything with bold, distracting patterns or colors.  Clothing with tight grids or a small herringbone pattern can have a moiré pattern effect on camera, so stay away from grid-like patterns.   Thin stripes are okay.
  • Don’t wear white unless it’s under something, such as a suit jacket, cardigan, or sweater.
  • V-necks accentuate the neckline and generally look best on women.  Just don’t choose something with a low neckline.  No cleavage.
  • No turtlenecks.  They tend to make people look like they have no neck at all in photos.
  • No short sleeves or tank tops.  Executive headshots look better without bare arms.
  • Jewelry: I always prefer a headshot with no jewelry at all.  If you wear jewelry, choose something small, classic, and not very reflective or flashy.  Earrings shouldn’t dangle more than an inch from your earlobe.  If I notice your jewelry before I notice your face, I may ask you to remove it.