Trends vs. Standards

Recently, I found out an interesting fact:

In the 1920s, only 5% of the U.S. population was brushing their teeth daily.
Which means the rest, 95%, didn't care AT ALL how their smile looked or how fresh their breath was because — guess what? — everybody else around looked (and smelled) exactly the same way!

Well, except those 5% of weirdos with suspiciously bright smiles.

It was just a hundred years ago, but it sounds like the Stone Age!

Today, everyone knows that you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day and visit a dentist regularly. The exception became the standard.

You know what? I feel the same way when I look at profile pictures on LinkedIn, websites, etc.

We're now in the Stone Age of personal branding. A vast majority don’t even care how they appear in front of their audience; moreover — they're not even aware they have an audience!

They think that a professional headshot is just a passing trend, believing that what's inside the box is truly important, not how it presents, still trying to choose only one when you can have both.

Because — guess what? — everybody else around looks exactly the same way, so why bother?..

Well, except those 5% of weirdos with suspiciously bright smiles on squeaky-clean profile pictures.

There is one question me, as a headshot photographer, am being asked more often these days:

"What do you think about AI headshots?"

Meaning: "Are you afraid of being shifted out of your niche by robots?"

At first glance, it was supposed to happen a few years ago already — who needs to pay a lot of money just to fill that circle on LinkedIn when it can be generated by AI in a few seconds and cost 20-50 times less?

Sounds like a great deal, huh? Besides, millions of people are already using that feature. Can they all be wrong, can they?

To answer this question, we should answer another one first:

"What is the product?"

If you just need to fill a space with something, an AI-generated image is fine.

If you're looking for the experience, the story, the confidence boost — to respect your partners and clients by never trusting AI to mess with your facial expression, to support photographers and keep their business rolling so that one day they could capture something AI can’t, like a family portrait — then that is a completely different level.

Even if the AI-generated image looks so good that nobody can spot the difference, there will still be one person who’s aware of it.

You.

5 easy steps to get ready for your headshot session

Here is what you need to get the most out of your session.

Artistic Headshots for Actor’s Portfolio of Carrie Lewis

1. Zoom It In.

Each session starts with a consultation call. It takes 20-30 minutes but saves much more time during the session, allowing us to set a strategy, share ideas, and start working toward results from the very first minute.

Show me your clothing options so we can make a preliminary selection, and feel free to ask any questions — even the "silly" ones. You don’t need to know all the details about photography; consultations like this help us address any issues upfront and build a comfortable connection, which is essential for a successful headshot session.

2. Take care of your hair.

A headshot session is the perfect excuse to visit your hairdresser or barber a few days beforehand — or even on the same day, if you need a special touch. Don’t rely on retouching, though it will be used subtly afterward — the best enhancements are the ones made before the shoot, not after.

3. Make it up.

Men can skip this one and go straight to the next paragraph. Ladies, we need to talk :) It’s always a good idea to take care of your makeup, along with your hair. There are three common options: you can do it yourself before the session (a well-lit makeup table is available in the studio), bring your own makeup artist, or hire one of the professionals I work with regularly. The last option ensures the best results, with makeup that looks natural and perfectly suited for the photo session. We usually discuss those options on a Zoom call before the session.

Premium LinkedIn Profile Headshot for Nurjannah

4. Pack your clothes.

For your headshot session, I suggest bringing as many options as you can carry. I appreciate clients who come prepared, like they’re heading to the airport — with a wheeled suitcase full of clothing, ready for any climate! Of course, we’ll go over the essentials beforehand to keep your luggage manageable, and you don’t need to worry about anything below the waist — unless you’d like to add some half-body shots to your portfolio.

Jewelry is often considered distracting unless it’s a key part of your image or the message you want to convey. If you wear glasses, bring all the pairs you have so we can try them out and see what works best.

Personal Branding Headshot for Bruno

5. Rest well.

Try to get a good night’s sleep before the session. I know in today’s world it feels like a luxury, but it’s essential. In a headshot, all the attention is on your expression, and we want it to be as perfect as possible.

Also, choose the time of day when you feel most energetic — if you’re a morning person, we’ll schedule it for the morning; if you’re a night owl, then late afternoon is ideal! Finally, make sure you’re not in a rush immediately after the shoot. If you are, just let me know in advance so I can structure the session accordingly. Even if we have just 15 minutes, we’ll make the most of it!

And that’s it! Five simple steps to guarantee stunning results from your very first session. You don’t even need to remember them — after our Zoom call, I’ll send you a Prep Guide with all the essential details. And if you have any questions, feel free to email me at slava@slavatimoshenko.com.

Let me present you a TIMESAVER.

I mean, really.

Headshot station on location

This is the setup I use in my studio to shoot headshots.

The same setup can be packed into one wheeled suitcase, placed in the trunk of the car and assembled in the office, a meeting room, or a hotel conference room – any place 30-55 sq m big with a power source.

CHOOSE THE LOCATION THAT SUITS YOU BEST.

You don't have to choose between losing a working day or a few by sending your team to the studio to update their headshots or keep using outdated and non-consistent ones on a company's website.

Headshot session on location solves both problems at the same time.

Just contact me, book the day, inform your crew (I'll send you a Prep Guide that will help them to get ready for the shoot), set up the shooting schedule and I'll do the rest! You get updated high-quality headshots within a few days after the session!

No more inconsistent, all-over-the-place pictures!

"Meet The Team" before the professional headshot session

Professionalism starts with attitude – just show it!

"Meet The Team" after the professional headshot session

ZERO TIME WASTE SOLUTIONS.

Barcelona is popular not only for leisure, it's also very popular for business. Dozens of conferences and exhibitions, such as ISE, MWC, IBTM World, as well as hundreds of meetups, networks, etc. take place every year in the city.

This is the time when international companies gather together for a short period of time offline, and this is also a perfect chance to get a professional, consistent look for your global talent force using a headshot session on location.

A HASSLE-FREE EXPERIENCE.

I made it very simple for you. The whole process takes 3 easy steps:

1. Send me your event details (dates, venue, and number of people), and I'll prepare a quote tailored to your needs.

2. A brief Zoom consultation where we'll map out the future headshot session.

3. On the day of the session, I arrive on location, set up my equipment and work my magic. For larger groups, I may need assistance from your side to help keep us on schedule.

That's it! After that, your selected images undergo professional retouching, and within a few days, you'll receive a link to download your ready-to-use headshots.

Here you can find more detailed information, an estimated cost, and a contact form: https://www.slavatimoshenko.com/corporate-headshots-barcelona

What are the top 3 mistakes people make when getting a headshot?

Mistake 1: Choosing the Wrong Photographer

Any photographer can take a headshot, and in fact, anyone with a camera, a finger, and a face in front of that camera can capture one. But does that mean the headshot will convey the right message to the viewer? Of course not. It's like taking all the ingredients listed in a recipe, tossing them in the oven, and hoping the result will be as delicious as described in the cookbook.

When selecting a photographer, examine their portfolio on their website. Is it consistent? (Do they even have a website?) Consistency means you can predict the result you’ll get. The headshots should show people looking confident and approachable, evenly lit, on a plain background, and as natural as if there were no camera in front of them. When you find a photographer with such a portfolio, you’ll know they’re worth it. This leads us to the second point.

Mistake 2: Trying to Save Money by Choosing Cheaper Photographers.

Cheap doesn’t always mean bad, right? We all know that. But we should also understand that the session’s price likely includes studio rent, photography equipment, and, most importantly, years of education and practice. Again, look at the portfolio. Remember that a commercial headshot is an asset. A good one will open doors, make you visible, and eventually boost your confidence. A bad one, however, will turn opportunities away, leaving you to blend into the crowd and wonder why things aren’t working out. You’ll spend more time on this passive self-education until one day you suddenly realize, yes, first impressions do matter.

Mistake 3: Not Bringing Enough Clothing to the Session.

Facial expression is key, that’s a fact. The photographer should take full responsibility for making you look confident, approachable, and as natural as if the camera weren’t there. But some cooperation from the client is also necessary. First, come in a good mood, and second, bring plenty of appropriate clothing to the session.

The math is simple: bring as much as you can carry. The more, the better. Get a wheeled suitcase as if you’re going on a one-week vacation. Hire a porter. If you plan to create 3-4 images, bring 10-12 different clothing options, ranging from conservative to even some bold choices. It’s better to leave something on the hanger than have you look like a piece of clothing is missing or doesn’t fit. Accessories aren’t usually recommended for a commercially viable headshot, but if they’re part of your image, bring them along! The same goes for all the pairs of glasses you own.

Of course, there are more than three common mistakes, but these three are the most frequent.

Your headshot is your business card.

How does it look?

1. A selfie on a smartphone looks like your name written by a pen on a piece of paper.
___
Budget: - (well, you need a camera anyway)
OBTS (Odds of Being Taken Seriously ): -10/10

2. A selfie on a semi-pro camera with no special lighting looks like a card typed in Word, printed on an A4 sheet, and cut with scissors into a few cards.
___
Budget: $
OBTS: -5/10

3. A studio-like selfie taken with a pro camera looks like a card made in Photoshop, and printed in a lab on simple white paper.
___
Budget: $$
OBTS: 2/10

4. A portrait taken in the studio by a photographer looks like a card made in Photoshop by a designer, printed in a lab on good thick paper.
___
Budget: $$$
OBTS: 5/10

5. A professional headshot that has been shot in the studio by a professional headshot photographer looks like a card made in Photoshop by a professional designer, and printed in a lab on expensive thick embossed paper.
___
Budget: $$$$
OBTS: 10/10

You might not know it,

but our session has already begun.

A line ago, from the moment you started reading this post.

I specialize in headshots – close-up portraits that capture personality and facial expression. I don’t just confirm the fact that you have a head with a pair of eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth. I establish a connection that allows me to capture the right expression – confident and approachable.

The goal is to show the natural you as if there’s no camera between us. Your headshot should look lively and welcoming, not stiff, scared, or posed. It should make the viewer feel like you’ve been best friends for a long time and, if not, you should be. 😎

That’s why it’s crucial to start building this connection as soon as possible.

Right here, right now.

From the moment you get to know me and learn about what I do, our session begins. You’re now a step closer to a stunning result, better than if you just walked into my studio without knowing me.

"It doesn't look like me!"

This is another thing I often hear during sessions.

Well, it actually is you — there was no one else in front of the camera. Here are a few reasons why you might think otherwise:

1. You’ve never seen yourself through a telephoto lens.

Smartphone front cameras use wide-angle lenses, which help fit more into the frame but distort facial proportions, making the center appear larger and the sides narrower.

2. You’ve never seen yourself in this kind of lighting.

I use LED panels positioned close to your face, creating flattering, three-dimensional lighting. This kind of light is rarely achievable in everyday settings.

3. The screen isn't a mirror.

Our faces are not perfectly symmetrical. The way you see yourself in the mirror daily isn't exactly how you look to others. The difference might be subtle, but it registers subconsciously, making you think, "It doesn't look like me!" even though it’s exactly how you appear to everyone else.

4. You feel younger inside.

As we age, we often don't agree with our physical appearance. Inside, we might feel 15, 25, or 30 years old, and that’s a great mindset—aim to die young as late as possible! However, feeling young doesn’t mean dressing like a teenager; it sends mixed signals. Your attire should match your lifestyle while aiming a bit higher. When someone dresses in a way that doesn’t align with their current age and sees the resulting photos, they might experience a disconnect because the image on the screen doesn't match the one in their mind.

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As you can see, my headshot sessions aren't about flattering your ego or just showing that you have a head on your shoulders. It's about harmonizing your inner and outer self in the best technical way possible. This approach results in a "satisfying look"—when people want to stop and look at your picture, get to know you, and do business with you. This appeal works on a subconscious level, but there’s a step-by-step recipe that's easy to follow.

I hear these questions almost every session, and you know what?

I have answers :) Here they are:

1. "I'm not photogenic."

I strongly believe that the term "photogenic" was invented by some lazy photographer who was struggling to make people look good in pictures and came up with this term, saying they're "not photogenic."

Of course, to look good, you have to do something in front of the camera. "Being photogenic" is not about having some special set of facial features – it's about the ability to control the existing ones. And since there are not so many who can do this professionally and voluntarily – models, actors, etc. – the photographer is here to help. All you need is a good mood and a desire to get great shots. The rest is on me.

2. "This is my very first headshot session."

Congratulations! And this is also fine :) Headshot photography is a fast-growing industry, and despite the widespread online business and other relationships, 90% of the world’s population prefers to hide behind the no-image icon or some random outdated picture, losing the opportunity for a great first impression. You're not one of them anymore, and that's why I congratulate you.

3. "I don't know what to do."

You don't have to! That's why you're here :) You are a pro in your area, and this is my area. I'll tell you what to do. Some things might look and feel counterintuitive, but it's not every day you spend in front of the camera, right?

4. "It feels so weird to stand like this!"

Your inside and outside appearances are completely different. When you feel okay, relaxed, and healthy inside, you might still look sad or grumpy to some people. In a headshot session, it's all about how you LOOK from the outside, not what you FEEL inside at the moment. Some positioning might feel weird but looks great on the screen!

5. "I don't look like myself."

How often do you see yourself? You might say, heck, every day! Many times! In the mirror!

Well, what you see in the mirror is the REFLECTED image of you. We are not symmetrical, and you might not notice that but can always feel it. What you see on the screen during the session is how everyone else sees you. Also, it's not every day you see yourself in studio light and on a big screen in high resolution.

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However, apart from all these boring technical details, the ground zero of a premium headshot is the facial expression. Real confidence and approachability radiate 360 degrees around and make everyone stop scrolling and pay more attention to your profile, CV, website, etc., than to your faceless competitor.

So make sure your visual message is clear, simple, and doesn't look cheap.

Sell yourself

The easiest way to succeed is to be the best in your area of expertise.

Ok, you are the best. You know it, your friends know it, and even your dog is aware of it (or he just waiting for a treat and that's why he's has such a loyal look).

But what about the others? At least those who visit your profile page here – do they have a reason to stop scrolling and get to know you a little bit more? Did you give them that reason?

If you don't care about your personal image, you're not sending the right message to your potential clients. You're not removing an obstacle from their way towards you.

No one cares about the diamond lying deep at the bottom of the ocean because it takes a lot to pull it out. I mean it's still a diamond, it just isn't worth the effort.

The same diamond, framed in gold in a jewelry store on a central street has a much higher price.

The easiest way to succeed is to be the best in your area of expertise.

And to be visible.

I am a man on the moon

Because 9 out of 10 times when my clients enter the studio, I hear this:

"This is my very first session. I have no idea what to do, where to look, how to handle the body I have lived in my entire life."

How do I respond? "This is what I hear 9 out of 10 times! So, don't worry, I got you covered, and this is exactly why we are both here – you need to be guided, I know how to guide you to get the best results right from the first time!"

We're not living in a world filled with photo models, that's perfectly normal! Somebody should spin the world around using more than just power of the beauty. But why not look good if you have such an opportunity?

Spot the winner in the lineup below

A professional headshot is your initial gateway to success. When recruiters have only one factor to set you apart from the rest, they seize it. Standing out among 20 candidates with similar education and experience unlocks countless doors to new opportunities.

Crafting a strong first impression isn't just about your abilities; it's about your demeanor.

90% of LinkedIn users in Spain have an outdated snapshot as a profile picture or don't have it at all.
9% have a studio-like portrait.
1% have a professional headshot.

Jump to the higher league never been easier than now!

How do you say that you are:

confident, approachable, serious about your career,

and do this

in a split second,
on all languages simultaneously,
and without saying a word?
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Your "About" section on LinkedIn, other social media platforms, your website, etc. should be filled out properly, but it's not where people initially form an impression of you.

It all begins with a profile picture.

The very first impression is always emotional, transcending mere skill sets and delving deeper, even to the subconscious level, bypassing language barriers.

People do business with people, which is why that initial impression is crucial.

You don't need a professional headshot to succeed.

You can live your whole life without one and still be happy and thriving.

Just shoot a selfie or have a friend snap a photo, slap it on your profile picture, send it to your publisher, add it to your email signature, share it at conferences, and you're sorted!

Similarly, you don't need a salon for a haircut. DIY in front of the mirror. Fix your teeth with tools from a toolbox. Sew your clothes. Build a car to drive in the city. Heck, build a plane to fly to another continent!

Or...

Embrace the mystery! Skip the pictures altogether. Let people wonder about you, your looks, your thoughts — let them judge you by your deeds, not your appearance!

Don't forget to spread the word about your success. Well, right after you build your laptop ;)

When you're in a good mood, you smile.

And when you smile, you find yourself in a good mood.

It's a cycle of cause and effect that works both ways.

Try it now. Flash a smile and feel your mood lift instantly.

The same principle applies to your online presence.

When you use a professional headshot as your profile picture on social media, your demeanor changes.

You're no longer just another face in the crowd with a generic placeholder photo.

You exude professionalism and start to carry yourself accordingly.

Try it now. Schedule your headshot session today and change your life to a better way.

How often should you update a headshot?

There are no strict rules, but... here’s a tip.

In my experience, apart from the 90% who are doing it for the first time, almost no one updates their headshot regularly, like once a year. Most people only think of it when the time comes.

Time to look for another job.

Here's the hack: update your headshot regularly! Do it at the end of each year or on your birthday. Call it "a gift to yourself" or "marking another trip around the sun."

This way, you'll always be prepared and avoid suspicion ;)