Taken from Joan Stewart's Article From The Entrepeneur
'When a writer submits a guest post for my blog, I ask for a good-quality head shot. Then I hold my breath. I never know what to expect.
I've received photos that look like they were taken in a bar, on a street corner or in front of the fireplace in a living room. Many are fuzzy, grainy, too light or too dark.
One photo showed cleavage. Another photo subject couldn't crop his wife out of the photo. That resulted in a head shot that included the tip of her shoulder.
You need a good-quality business photo for your website, LinkedIn profile and articles you write for industry publications as well as to give to journalists who request it. People who want to do business with you might want to see what you look like. Regardless of your expertise, a bad photo sends the message "amateur."
Why, oh, why, do businesspeople find it so difficult to obtain a clear head shot that makes them look like the professionals they really are?
No selfies.
Save the selfie for Instagram or your Facebook page. If you want a decent head shot for business, nothing beats a trip to a photographer's studio.
Photo studios have a variety of backdrops and proper lighting. And a good photographer will be able to spot little things like a few out-of-place strands of hair or a crooked tie.
Ask the photographer to quote you a price that includes taking photos of you in one or two changes of clothing. I'm a professional speaker, so I usually bring a suit and a more casual outfit and end up choosing photos that show me in each.
In addition to arranging for a head shot, discuss with the photographer your ideas for an environmental shot that shows you in a setting appropriate to your occupation, industry or hobby.
Bloggers who write about you might be eager to have these photos. So will newspapers with minuscule photo staffs.
During my last shoot, Bogie, my German short-haired pointer, accompanied me to the photo studio. In addition to the head shot accompanying this post, the photographer took several photos of Bogie and me. I used one on my facebook page, inviting many comments about my dog.
If you're in a pinch and need a head shot quickly but you don't have one, someone else can take your photo with an iPhone. Never take it yourself. You must use good lighting, a neutral background and position the camera at the correct level.
My Tips for the Head Shots by Mary Hennessy Photography
Here are simple tips to follow if you want to look your best in a photo:
Stick to solid colors and skip polka dots, checks or stripes. Think about your neckline - flattering necks, so no polo-necks as it can end up as a floating head.
Similar to TV, make-up can make all the difference, regardless of sex to conceal any recent spots, rashes or scratches. Also, depending on the makeup, foundation may appear shiny, use powder to dampen down shine. Also possibly oil-absorbing sheets, dab them on your face to remove oil and sweat. They won't smudge makeup.
Top tip, Never experiment with a new hairstyle just before the photo shoot.
Some people hire a hair and makeup artist - I've used one several times for a professional photo shoot, and she performed miracles. For company in-house shoots to keep costs down, I would appoint someone to overlook staff 'looks' to point out stray strands, seaweed in teeth to their colleagues in the same way that teachers help my pre-schoolers with messy clothing, sometimes it's helpful to have someone on your side looking out for you to get the best out of your photo-shoot - e.g hair looks great tossed to the side, they know you and know how you normally appear too.
Choose a photographer who will let you use your photos however you wish. Some insist on maintaining the copyright and force you to pay extra after a period of time. I don't do this, I charge a competitive rate and give licence to use as you wish.
Depending on the overall look you want for your website, you'll need to think about your expression. I'm not after the cheesiest smiles, as creased up faces can look too much and may not do you any justice, but looking for a fun, approachable but professional look that you will be happy to show off. If there are a collection of people on a page, then you'd want to fit in as an individual as well as a unit.