Why Your Headshot Shouldn’t Look Like a Mugshot: A Professional Photographer’s Guide

As a professional headshot photographer serving the Los Angeles area, I see a lot of profile pictures that make me cringe. And I’m not talking about the awkward teenage photos we all have buried somewhere in our social media archives – I’m talking about the current professional headshots that business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs are using to represent themselves online.

The Crime of Bad Lighting

Here’s the truth: if your headshot looks like a mugshot, it’s time for an upgrade. I’m not saying you’ve committed a crime, but your profile picture might be guilty of bad lighting in the first degree.

Think about it – when someone clicks on your LinkedIn profile, visits your company website, or sees your headshot in a business directory, what impression are you making? Are you conveying professionalism, approachability, and competence? Or are you accidentally telling the world that you took a quick selfie in your car during lunch break?

Your Professional Image Matters More Than Ever

In today’s digital-first business world, your headshot often serves as the first handshake. It’s the initial impression that can open doors or, unfortunately, close them before you even have a chance to speak. A poorly lit, poorly composed, or outdated headshot can undermine your credibility faster than you can say “LinkedIn connection request.”

The Difference Professional Photography Makes

The difference between a snapshot and a professional headshot isn’t just about having an expensive camera. It’s about understanding lighting, composition, and how to bring out your best professional self. As a professional photographer I know how to:

• Use lighting that flatters your features rather than creating harsh shadows
• Position you in a way that conveys confidence and approachability
• Capture authentic expressions that reflect your personality
• Choose backgrounds and compositions that enhance rather than distract
• Edit images professionally to ensure color accuracy and polish

Don’t Let Poor Photography Hold You Back

Your headshot is an investment in your professional future. Whether you’re networking, job hunting, building your personal brand, or growing your business, you want every advantage you can get. Don’t let a subpar photo be the thing that holds you back from making the connections and impressions that could change your career trajectory.

Ready to Upgrade Your Professional Image?

If you’re tired of hiding behind an outdated or unflattering headshot, it’s time to make a change. Ready to update your headshots? Call me at 323-493-2552. I have offices in Santa Monica, Culver City, and Venice, but I’ll travel all over LA and Orange County for clients who need professional headshots that truly represent their best professional selves.

Don’t wait for the LinkedIn police to come knocking – take control of your professional image today. Your future self (and your business) will thank you for making the investment in a headshot that opens doors instead of closing them.

Contact me today to schedule your professional headshot session and discover the difference that quality photography can make for your professional brand.

#HeadshotPhotographer #ProfessionalHeadshots #LAPhotographer #LinkedInTips #ProfessionalBranding #BusinessHeadshots #PhotographyTips #PersonalBranding #ProfessionalImage #LosAngelesPhotographer #CorporatePhotography #HeadshotMakeover #BusinessPhotography #ProfilePicture #ProfessionalPhotos

Listen, we need to talk.

As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I’ve seen it all. The LinkedIn profiles that make you wonder if someone’s headshot (I mean mugshot) looks like they got caught by the police driving after having one too many drinks. The corporate websites where half the team looks like they’re about to sneeze, and the other half appears to be staring directly into the sun.

But here’s the thing: telling someone their headshot needs an intervention is like telling them their baby is ugly. Except the baby is their professional reputation, and it’s been ugly for approximately seven years.

The Five Stages of Headshot Grief

Before we dive into the delicate art of diplomatic photography criticism, let’s acknowledge what we’re all thinking when we see that headshot:

The Gentle Art of Headshot Honesty

Now that we’ve processed our feelings, here are some time-tested approaches to broaching this delicate subject:

The Diplomatic Route

“Your headshot has such a… vintage feel to it!”

This works especially well when their photo genuinely looks like it was taken in 1987. You’re not lying—technically, MySpace-era photography is vintage now. You’re just being… creatively truthful.

The Caring Friend Approach

“You look so much better in person than in that photo!”

This is actually a compliment wrapped in concern. You’re telling them they’re attractive while gently suggesting their photo is doing them zero favors. It’s like a backhanded compliment, but in reverse—a front-handed criticism?

The Wingman Strategy

“I know this amazing photographer who takes really great headshots!”

Subtle. Professional. Gets the job done without directly insulting their current situation. Plus, if that photographer happens to be me, well, what a coincidence! (Narrator: It was not a coincidence.)

The Tech Excuse

“Is that from your flip phone era?”

Perfect for those headshots that look like they were captured with a potato during an earthquake. You’re blaming technology, not them. Everyone wins! (Except their current professional image.)

The Nuclear Option

“Your LinkedIn photo looks like 💩, my friend.”

Reserved only for your closest friends or people with an excellent sense of humor. Use sparingly, and maybe have a good photographer’s business card ready to hand over immediately afterward. Like a palate cleanser, but for professional dignity.

Why This Matters (Beyond My Business Goals)

Look, I could tell you that a great headshot can be the difference between “Who’s that?” and “We need to meet them,” and I’d be absolutely right. But let’s be real here—sometimes it’s the difference between getting that interview and having your resume used as a coffee coaster.

In our swipe-right, scroll-fast, attention-span-of-a-goldfish world, you have approximately 0.3 seconds to make a first impression online. Your headshot is often the first thing people see, whether it’s on LinkedIn, your company website, or that dating app you swore you deleted but somehow still have notifications for.

The Great Headshot Intervention

Here’s what I propose: Let’s normalize caring about each other’s professional representation. If you see a friend, colleague, or family member sporting a headshot that looks like it was taken during a particularly rough flu season, speak up!

Not in a mean way—in a “I care about your success” way. In an “I believe you deserve better than looking like you’re being held hostage in your own LinkedIn profile” way.

The Bottom Line

Your headshot should make people think, “I need to know this person,” not “I need to check if this person is okay.” It should convey confidence, approachability, and professionalism—not “taken five minutes before a root canal.”

So whether you’re the colleague brave enough to stage the intervention or the person who just realized they might need one, remember: we’re all in this together. And if you happen to be in Los Angeles and need someone to capture your best professional self, well… I know a guy.

P.S. - If you’re reading this and thinking, “Wait, is this about MY headshot?”… it might be time for that intervention.

Ready to update your headshots? Call me at 323-493-2552 and let’s create a headshot that actually helps your career instead of haunting it. Your future self will thank you.

I have offices in Santa Monica, Culver City and Venice, but will travel all over LA and Orange County for clients.

#HeadshotPhotographer #LosAngeles #ProfessionalPhotography #LinkedInTips #Networking #Photography #CareerAdvice

Running a photography business means that when I’m not behind the camera, I’m working on the business side of things—marketing, scheduling, and of course, staying on top of my finances.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced over the years is tax season. Every spring, I found myself scrambling to pull together receipts, invoices, and mileage logs. It was stressful and took away from the time I could be serving clients.

That’s why I decided to build my own Photography Finance Tracker with ChatGPT. It’s designed specifically with photographers in mind and helps me:

• Track client payments (including date, amount, and method)
• Log expenses and upload receipts for safekeeping
• Auto-calculate mileage with Google Maps API so I can easily deduct trips for business

It’s simple, photography-focused, and saves me money compared to QuickBooks. More importantly, it gives me peace of mind so I can spend less time worrying about numbers—and more time creating images that help people shine.

Why I Bring This Back to Headshots

Just like keeping finances organized makes tax season easier, keeping your headshots current makes your professional presence stronger. I work with professionals across industries who need corporate headshots in Los Angeles for LinkedIn, websites, press features, and more.

Beyond business portraits, I also photograph event photography in LA—from company parties to networking events—and offer sessions for family and couples photos. Each of these sessions has one goal in common: capturing authentic images that feel professional, polished, and true to who you are.

If it’s been more than a couple of years since your last session, now is the perfect time for an update.

I photograph business professionals throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, with offices in:

• Santa Monica – 3110 Main St Building C #171, Santa Monica, CA 90405
• Venice Beach – 606 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
• Culver City – 9415 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

And if your office is elsewhere in LA, I can come to you.

Call me at 323-493-2552 to book your session.

#PhotographyBusiness #FreelanceLife #SmallBusinessTools #HeadshotPhotography #losangelesphotographer