Headshot or Portrait?

Do I want a Headshot or Portrait?

I’ve been asked this question a lot by clients, and the confusion is understandable!  These definitions can be a bit fluid. The border between a headshot and a portrait can be a thin line. I have had clients ask for a headshot, but in that session, we discover a portrait to be made as well, or vice versa. One form doesn’t necessarily preclude the other. But for me, a headshot is intended primarily for business. It is a soft advertisement, the metaphorical cover of a book, a visual introduction that leads to a profitable relationship.  In other words, it is your public face.

Headshots on white or bright colored backdrops really pop!

A portrait, on the other hand, is more personal. A portrait is meant to be an intimate record of the sitter, a representation of a person in a specific moment in time. The portrait can have immense depth of meaning and tells a bigger story.

Portraits with soft light, atmosphere, and textured backgrounds invite the viewer to spend more time with the subject.

So, which do you need?

Is this image intended for LinkedIn, Facebook, Bluesky, etc.?  Are you auditioning for film, TV, or a play?  Is it for an article or a book you’ve written?  In that case, you need a headshot. This image is an avatar that represents you and your business in a very public way.

A portrait should capture the essence of the sitter, as an heirloom or a historical record of a person. A portrait is also meant to be printed, so think of how this portrait will be framed and where it might hang. Portraits also make for great gifts.

Whether booking a headshot or portrait—at my studio in Chicago, in your office or home—my job is to ensure that my clients are proud of the photos we’ve taken.  Contact me any time to discuss your needs wherever you are!