What Makes A Good Headshot?

Next time you or someone you know needs a new headshot, take the time to ask yourself, “what makes a good headshot?”
To me, and I’ve been working as a professional photojournalist for over thirty years, a good headshot needs three things.

1: Good light (light that shows 3 dimensionality of the subject)

 (William Thomas Cain)

(Above – Studio headshot with grey backdrop and highlight on back of head)

2: Good face (it should show who you are and your face needs to fill a good portion of the frame)

Jennifer Robles is photographed Wednesday December 14, 2016 in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Outdoor headshot with background out of focus)

3: No hands (no hands in face. hands are a distraction that take away light from the face)

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 20: Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry poses for photos at the Four Seasons Hotel March 20, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berry was in Philadelphia for a showing of her new film "Perfect Stranger." (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images for the Boston Globe) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

(Above – Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry in front of tan wall)

This are three basic rules of thumb. Another factor that needs to be thought about is, what image are you trying to portray in your headshot? Is it for business, acting, modeling, etc.??

 (William Thomas Cain)

(Above – Studio headshot on Grey Backdrop with no highlight on head)

Your headshot should portray what you need it to for whatever the ultimate usage.

Most times what I see that photographers tend to provide for clients is not a true headshot, but a nice portrait. That’s all well and good, but if it doesn’t suit your purpose, it is useless.

REHOBOTH BEACH, DE - JANUARY 25: Deborah Sharp who survived a five day ordeal in which she was raped and kidnapped in 1998, poses for a photo January 25, 2006 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

(Above – Portrait in home)

In my last year working as a staffer at the Philadelphia Inquirer, I worked on the picture desk for a time. In that time, I had many business portraits come though the desk for profiles or news blurbs of people ‘s comings and goings from companies. I’ve seen them all. Nice simple images with a solid grey background to outrageously lit (overlit) headshot with a background of all different colors, cloud backgrounds and lots off what says they are not to be taken seriously. Many of the worst looked like high school portraits. Trust me, you don’t want that.

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Heather Kumor Photographed by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com for Fox Rothschild) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Studio portrait on white backdrop – 3/4 length for client website in which the 3/4 view was requested)

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Heather Kumor Photographed by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com for Fox Rothschild) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Studio portrait on white backdrop – full length for client website in which the full length view was requested)

That said. Here are my thoughts on what makes a good headshot for various uses.

I believe that a serious business headshot should generally have the subject fill the frame in a diagonal pose, with their face towards the camera. Hands should not be anywhere near the face and mostly be at your side or folder in front of you and never be part of the composition. And, a grey backdrop is appropriate. A cloud or various color backdrop is highly inappropriate for any kind of business headshot. If you ever go to a photographer that offers you that, run. By all means run like there is no tomorrow. That will not help you to be taken seriously in business.

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 9: Professor Jeremy J. Siegel (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Black Star) (William Thomas Cain/Black Star)

(Above – Headshot with more dramatic light on burgundy backdrop as per client request)

A more casual business portrait can be made outside, in a shaded area and either lit by available light or strobes (that means flash). Positioning should be the same as a serious business portrait, but in a nice outdoor setting.

5/13/11 12:53:17 PM -- NEW HOPE, PA. -- Veronica Haggerty -- Photo by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – more casual headshot outdoors with available light)

I believe that an acting or modeling headshot should have the same good solid light in the subjects face. Maybe not as three dimensional, but more frontal lighting. Maybe the composition should be slightly more diagonal.

One of the things that many people mistake for a headshot is an image that is more apporopr=iately used asa  portrait. A portrait generally shows more of an upper torso type of image which can or can not include hands. Generally, I always prefer that people rarely place their hands up to their face as the light tends to land on the hands and become a distracting plane in the image.

In the past when I was casting for a photo shoot, I would ask models for headshot. You would not believe how many models think a headshot is a three quarter length image or even worse yet, a full length photograph. I probably don’t need to tell you that those were the first ones tossed in the can because they couldn’t follow directions.  So, when someone asks you for a headshot, please, please, please, make sure that is what you provide. And make damn sure that your photographer can provide what you need to put your best foot forward, whether for business or modeling and acting. If you feel they can’t, move on to a photographer that can do it. Correctly.

4/26/11 2:39:27 PM -- Blue Bell, Pa. -- Fox Rothschild Attorney Jennifer L. Schwartz at work in the Blue Bell, Pa. office April 26, 2011. -- Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images for Fox Rothschild. (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – In office on location portrait with studio lighting)

When I do a headshot for anyone, the first thing I ask is what is their end goal? What do they want to headshot to show? How would they want to be portrayed? Once I have an idea, we can then plan on wardrobe. I always suggest keeping things simple. In many cases dark earthy colors tend to work best. Stay away from any kind of patterns. That might take away from your face.

Dr. Aakash Shah poses for a photograph outside Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Wednesday, November 16, 2016 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images for Ursinus College) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Outdoor portrait lit with a portable strobe and backlit from the sun – the key here was to have the background in shade to make it recede in space)

The way we’ll set up headshot shoots is either individually or have a headshot day where we’ll block out a four hour time slot at a company and they’ll have 8-10 people set up a time for pictures. We actually just did a few headshot shoots over 7 hours where we were able to shoot 35 and 45 respectively.
This is done by bringing my mobile studio on location. It’s pretty simple. Lights, reflectors and a stool. People.

Each of the shoots takes maybe 15 minutes. The subject them will receive a link to a gallery of images for them to choose their favorite. In some cases we’ve actually had them choose the image they prefer on location by providing a laptop and showing  the images as we shoot live.

Next time you have to get a  headshot, think of some of the suggestions I’ve made here. The most important thing is to keep it simple. Show your best self and your headshot will be golden.

 (William Thomas Cain)

(Above – Just for fun – Portrait of dogs outdoors)

Long Before Teen Mom on MTV

Long before Teen Mom hit MTV screens, way back in 1989, while working for the Philadelphia Inquirer I spent a few days at William Tennent High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania making pictures of a program geared to keep Teen Moms in school. The school, and mostly, Centennial School District, set up a day care program so young women that had children while in high school could keep on attending school and get their diploma. It was pretty simple. The girls would drop of their child before classes started, then go to school. They could come back to visit the children any time during the day. Then would pick them up after school and in some cases, actually do their homework in the day care while waiting for the bus ride home.

Here are some of the images from the package I did in 1989. Images were shot with Tri-X film and probably pushed to 1600 ISO in most interiors with Nikon F3’s as camera of choice.

A teen mom does her homework while her daughter has a snack.

 

Teen mom and her daughter leave for school as her mother says good bye.

Teen mom and her daughter play during lunch break.

A group of teen moms share a laugh in the lunch room.

During lunch, a teen mom sets her daughters hair.

A young boy and girl play in the day care area of the high school.

Diaper changing time for a young child of a teen mom.

Teen mom drops off her daughter at day care at the school.

Lunch time in day care.

While her daughter is in day care, a teen mom chats in class with a friend.

A teen mom pours milk into her daughters cereal before leaving for school.

A child kisses her teen mom goodbye after being dropped off for day care.

Teen mom and daughter arrive for school.

Teen mom has a snack with her daughter.

Lacrosse Player Cheers BW17D1 03312014

Central bucks East @ Hatboro Horsham Lacrosse

HORSHAM, PA - MARCH 31: Central Bucks East's Matt Hammer #28 cheers on his team as they play Hatboro Horsham during the second half of a lacrosse game at Hatboro Horsham High School March 31, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA – MARCH 31: Central Bucks East’s Matt Hammer #28 cheers on his team as they play Hatboro Horsham during the second half of a lacrosse game at Hatboro Horsham High School March 31, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Making one black and white image a day for a year using my old Nikon D1 and a 17mm lens.

Here are some of the color images from the event.

Along with video.

Masked Protest

Just got back from shooting a drone protest. I brought along my old Nikon D1 and after I finishing with the assignment, I picked up the D1 to play around by making some B&W images.

HORSHAM, PA - MARCH 29:  Marge Van Cleef (R) along with members of Coalition for Peace Action protest the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The mask represents civilians that have been killed by drone strikes. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA – MARCH 29: Marge Van Cleef (R) along with members of Coalition for Peace Action protest the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The mask represents civilians that have been killed by drone strikes. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA - MARCH 29:  Karen Barton, along with members of Coalition for Peace Action protest the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The mask represents civilians that have been killed by drone strikes. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA – MARCH 29: Karen Barton, along with members of Coalition for Peace Action protest the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The mask represents civilians that have been killed by drone strikes. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA - MARCH 29:  Members of Coalition for Peace Action along with Buddhist Monks protest the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA – MARCH 29: Members of Coalition for Peace Action along with Buddhist Monks protest the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA - MARCH 29:  A buddhist monk chants and plays a drum during a protest of the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA – MARCH 29: A buddhist monk chants and plays a drum during a protest of the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

 

HORSHAM, PA - MARCH 29:  Members of Coalition for Peace Action along with Buddhist Monks march to the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HORSHAM, PA – MARCH 29: Members of Coalition for Peace Action along with Buddhist Monks march to the Horsham Drone Command Center to protest March 29, 2014 in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Making one black and white image a day for a year using my old Nikon D1 and a 17mm lens.

 

Ring Flash Pocket Wizards

My old friend Jon was selling a bunch of Pocket Wizards. Went over today and
picked up all of them. Then proceeded to play with them the rest of the day.
For those who don’t know what Pocket Wizards do, they are remote triggers
for flash or cameras which enable the photographer to not be tethered to a cable.
I most always trip over my own stinking cable, so this is a great thing. No more
tripping and knocking things over.

HARTSVILLE, PA - MARCH 28:  Artwork is seen through a ring flaw head March 28, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HARTSVILLE, PA – MARCH 28: Artwork is seen through a ring flash head March 28, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HARTSVILLE, PA - MARCH 28:  Pocket Wizards are seen through a ring on a table March 28, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HARTSVILLE, PA – MARCH 28: Pocket Wizards are seen through a ring on a table March 28, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

From the studio at Wilmington University today. We were shooting in the studio and
this is a demo to show or remind students how the lights should be placed.

NEW CASTLE, DE - MARCH 28:  Lights are set in the studio for a shoot March 28, 2014 at Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

NEW CASTLE, DE – MARCH 28: Lights are set in the studio for a shoot March 28, 2014 at Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Had to throw this in of a recovering Cooper. Looks much better today.

HARTSVILLE, PA - MARCH 28:  Cooper the cocker spaniel is recovering from a boo boo March 28, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HARTSVILLE, PA – MARCH 28: Cooper the cocker spaniel is recovering from a boo boo March 28, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Making one black and white image a day for a year using my old Nikon D1 and a 17mm lens.

Cooper Goes to the Veterinarian BW17D1 03272014

Day 3:
On Thursday morning our dog Cooper, the cocker spaniel, came into the house after his morning walk with a bloody paw. My wife examined the paw and saw that he had badly broken a nail. We’re not sure how this happened, but he most likely got it stuck on the fence as he chased a squirrel in the yard this am. We bandaged him and took him to the veterinarian. The vet clipped the broken nail and cleaned the wound. Then sent him on his way with some meds (the size of horse pills) which he has to take for 10 days. He’s fine, but a little sore.

JAMISON, PA - MARCH 27: Cooper the cocker spaniel waits in the exam room scale during his trip the the veterinarian March 27, 2014 in Jamison, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

JAMISON, PA – MARCH 27: Cooper the cocker spaniel waits in the exam room scale during his trip the the veterinarian March 27, 2014 in Jamison, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

 

JAMISON, PA - MARCH 27: Cooper the cocker spaniel wanders around the exam room scale during his trip the the veterinarian March 27, 2014 in Jamison, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

JAMISON, PA – MARCH 27: Cooper the cocker spaniel wanders around the exam room scale during his trip the the veterinarian March 27, 2014 in Jamison, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

 

HARTSVILLE, PA - MARCH 27: Cooper the cocker spaniel lies on the floor bandaged and awaiting his trip to the veterinarian March 27, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

HARTSVILLE, PA – MARCH 27: Cooper the cocker spaniel lies on the floor bandaged and awaiting his trip to the veterinarian March 27, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Making one black and white image a day for a year using my old Nikon D1 and a 17mm lens.

BW17D1 Day One

Here’s the first few images from the B&W 17 D1 project.

HARTSVILLE, PA - MARCH 25:   Cooper the cocker spaniel stands on a deck looking out into a yard March 25, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HARTSVILLE, PA – MARCH 25: Cooper the cocker spaniel stands on a deck looking out into a yard March 25, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)


HARTSVILLE, PA - MARCH 25:   Sculptures stand guard on a deck March 25, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

HARTSVILLE, PA – MARCH 25: Sculptures stand guard on a deck March 25, 2014 in Hartsville, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)


BUCKINGHAM, PA - MARCH 25:   A cottage is seen at the Barley Sheaf Inn FarmMarch 25, 2014 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

BUCKINGHAM, PA – MARCH 25: A cottage is seen at the Barley Sheaf Inn FarmMarch 25, 2014 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)