Tips and Strategies for the Best HEADSHOTS Results


In today's competitive market, your professional headshot is often the first impression you give to potential clients, employers, or collaborators. Whether you’re an attorney in Asheville, an actor in Greenville, or a business executive in Charlotte, a strong headshot is essential for building trust and establishing your brand. Here in Western North Carolina, I provide professional headshots that cater to a wide variety of industries, ensuring each image reflects both the confidence and character you want to convey.

Headshots are more than just a quick photograph—they’re an opportunity to elevate your brand, whether you're looking for corporate headshots for your law firm’s website or a casual, personable image to land your next acting role. With over twenty years of experience in photography and web design, I offer headshots that align with your profession, boosting your online presence and ensuring you stand out.


Tailored to Your Industry

One of the key aspects of a great headshot is ensuring it fits your industry. For actors, musicians, or entertainers, a more relaxed and casual appearance might be preferred. These headshots tend to showcase personality and openness, which help cast you in the right roles. On the other hand, corporate or business headshots—whether for a law firm in Spartanburg or a small business in Johnson City—should emphasize professionalism, trustworthiness, and leadership.

When you schedule a headshot session with me, whether in Asheville or on location in Hickory, I tailor the style and tone of the shoot to reflect your industry and brand. Business clients often prefer clean, polished looks that communicate confidence and professionalism. Actors, on the other hand, may want headshots that are approachable and authentic, showcasing a range of expressions.


Professional Appearance: Wardrobe Tips

The way you dress for your headshot is crucial. Wardrobe choices can either enhance or distract from your message, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here are some wardrobe tips to ensure you get the best results:

  • Solid Colors Over Patterns: Busy patterns can be distracting and take the focus away from your face. Solid colors, on the other hand, keep the attention where it should be—on you. When considering wardrobe, think about how your clothing will complement the tone of your business or personal brand. For a corporate headshot, darker, neutral tones like navy, charcoal, or black are often a safe bet.
  • Alignment with Your Profession: Your outfit should reflect the professional image you want to convey. For corporate settings, a suit and tie or a sharp business dress may be the right choice. For creative professionals, a more casual look might work better. Either way, keep your attire clean, crisp, and aligned with the image you want to portray.
  • Avoid Flashy Accessories: Jewelry or accessories should be kept to a minimum to avoid drawing attention away from your face. Simple, classic pieces work best.

The Art of Headshots: Composition and Background

Headshots are typically composed from the chest or shoulders up—this close framing keeps the focus on your expression, which is critical to a great headshot. Unlike portrait sessions, which might include full-body shots and artistic settings, headshots are meant to be straightforward and efficient.

When it comes to backgrounds, I offer a couple of options that can be customized based on your needs:

  • Canvas Backgrounds: These backgrounds offer a more artistic, portrait-like quality to your headshot. Ideal for clients who want a traditional look, especially if the headshot will be used in printed materials or for high-end professional profiles.
  • Solid White Backgrounds: Perfect for clients who need flexibility. A white background is often chosen for those who plan to cut out the background for various uses or place the image on marketing materials or websites with a clean, modern aesthetic.

Choosing the right background often depends on how you intend to use the image. For example, if your business website has a dark theme, a canvas background may blend more seamlessly than stark white.


In-Studio or On-Location

For individuals or smaller teams, I offer quick and efficient headshot sessions in-studio. Whether you're an executive looking to update your LinkedIn profile or an actor in need of new images for casting, I can have you in and out with high-quality headshots in no time.

For larger businesses or law firms, I provide on-location sessions for teams of four or more, with no added cost within a 100-mile radius of Asheville. Whether your company is based in Knoxville, Winston Salem, or Columbia, I’ll come to you with everything needed to ensure a smooth and professional shoot. This service is particularly popular with firms who are revamping their business websites and need consistent, polished images across the board.


Expressions That Speak Volumes

The key to any great headshot is the expression. Whether you're an entrepreneur, actor, or CEO, you want a headshot that conveys confidence, approachability, and professionalism. I specialize in eliciting expressions that feel natural yet impactful—whether you’re aiming for a serious, confident look or something warmer and more open. I work closely with each client to capture the right expression for your personal brand.


Boost Your Brand with Headshots That Matter

As a photographer and website designer serving the Asheville region, I know how critical first impressions are in today’s digital world. A high-quality, professional headshot is one of the best ways to build trust with your audience and boost your brand’s credibility.

Whether you're revamping your website or looking for corporate headshots to elevate your team’s image, I can help you create headshots that enhance your professional profile. With years of experience working with businesses, professionals, and creatives in Asheville and beyond, I’m dedicated to providing headshots that reflect your brand’s unique character.


Ready for a Headshot Session? Let’s Get Started

If you're based in Asheville, North Carolina or anywhere within a 100-mile radius—Greenville, Charlotte, Knoxville, Winston Salem, and beyond—I'm here to provide the headshots you need to elevate your business or personal brand with no additional travel costs when photographing staff of four or more. With experience in both portrait photography and web design, I know what it takes to create an image that not only looks good but also enhances your online presence.

Contact me today to schedule your professional headshot session and take the next step toward building a polished, professional, and approachable brand. Drop me a line HERE and let's arrange a time to chat about upgrading your professional appearance.

I'm an Asheville based photographer and website designer with over twenty years of experience creating imagery for hundreds of clients in Western North Carolina and beyond. My studio photography specializes in headshots for business and corporations, law firms, artists, entrepreneurs, models, and actors, as well as stylized theme portrait sessions for personal branding, maternity, local and regional musicians. Photo services are available throughout the south, including Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston Salem, Greenville, Columbia, Spartanburg, Knoxville, and Johnson City. Photo sessions are fun and easy, and consultations are always free, so drop me a line and let's plan something amazing together!