A Look at Artistic Headshots with Josh
At Kirvan Photography + Film, one of the most common questions we get is: can headshots have shadow? And the answer is—absolutely. But like anything in photography, it depends on who you are and what you’re trying to say.
Take our recent session with Josh, a music artist based right here in Thunder Bay. Josh came to us looking for a series of headshots to promote his work on Spotify and other online platforms. As soon as he told us what he was after, we got excited—because artist headshots are a whole different vibe from business headshots.
Unlike a lawyer or a real estate agent, artists have the freedom (and often the need) to lean into more expressive, edgy, and visually interesting territory. That includes using shadow—a tool that’s often avoided in traditional headshots.
Why Use Shadow in Headshots
For many, shadows can feel intimidating. They can highlight wrinkles, give a more serious or dramatic expression, and make parts of the face harder to see. And while that might be a downside for someone in a corporate role, for a music artist, it’s a whole different story. Shadows can add mood, depth, and intrigue—and those are great qualities when your image is one of the first things people see.
What We Tried in Josh’s Shoot
For Josh’s shoot, we played with two very distinct types of shadow:
- Rembrandt Lighting (Face Shadow)
This classic style leaves part of the face in shadow, except for a small triangle of light under the eye—often referred to as the “Rembrandt look.” I personally love this effect, especially when shooting from the shadow side. It creates a dramatic, cinematic vibe that feels bold and engaging. For artists like Josh, whose audience may never meet him in person, standing out with a strong visual identity is everything. And Rembrandt lighting definitely grabs attention.
- Backdrop Shadow (Hard Light)
The second look we explored involved hard light to cast strong shadows behind Josh. To do this, we removed the softbox from our light and used direct flash to create bold, defined shadows on the background. It’s a raw, gritty, film noir-inspired look that’s super trendy right now—especially in music and fashion photography.
A quick heads-up though: this style isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes some commitment from the subject, because blasting someone with hard flash isn’t exactly subtle—but it delivers a striking and memorable image.
Final Thoughts: Can Headshots Have Shadow?
Yes. 100%. Headshots can have shadow. And more importantly—they should, if it fits your style. No two people are the same, and no two headshots should be either. A great headshot tells your story, sells your vibe, and leaves a lasting impression.
So if you’re a cool, moody, artistic type who wants to lean into a more serious or stylized look—at KPF, we say: pump up the shadow.
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