How to Get Variety from Your Headshot Session
Most headshot sessions are only 30 minutes. That might sound rushed, but with the right strategy, you can walk away with multiple professional looks perfect for different uses. Here’s how to maximize your time and get serious variety from a single session.
The Blazer Swap Strategy
The fastest way to create a completely different look? Change your blazer or top while keeping the same pants. Since headshots focus on your face and upper body, your lower half stays out of frame.
This works brilliantly for professionals who need a formal business look but also want something slightly more approachable. Swap from a structured black blazer to a navy one, or from a formal jacket to a professional blouse. Same session, distinctly different photos.
Time investment: 2-3 minutes to change. Result: Completely fresh headshot.
Button Up, Button Down
Men, this one’s for you. A buttoned shirt with tie creates one look. Unbutton the top button and lose the tie for instant business casual. Same shirt, same lighting, different vibe.
This simple change gives you options. The buttoned version works for conservative industries like law or finance. The unbuttoned version suits creative fields, tech companies, or approachable personal branding.
Time investment: 30 seconds. Result: Two distinct professional styles.
Business to Business Casual
Women can easily transition from strictly business to business casual by removing a blazer or switching from formal to smart-casual tops.
A tailored blazer over a simple top is classic business professional. Remove the blazer, and you’ve got business casual that still photographs beautifully. Keep your pants or skirt the same since they’re rarely visible in headshots.
This variety is especially useful if you work in multiple contexts. Maybe you need a formal headshot for board meetings but a friendlier one for your website’s “About” page.
Multiple Background Options
We always shoot headshots with both light and dark backgrounds. Why? Because you never know where your headshot will be placed.
A dark background headshot looks stunning on a white website but disappears on a dark brochure. A light background headshot works beautifully in print materials but might not pop on certain digital platforms.
Having both options means your headshot works everywhere it needs to be, whether that’s LinkedIn, a conference program, your company website, or a printed pamphlet.
Why Variety Matters
Think about how many places you might need a professional headshot including LinkedIn profile, company website or directory, conference speaker bio, industry publication, job applications, email signature, business cards, and marketing materials.
Each context might call for a slightly different style. Your LinkedIn photo might be more approachable than your corporate directory headshot. Your conference bio might need a lighter background than your website.
Having variety from one session means you’re prepared for all these needs without booking multiple appointments.
Planning Your Session
To maximize variety in your 30-minute headshot session, come prepared. Bring 2-3 outfit options (focusing on tops and blazers), know where you’ll use these headshots, and think about whether you need formal, casual, or both.
During the session, we’ll work efficiently. Quick changes, multiple backgrounds, and different poses all happen within that half hour. You’ll leave with a gallery of professional options.
The Bottom Line
A short headshot session doesn’t mean limited options. With strategic wardrobe choices and multiple backgrounds, 30 minutes is plenty of time to create the variety you need for your professional life.
