If you’ve ever looked at your current headshot and thought, “That doesn’t look like me,” you’re not alone.

Across Northern New Jersey, I meet executives, attorneys, and business owners every week who tell me the same things: they feel awkward on camera, their last headshot looked stiff or outdated, or it didn’t reflect the level they’re operating at now.

Here’s the truth: most executive headshots fall short not because of the person in front of the camera, but because the fundamentals weren’t done right.

After 30+ years photographing executive and corporate headshots across Northern New Jersey, I’ve narrowed it down to 7 elements that consistently make an executive headshot work — and when even one of them is missing, the image feels off.

Let’s break them down.

The “I Hate Photos” Conversation

Here’s how most headshot sessions start:

“I’m terrible in front of the camera.” “I never know what to do with my hands.” “Can we just get this over with quickly?”

I get it. You’re not a model. You didn’t wake up excited to stand in front of studio lights. But here’s what I’ve learned after photographing hundreds of executives, attorneys, and business owners: confidence in a headshot isn’t something you bring to the session. It’s something we create together during the session.

The headshot you see here isn’t the result of someone who naturally loves being photographed. It’s the result of understanding what works and why it works.

Confidence Doesn’t Have to Be Loud

When people think “executive headshot,” they often imagine something stiff and formal. Arms crossed. Serious face. The “I’m important and intimidating” look.

Sometimes that reads more guarded than confident.

Real confidence in a professional headshot looks calm. Approachable without being casual, authoritative without being arrogant.

This is where most headshot photographers miss the mark. They’re so focused on making you look “professional” that they forget to make you look human.

The difference is in the details. A slight shoulder turn adds dimension. A natural head tilt keeps it from feeling static. The right expression- not forced, not too serious, just genuinely present- makes people want to keep looking.

Why Your Wardrobe Choice Matters More Than You Think

Let’s talk about that windowpane suit and navy tie.

This isn’t accidental. The pattern adds visual interest without being distracting. The light gray reads modern and sophisticated. The navy tie grounds the look and draws your eye to the face.

Black suits can feel too formal. Solid colors can fall flat on camera. A subtle pattern like this photographs beautifully and signals you’re detail-oriented.

The rule: dress like you’re meeting your most important client. The version of yourself that walks into the room and people immediately think, “This person has their act together.”

The Background Isn’t Just a Background

That soft teal-gray background? It’s doing more work than you might think.

It creates clean separation from the subject- your eye goes exactly where it should. The subtle gradient adds depth without being busy. And those cool tones reinforce credibility and professionalism. Warm tones can feel too casual for executive work. Stark white can feel sterile. This palette hits the sweet spot- polished, modern, trustworthy.

Lighting That Flatters Without Being Obvious

Good headshot lighting should be invisible. You shouldn’t look at this photo and think, “Wow, what great lighting.” You should think, “This person looks really good.”

We’re creating dimension, bringing out the eyes, ensuring skin texture looks natural. The light wraps around the face in a way that’s flattering but doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard.

When lighting is done right, people just look like the best version of themselves.

What “Portfolio Worthy” Actually Means

I critique every image I create. Not every headshot makes it into my portfolio, and that’s intentional.

Portfolio-worthy means it checks three boxes:

• Technically excellent – Sharp eyes, proper exposure, clean execution
• Emotionally resonant – The expression actually connects
• Brand-aligned – It reflects the level of quality clients should expect

This headshot is all three. It’s the kind of image that raises the perceived level of your entire brand.

The Setup That Works Every Time

After 30 years behind the camera, I know what works. This pose, this expression, this lighting setup—it’s a repeatable winner. Not because it’s formulaic, but because it’s been refined through thousands of sessions.

Every client is different. Every face is different. But the fundamentals? Those don’t change.

Slight shoulder turn. Natural head position. Genuine expression that’s coached out, not forced. Clean wardrobe choices. Lighting that flatters. Background that supports without distracting.

When all of those elements come together, you get an image that people are proud to use everywhere.

Calm expression, clean styling, separation from the background, and flattering light—that’s the formula.

Why This Matters for Your Team

If you’re responsible for your company’s headshots, this is the level your team should be at. Not “good enough.” Not “we just need something for the website.” Actually excellent.

Your headshots are often the first impression potential clients have of your team. They either build trust or they don’t. They either look current and professional or they look like afterthoughts.

LinkedIn’s own research shows that having a professional profile photo dramatically increases profile views and connection requests. When every person on your team has a headshot that looks this polished, it sends a clear message: we take our image seriously because we take our work seriously.

Need a consistent look for your leadership team or entire company? I create repeatable setups so everyone matches- same lighting, same background, same professional standard. Fast turnaround, minimal disruption to your workday. And if you want to elevate your brand further, we can add corporate video and content creation to tell your company’s story beyond still images.

What Really Matters

A professional headshot should do one job: make people trust you before you ever speak.

That’s what we created here. That’s what we create in every session.

If you’re someone who “hates photos,” that’s exactly why this process works. I’ve spent three decades photographing people who feel awkward in front of the camera. With calm guidance and a no-fuss approach, we get you looking confident and natural- usually in under 30 minutes. Fast turnaround. No stiff posing. No heavy retouching. Just headshots you’ll actually be proud to use.

Ready for headshots that build credibility? I specialize in creating executive and corporate headshots across Northern New Jersey that professionals use with confidence on LinkedIn, websites, and marketing materials. Serving Bergen County, NYC metro, and the Hudson Valley. Schedule your session.