Q&A with the Experts: Talking Headshots with Expert Photographer Alicyn Drew

Interviewed by Phaedra Brotherton, CPRW, JCTC, CDF

I interviewed Alicyn Drew of Alicyn Drew Photography. A government employee by day and professional headshot photographer by night, Alicyn has been putting people at ease and helping them present a professional image online and offline.  Alicyn agreed to give us some tips for what makes a good headshot and for finding a photographer who is a good fit for you.

Q. Why should professionals be concerned about the quality of their headshots? How important is it?

We're now fully into the digital age and social media is important. A professional image is going to put the focus on you and show that you care about professionalism. If a potential employer or client is looking at your LinkedIn page, the profile picture is their first interaction with you. What impression do you want to make? 

Q. What are some common problems with the headshots you see on LinkedIn or on websites? 

Many photos are out of focus or lack a clear subject. For example, today I saw a headshot of a woman and in the background, there were toys spread out on the floor. I've seen blurry pictures and images that are clearly selfies done with a cell phone. I think the worst are the party pictures because you're just not portraying a sense of responsibility there.

I also see a lot of clearly dated images that can make the viewer wonder why the subject doesn't have something more recent. The last faux pas is putting a glamour shot up as your headshot; you just won't come across as serious.

Q. What advice do you have about dress or other preparation for taking a good headshot? What kinds of things should professionals keep in mind?

The main thing to keep in mind when preparing for a headshot is that you don't want anything to detract from the subject, which is YOU. Clothing should be simple, not overly busy or patterned, and not too blousy. Fabrics should be the types that don't wrinkle or bunch. Go for colors that make you feel confident and are complimentary.

Your clothing should also be the appropriate level of casual or professional for your goals. For example, a psychologist may want a more approachable, casual look, while an executive will want a full corporate look. 

Q. If people are interested in hiring a professional to do their headshot, what should they look for in a photographer?

You really want to work with a photographer that you're comfortable with-- technical skills alone will not bring out your best expressions. Make sure you look at their headshot portfolio and get a feel for their style. There are styles in headshots and some will resonate with you better than others.

You also should ask about copyright. For example, I give full online use copyright for the images. I also allow small businesses to use the image in their own advertising. Some photographers may have different types of copyrights and you should ask in advance.

Q. Anything else you'd like to add about the benefits/importance of a quality headshot?

Before you hire a photographer to get a headshot, think about your end goal. What do you want to portray? Are you looking for approachable and confident or are you in a field where you think fun and sassy are more important? Or you might want to portray a feeling of being in control and on top of anything that comes at you. 

All of these things can be achieved in a headshot. The first step comes from you knowing what you want and then working with a photographer to get it. 

Thanks,  Alicyn!