It’s hard to imagine why anyone still needs to ask “why do I need a professional photographer for headshots” anymore, but it does still come up. There are so many reasons, it is difficult to know where to start!

Firstly, if you are an individual looking for work, you will need more than just a selfie. Or an amateur photo shot by your friend in a bar 5 years ago. Neither of those are very professional, are they? And is that the image you wish to portray to the world? To potential employers? Is that really the image you want on your LinkedIn profile? Or dating profile, for that matter? Is says that you do not take yourself seriously. That you do not place value on yourself. Or that you are not willing to invest in yourself. Which is certainly not the message you wish to send to the world.

Secondly, even if you have a friend who can take a decent shot of you, it will still be apparent that you have skimped. The lighting will be wrong, as will the backdrop. Unless your friend has a professional camera and/or a photography studio, it just will not look the same.

And if you own a company then you really need to hire a Professional photographer for Headshots…

What if you are a company with a website featuring an ‘about’ page? If you want to be taken seriously, you absolutely must invest in professional headshots for you and your team. Otherwise, your website will look amateur and you have to ask yourself: why would that make anyone want to work with you?

Your company’s About page will to be your most visited page after your home page and it’s vital that it says the right things about you and your company. Trustworthy, professional, approachable. And so on. You will not achieve this with a hodgepodge of portraits taken in different lighting conditions, and with different backgrounds. You need a coherent look. Pulled together and giving off the desired vibe. Only a professional photographer (and a good design idea) can achieve this.

And if it’s on you to organise company headshots, you need to read my blog on this very subject.

If you are ready to invest in professional headshots, whether in your office, on location or in my West London studio, I would love to help. You can email me on serena@serenabolton.com, ring me on 07958511819 or click to book a Zoom or telephone conversation.

“Photography through the lens of a storyteller”

LONDON HEADSHOT AND CORPORATE PHOTOGRAPHER