Personality through professional portraits

More than a face to the name

What do you want your potential audience to see when they look at your professional headshot? A question I discussed

with photographer Pete Martin WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

The headshot has evolved somewhat from the days of stiff, slightly bored, and serious-looking faces. What with the global pandemic restricting our relationships with one another, a potential audience wants more than a face to the name, they want to see the person behind it.

Professional photographer Pete Martin tells me: “When people look at an image of you it needs to actually reflect who the person is. It sounds obvious, but capturing a personality is something that I am really passionate about.”

Of course, we know headshots are key for creating first impressions in small to medium sized businesses, but not all of us are comfortable with the process, Pete says. “The subjects don’t need to worry about that, I find ways to create a relationship that allows me to capture what we need in a way that they barely realise it’s happening. It’s painless.”

By using high-quality headshots of your team with a commitment to authentic marketing in mind, it can really show your company’s human side, reinforcing your company values and brand.

In a world of heavy editing, Pete adds that part of capturing a personality and keeping hold of it is not to put the image through filters or airbrushing. “I only edit out anything that won’t be there in two weeks’ time, such as blemishes. Further editing creates barriers between the subject and the viewer that we are avoiding.”

See Pete’s headshots at petemartinphotography.co.uk