How I Created a Unique Creative Personal Branding Headshot - And You Can Too!

May 30

4 min read

If you ask me if I like your headshot, I'd tell you that it's nice. But if you ask what I really think, I'd tell you that I now what what you look like, but that's about it - I don't really know who you are, what you do, and how you are different from hundreds of other people I've seen on LinkedIn. And suddenly you see it too: the crossed arms, a polite yet somewhat awkward smile, and occasionally an AI generated image with absents smile and a million mile stare. The same neutral backdrop that could belong to anyone in any industry, from HR to hospitality.

That’s the problem with traditional headshots: they are glorified ID photos. And in a creative industry, whether you're an artist, designer, dancer or author, that’s a problem. Your presence is part of your offering, and that limp, lifeless photo just isn’t cutting it for your personal branding.

Woman in white sweater and glasses rests chin on hand, looking thoughtful. Dog nearby. Ladder and doorway in background. Black and white image.

A brief lesson in history

The concept of the headshot can trace its roots in the 19th century, when Robert Cornelius captured what is widely considered the first photographic self-portrait in the United States, marking a significant milestone in portrait photography. Later, in the early 20th century, Florence Vandamm, a renowned Broadway photographer, popularised the headshot format by photographing actors in her studio, focusing on their facial expressions and using lighting to convey emotion.

Initially, headshots served as a means of identification, particularly in the performing arts and law enforcement. However, over time, they evolved into tools for personal branding, especially as professionals sought to present themselves authentically in various industries - or at least that's the idea.

Cornelius' 1839 self-portrait.
Vintage black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair, wearing a dark coat, staring seriously at the camera. Scratches on the image. — Cornelius' self-portrait, 1839

Headshots and personal branding

In the digital age, a headshot is often the first impression you make, be it on LinkedIn, a personal website, or social media platforms. It's more than just a photograph, it's a visual representation of your personal brand.

When creating a compelling headshot, I like to use my ABCs:

Authentic: do you have a RBF that you always conceal in your professional photos? Stop. Are you a naturally giggly person and tend to always carry yourself through life with a big smile? Show it! Being your authentic self is not only a liberating masks-off moment, but also incredibly honest, leaving no surprises once people meet you in real life

Brave: showing up as your true self requiers courage to express yourself, to take risks, to be vulnerable - and your personal branding visual should reflect that.

Credible: whether first impression or post-pitch LinkedIn stalking (let's stop pretending we don't do this!), your clients want to see that you can be trustworthy, reliable, and professional, while also authentic and brave - a fine balance to strike but so very doable when you know who you are and what you bring to the table

As personal branding becomes increasingly vital for creatives (especially when competing with evergrowing AI capabilities!), your headshot transforms your presence from a mere ID photograph to a narrative tool that encapsulates your unique story and professional essence .

How I approached my own unique headshot

It started with a story and its feeling. My authentic, brave, and credible truth, what I want my personal brand to say. Growing up, I was always your classic good girl with a classic good girl complex: straight As in school, a sensible degree from the uni my parents could approve of, a stable job straight after summer holidays. But underneath it all, what I always ached to create: to draw, paint, write, photograph. And after coming to that realisation in my late 20s, there was no going back, I was now officially a Corporate Dropout - even if it required parting from my corporate identity and embracing the unpredictability of following my own creative path. So VG Portraits was born, and my online presence I was building required an update to its visual identity.

To reflect my feelings, I used various quite simple yet powerful props: an actual ladder to represent corporate ladder I was meant to climb, bubble machine to show the constant flow of ideas and desire to escape. Another key lever of storytelling was my lighting, which allowed me to set the mood for each "scene": blue representing fatigue and inner sadness, red for burnout, flat for detachment. I also allowed myself to show my real emotions, no fake smiling to "be polite" - these images show who I am, not who others expect me to be.

And the results really show how my vision for my brand came together - and left me with my all time favourite headshot, not only authentically and bravely telling my story, but also highlighting my credibility as a photographer and a visual story teller.

A person in a gray suit holds a pink bubble gun, seated indoors with mountain paintings on the wall. Bubbles float around, creating a playful mood.

Woman in glasses using a laptop with a leaf pattern case, sitting under a ladder in a blue-tinted room. Focused and concentrated.

Person with glasses sits beneath a ladder in a dim hallway, illuminated by red light, creating a tense mood.

Click here for the full Corporate Dropout series

What's your story?

Every creative professional has a unique journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and transformations. Your headshot should be a testament to that journey; a visual narrative that resonates with authenticity and purpose. If you're ready to move beyond generic portraits and craft a headshot that visually tells your story, contact me today and let's make it happen!