CEO Headshots: Planning and Examples

When potential clients evaluate your company’s website, they aren’t just assessing your products or services. The “About Us” or “Our Team” page often receives more attention than you might realize. These pages introduce your leadership team, and no one plays a more critical role in that first impression than your CEO and other C suite Executives.

Your CEO represents your entire organization. A polished and professional executive headshot speaks volumes about your brand’s professionalism, credibility, and competence. A great headshot can be instrumental in attracting new clients, investors, and business partners.

However, securing a high-quality, professional photo of your CEO can be more challenging than anticipated. From finding time in their busy schedule to managing the logistics of the shoot, there’s a lot to consider.

Why Your CEO Headshots Are So Important

Your CEO’s photo is likely to appear across your company’s digital presence—on your website, LinkedIn, and perhaps even in email signatures. While your CEO may already have a business headshot, regularly updating their executive portrait with a more modern look showcases your company’s forward-thinking mentality.

Consider the impact of a current, professional headshot versus an outdated one. For example, let’s look at this comparison:

  • Up-to-Date Headshot: A modern, clean headshot highlights your CEO’s distinct style and approachable demeanor, giving potential clients a positive first impression.

  • Dated Headshot: Even with a great smile and attire, an older headshot can feel stale and out of touch, potentially signaling a lack of attention to detail or reluctance to embrace change.

Your CEO represents your company’s personal style and future. Their headshot should reflect this with a bright, polished outlook that aligns with your brand’s identity.

Short, light brown hair and is dressed in a navy suit with a light blue shirt, posing against a neutral background.
Man with dark hair, is smiling and wearing a light blue and white checkered shirt, standing in front of a neutral backdrop.
Man wearing glasses and short brown hair, is dressed in a navy suit with a light blue shirt and tie, smiling warmly against a neutral background.

Planning a Headshot Session for Your Executive.

There are multiple ways to plan a headshot session for your CEO. Below, we outline two routes to help you secure professional CEO headshots efficiently.

The Traditional Way (A Proven But Difficult Route)

1. Schedule Time in Your CEO’s Busy Schedule

The most challenging part of scheduling a CEO’s photo shoot is often finding time in their packed agenda. Your CEO typically needs to set aside several hours to prepare for and execute the headshot session. Given their tight schedule, you may need to book the shoot weeks in advance. Offering several potential dates can help secure a time that works for both your CEO and the photographer.

2. Find a Professional Who Can Make The Time Window Work

Select a few professional headshot photographers and compare their portfolios, availability, and pricing. Once you’ve chosen the right photographer, work with them to decide on the posing style, wardrobe, and backdrop. Make sure your CEO is briefed on the plan and has all their questions answered before the shoot.

3. Conduct the Photo Shoot

On the day of the shoot, the photographer will work as quickly as possible to make the best use of their time. The photographer will guide your CEO through various poses and angles to ensure a diverse selection of shots. Aim to capture multiple options so that you have plenty of material for different uses. This often means shooting far more than necessary to cover all potential use cases; even the ones you don’t necessarily need.

4. Communicate to Work Through Edits and Retouches

After the shoot, the photographer will edit and retouch the photos. Oftentimes messaging back and forth about the potential changes needed to any given edit before arriving on an approved final file. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the photographer’s workload and the complexity of the edits. Once you receive the final headshots, you can update your company’s website, social media profiles, and other marketing materials.

The Contemporary Approach

1. Find a Time in Your CEO’s Busy Schedule

The benefits of a contemporary approach to headshots for C suite executives is the ability for the photographer to arrive and set up on site allowing you to find even incredibly small windows of time into your executive’s schedule to get the headshot done. This makes scheduling the session significantly easier as it doesn’t cause massive disruptions to their day and waste large amounts of their precious time.

2. Book a Professional Through Online Scheduling Software Directly on Their Website.

With the contemporary approach there is no need for long email exchanges trying to determine which dates work for both the photographer and the executive. With online scheduling tools you can see what availability a photographer has and book them directly for the time slot. In the booking process you will be able to explain your needs for the shoot and any other questions you have about the shoot day’s operations all at one time so that the photographer can quickly respond with their recommendations to best suit your needs.

3. See an Instant Preview of The Shots Taken and Make Real Time Selections.

Again, your executive’s time is incredibly valuable and this is one of the greatest advantages of the contemporary approach. Live tethering of the images coming off the camera allows you, your executive, and the photographer to immediately see when we’ve gotten the shot to allow us to move on to the next. This means no unnecessary time wasted over shooting just to get shots you don’t even need. This also allows for instantaneous feedback which can inform the ways in which a shoot continues. The contemporary approach makes the most of the little time that is available to execute on the project.

4. Communicate Needed Edits On Site Immediately After Selecting Your Files.

Once shots have been selected either you or your executive can directly express what edits they would like to see taken care of and your photographer can make annotations of those comments directly associated with the final selected images. This reduces the amount of post shoot conversation needed to get finalized files that have stellar results saving you time and hassle and making the entire editing process one with much faster turn around times.

Two women collaborating at a desk, with one pointing at a computer screen while smiling, suggesting a productive and engaging work environment.
Two women in a professional setting, sitting across from each other at a desk, engaged in a friendly and positive conversation.
Woman in business attire shaking hands with a man in a casual plaid shirt, indicating a successful and amicable business interaction.

What Your CEO Should Wear

Help your CEO prepare for the shoot by advising them on appropriate attire. Here are some general guidelines to ensure they look their best:

Women’s Headshots

For women’s headshots, dark, solid colors tend to photograph well, especially when paired with a lighter underlayer such as a blouse. A blazer, cardigan, or sports jacket adds a professional touch. While jewelry and makeup are welcome, they should be subtle to avoid distracting from the face. The best accessory? A warm, confident smile!

Men’s Headshots

Men’s headshots also benefit from dark, solid colors, whether in a sports jacket, suit, or collared shirt. Lightly patterned ties are acceptable, as are glasses or any other accessories that are part of your CEO’s everyday look. The goal is to appear polished, professional, and approachable.

Man, with a bald head, is smiling warmly while wearing a gray blazer over a white shirt, posed against a light neutral background.
Man, also bald and with a neatly trimmed beard, is dressed in a gray suit with a striped tie and is smiling confidently against a dark background, wearing a lapel pin on his jacket.

Examples of How to Pose

Our team will guide your CEO through every stage of the photography process. However, having some pose ideas in mind can help ensure the best results. Here are a few classic options:

The Classic

This pose is timeless and effective. Have your CEO stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, hands relaxed at their sides, and a confident smile. This straightforward stance projects assurance and reliability—ideal qualities for a CEO.

Friendly Focus

For a more approachable look, try a profile-focused shot. Instruct your CEO to stand tall at a slight angle, with their chin turned toward the camera. A cheerful smile paired with a casual stance can make your CEO appear friendly and open, perfect for companies that prioritize accessibility and customer relations.

At an Angle

For a modern take on the classic pose, have your CEO stand with one shoulder angled toward the camera. This slight twist adds a dynamic element to the photo while still maintaining a professional demeanor. A bright smile and strong posture complete the look.

Man, with light brown hair and glasses, is smiling confidently while wearing a navy suit and light tie, posed with arms crossed against a gray background.
Woman, with blonde hair, is smiling warmly while dressed in a black blazer over a blue blouse, posed with arms crossed against a white background.

Typical Cost of Headshots for CEOs

Organizing a successful headshot session for your CEO can be a significant investment in terms of both time and money. Between the photographer’s fees, equipment rentals, and post-production costs, you can expect to pay anywhere in the range of several hundred dollars to $2000 or more for a high-quality CEO headshot.

In addition to the direct costs, there are also opportunity costs to consider. The time your CEO spends preparing for and participating in the photo shoot could be used elsewhere in leading the company. These indirect costs can add up, making the process more costly than anticipated.

Conclusion

Your CEO’s headshot is more than just a photograph; it’s a visual representation of your company’s leadership and values. Whether you choose the traditional route or opt for the convenience of a contemporary shoot, investing in a high-quality headshot is crucial for maintaining your brand’s credibility and appeal.

By planning carefully, selecting the right photographer, and ensuring your CEO is well-prepared, you can capture a portrait that truly reflects the professionalism and forward-thinking nature of your company. If you’re ready to update your CEO’s headshot with minimal hassle and maximum impact, contact us today to get started.

Connor HibbsComment