Portrait vs Headshot
We realize we’ve been throwing around the words Headshot and Portrait a lot recently, without defining either of them. While some people believe the names to be interchangeable, they are actually two very different forms of photography. Today we’ll give you a quick overview of some of the distinctions.
Photo Composition
As we talk about photo composition, we are talking about how we place the subjects of the photo. Basically, how all of the visual elements are coming together.
Headshots are close-ups on one subject. These photos tend to show one’s head and shoulders, along with a white, or neutral, background and not much more. Usually shot in either a studio or onsite (ie. a business office), the purpose of the neutral background is to avoid any distraction in order make the subject stand out with an air of professionalism and confidence.
Portraits on the other hand are usually further back, showing ¾ or full body images. The background tends to be more colorful and add to the story the photo is telling rather than just provide a neutral background. Portraits contain one subject, or many, such as a family portrait. They can be a little more complex to arrange, but as a Pittsburgh portrait photographer I am trained and have been doing them for years. I will help you create the perfect photo to tell your story.
Facial Expressions
Facial expressions show different emotions, adding different tones, based on the goals of the photo.
In headshots, you want the subject to look approachable yet confident. Our headshot photographers will help you find the facial expression that works for you in order to achieve this look.
When it comes to portraits, your facial expression might really be anything. Your goal would be to match the story you are telling with the photo.
Photo Purpose
The goals of the two photos are the biggest distinction. Here is where you will determine which type of photo is right for you.
Headshots are created and used mainly for the use of business, to create an image for yourself. Where might you use them? Anywhere you are representing yourself, either as a brand, or your career.
Company Website
Social Media Marketing platforms (Instagram, Facebook, twitter)
Business Cards
Professional profile pictures (Facebook, LinkedIn)
Certain professions, such as i.e. actors, will use them as a part of a resume.
Portraits are more so used as a storytelling method. They tend to get used in more creative environments, such as magazines. Portraits get used more frequently on a personal level as well. You might have them hanging in your house, or in a family album in your living room.
Jen Barker Worley Photography
555 Grant Street, Suite 337 Offices at the William Penn Pittsburgh, PA 15219
https://jenworley.com
412-370-4520
For a year, I've walked through a darkened lobby to go to my studio. It's inconceivable to Pittsburghers that the city's most iconic hotel, The William Penn, has been closed for a full year. For many of my clients, it was a shock and a sober reminder of Covid when they would come into this building: a lobby that was always filled with life, regardless of the time of day, was now silent.⠀ ⠀ Today is the hotel's first day opening back up to registered guests. I got to meet David at the first day back at his post. He's worked at this hotel for 24 years, and this was the first time I've met him. This past year I've got to meet many of the support staff who I never had opportunity to meet before. Usually I'm just in and out through our Grant St entrance.⠀ ⠀ Seeing David's happy countenance lifts my spirit even more than seeing our fully lit lobby. I'm grateful to the Omni Corporation for helping me out through this traumatic year, and to the Security guys and the engineers who have kept things going.
Apr 1
For a year, I've walked through a darkened lobby to go to my studio. It's inconceivable to Pittsburghers that the city's most iconic hotel, The William Penn, has been closed for a full year. For many of my clients, it was a shock and a sober reminder of Covid when they would come into this building: a lobby that was always filled with life, regardless of the time of day, was now silent.⠀ ⠀ Today is the hotel's first day opening back up to registered guests. I got to meet David at the first day back at his post. He's worked at this hotel for 24 years, and this was the first time I've met him. This past year I've got to meet many of the support staff who I never had opportunity to meet before. Usually I'm just in and out through our Grant St entrance.⠀ ⠀ Seeing David's happy countenance lifts my spirit even more than seeing our fully lit lobby. I'm grateful to the Omni Corporation for helping me out through this traumatic year, and to the Security guys and the engineers who have kept things going.
You can see the courthouse's new terra-cotta roof in the background. ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Mar 26
You can see the courthouse's new terra-cotta roof in the background. ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Jeff.⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #headshotcrew
Mar 25
Jeff.⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #headshotcrew
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Mar 24
Alex.⠀ #pittsburghattorneys #pghlegal #headshotphotos
Samantha of MBM.⠀ #pittsburghattorneys #pghlegal #headshotphotos
Mar 23
Samantha of MBM.⠀ #pittsburghattorneys #pghlegal #headshotphotos
Wish I had this gorgeous hair.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Mar 22
Wish I had this gorgeous hair.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
It's going to be a great day!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Mar 21
It's going to be a great day!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Jim.⠀ #pittsburgh #headshots #pittsburghphotographer
Mar 20
Jim.⠀ #pittsburgh #headshots #pittsburghphotographer
We've got things covered here. 😁⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghattorneys #pghlegal #headshotphotos
Mar 19
We've got things covered here. 😁⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghattorneys #pghlegal #headshotphotos
Accounting and tax professionals at Cohen & Co.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghaccountants #pghfinancial #pghmoney
Mar 18
Accounting and tax professionals at Cohen & Co.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghaccountants #pghfinancial #pghmoney
Eye color matching hair color is beautiful. Wonder what that would look like on me, with my blue eyes?⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots
Mar 17
Eye color matching hair color is beautiful. Wonder what that would look like on me, with my blue eyes?⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots
I've photographed several of these bluish plaid suits as of late... loving it!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer⠀ #pittsburghprofessionals⠀ #pittsburghheadshot
Mar 16
I've photographed several of these bluish plaid suits as of late... loving it!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer⠀ #pittsburghprofessionals⠀ #pittsburghheadshot
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Mar 11
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Mar 10
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Mar 9
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Mar 8
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Regis.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Mar 7
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Mar 6
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Katrina.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Mar 5
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Mar 3
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Mar 2
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Keristen 2.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors #pittsburghdoctors⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Mar 1
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Wheytnie 2.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors #pittsburghdoctors⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Feb 28
Wheytnie 2.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors #pittsburghdoctors⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Simone.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors #pittsburghlawyers⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Feb 26
Simone.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors #pittsburghlawyers⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels