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
Many companies have me take photos to their specs in studio, so their marketing departments can adjust them for consistency of brand. An example of what’s on the web, and what we did in studio. #legalphotos #pittsburghphotographer
Nov 1
Many companies have me take photos to their specs in studio, so their marketing departments can adjust them for consistency of brand. An example of what’s on the web, and what we did in studio. #legalphotos #pittsburghphotographer
So yeah, we don’t do #seniorphotos But when a friend asked, Dan said he wanted to do it, and I said I’d be his lighting assistant.Dan and I didn’t want these type of pictures you always see at the yellow sister bridge (Clemente, Warhol, and 9th). Wanted to bring a little more “epic” to it.#pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghportraits
Oct 30
So yeah, we don’t do #seniorphotos But when a friend asked, Dan said he wanted to do it, and I said I’d be his lighting assistant. Dan and I didn’t want these type of pictures you always see at the yellow sister bridge (Clemente, Warhol, and 9th). Wanted to bring a little more “epic” to it. #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghportraits
Have I mentioned recently how much I love my job as a #professionalteamphotographer and #headshotphotographer? I get to work with a ton of fun people.
Oct 28
Have I mentioned recently how much I love my job as a #professionalteamphotographer and #headshotphotographer? I get to work with a ton of fun people.
This is one of my favorite portraits that I’ve taken in the historic Supreme Court of PA courtroom in Pittsburgh.I remember our shoot, Justice Baer was very down-to-earth and wasn’t in a rush, and we had a nice conversation. I liked it that he wanted his portrait in a suit, not his robe, and he liked my vision for setting up this shot.My sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. Obituary in Oct 1 @pittsburghpg
Oct 3
This is one of my favorite portraits that I’ve taken in the historic Supreme Court of PA courtroom in Pittsburgh. I remember our shoot, Justice Baer was very down-to-earth and wasn’t in a rush, and we had a nice conversation. I liked it that he wanted his portrait in a suit, not his robe, and he liked my vision for setting up this shot. My sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. Obituary in Oct 1 @pittsburghpg
Thanks to @culturaltrust @asmp_pgh to organizing such a great event. Looking forward to January! @elliottcramer @elanmizrahi @adrieshoots @farzeenghavam @dprephoto @jwramp @cathykellyphotography @shelleyliptonart @wdophoto
Sep 24
Thanks to @culturaltrust @asmp_pgh to organizing such a great event. Looking forward to January! @elliottcramer @elanmizrahi @adrieshoots @farzeenghavam @dprephoto @jwramp @cathykellyphotography @shelleyliptonart @wdophoto
From our “photoshoot” in Maine. Haha. Hard to time the dogs looking at the camera with the crashing waves.
Sep 23
From our “photoshoot” in Maine. Haha. Hard to time the dogs looking at the camera with the crashing waves.
Love all the cool #professionalpittsburgh people who come in, and get some amazing #selfconfident #professionalphotos. Love my job as a #headshotphotographer
Aug 23
Love all the cool #professionalpittsburgh people who come in, and get some amazing #selfconfident #professionalphotos. Love my job as a #headshotphotographer
Love all our #pittsburghlobbies and doing some #teamphotos in #downtownpittsburgh sharing a bit #behindthescenes
Aug 22
Love all our #pittsburghlobbies and doing some #teamphotos in #downtownpittsburgh sharing a bit #behindthescenes
I’m not often going for the super serious look for #headshotphotos for most of my #pittsburghprofessionals. But sometimes, it fits what they do.
Aug 16
I’m not often going for the super serious look for #headshotphotos for most of my #pittsburghprofessionals. But sometimes, it fits what they do.
I couldn’t make it, but @dan_jenworleyphotography had a great time 📸.Thanks to @jasanooo for bringing creatives together and @premierimaging for promoting.Thanks to the Models, ya were great. If I messed up or missed anyone in these, please tag. : @sariebeary @meech_mackey @traaabix_ @earthtoaaron @_cupofjoe._
Aug 1
I couldn’t make it, but @dan_jenworleyphotography had a great time 📸. Thanks to @jasanooo for bringing creatives together and @premierimaging for promoting. Thanks to the Models, ya were great. If I messed up or missed anyone in these, please tag. : @sariebeary @meech_mackey @traaabix_ @earthtoaaron @_cupofjoe._
Loving my job and the great people I meet as a #headshotphotographer in #pittsburgh
Jul 28
Loving my job and the great people I meet as a #headshotphotographer in #pittsburgh
Highlights from last Thursday’s shoot day; ready for release yesterday. #pittsburghportraits #headshots
Jul 26
Highlights from last Thursday’s shoot day; ready for release yesterday. #pittsburghportraits #headshots
Shot in The State Capital in Harrisburg earlier this year; just finalized, printed, and delivered for all the Judges. This is the test print I ordered; video doesn’t exactly capture correct exposure. Superior Court if Pennsylvania. If I have time, will do a post in sections…. Still, all the details of this courtroom are so amazing, that the photo is as much about the institution of the space as well as the judges.
Jul 25
Shot in The State Capital in Harrisburg earlier this year; just finalized, printed, and delivered for all the Judges. This is the test print I ordered; video doesn’t exactly capture correct exposure. Superior Court if Pennsylvania. If I have time, will do a post in sections…. Still, all the details of this courtroom are so amazing, that the photo is as much about the institution of the space as well as the judges.
Have you been to Racoon? Lived in #pittsburgh all my life, and only went to that small little beach once. But this place is huge! So glad we camped here for a close weekend “away”. And it’s mushroom season! Lots of cool mushrooms you can observe. Since ya know it’s @dan_jenworleyphotography thing.
Jul 23
Have you been to Racoon? Lived in #pittsburgh all my life, and only went to that small little beach once. But this place is huge! So glad we camped here for a close weekend “away”. And it’s mushroom season! Lots of cool mushrooms you can observe. Since ya know it’s @dan_jenworleyphotography thing.
First year I’m appreciating all the lilies. Lilly? Or Lily? Should spellcheck.
Jul 15
First year I’m appreciating all the lilies. Lilly? Or Lily? Should spellcheck.
My go-to on location stuff. Mobility is key for me. @westcottlighting @godox_global @tethertools @canonusa @benrousa @manfrottoimaginemore @arcaswissusa
Jun 30
My go-to on location stuff. Mobility is key for me. @westcottlighting @godox_global @tethertools @canonusa @benrousa @manfrottoimaginemore @arcaswissusa
I really need to post more all these amazing people who come in. With their permission, of course! #headshotphoto #pittsburghphotographer
Jun 20
I really need to post more all these amazing people who come in. With their permission, of course! #headshotphoto #pittsburghphotographer
Subba. Taken with new 13Pro on Portrait, then edited in Lightroom Mobile. #shibainu
Jun 18
Subba. Taken with new 13Pro on Portrait, then edited in Lightroom Mobile. #shibainu
In the line for the tour, the guide asked a little white girl what she knew about George Washington. She said: “He had slaves.” The enslaved people of Mt Vernon was one if my biggest takeaways from the visit. This was George Washington home, farm, and yes, plantation.The home was by no means the grand mansion that we would expect a man of Washington’s stature to have today. But the grounds were expansive. He had 5 large farms, tons of acreage of forests, a harbor on the Potomac, and beautiful personal gardens. In 1799 when he died, there were 5 family members who lived on the state. About a dozen white servants.But over 300 black enslaved workers. Some families were split up to work on the different farms, and so didn’t regularly see their spouse or children. When they died, there was no marker to signify where they had been buried; by contrast, at the end of his life Washington commissioned a new tomb & grave site be made for his family, with a big brick mausoleum complete with the obelisks typical to the period. Not even the smallest of stones for the enslaved people.#mtvernon #georgewashington
May 19
In the line for the tour, the guide asked a little white girl what she knew about George Washington. She said: “He had slaves.” The enslaved people of Mt Vernon was one if my biggest takeaways from the visit. This was George Washington home, farm, and yes, plantation. The home was by no means the grand mansion that we would expect a man of Washington’s stature to have today. But the grounds were expansive. He had 5 large farms, tons of acreage of forests, a harbor on the Potomac, and beautiful personal gardens. In 1799 when he died, there were 5 family members who lived on the state. About a dozen white servants. But over 300 black enslaved workers. Some families were split up to work on the different farms, and so didn’t regularly see their spouse or children. When they died, there was no marker to signify where they had been buried; by contrast, at the end of his life Washington commissioned a new tomb & grave site be made for his family, with a big brick mausoleum complete with the obelisks typical to the period. Not even the smallest of stones for the enslaved people. #mtvernon #georgewashington
Definitely worth a trip to. Very Dog friendly, although of course they can’t go on the mansion tour, or the museums. #shibainu Wanted the music to be “Washington on your side” but didn’t see it in the music feed.
May 16
Definitely worth a trip to. Very Dog friendly, although of course they can’t go on the mansion tour, or the museums. #shibainu Wanted the music to be “Washington on your side” but didn’t see it in the music feed.
Fun at work.
One of my favorite people, and a true creative through and through.
May 5
One of my favorite people, and a true creative through and through.
Trying to make a point of getting off work a bit earlier (keeping it more an 8 hour studio day), to enjoy the beautiful spring and get some exercise and quality dog time.And then, back to work at the home office.
May 5
Trying to make a point of getting off work a bit earlier (keeping it more an 8 hour studio day), to enjoy the beautiful spring and get some exercise and quality dog time. And then, back to work at the home office.
Job in USX today.