Why one headshot is not always enough
A traditional headshot is useful when you need something professional, clear, and trustworthy. It works well for LinkedIn, company websites, speaker bios, and anywhere you want to look approachable and capable.
But that same image may not work for every part of your life.
A dating profile usually needs something more relaxed and personal. A creative project may need more mood or character. A side business might need a blend of professionalism and warmth. That is where a more flexible session can make a real difference.
I often photograph people who want images for more than one purpose, and planning that well means they leave with photographs that actually fit the different parts of their life, rather than trying to force one image to do everything.
Thinking in roles, not just outfits
When I plan a headshot session with someone, I find it helps to think about roles before clothes.
For example, you might need:
- something polished for work
- something more relaxed for personal use
- something with more personality for a creative or passion project
That changes the choices we make. Background, lighting, styling, expression, and pose can all shift depending on what the image is for.
A shirt and blazer on a clean background might be right for one use. A softer outfit, a different expression, or a bolder colour might make much more sense for another.
When One Look Isn’t Enough: My Favourite Examples
Here are some of my favourite examples of people who’ve taken advantage of the opportunity to create multiple looks during their headshot session with me.
One for work, one for dating
This is one of the clearest examples.
Your work headshot needs to build trust quickly. It should feel confident, natural, and professional. For dating, people are usually looking for warmth, personality, and a sense of who you are beyond your job title.
I have photographed clients who wanted both in one session: a polished look for LinkedIn or their company profile, then something more relaxed and open for dating apps. The difference is not huge in a technical sense, but it matters. A slight change in outfit, lighting, posture, or expression can make an image feel much more personal.
The Dancer Agency Headshot
I recently worked with a dancer who needed professional images for their agency, and one of those headshots was even used for her staff dancer pass at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, such a special moment! I offered an agency ready headshot and something moodier for her social media profiles.
The Professor and Tech Researcher
Not all headshot sessions are about the office or for an artistic endeavour. Recently, I worked with a university professor who needed something alongside the classic headshot. In addition to their teaching role, they’re involved in external research projects and needed a set of images for their tech profiles, personal blog, and even some presentations.
The Film Maker
A film director came to me for versatile headshots that could work across festival submissions, press releases, and professional bios. We created a set of professional images with subtle variety so they had options that still felt authentic and polished.
For clients like this who also want cinematic or editorial portraits inspired by their creative work, I recommend my Personal Portraits in London sessions. They’re designed for projects that go beyond the scope of a headshot.
How to plan a session with multiple looks
If you know you need more than one kind of image, a little planning helps enormously.
First, decide which use matters most. That gives us a clear anchor. Then we can build outward from there.
It also helps to bring outfit options that feel distinct from each other, rather than several versions of the same thing. Think about whether you want one look to feel more formal, one more relaxed, and one more creative. The differences do not have to be dramatic, just intentional.
I also suggest thinking about mood as much as clothing. Ask yourself how you want each version of you to come across. Clear and professional? Warm and open? Creative and thoughtful? That gives much better direction than simply asking what to wear.
Headshot or portrait?
Sometimes the answer is both.
If you need something straightforward for LinkedIn or your website, a headshot session is usually the right place to start. If you also need images for a creative project, personal brand, or something more atmospheric, we can either build that into the same session or look at whether a portrait session is the better fit.
The important thing is not squeezing every need into one very narrow definition of a headshot. It is making sure the final images actually work for the life you have.
Three practical tips before booking
1. Think about where the images will actually be used
LinkedIn, company website, dating app, press release, speaker bio, side business, creative project. The clearer you are, the more useful the session will be.
2. Plan for variety, not chaos
You do not need ten outfits. You just need a few well-chosen options with different uses in mind.
3. Decide whether you need a headshot, a portrait, or both
Some people only need a clean professional image. Others need something broader. It is worth knowing that before the shoot.
Need headshots that cover more than one part of your life?
That is something I help people with often.
If you need photographs for work, personal use, or a creative project, you can find full details on my London business and headshots page. And if what you need leans more toward portraiture, you can also explore my Personal Portraits in London sessions.
Head over to for more information on how I can tailor a relaxed and fun headshot experience. Let’s capture the best version of you.