Is One Headshot Enough? (Spoiler: Usually Not.)
Leveraging Your Headshots Like the Marketing Assets They Actually Are
Some of you only need a headshot. But many of you, especially those growing a service-based business, don’t just need a photo. You need a marketing suite. And yes, there’s a difference.
If you’ve been in business for a minute, you already know a headshot is a baseline requirement. But when I’m looking to hire someone, I’m not just looking for “a photo.” I’m looking for clarity and credibility. Things like:
Do they have an informational, up-to-date website?
Are reviews or testimonials easy to find?
And this matters… what do they look like?
We live in an online-first world. Your clients are making decisions before they ever speak to you. Seeing your face, your energy, and how you choose to present yourself in your marketing materials is a major trust factor.
And let’s be honest… I’m also looking at whether a business uses authentic imagery or stock photos.
Why Stock Photos Don’t Build Trust
Listen, stock photos can be fine. Sometimes you need a specific aesthetic or you just need to get something out the door. Done is better than perfect. But if you’re a service-based business relying entirely on stock photos, that’s a red flag.
It usually means one of three things:
You haven’t invested in imagery that matches the quality of your services
You don’t believe local photographers can create what you want
You’re unintentionally veering into “false advertising” territory
And yes, photographers using other photographers’ images to advertise a style they haven’t created yet? Same energy. Same problem. Authenticity matters. Your clients want to see your face, your work, and your results, not hypothetical ones. Because even if the photography isn’t perfect, even if it’s early work, it still tells the truth of who you are and how you show up. Perception may influence marketing, but reality creates trust.
Your Headshot Is the Beginning, Not the Whole Story
Recently, I photographed a Charlotte entrepreneur who had been using AI-generated images of herself. They were gorgeous… but they weren’t her. She knew AI could only get her so far.
I ran a giveaway for a portrait session and set of images, and when we first talked, she booked immediately, whether she won or not. She wanted to build her business on authenticity, not approximation. We talked wardrobe, clarified her goals, and designed a session that matched the brand she’s building. Now she has real, cohesive, on-brand headshots that look like and feel like HER. That’s the power of intentional branding photography.
Headshots Are a Gateway (Not a One-And-Done)
Once you replace outdated or AI images with real, professional photos, a shift happens. You start noticing:
“Oh… I need something specific for LinkedIn.”
“My website banner needs a wide image.”
“My About Page needs lifestyle shots.”
“My email signature needs a clean, tight crop.”
Every platform has its own vibe, its own audience, its own way your clients engage with you. A single headshot can’t communicate all of that, and it’s not meant to.
This is where a branding image suite becomes your marketing engine. No mini sessions. No shortcuts. A full, intentional collection of images that support how you want to be seen everywhere your brand shows up.
Different Platforms, Different Images - Same YOU
Every platform has its own vibe, its own demographic, and its own expectations, which means one headshot can’t possibly tell the whole story everywhere. That’s why your marketing suite needs variety while still looking unmistakably like you.
Think of it like this:
Facebook
Facebook’s audience leans 40+, with a broad span of personal and professional relationships. A warm, approachable portrait performs best, something that feels familiar, friendly, and easy to connect with.LinkedIn
LinkedIn is your virtual conference room. Professional, polished, credibility-first. A clean, confident portrait with purposeful intention builds instant trust here.Instagram (and TikTok)
These platforms skew younger and thrive on creativity, personality, and energy. A more editorial, expressive image stands out and communicates your brand vibe in seconds.
Even though each portrait looks slightly different, they should all feel aligned, cohesive, and authentic. That’s the power of a true branding suite, you show the right version of yourself to the right audience without ever feeling fragmented.
So… Is One Headshot Enough?
If you’re brand new or updating your LinkedIn profile? Sure - one headshot can hold you over. If you’re building a business, scaling your visibility, or marketing across multiple platforms? Absolutely not.
A headshot is the doorway. Your brand photography is the entire experience waiting on the other side.