What Your Team’s Headshots Are Getting Wrong About Your Brand

Raise your hand if your company’s “About Us” page looks like a yearbook from five different decades.

Yeah… you’re not alone.

Maybe a few people used selfies. Someone cropped themselves out of a wedding photo. Maybe your leadership team’s images all look like they were shot on different planets.

Your team’s headshots are your brand. They’re the first impression clients, partners, and potential hires get of who you are. When those photos don’t line up — in quality, tone, or even lighting — they send a message you probably don’t intend.

But here’s the good news: you can fix it.
After photographing a lot of professionals and team sessions, I’ve noticed the same patterns show up again and again. Most are easy to spot — and even easier to avoid.

Let’s talk about what your team’s headshots might be saying… and how to make them say it better.

1. We’re outdated.

If half your team’s photos are from a previous job or a few hairstyles ago, it’s time for a refresh.

When headshots feel inconsistent or out of date, clients subconsciously assume your brand is too.

Fix it: Update headshots every 2–3 years (or after any major style or team change). A current photo shows you’re active, engaged, and invested in your people. An annual headshot day is a great way to stay current.

2. We’re a little chaotic.

Messy backgrounds — busy offices, cluttered desks, or loud decor — can pull focus from your people. And when everyone’s photo has a different backdrop, the overall effect feels scattered.

Fix it: Use clean, consistent backgrounds that support your brand’s look and feel. Neutral tones or subtle textures help the focus stay on your team.

3. We’re not approachable.

Rigid poses, tight smiles, and stiff shoulders don’t say “confident and professional.” They say “I don’t know what to do with my hands.”

Fix it: A good photographer helps people relax, laugh, and look natural. Your team should look like themselves — just on their best day.

4. We didn’t think this through.

Loud patterns, bright colors, or wrinkled shirts can easily distract from someone’s face. Multiply that across a team, and your brand identity starts to blur.

Fix it: Keep it simple. Solid, flattering colors photograph best. When in doubt, bring a few options — your photographer can help coordinate a cohesive look across the team.

5. We don’t take details seriously.

Cropping a group photo to make a headshot might feel resourceful… but it rarely works. Uneven lighting, odd angles, and random shoulders in the frame send the wrong message.

Cropping yourself out of a group photo almost never works. Proper team headshots ensure consistent lighting, angles, and focus — so your people and your brand look their best.

Fix it: Schedule a dedicated session. Professional lighting and composition tell a visual story of care and consistency — and that reflects directly on your brand.

6. We cut corners.

Harsh lighting or quick DIY setups can flatten features and make everyone look tired. It might save time, but it costs credibility.

Fix it: Professional lighting makes all the difference. It’s soft, balanced, and designed to highlight people at their best — without overdoing it.

7. We’re trying too hard.

Over-retouching is the biggest tell of all. Skin that looks plastic, eyes too bright, teeth too white — it’s distracting, and it doesn’t look real.

Over-retouching takes the life out of a good headshot. Retouching should enhance, not erase. The final image should simply be the best version of you.

Fix it: Retouching should enhance, not erase. Remove small distractions, keep skin natural, and preserve texture. The final image should be the best version of your team — not a filtered one.

The Bottom Line

Your team’s headshots are more than pictures — they’re your brand’s personality in visual form. When they look consistent, professional, and authentic, they tell clients: This is a team I can trust.

So if your “Meet the Team” page feels more like a collage than a brand statement, it might be time for a refresh.

And when you do it right, your people — and your business — look every bit as capable as they are.

You’re amazing. Show the world.