Find your professional portrait photographer
On Graindevue, you'll find photographers who specialize in professional portraits. They understand business contexts, know how to make people look confident and approachable simultaneously, and deliver images that serve your career.
Why book on Graindevue?
Photographers who understand professional context
Professional portraits serve specific purposes that personal photos don't. Your image needs to project competence without arrogance, approachability without casualness, authority without stuffiness. This balance requires photographers who understand business culture.
Our portrait photographers have worked with executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, and professionals across industries. They know that a lawyer's headshot communicates differently than a creative director's. They adapt their approach to your field and goals.
Efficient sessions that respect your time
You're busy. A professional portrait session shouldn't consume your entire day. Skilled portrait photographers can capture excellent images in 30-60 minutes, including setup, multiple expressions, and perhaps a wardrobe change.
The key is preparation and expertise. When a photographer knows exactly what they're doing, sessions move quickly while still producing variety.
Images optimized for every platform
LinkedIn. Company website. Email signature. Speaking engagements. Press releases. Each platform has different requirements—aspect ratios, resolutions, contexts.
Professional portrait photographers deliver files formatted for your actual needs, not just generic full-resolution images you'll struggle to crop yourself.
How it works
- Choose a photographer whose portrait style matches your industry and personal brand.
- Prepare by planning your wardrobe, discussing your goals, and understanding what you want these images to communicate.
- Leave with images that represent you professionally across all the platforms where you need to appear.
Types of professional portrait services
LinkedIn and social media portraits
Your LinkedIn photo is often someone's first impression of you—before interviews, partnerships, client relationships, or networking connections. The average professional scrolls past thousands of profiles; a strong photo makes you memorable.
What works on LinkedIn:
- Head-and-shoulders framing (face clearly visible even at thumbnail size)
- Genuine, slight smile that suggests approachability
- Direct eye contact with the camera
- Clean background that doesn't distract
- Attire appropriate to your industry
Common mistakes:
- Cropped group photos where someone's arm is visible
- Photos from 15 years ago that no longer resemble you
- Casual vacation photos repurposed for business
- Overly formal photos that feel stiff
- Poor lighting that creates unflattering shadows
Company website and "about" page portraits
Your company's "about" page humanizes your organization. Consistent, professional team photos create visual unity and signal organizational professionalism.
Individual executive portraits: Leadership photos often require more time and variety—multiple backgrounds, expressions, and formats for different uses.
Team consistency: When multiple employees need photos, consistent styling (background, lighting, framing) creates cohesive team pages. Many photographers offer team rates for batch sessions.
Environmental portraits: Some roles benefit from being photographed in work contexts—the researcher in their lab, the architect at a building site, the chef in their kitchen.
CV and application photos
For industries or countries where CV photos are standard, quality matters. A professional headshot signals seriousness about the application and attention to presentation.
These photos should look polished but not glamorous—professional rather than personal. Standard formats apply: neutral background, appropriate attire, clear face visibility.
Speaking and conference photos
When you're positioned as a speaker, thought leader, or expert, you need photos that work at various sizes and contexts:
- Event websites and promotional materials
- Conference programs and speaker listings
- Press releases and media kits
- Book jackets and publication bios
These uses may require horizontal and vertical versions, different crops, and images that work both at large display sizes and small thumbnail dimensions.
Personal branding and entrepreneurship
Solo practitioners, consultants, and entrepreneurs often need more than a single headshot. Your personal brand may require:
- Multiple expressions for different contexts
- Environmental or lifestyle shots
- Images for social media variety
- Website hero images
Discuss your complete visual needs with your photographer to plan a session that provides enough variety.
Preparing for your professional portrait session
What to wear
Your attire should match your industry and the image you want to project.
Classic professional (finance, law, consulting):
- Solid, dark colors (navy, charcoal, black)
- Minimal patterns (subtle pinstripes acceptable)
- Pressed, well-fitted clothing
- Conservative jewelry and accessories
Creative professional (design, marketing, media):
- More color and personality acceptable
- Interesting textures and details
- Current style that reflects your creative sensibility
- Accessories that express your aesthetic
Tech and startup:
- Smart casual often appropriate
- Clean, fitted clothing
- Solid colors that photograph well
- Authentic to your actual work environment
General tips:
- Bring options so your photographer can help you decide on-camera
- Ensure clothes are pressed and lint-free
- Avoid busy patterns that distract from your face
- Stick to colors that flatter your skin tone
- Get a haircut a week before (not the day of) for natural appearance
Grooming and preparation
The week before:
- Haircut (allowing time to settle)
- If you color your hair, touch up roots
- Avoid dramatic new skincare products
The day before:
- Get good sleep (tired eyes show)
- Hydrate well
- Avoid excessive alcohol (causes puffiness)
The day of:
- Shave carefully (or trim facial hair neatly)
- Natural makeup that looks like you, just polished
- Avoid heavy moisturizers that create shine
- Arrive looking how you want to appear
Mindset and expression
The camera captures energy, not just faces. Your mental state affects your photos.
What helps:
- Arriving unstressed (don't schedule immediately after difficult meetings)
- Knowing what you want to communicate (confidence, approachability, expertise)
- Trusting your photographer to guide you
- Accepting that initial stiffness is normal
Expression guidance:
- Think of someone you genuinely like seeing (this creates warmth in your eyes)
- A slight, genuine smile reads better than a forced grin
- Direct eye contact projects confidence
- Your photographer will coach specific adjustments
What to expect during your session
Typical session flow
Most individual professional portrait sessions last 30-60 minutes:
Setup and settling (5-10 minutes): Photographer positions lights, you get comfortable, initial test shots.
Main shooting (20-40 minutes): Multiple angles, expressions, and possibly wardrobe changes. Your photographer guides you through poses and adjustments.
Review (5 minutes): Quick look at captured images to ensure satisfaction.
Throughout, your photographer directs you. You don't need to know how to pose—that's their expertise. They'll adjust your chin angle, shoulder position, and expression until things look right.
Studio vs. on-location
Studio advantages:
- Controlled lighting for consistent quality
- Professional backgrounds with clean aesthetics
- Equipment optimized for portraits
- Efficient workflow
On-location advantages:
- Context that communicates your environment
- Convenience of not traveling
- Environmental elements that tell a story
- Often more relaxed atmosphere
Many photographers offer both options. Discuss which serves your needs and goals.
Investing in your professional image
The ROI of professional portraits
A quality professional portrait costs between €100-400 depending on photographer experience, session length, and deliverables. That investment serves you for years across dozens of contexts.
Consider the cost relative to:
- A single missed opportunity because your LinkedIn photo didn't project credibility
- The price of the suit or dress you'll wear in the photo
- Professional development workshops that cost far more
Your photo is often the first impression. Quality pays dividends.
How often to update
Professional portraits should be updated when they no longer represent how you currently look or your current professional position.
Time-based: Every 2-5 years for most professionals.
Event-triggered updates:
- Significant changes in appearance (weight, hair, glasses)
- New job or promotion (especially to leadership roles)
- Launching a business or personal brand
- Upcoming speaking engagements or media appearances
Don't let an outdated photo create awkward recognition moments at conferences or client meetings.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a professional portrait session take?
Most individual sessions run 30-60 minutes. This provides time for multiple expressions, angles, and typically one wardrobe change. Executive sessions with more variety may run longer.
Should I do my own hair and makeup?
For most professional portraits, looking like your polished everyday self is ideal—you want to be recognizable when people meet you in person. Some photographers offer professional styling services if you want a more elevated look.
How many photos will I receive?
Packages vary, but typical professional portrait sessions deliver 3-10 edited images. Some photographers offer extended galleries; others curate tightly. Discuss deliverables before booking.
What if I don't like how I look in photos?
Nearly everyone feels some camera discomfort initially. Professional portrait photographers know how to angle faces, adjust lighting, and coach expressions to flatter everyone. Trust their expertise—this is literally their job.
Also remember: photos always feel strange to us because we're used to seeing ourselves in mirrors (reversed). What looks "wrong" to you often looks perfectly normal to others.
Can I get photos in multiple formats?
Most professional portrait photographers deliver images formatted for common uses: LinkedIn squares, website horizontals, standard headshot crops. Specify your needs when booking so appropriate compositions are captured.
How quickly will I receive my photos?
Standard delivery is 5-10 business days. Rush turnaround is usually available for additional fees if you have an urgent deadline.
Your professional image starts here
Every day, people make decisions about you based partly on your professional photo. Job interviews, partnership considerations, speaking opportunities, client relationships—your image matters.
On Graindevue, find the portrait photographer who will capture you at your professional best.