Headshots for every purpose

Headshots are used in many places: professional networks, company websites, casting platforms, speaker bios, media stories, school programs and more. The core goal is always a clear, current and natural photo, but each use has its own expectations for crop, background, expression and rights. These guides explain the differences.

The guides in this section

• LinkedIn and corporate headshots Framing for circular crops, file sizes, backgrounds and consistency.
• Actor and performer headshots Looking like yourself, crops, colour, retouching and updates.
• Headshots for children and teens Natural looks, short sessions, consent and privacy.
• Team and staff headshots Planning a consistent staff photo day.

Uses at a glance

Profile photos and small sizes

Many headshots are first seen as small circles in search results, comments and messages. A tight head-and-shoulders crop with a plain background reads well at small sizes, while busy scenes and wide shots lose detail. LinkedIn Help states that profile photos must be between 400 × 400 and 7680 × 4320 pixels, in PNG or JPG format and no larger than 8 MB. Ask your photographer for a high-resolution square crop alongside the original frame.

Rights differ by purpose

In Australia, the Australian Copyright Council explains that for commissioned photos taken on or after 30 July 1998, private or domestic photos generally belong to the client, while photos for other purposes generally belong to the photographer, unless agreed otherwise. Most headshots for work, acting and marketing fall into the second group, so you'll usually receive a licence rather than copyright. Make sure the licence covers every use you have in mind, including use by an employer or agent.

Passport and ID photos are different

Passport and ID photos follow strict official rules. The Australian Passport Office requires, among other things, a plain white or light grey background, a neutral expression and specific dimensions. A styled headshot usually won't meet those rules, so use a provider who knows the requirements, and check the official guidance yourself.

Privacy and consent

Photos of identifiable people can be personal information, and organisations covered by Australian privacy law must handle it in line with the Australian Privacy Principles, as the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner explains. For children, the eSafety Commissioner suggests limiting identifying details, such as names, uniforms and locations, when sharing photos online. For teams, ask for consent and respect staff preferences before publishing images.

Thinking about your audience

Before choosing a style, picture the people who will see the photo. A recruiter scanning profiles, a client choosing an adviser, a casting director comparing actors and a conference audience reading a program all look for slightly different signals. Recruiters and clients often want someone who seems approachable and competent. Casting teams want an honest picture of your look. Conference audiences want to recognise you on stage. One clear, natural headshot can do most of these jobs, but knowing your main audience helps you choose clothes, background and expression with confidence.

Keeping a small library

Many people find it useful to keep a few versions of the same headshot: a square crop for profiles, a wider frame for websites and print, and a smaller web-ready file for email signatures. Store the full-resolution originals safely along with the licence terms. When someone, such as an event organiser or journalist, asks for your photo, you can then send the right version quickly and check that the licence allows that use. Name files clearly with your name, the year and the crop, so the latest version is always easy to find.

When to update

Whatever the use, update your headshot when people would no longer recognise you from it, or when your role or brand changes. Actors and young performers usually update more often than people using a corporate profile photo.

Use the shoot planner

Our free shoot planner turns what you need the photo for into a simple brief, covering framing, background, expression, outfits and what to bring. It runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you choose is sent anywhere.

Five habits for a better headshot

1. Know where the photo will be used before you plan anything else.
2. Choose soft, even light, whether in a studio, at work or by a window.
3. Wear solid colours that fit well and contrast with the background.
4. Try a range of expressions and choose later.
5. Get the licence in writing so you know how you can use your images.

About these guides

Headshots is an independent information site about professional headshots in Australia. We aren't a photography studio, photographer, casting or talent agency, or booking service, and we don't recommend particular businesses. Our guides are general information written in our own words, with official and expert sources listed on each page. We never invent prices, statistics, quotes or testimonials.

How we keep these guides current

We review each guide against its sources and show the date it was last checked. Platform requirements, such as profile photo sizes, change from time to time. If you notice something out of date, please tell us through our contact page, and we'll check and correct it.