The Best Modern Headshot Ideas for Entrepreneurs & Speakers (That Aren’t Boring!)

Let’s be honest… most traditional headshots feel like they belong on a company ID badge. Stiff. Overly formal. Definitely not something you’d want front and center on your website or book cover.

A male client of mine summed it up perfectly after showing me his old headshot. He said, “I look like I’m trying to get hired at a company I’d never work for.”

Oof. Been there?

Here’s the truth—not everyone needs a full-on branding shoot with multiple locations, outfit changes, and props galore. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the classic LinkedIn-style headshot either.

There’s a sweet spot right in the middle.

It’s the kind of portrait that feels:
✨ Modern
✨ Professional (without being stuffy)
✨ Approachable
✨ Versatile enough for everything from speaking engagements to podcast features to book jackets

This client of mine? He needed a portrait that worked across platforms—something that felt polished but still reflected him. So, we stripped away the distractions.

Simple background. Relaxed, confident poses. Just enough personality to make it feel warm—but still professional enough for those high-visibility opportunities.

Because here’s the secret:
Not every photo needs to scream, “BUY FROM ME!”
Sometimes, the best headshots simply say, “Here I am.”

These kinds of portraits work beautifully for:

• Book covers

• Speaking engagements

• Podcast promotions

• Media features

• Website “about” pages

• Pitch decks and proposals

If you’ve been stuck between booking a stiff, traditional headshot and going all-in on a massive branding shoot, this middle-ground option might be exactly what you need.

You deserve a photo that feels like you and that works just as hard as you do.