One of the most common questions we get at Headshot Honchos is simple: “Should I do my headshot indoors or outdoors?” The answer depends on who you are, what you need the photo for, and what kind of story you want to tell. Both settings produce excellent results — but they produce different results. Here’s how to choose.
The Case for Indoor Studio Headshots
Studio headshots give you total control. The lighting is precise, the background is clean, and there are zero environmental distractions. This control produces headshots that are:
- Consistent — Ideal for corporate teams where every headshot needs the same look
- Timeless — A clean backdrop doesn’t date your photo the way a trendy location might
- Versatile — Works for LinkedIn, company websites, speaker bios, and press
- Weather-proof — No rain delays, no squinting into the sun, no wind destroying your hair
Studio headshots excel when the focus needs to be entirely on your face and expression. There’s nothing competing for attention. For corporate headshots, LinkedIn profiles, and any context where professionalism is the primary message, studio is often the best choice.
Best For
Corporate executives, attorneys, financial professionals, real estate agents, LinkedIn optimization, team headshot days, and anyone who needs a clean, polished, universally appropriate headshot.
The Case for Outdoor Natural Light Headshots
At Headshot Honchos, our lead photographer Ernesto Cullari prefers outdoor natural lighting for headshots and portraits. Here’s why: natural light creates a warmth, depth, and authenticity that studio lighting can only approximate. The best images come from working with the environment rather than against it.
Outdoor headshots give you:
- Warmth and dimension — Natural light wraps around the face in ways that feel organic
- Environmental context — A blurred cityscape or greenery adds story without distraction
- Approachability — Outdoor headshots tend to feel more personable and less corporate
- Variety — Multiple locations in a single session give you range
The key to great outdoor headshots is timing. The best light happens during golden hour — roughly the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. Open shade (under a tree canopy, in a doorway, on the north side of a building) also produces beautiful, even light throughout the day.
Best For
Entrepreneurs, creatives, actors, personal brands, dating profiles, authors, coaches, and anyone who wants a headshot that feels human and approachable rather than corporate.
Why Not Both?
Many of our clients book sessions that include both studio and on-location shots. You get the polished corporate headshot for your LinkedIn and company website, and the warmer natural light headshot for your personal brand, social media, and speaking bios. Two looks, one session, maximum flexibility.
How We Help You Decide
During your free consultation, we’ll talk through where your headshot will be used, what impression you want to make, and what feels right for your personality and brand. Whether we shoot in our studios in Asbury Park, NJ or Austin, TX, or on-location anywhere coast to coast, we’ll make sure the setting serves the story you want to tell.