Homepage-Worthy Headshots: Excellence Isn’t an Act—It’s a Standard
A client recently told me she wanted a headshot that was “good enough to be on my homepage.” That statement stuck with me. Not because it was about lighting, angles, or technical precision—but because it reflected something deeper. She recognized a standard in my work, a level of excellence I strive for in every image.
The truth is, I didn’t do anything different for her. There was no secret technique, no extra effort reserved for a select few. I simply did what I always do: approach the session with the same commitment to quality that defines my work. Because for me, excellence isn’t something I summon when the stakes are high. It’s the baseline. The habit. The way I work—every time.
Aristotle put it best:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Mastery is Built in the Repetitions
A headshot isn’t just a well-lit portrait. It’s a distillation of confidence, personality, and presence—all captured in a single frame. That doesn’t happen by chance. It happens through years of refinement, of studying expression and energy, of developing a process that ensures every client gets my best work.
I don’t wait for inspiration to strike. I don’t save my best effort for a portfolio piece or a “special” session. The way I work—the care, the attention to detail, the commitment to bringing out the best in people—is the same for every single client. Because great work isn’t about bursts of brilliance. It’s about consistency.
What Makes an Image Exceptional?
When I select photos for my website, I’m not just looking for technical perfection. I’m looking for images that feel alive—ones that capture something real about the person in front of the camera. A great headshot isn’t about symmetry or sharpness alone. It’s about the energy, the confidence, the authenticity that makes someone stop scrolling and see the person in the frame.
Take these two images, for example.
In the first shot, there’s poise, directness—a quiet strength. The expression is grounded, composed, and assured.
In the second, there’s warmth, approachability, and an effortless confidence that draws you in. Both are polished, professional, and well-lit. But what makes them stand out isn’t just the technical execution. It’s the way they reveal something true about the person in front of the camera.
That’s the standard I hold myself to, in every session.
The Habit of Showing Up
Excellence isn’t a moment of inspiration. It’s a practice. A discipline. A way of showing up, over and over again, refining, improving, and holding yourself to the highest standard—not just when it’s convenient, but as a way of being.
So when a client tells me they want a “homepage-worthy” headshot, I smile. Because to me, every client gets that level of care. That’s not an exception. It’s the rule.
