5 Headshot Checks Before Your Media Kit Goes Out

Audit Your Current Photo Against Press Needs

Pull up your current headshot and open a news site. See the difference? Journalists need a photo that works at 300 pixels wide, not just on your website's hero banner. Your image must be instantly readable on a tiny smartphone screen. I once had a client whose beautiful, moody portrait looked stunning in print, but when a tech blog used it, her thoughtful expression read as confused squinting. The story was about her startup's funding, not her introspection. Ask yourself: does this photo communicate my role and energy in under two seconds on a busy page? If not, it's failing the press test.

Choose the Right Crop and Expression for Your Story

Tight crops build connection, wider shots suggest authority. A crop from the mid-chest up is the universal workhorse; it's close enough for a LinkedIn profile but gives an editor room to work. Your expression is your silent pitch. Are you a disruptive innovator? A slight, confident smirk can work. Leading a non-profit? A warm, open smile is non-negotiable. I tell my clients to think of a single word they want associated with them—"trustworthy," "pioneering," "approachable"—and hold that in their mind. The camera catches the thought behind the eyes. A neutral face often reads as cold or bored in a media context.

Select a Background That Doesn't Distract

The background is your supporting actor, not the star. A busy bookshelf or a blurred office scene can date you or pull focus. I've seen a brilliant CEO's photo get rejected because a potted plant behind him looked like it was growing from his head. Solid colors are safe, but not all are equal. Pure white can blow out on some screens, and deep black can swallow detail. A mid-tone grey, a soft charcoal, or a muted, textured wall are my go-tos. They provide separation without shouting. The goal is for the viewer's eye to land on your face and stay there, not wander to the architectural detail behind your left ear.

Avoid These Three Common Founder Mistakes

First, the "overly casual" shot. The windswept hair on a mountain peak says "vacation," not "capable leader." Second, the "generic corporate" pose. Crossed arms and a stern look might feel powerful to you, but it often reads as defensive or unapproachable to outsiders. Third, and most critical, using an outdated photo. If you look five years younger and twenty pounds lighter, the disconnect when you walk on stage or into a meeting erodes trust instantly. Update your headshot every 18-24 months, or after any significant change in your role or appearance. It’s a small investment that prevents a major credibility gap.

Test Your Final Image in Actual Media Kit Layouts

Don't just look at the photo full-screen. Paste it into a mock-up. Drop it into a Word doc beside a paragraph of text. Shrink it to a 1-inch square. How does it hold up? Email it to yourself and open it on your phone—that's how many people will see it first. Check for these things: does your face remain clear and recognizable? Do your eyes still have light in them at a small size? Does any jewelry or clothing pattern become a strange, pixelated blob? This 10-minute test catches 90% of layout problems. A photo that only works in ideal conditions is a photo that will fail you when it matters most.

Your headshot is often the first tangible piece of you a journalist or partner encounters. Treat it with the same rigor you'd treat a financial forecast. Run these five checks, and you'll send out a kit where your image builds confidence, not confusion. You'll know it's right when the photo feels less like a portrait and more like a firm, professional handshake.