Beyond the Headshot: Why Industry Specific Executive Portraits Matter (Featuring Matt Spetzler for Billboard)
In the world of high-stakes business, your first impression rarely happens in a boardroom. It happens on LinkedIn, in a press release, or on the pages of a publication like Billboard.
I recently had the pleasure of photographing Matt Spetzler, the visionary behind Jamen Capital, for a feature regarding the launch of Pipeline—a $200M-backed financing platform for the independent music industry. When a leader like Matt is featured in a major outlet like Billboard, the photography needs to do more than just show what he looks like; it needs to communicate his brand, his authority, and his connection to his specific industry.
The Power of a Strong Executive Portrait
A headshot is a tool. For an executive, it’s a visual handshake. In Matt’s case, we weren’t just capturing a “businessman.” We were capturing a bridge between the high-level world of finance and the creative, fast-paced world of music.
If the photo is too “corporate,” it feels detached from the music industry. If it’s too “artsy,” it might undermine the $200 million level of trust required in finance. The sweet spot is found in industry-specific intentionality.
Why Your Headshot Must Match Your Industry
One size does not fit all in commercial photography. Here is how I approach headshots based on the “vibe” and expectations of different sectors:
Music Business (The Spetzler Approach): For Matt’s Billboard feature, the goal was to blend the sophistication of a financier with the modern edge of the music world. The result is an image that looks at home next to industry news while maintaining the gravity of a major CEO.
Finance & Law: Focuses on trust, stability, and approachable authority. We use clean lighting and classic backgrounds to project confidence.
Creative & Entertainment: This is where we can play with shadow, unique environments, and more relaxed posing. It’s about personality and “the spark.”
Tech & Startups: These portraits often lean toward a “polished casual” look—bright, energetic, and forward-thinking.
SEO Tip: Invest in Your Visual Capital
When Google crawls your professional profiles, it isn’t just looking at your bio; it’s looking at the engagement and professional polish of your digital presence. High-quality, original imagery (rather than stock or AI-generated photos) keeps users on your page longer and builds immediate credibility.
If you are an executive in London, New York, or LA looking to level up your brand, remember that your headshot is often the most viewed asset in your marketing toolkit.
Ready to update your professional look? Whether you’re launching a $200M platform or refreshing your company’s “About Us” page, let’s create an image that actually speaks your industry’s language.
Ready to elevate your corporate identity? Contact me today to schedule a session for your executive team.
