Before I pick up a camera, I usually start with a question: where will this photo live?
Your answer tells me almost everything. A photo for a LinkedIn profile and a photo for the “About” page of your own business are not the same job, even if both show your face. People often come to me asking for a “headshot” when what they describe is a portrait, or the reverse. Neither is a mistake. It just means the difference is worth explaining.
I’ve been a photographer for 15 years. I graduate from a photography school in Paris and have run Shonan Focus from Kamakura for the past five years, working with clients in Tokyo and across Japan. Here is how I help people decide.
What is a headshot?
A headshot is your professional ID photo, in the best sense of the word. Its job is to be recognized: the person who reads your email, finds your profile, or sees your name on a conference page should immediately know who you are, and feel they could work with you.
The framing is tight, usually from the chest or shoulders up. The background is simple, the light is soft and flattering, and nothing competes with your face. That’s why headshots work so well for LinkedIn, company websites, speaker bios, press kits, and casting portfolios.
A good headshot is quiet. It doesn’t try to tell a story. It simply makes sure that the first impression is a clear and positive one.
What is a portrait?
A portrait starts where the headshot stops. Instead of asking “who are you?”, it asks “what is it like to be you?”
We have more room to play: the full figure, your hands at work, a favorite place, a particular mood. A portrait can be calm and natural or bold and editorial. It can be shot in my Kamakura studio, in a rented studio in Tokyo, or outside, on a quiet back street or by the sea. The setting becomes part of the image.
Portraits suit personal websites, book covers, creative portfolios, interviews, and anyone who wants a picture that feels like them rather than just looks like them.
The difference at a glance
| Headshot | Portrait | |
| Main goal | Be recognized and trusted | Express who you are |
| Framing | Shoulders up, tight | Half-length or full-length, wider |
| Setting | Simple, neutral background | Studio, street, nature, or a place that matters to you |
| Mood | Clear, confident, approachable | Personal, atmospheric, expressive |
| Typical use | LinkedIn, company site, business card, casting | Personal brand, portfolio, publications, keepsake |
A simple test: if the photo has to work at the size of a thumbnail, you need a headshot. If it will be seen large, with time to look at it, a portrait is probably the better choice.
Why does it matter?
Because a photo is often the first thing people see of you, and it gets seen far more often than you think. In Japan, where profiles, introductions, and first meetings carry a lot of weight, an outdated or hurried photo can quietly work against you.
There is also a more personal side. Many of my clients tell me they hadn’t been photographed properly in years, sometimes ever. Seeing yourself in a well-made image can change how you talk about your work and yourself. That’s a valuable thing, and it’s why I don’t treat a headshot as the “lesser” option or a portrait as a luxury. They answer different needs, and many people end up wanting both.
How to choose and get started
Ask yourself three questions:
- Where will the photo appear? Professional platforms point to a headshot. Personal or creative projects point to a portrait.
- What do I want people to feel? Trust and competence, or curiosity and connection?
- Do I need it quickly, or am I building something longer term?
If the answers don’t line up, that’s completely normal. This is exactly what the free consultation is for. We talk, by video call or in person, about your goals, your comfort in front of the camera, and the way you’d like to be seen. No commitment, no pressure.
Then I design the session around you. A typical session at Shonan Focus includes:
- 1 hour photo session
- 1 outfit
- Posing and expression guidance
- 10 retouched images, delivered within 7 days
- Optional make-up, if you’d like it
You can book a headshot, a portrait, or a mix of both in the same session. Many people choose the mix, since a clean headshot and a few expressive portraits come out of one afternoon.
Where? At my studio in Kamakura, outdoors in the Shonan area, or in Tokyo and anywhere in Japan with my mobile studio. If you prefer a central location, I can also rent a photo studio in Tokyo. I work in English, French, and Japanese, so you can explain what you want in the language you’re most at ease with.
Let’s talk about your photo
Whether you’re looking for a professional photo in Kamakura or a portrait photographer in Tokyo, the first step is the same: send me a message.
For inquiries and bookings, please use the contact form or email us at info@shonanfocus.com. Let us help you take the first step in Kamakura with a personalized photo session. To learn more about this experience, visit our Portrait Photography section.
