CEO headshots and employee headshots are both portraits focused from the shoulders up, but they differ in 7 core elements: expression, attire, concept, props, retouching, photo count, and usage purpose. This article analyzes each difference and guides you on shooting the right role — avoiding “CEO wearing employee suits” or “employees trying to look like CEOs.”
Why Are These 2 Types of Headshots Different?
A headshot isn’t just “a clear face photo.” Each type of headshot conveys a message about role within the organization:
- Employee headshot = “I am a trustworthy expert in role X”
- CEO headshot = “I lead the organization, make decisions, and take responsibility”
When these two types get mixed up, the photo doesn’t match the job position, creating a sense of misalignment for viewers.
7 Core Differences
1. Expression — “Trustworthy” vs. “Leading”
| Element | Employee | CEO |
|---|---|---|
| Facial expression | Light smile, friendly | Confident, in control |
| Eye contact | Toward camera, open | Toward camera, decisive |
| Overall feeling | ”I can help you" | "I’ve done this many times” |
| Side angle | Rarely used | 3/4 angle possible to convey depth |
Common mistake: A CEO smiling too broadly → feels like a “salesperson.” A CEO not smiling at all → feels “cold, hard to approach.” The best look is “30% smile + 100% confident gaze.”
2. Attire — Quality vs. Style
| Element | Employee | CEO |
|---|---|---|
| Suit/blazer | 1 outfit, mid-to-high quality material | 2-3 outfits, premium material (Italian, British fabric) |
| Shirt | White/light blue, basic | Tailored fit, possibly Mandarin collar / French cuff |
| Tie | Optional | Premium silk tie OR no tie (high smart casual) |
| Accessories | Simple metal watch | Premium watch, cufflinks, high-end lapel pin |
| Color tone | Standard black/gray/navy | Signature tone possible (e.g., distinctive charcoal gray) |
Note: CEO attire doesn’t need to flaunt cost but must fit body and match personality. A tailored 15-20 million VND suit fitted to body shape > a mass-produced 80 million VND Tom Ford.
3. Shoot Concept — Standard vs. Diverse
| Element | Employee | CEO |
|---|---|---|
| Number of concepts | 1-2 concepts | 4-6 concepts |
| Concept type | Standard formal studio | Formal studio + smart casual + possibly outdoor |
| Background | Solid color (gray, white, navy) | Diverse: solid + light texture + luxury settings |
| Photo ratios | 1 main ratio (3:4 or 1:1) | 4-5 ratios (1:1 for LinkedIn, 3:4 for CV, 16:9 for website, 9:16 for stories) |
CEOs need multiple concepts to rotate across many channels: company website, LinkedIn, Facebook, press, events. A single concept becomes too repetitive after 6 months.
4. Props — None vs. Strategic
| Element | Employee | CEO |
|---|---|---|
| Desk | None | Possible (Iconic Profile) |
| Books / documents | None | 1-2 selected volumes demonstrating expertise |
| Watch / ring | Minimal | Premium, possibly inherited assets |
| Fountain pen / notebook | None | Possible for “decision-making” concept |
| Coffee / tea cup | None | Possible for “casual leader” concept |
Common mistake: Vietnamese CEOs often avoid props out of fear of “showing off.” The truth: well-chosen props give photos more depth, not “showing off.”
5. Retouching — Natural vs. Profile-Grade
| Element | Employee | CEO |
|---|---|---|
| Retouching level | Basic: brighten skin, fix small blemishes | Deep: contouring, color grading, dodge & burn |
| Color grading | Neutral tone | Signature tone per personal brand |
| Skin retouching | No “youthifying” | Preserve characteristic features (meaningful wrinkles, scars) — don’t erase everything |
| Background cleanup | Basic | Detailed, may replace background |
| File format | JPG | JPG + RAW (for press + print publications) |
Note: CEO retouching isn’t about making them prettier but about cleaning up + lifestyle. Erasing all the wrinkles of a 50-year-old CEO will make the photo look “fake” and lose credibility.
6. Delivered Photo Count — Enough to Use vs. Enough to Rotate
| Element | Employee | CEO |
|---|---|---|
| Retouched photos | 5-10 photos | 15-25 photos |
| Raw photos | Optional 100-200 photo selection | All 300-500 photos (CEO chooses) |
| RAW files | Not included | Included (for marketing team to edit further) |
| Used for | 12-18 months | 18-24 months |
| Cost per photo | ~200,000 VND/photo | ~200,000 VND/photo (equivalent when counting photos) |
7. Usage Purpose — Internal vs. Multi-Channel Public
| Purpose | Employee | CEO |
|---|---|---|
| Company profile (about page) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (larger) |
| ✅ | ✅ | |
| Press interview articles | Rare | ✅ Frequent |
| Book covers / publications | No | ✅ Possible |
| Awards applications | No | ✅ Yes |
| Speaker portraits | Rare | ✅ Frequent |
| Personal social media | Optional | ✅ Required |
| Event banners | No | ✅ Yes |
| AI search / Knowledge Panel | No | ✅ Important |
→ CEOs need a “multi-purpose” photo set — usable in at least 10 different contexts. Employees need “task-specific” photos — good enough for LinkedIn + CV + company profile.
When Should Employees Upgrade to CEO Headshots?
When transitioning to roles:
- Founder → Startup CEO (after Series A or later)
- Manager → Director (when appearing before B2B customers more)
- Director → C-level (CFO, COO, CTO, CMO)
- Member → Partner (law, accounting, consulting)
- Senior → Principal (consulting, VC, PE)
- When starting to appear on press, podcasts, events
Simple rule: When you make decisions + take responsibility + appear publicly → you need a CEO-style headshot.
Gạo Nâu Profile Packages by Role
| Role | Recommended Package | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Employee / Freelancer / New graduate | Basic Profile | 2,300,000 VND |
| Manager / Department head / Senior | Premium Profile | 3,800,000 VND |
| CEO / Founder / C-level / KOL | Iconic Profile | 4,700,000 VND |
| Chairman / Group CEO / Public figure | Custom quote | Contact us |
| Corporate team 10+ people | Corporate Team Photography | Quote by scale |
Final Advice — Don’t Mix Up Roles
The costliest mistake is using an employee-style headshot for a CEO role — B2B customers, press, and investors will feel you’re “not ready for the position.” Conversely, using a CEO-style headshot for a junior employee creates a feeling of “trying too hard” that doesn’t match company culture.
Gạo Nâu Profile has shot 5,000+ individual customers and 200+ businesses over 5 years — including image standardization for Vietnam Airlines, Unilever, Maersk, PNJ. Our photography team can specifically advise on what role you’re in and which style you need.
Contact Gạo Nâu Profile — Hotline (+84) 775 243 530. The studio has 3 branches in Hanoi (Cầu Giấy), Ho Chi Minh City (District 10 + District 3).