Why Every Teen Deserves a Professional Headshot

Photographing the students of KidsMatter is one of my favorite things I get to do. Every single time.

What KidsMatter Is Actually Doing

KidsMatter is a teen philanthropy initiative that teaches young people how nonprofits work from the inside out. These students aren't just learning about giving back in theory. They're doing it. They're earning college credit through North Central College, building real professional skills, and developing a sense of purpose that most adults spend years trying to find.

When I show up to photograph them, I'm not photographing kids who are figuring out what they want to be. I'm photographing young people who are already becoming it.

That energy is real. And it shows up in their photos.

A Professional Headshot Is Not Just for Adults

Here's something I think we get wrong as a culture: we wait until people are fully established before we invest in how they present themselves professionally. We treat professional imagery as a reward for having already arrived.

But that's backwards.

A strong headshot doesn't document where you've been. It sets the tone for where you're going. And for a teenager applying for internships, building a LinkedIn profile, submitting college applications, or pitching to a nonprofit board, the right photograph tells a story before they ever open their mouth.

It says: I take myself seriously. You should too.

What Happens When a Teen Gets a Great Headshot

I've watched it happen enough times to know it's real. A teenager walks in a little unsure, maybe a little stiff, definitely a little self-conscious. We talk. We laugh. I guide them through it the same way I do with every client because the process is the same whether you're 16 or 46.

Then they see their photos.

Something shifts. They sit up a little straighter. They look at the image like they're meeting a version of themselves they hadn't quite seen before. Confident. Capable. Ready.

That moment is not small. That moment is the whole point.

A professional headshot gives a teen permission to take up space in rooms they haven't entered yet. It gives them a visual identity that matches the ambition they already have. And in a world where your LinkedIn photo is often the first impression you make, having a polished, professional image is no longer optional. It's a tool.

The Practical Case for Teen Headshots

Beyond the confidence piece, here's what a strong headshot actually does for a teenager in today's world:

LinkedIn profiles with professional photos get significantly more profile views and connection requests than those without.

College applications and scholarship submissions increasingly include digital portfolios where a professional photo matters.

Internship and job applications at competitive organizations are reviewed by people who notice the difference between a phone selfie and a professional image.

Speaking engagements, nonprofit board presentations, and community leadership opportunities all benefit from having a photo that reflects how seriously the teen takes their work.

These kids are already doing the work. Their photos should reflect that.

If Your Organization Works with Students, Let's Talk

What KidsMatter has built is something special, and being part of it has been one of the most meaningful collaborations of my career. But they're not the only organization investing in the next generation.

If you run a program, school, nonprofit, or initiative that works with teens and young adults, I would love to talk about bringing a professional headshot experience to your students. Group sessions are something I approach with the same care and intentionality I bring to every client, because these young people deserve nothing less.

Give them the photo that matches who they already are.

Reach out to start the conversation. I would love to make it happen.

About KidsMatter: KidsMatter is a teen philanthropy initiative dedicated to educating young people about the nonprofit sector and community leadership. Students earn college credit through North Central College while gaining hands-on experience in philanthropy, nonprofit operations, and professional development. Learn more at kidsmatter2us.org.