Dundee’s Creative Edge: Headshots for Gaming, Design and Green Industries

Dundee has reinvented itself from “jam, jute and journalism” into a modern creative and innovation city. It attracts startups and specialists across gaming, design, biotech, green energy and tourism. In that kind of market, your headshot is not a formality. It is your first pitch.

Why creative professionals in Dundee need specialised headshots

Creative industries run on fast decisions. People are scanning faces on LinkedIn, team pages, pitch decks, conference bios and portfolio platforms. If your image looks generic, you blend in.

A specialised headshot should do three things:

1. Look like you on a great day, not like a different person

2. Communicate personality without trying too hard

3. Fit the platforms where your work is judged and shared

Headshot styles that suit Dundee’s key sectors

Gaming and design: dynamic, modern, confident

This is where you can push beyond the standard corporate look while still staying credible.

What works:

• Slightly more dynamic posing (subtle head tilt, stronger eye contact, a touch of movement)

• Modern minimalist framing with negative space (great for banners and profile crops)

• A context hint if it’s real: controller on desk, stylus, sketchbook edge, tablet

Avoid:

• Overly stylised lighting that does not match your actual brand

• Busy backgrounds that compete with your face

• Heavy retouching that removes texture and character

Biotech and green energy: clean, calm, credible

These sectors trade on trust. Your headshot should feel precise and steady.

What works:

• Clean backgrounds and simple composition

• Neutral wardrobe and earth tones that support sustainability narratives

• Natural-light look (even if it is professionally lit) to keep things authentic

Avoid:

• Gimmicks or overly playful styling if you need board-level credibility

• Trendy filters or strong colour casts

Tourism and hospitality: warm, welcoming, premium

Your image needs to feel approachable while still polished.

What works:

• Warm expression and open posture

• Lighting that flatters skin tones and feels inviting

• A subtle nod to place (waterfront textures, architectural lines) without becoming a postcard

Avoid:

• Harsh lighting that feels clinical

• Overly dramatic edits that clash with brand warmth

How to prepare for a creative headshot session in Dundee

Choose your main use case first

Decide where the image must perform best:

• LinkedIn and corporate bios (clean, direct, high trust)

• Studio site and portfolio (more personality, more creative edge)

• Speaker and conference use (strong presence, slightly more contrast)

Bring outfits that map to outcomes

Bring 2 to 4 options:

• One safe option (simple, timeless, no loud patterns)

• One brand option (colours that match your website or deck)

• One creative option (texture, layering, something with personality)

• Optional: one more formal option for corporate or press use

Pick a mood, not a pose

Decide the vibe you want:

• Playful energy

• Quiet confidence

• Creative authority

When the mood is clear, the session becomes quicker and the images look intentional.

Consider an environmental add-on

If you want portraits that feel rooted and current, consider a short outdoor set near the V&A area or along the waterfront. This is especially useful for founders, creatives, and hospitality leaders who want variety beyond studio backdrops.

Practical tips that improve results fast

• Wear brand-aligned colours, but keep it simple. Texture beats busy prints.

• Bring a prop only if it is genuinely part of your work identity. Subtle wins.

• Plan crops in advance. You need versions that work for circles, squares, banners, and press thumbnails.

• Use your headshot everywhere: LinkedIn, team pages, pitch decks, conference bios, portfolios, podcasts, and email signatures.

FAQ: Dundee headshots for creative industries

Do I need different headshots for LinkedIn and my portfolio?

If you work in creative industries, yes. One image should prioritise trust and clarity. The other can carry more personality and context.

What should I wear for a creative headshot?

Bring one simple outfit and one that reflects your brand. Avoid loud patterns. Texture and layering usually photograph well.

Can props look professional in a headshot?

Yes, if they are real and restrained. The prop should support the story, not become the story.

How long does a session take?

Most people get what they need in a focused session, especially when outfits and use cases are decided in advance.

Book a Dundee headshot session

If you work in Dundee’s gaming, design, biotech, renewables or hospitality sectors, your headshot should look current, credible, and unmistakably you.

Pete offers on-location headshot sessions in Dundee, using professional lighting and clear direction to capture creative energy with a polished finish.