Headshot Photographers With a Story-Driven Approach: Joshua Michael Shelton

If you’re researching headshot photographers, you’re probably trying to answer a simple question: who can create headshots that actually help me get results? Not just flattering images — but portraits that feel confident, current, and unmistakably you.

I’m Joshua Michael Shelton, the photographer behind [LINK: Homepage | anchor text: Headshots LA]. For over 17 years I’ve worked in the celebrity editorial world of photography, directing portraits with the same fundamentals used in magazine and film environments: clarity, intention, and story. In 2010, I founded Headshots LA to bring that level of craft to actors, entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals who want to be seen at their best — without looking over-produced.

This page is a bit of an introduction, but it’s also a practical guide to how I work, what I believe makes headshots effective, and why clients come to me when they want images that do something in the world.

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About Joshua Michael Shelton: The Headshot Photographer Behind Headshots LA

Photography isn’t only technical — it’s psychological. The camera doesn’t just record what’s in front of it. It reveals confidence, tension, openness, hesitation, humor, warmth, authority — sometimes all within a single frame.

As a headshot photographer, my job is to help you bring the best version of yourself forward in a way that still feels real. That’s why direction matters more than gear. Lighting matters more than location. And comfort matters more than “posing.”

Over the years, I’ve collaborated with brands, agencies, and professionals across multiple industries, building a reputation for portraits that feel cinematic, clean, and emotionally readable. My style blends editorial polish with authenticity — the goal is never to make you look like someone else. The goal is to make you look like you, on your best day, with your strongest energy.

If you’ve ever said, “I’m not photogenic,” you’re not alone — and you’re exactly who I built this process for.

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Why People Search for Headshot Photographers (and What They Actually Need)

Most clients don’t wake up excited to take headshots. They do it because something is on the line:

• A casting submission
• A new job opportunity
• A promotion
• A pitch deck
• A press feature
• A personal brand relaunch
• A company website update
• A LinkedIn refresh that finally looks like “you”

That’s why strong headshots have to work on multiple levels. They should be:

• Confident without feeling aggressive
• Approachable without looking soft
• Modern without looking trendy
• Polished without looking airbrushed

When people compare headshot photographers, they’re often comparing portfolios. But the real difference is the process — especially how the photographer directs expression and creates consistency across a full set of images.

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My Approach: Editorial Craft + Real Direction

A great headshot isn’t an accident. It’s usually the result of a few key factors done very well:

1) Expression Direction (Micro-Adjustments Matter)

The difference between a “good” headshot and a headshot that books is often a tiny shift:

• relaxing the jaw
• softening the eyes
• changing the breath
• a subtle chin angle
• a micro-smile that reads confident, not forced

These are small things — but they change everything.

2) Lighting That Shapes (Not Flattens)

I use lighting intentionally to sculpt the face, preserve natural texture, and create a look that feels premium without becoming dramatic for drama’s sake.

3) A Calm, Guided Session

Most people don’t need more photos. They need better direction.

During your session, you’ll never be left guessing what to do. I’ll guide you through posture, angles, expression, and pacing so the images feel natural — not stiff.

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What I Shoot: Actor, Business, and Personal Branding Headshots

Headshots are not “one category.” Different industries require different visual language. That’s why Headshots LA offers tailored approaches depending on your goals.

Actor Headshots

Casting wants honesty and clarity. Your headshot should look like you today, with expression that feels present and readable.

→ [LINK: Actor Headshots Page | anchor text: actor headshots]

Business & Corporate Headshots

Professionals need portraits that communicate capability, trust, and modern professionalism — perfect for LinkedIn, company websites, and press.

→ [LINK: Business Headshots Page | anchor text: business headshots]

Personal Branding Headshots

For creatives, entrepreneurs, and public-facing professionals, personal branding portraits can have more personality — while still staying polished.

→Headshots LA

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Studio vs Environmental Headshots: How We Decide

Some clients need clean, controlled studio images. Others want context — a location that communicates their industry or personality.

Studio Headshots

• consistent backgrounds
• clean, timeless look
• ideal for casting + corporate profiles

Environmental Headshots

• more story and atmosphere
• great for personal branding
• can still stay professional and polished

→ Environmental aka Depth of Field Headshots Click Here

If you’re unsure, we’ll choose based on where the images will live — and what you want your viewer to feel.

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Retouching Philosophy: You, Not a Filter

Retouching should help the image feel finished — not fake.

My retouching approach:

• keeps skin texture
• avoids plastic smoothing
• respects your facial structure
• focuses on distractions, not identity changes

You should still look like you — just rested, refined, and camera-ready.

→ Headshots LA Retouching Services

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My Work Beyond Photography: Creative Direction + Filmmaking

Since 2022, I’ve served as a Creative Director at Gold Tree Studios, where I develop original content and lead creative strategy. That background influences how I photograph: I’m always thinking about narrative, intention, and what the audience will assume from a single frame.

In 2025, I submitted a short film titled “Punkture” — which I wrote and directed — to the Cannes Film Festival. I’m also currently developing two new short films and a feature film.

Why does that matter for headshots?

Because headshots are storytelling — compressed into one image.

Your headshot isn’t just how you look. It’s how you’re cast. How you’re perceived. How you’re remembered.

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What It’s Like to Work With Joshua Michael Shelton

Clients often tell me they expected to feel awkward — and were surprised by how easy the session felt.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A professional, calm environment
• Clear direction from start to finish
• Help choosing wardrobe options that photograph well
• A focus on variety: confident, approachable, warm, powerful
• Images that feel consistent, modern, and usable across platforms

If you want to review packages first:

→Checkout our Headshot Pricing

Ready to schedule:

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Why Headshots LA

Los Angeles is a competitive visual market. If you’re here, your headshots need to stand up next to strong competition — in casting, corporate settings, and online branding.

That’s why Headshots LA exists: to create portraits with the polish of editorial work, the honesty casting requires, and the clarity professionals need.

If you’re comparing headshot photographers, I’d love the chance to earn your trust and create images that support where you’re going next.

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FAQ: Choosing the Right Headshot Photographer

How do I choose between different headshot photographers?

Look beyond the portfolio. Choose a photographer who can direct expression, create variety, and deliver images aligned with your industry goals.

Do you help with posing?

Yes — you’ll be directed throughout the session. Most clients do not need to “know how to pose” to get great results.

Should my headshot look like me or my “best self”?

Both. A great headshot looks like you, but refined: confident, current, and camera-ready.

Do you offer business and LinkedIn headshots?

Yes — business, corporate, and personal branding headshots are a major focus.

→ [LINK: Business Headshots Page | anchor text: LinkedIn headshots]

Can you recommend what style I need?

Absolutely. We’ll decide based on your goals, industry, and where the images will be used.

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Final Note

I’m Joshua Michael Shelton, and I created Headshots LA for people who want portraits with clarity, confidence, and real presence — not clichés.

If you’re ready to create headshots that feel like you and work like marketing, start here:

→ [LINK: Booking Page | anchor text: schedule your headshot session]