Headshots for Academics: Because People Who Change the World Deserve a Photo That Shows It
Professional headshots for academics, researchers and lecturers. 15+ years of experience across Israel's academic institutions. A mobile studio comes to you.
Headshots for academics, lecturers and researchers: because people who change the world deserve a photo that shows it.
Some people spend years on research that changes lives. They publish papers, take international stages and lecture in front of hundreds of students, but when they need a profile photo, they send a selfie from the office.
It isn't a lack of understanding. It's a matter of priorities. But over the past few years, a professional headshot for academia has become essential.
Someone working on cancer research, international law or artificial intelligence doesn't necessarily think about how they look on the faculty website. Yet today, now that the academic world has become competitive, digital and global, your photo works for you even when you aren't in the room.
Why do researchers and lecturers need a professional headshot?
Your digital presence keeps growing. Your profile appears on the university website, on Google Scholar, on ResearchGate, on LinkedIn, in press coverage and in conference invitations. In each of those places, someone looks at your photo and decides within a second whether you look like someone worth listening to, collaborating with or inviting to speak.
Research grants are also a matter of impression. When a grant committee reviews a proposal, there's a moment when it looks at the person behind it. A photo that conveys seriousness, professionalism and confidence can make the difference.
The press is looking for a face. A journalist preparing an article wants a high-resolution photo of the expert. If you don't have a suitable photo, you may miss media exposure that's worth its weight in gold.
Our experience in the academic world
Over 15+ years of work, I've photographed researchers and lecturers from Israel's leading institutions:
The Technion — photographing cancer researchers and senior scientists, including Prof. Aaron Ciechanover and Prof. Avram Hershko, both Nobel laureates in Chemistry. The photos I took are used in their Wikipedia entries.
The Weizmann Institute of Science — photographing researchers in biology, chemistry and physics.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem — photographing lecturers and researchers across a range of fields.
Tel Aviv University — photographing senior academics.
The University of Haifa — photographing research teams and lecturers.
Among the notable figures I've photographed: Dr. Orna Berry, a scientist, high-tech entrepreneur and former Chief Scientist of the State of Israel; Prof. Mona Khoury, Vice President of the Hebrew University; Prof. Karine Nahon, Dean of the School of Communications at Reichman University and former president of the Israel Internet Association; and many more.
What makes an academic headshot different?
The balance between authority and approachability. A researcher needs to look serious and professional, but also approachable and human. Your students should want to come to your office hours, not be afraid of you.
A distinct body language. Academics don't need to look like CEOs. There's a different body language, that of someone who thinks, listens and asks. The most important thing in a researcher is the eyes: curious eyes that never stop asking. My goal is to capture exactly that moment.
The curious eyes of Prof. Aaron Ciechanover and Prof. Avram Hershko.
A background that tells a story. Sometimes the shoot takes place in a lab, a library or a study, an environment that adds a layer of authenticity. And sometimes it's actually a clean studio background that removes every distraction and leaves only the person.
Lighting that respects the subject. I work with a selective-light technique: precise lighting built for each subject's face individually. The result is a photo that looks natural but polished, without feeling staged.
Which platforms do you need the photos for?
The faculty / department website — usually a profile-page format with a square or vertical photo.
Google Scholar — a small profile photo that needs to stay clear even at a small size.
ResearchGate and Academia.edu — international research platforms where a professional photo builds credibility with peers around the world.
LinkedIn — the professional platform where academics, too, are increasingly present.
Conferences and speaking invitations — organizers need a high-resolution photo for posters, brochures and the conference website.
Press coverage and interviews — journalists ask for a ready-made photo. Without one, they use a screenshot from Zoom.
How does the session work?
A short briefing call. Before the shoot we'll talk about the goals: what the photos will be used for, what the message is and which style fits.
The shoot itself. I come to you at your institution, set up a professional shoot with full studio lighting, and photograph at your pace and comfort. Alternatively, you're welcome to visit the studio, with sessions available across Israel.
A varied set of results. At the end of the session you'll receive a range of photos: formal, semi-formal and photos with more character, so you'll have a suitable image for every platform and every occasion.
What do clients from the academic world say?
Clients from the academic world keep coming back to two things: the relaxed atmosphere that lets even people who "hate being photographed" feel at ease, and the professional result that draws positive responses from the moment the photo goes up.
Frequently asked questions
- I'm a researcher, not a businessperson. Do I even need a professional headshot?
- Absolutely. Your digital presence is part of your research career. A professional photo on the university website, on Google Scholar and on international research profiles conveys seriousness and builds credibility with peers, grant committees and the press.
- Can the session take place at our academic institution?
- Yes. Sharon Gabay arrives with full studio equipment at any academic institution in the country and sets up a professional shoot on site, in an office, a lab or any suitable space. Working across Israel means reaching the Technion in Haifa, the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot and anywhere in between.
- How long does a headshot session for a researcher or lecturer take?
- An individual session usually runs about 30-45 minutes. For a research team or a whole department, the schedule is arranged so that everyone gets their own time without pressure.
- What photos will I receive at the end?
- You'll receive a range of high-quality edited photos: formal ones for the institutional website, semi-formal ones for LinkedIn and conferences, and photos with a more personal character that suit articles and interviews. All images are delivered in high resolution and in formats suited to both digital and print.
- Have you photographed Nobel laureates?
- Yes. Sharon Gabay photographed Prof. Aaron Ciechanover and Prof. Avram Hershko, both Nobel laureates in Chemistry from the Technion. The resulting photos are used in their Wikipedia entries.
Written by
Sharon Gabay
Portrait, headshot & fine-art photographer · author of six photography books
More about Sharon Gabay →Related articles
Ready for a photo that works for you?
Tell me what you need and we'll find the right format together. We can shoot in my professional studio, or I'll come to you with a full mobile studio — anywhere in Israel.