Headshots aren’t just for working professionals; anyone who wants to look their best on various social media sites and apps, from Instagram to Discord, needs a great headshot. And no matter where you intend to upload your pics, there’s a headshot suited for that purpose.
Often, headshots are the first impression someone has of you, which is exceedingly important if you’re trying to network with like-minded professionals or are applying for a new position at your dream job. With a great headshot, you’re more likely to be noticed and stand out from the crowd.
If you’re unsure about the best headshot for your needs, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered 10 of the best headshot varieties out there, specifically curated for the women among us—although guys should be able to benefit from these headshot suggestions as well.
Once you’ve chosen the type of headshot you feel would be best suited for your purposes and line of work, you may choose to hire a professional photographer. Or, if you have a decent camera at home (which is likely the case if you own one of the latest smartphones), you can take your own headshots.
With the help of modern technology, you can even use an AI headshot generator to create your headshot for you. We’ll go into that in more detail after our examples.
So, without further ado—and in no particular order—here are 10 great examples of female headshots in 2025.
1. The Dramatic, Dark Background Shot
The dark, dramatic headshot creates an air of mystery and authority. Intense lighting illuminates your face against a dark background, putting the focus on your facial features and accentuating your cheekbones and jawline.
To add to the mystique, the expression is usually intense, although that can vary depending on what you want to accomplish with the headshot. Typically, however, you want to appear focused, maybe with just a hint of a smile.
This headshot creates contrast and draws attention to your face. While some women might feel a dark background is ostentatious, black lends an air of sophistication and is always in fashion. If it has a black background, your headshot is less likely to go out of style.
A dramatic, dark background headshot can add intensity and authority to your portrait, which is ideal if you’re in a position of power or are hoping to embody that vibe. Black-and-white headshots also fit exceedingly well here, as our example shows.
2. The Laid-Back Business Shot
Our next example is in almost complete contrast to the first. The laid-back business shot is a great choice if you’re looking to appear professional while maintaining a relaxed appearance.
Although the background of these shots can vary widely, the best ones typically show you in a natural environment. This might be a plain wall (like in the image above), a library, or a cafe—whatever would make the most sense for your given profession. For instance, if you’re a writer, a library setting might be ideal.
Naturally, these shots can seem more authentic than generic headshots, which show the subject in front of some kind of studio backdrop looking directly into the camera.
Often, these laid-back shots take advantage of unusual angles, with the subject rarely having their shoulders squared to the camera. Expect plenty of three-quarter angles, with the subject looking away from the camera.
When properly executed, a laid-back headshot can help you seem approachable, personable, and friendly.
3. The Personality Shot
The personality shot can be considered a catch-all for headshots. The goal is to capture and accentuate your unique personality.
Unlike more traditional or reserved headshots, these photos allow for an expressive, individualistic approach. Whether through body language, facial expressions, or styling choices, the focus is on letting your true self shine.
This type of headshot is particularly well suited if you have a big personality and want to showcase your character. Bright colors, bold clothing, and distinctive makeup can help create an image that feels authentically you.
Whatever you typically do to highlight your personality, whether it’s through styling or a natural flair for the dramatic, bring that energy into these shots.
These headshots are especially effective for women who are closely tied to their brand image. If what you’re selling is linked to your personal brand, the personality headshot offers an opportunity to create a lasting impression that is also true to who you are.
4. The Casual Shot
This little sister of the laid-back business shot shows the subject in a less formal, more relaxed light. The casual shot allows you to wear a wide range of clothing, from business casual to fully casual. This means you have the freedom to express your style, whether you’re in a T-shirt, a cardigan, or even a cozy sweatshirt, giving you a chance to reflect your personal taste.
While you might balk at wearing such outfits during a professional photo shoot, there are plenty of situations in which you want to appear approachable and comfortable, especially in industries that value authenticity and relatability. A skilled photographer will ensure you look polished and confident, no matter what you’re wearing.
For casual shots, virtually any location has the potential to make a fantastic headshot. Great settings could include an office, an outdoor space, or even the comfort of a living room—wherever you feel most at ease.
This flexibility creates a sense of authenticity that resonates well with audiences and helps build a strong connection. In terms of makeup, you have the option to go minimal or wear none at all—though, of course, this can be adjusted based on individual style and preference.
5. The Character Shot
While the personality shot aims to home in on who you are as a person, focusing on your essence and energy, the character shot delves a bit deeper into your professional role and the impression you want to convey in your field. It’s not just about showcasing personality; it’s about suggesting what you do or how you fit into your work environment.
For example, you might guess that the woman in the headshot above works in a tech-related field based on the presence of the laptop, smartphone, and items on the desk.
Character shots work well across a wide range of professions, from doctors and lawyers to chefs and artists. The beauty of a character shot is its ability to give the viewer an immediate sense of the subject’s interests, skills, or professional identity.
That said, the character shot isn’t necessarily ideal for everyone. Executive-level professionals or women in industries like law, where a polished and formal appearance is essential, may find that the laid-back business shot or the more refined classic business shot serves them better. These options offer a more traditional yet approachable representation that aligns with professional expectations.
6. The Classic Business Shot
When you think of “professional headshots,” there’s a good chance the classic business shot comes to mind. Though they can vary a little in their overall appearance, it’s not uncommon to find the subject smiling and looking directly into the camera.
For these shots, you can have your shoulders squared to the camera or turned at an angle. But, no matter what direction the rest of your body is facing, you should usually be looking into the camera. The goal of these photographs is to make it appear as though you were captured while at work, so it’s key to wear whatever you’d be wearing during a normal day at work, be it a simple blazer or a turtleneck sweater. The same can be said for your makeup.
These shots are usually taken in the office or the city—as in the example headshot we’ve featured. Boardrooms also make great locations.
If you’re looking to create the best possible headshots for use in your networking attempts, or while seeking new employment, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the shots on this list, but the classic business pose is the classic for a reason. It will never steer you wrong.
7. The Artistic Shot
If you’re not constricted by the requirements for a hyper-professional shot, you have the opportunity to take a more artistic approach, which opens up a vast realm of creative possibilities. This freedom allows you to incorporate effects that speak to your personality or craft.
Flowers provide an especially artistic vibe to photos, as is apparent in our example. But you have countless other options to explore, like playing with heavy shadows, creative lighting, or minor face obfuscation. Just remember, your headshot should still showcase what you look like—you don’t want to completely obscure your face as clarity is important.
That said, you can still have fun with it. If you’re a special effects makeup artist—or even a traditional makeup artist—an artistic headshot gives you the chance to display your craft and use the image as a form of advertisement for your skills. Whether you’re showing off your handiwork with zombie makeup or just enhancing your natural beauty, this type of headshot lets you merge creativity with self-promotion.
Ultimately, artistic headshots offer tremendous versatility. You can use these shots to add a touch of flair, showcasing your talent and imagination.
8. The Action Shot
Action shots are especially suitable if you’re an athlete or have a career that involves physical activity. They can also be great if you engage in a sport as a hobby outside of work.
The action shot typically catches you performing some kind of action, or being in an environment or clothing related to that activity. This type of shot might work if you play a sport, are adventurous (think rock climbing, as in the example), or work with animals. It’s the perfect shot if you’re a fitness professional.
If you typically work behind a desk or in an office, the action shot might not be suited for your line of work. But if you’re active outside of work, these photographs will be a great way to showcase that side of you for social media.
9. The Outdoor Shot
While virtually any option on this list could conceivably be an “outdoor” shot if you simply take the photo outside, you can elevate your headshot game by deeply integrating the outdoors into your photograph.
These shots are suitable not only if you’re a business professional who wants to present yourself as being closer to nature, but also if your job involves significant time outdoors, such as if you’re a biologist, landscaper, or farmer. Outdoor settings feel natural and authentic, creating a connection between you and your work environment.
Granted, many outdoor professions come with their own uniforms, and these will naturally complement the environment. But even in business attire, the greens and browns of trees and grass can enhance various outfit colors, especially blues, grays, and blacks.
While the outdoor shot is surprisingly versatile, it’s especially suited for women who already spend much of their time outdoors and want to reflect that connection.
10. The Close-Up
Last but certainly not least on our list of 10 great examples of female headshots in 2025 is the close-up. As the name implies, these headshots are so focused on your facial features that the background, your clothing, and the rest of your body are minimized or absent. It’s nothing but face.
These headshots are especially great for actresses or models, since their beauty is usually at the forefront. Close-up shots are ideal if you’re naturally attractive, as all eyes will be on your face.
If you’re considering a close-up headshot, you should recognize that you’ll be losing some level of professionalism by not having a visible background or outfit. However, if you’re comfortable with your appearance—especially if your job is centered around your appearance—then the close-up shot can be a great option.
Create Your Headshots With AI
Portrait Pal can quickly create uncannily realistic professional AI headshots in just a few hours. While professional photographers generally provide better results, their photo shoots are often prohibitively expensive, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. They’re also time-consuming because of the preparation, the transportation to and from the studio, the shoot itself, and the wait you have to endure while the photos are processed.
Although AI doesn’t currently provide quite the same quality as a traditional photo, that gap is closing quickly. Currently, AI-generated headshots from platforms like Portrait Pal are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. On top of that, they’re much more affordable, and you can see the results in hours rather than days or weeks.