No matter what field you’re in, your headshot communicates a lot about you. Potential clients and employers appreciate being able to put a face to your resume, and if your headshot demonstrates professionalism, trustworthiness, and any other qualities the viewer is looking for, they’re much more likely to seriously consider you.
However, if you’re like many professionals—especially those new to their fields—you might not be exactly sure how to pose for a winning headshot. Not to worry—take a few minutes to check out the tips below, and you’ll be ready to shoot the headshots you need to kickstart your career.
Tip: If you want to bypass many of the steps involved in posing for a headshot, you can use an AI headshot generator like Portrait Pal, which can generate hyper-realistic headshots in various poses.
With further ado, let’s get started.
1. Start by Considering Your Field
The right headshot for a comedian is going to be a lot different than the headshot for a stockbroker. If you’re in a more “traditional” professional career (like banking, real estate, law, etc.) you’ll likely want to wear a blazer or a suit jacket and aim for a pose that’s typical of most professional headshots—leaning slightly in with your gaze confidently forward. If you’re a physician, nurse practitioner, or other medical professional, wearing a white coat can inspire greater confidence from potential employers and patients.
If you’re an author, artist, or someone else in a creative field, consider wearing something that communicates the style of your work. If you write survivalist novels, you might wear a plaid flannel shirt. If you’re a poet whose work is characterized by raw, dark emotions, a black dress or shirt (and a serious expression) may be more appropriate. If you’re a prop comic, you might want to incorporate some of your most commonly used props.
Fortunately, if you’re running low on inspiration, there’s no shortage of examples out there. Choose a few people in your field you admire and check out their headshots!
2. Pick the Right Background
Before choosing your pose, you should make sure you have the right background to show it off. Your headshot isn’t the place to include a busy environment. The point of a professional headshot is to keep the focus on you.
The option you choose will depend on the overall mood you’re trying to convey, as well as your skin tone and what you’re wearing. Here are some of the most common backgrounds and when you might want to use them:
White
White is a common headshot backdrop, and for good reason. It creates a more approachable vibe, and as a bonus, it allows you to add a professional logo if you wish.
Black
If you want to create a bolder look that’s still sophisticated and professional, consider a black background. You can either wear contrasting clothing or go with all-black clothing for a more monochromatic feel.
Muted Neutrals
If you’d prefer something in between black and white, you might go with a muted neutral shade. Choosing something that contrasts with your skin tone is often the best way to go. There are seemingly endless options to choose from, including pale blue grays, warm or cool beiges, and various shades of ivory.
Brighter Colors
If you’re in an industry where a more casual and/or dynamic headshot is appropriate, you might want to use a brighter background. Vibrant or neon colors can showcase your personality, and they tend to go especially well with black or otherwise dark clothing.
3. Next: Elements of the Pose
Once you’ve chosen your outfit and backdrop, it’s time to decide on what pose you want to use. Posing for a headshot is an art in itself. You should pay attention to more than just your facial expression—a good headshot uses your entire body. Picking the right pose can get overwhelming, so we’ll break down the various elements to help you decide.
Element #1: Relaxation
One of the most common mistakes people make when getting their headshots taken is remaining tense or stiff. It might not seem like a big deal, but holding tension in your body—even if your body is outside of the frame—will translate to your face. The last thing you want is to look tense and unnatural in a professional headshot.
Remember that the point of the headshot is to show your professional demeanor. If you look tense, would-be clients and employers might think you’re inexperienced or not confident in your abilities.
Of course, in some cases, relaxing is easier said than done. Here are some cues to remind yourself to stay relaxed before (and during) your photoshoot:
- Do your best to relax your whole body
- Make sure you are taking full breaths in and out
- Try exhaling while the photo is being taken
- Keep your mouth and jaw relaxed
- Try maintaining a very small gap between your upper and lower lip
If you find you typically have trouble relaxing when getting your picture taken, you might consider practicing in front of a mirror. If you memorize the right cues, you’ll be able to easily relax in front of the camera, making it easier for the photographer to capture your true essence.
Element #2: Eyes
Your eyes are probably the most important part of your headshot. There are many different emotions you can communicate with your eyes, and to make it easier for yourself and the photographer, you should choose which expression to use ahead of time.
Do you want to look quiet and contemplative? High-energy? Friendly and approachable? All of these are acceptable for a headshot—you just need to choose the one that most accurately reflects who you are.
However, no matter how well you choose an expression, you should make sure you don’t gaze into the camera for too long. Even if you start with the right expression, holding a person’s (or camera’s) gaze for a long time is a sure way to make yourself look vacant or create a harsh, unnatural stare.
So how do you correct this problem? Some photographers and people with a lot of experience getting headshots taken recommend keeping your eyes away from the camera at first. Then, right before the picture is shot, look up and imagine the camera is someone you love or are otherwise excited to see. That way, your eyes will be “fresh” and your photo will appear more natural.
This might take a few tries to get right. However, it’s worth taking that time. Once you’ve mastered the trick, you can use it in headshots and other pictures you have taken in the future.
Some people choose to take headshots where they’re looking away from the camera. That can work in some cases. But there’s a reason so many headshots involve looking directly at the camera—it creates a meaningful connection with the viewer. When that viewer is someone who may want to hire you, work with you, or read your book, that connection is especially important.
Element #3: Facial Expression
Your eyes are an important part of your facial expression, so you should make sure you have a consistent, beautiful expression to match. Some people smile in headshots, and others don’t. It all comes down to what you’re comfortable with.
Any kind of forced expression can ruin an otherwise perfect shot. Whether you decide to smile or maintain a more neutral expression, choose the look that feels most natural to you.
It’s also important to make sure that no matter what expression you make in front of the camera, it should be consistent with your natural expression. Some people complain they hate their headshots because the photos don’t look like them. More often than not, these people are using a different facial expression than normal. For example, if your friend’s natural smile is big and toothy, he might not be recognizable in a headshot where he’s doing a close-lipped smile.
Your facial expression is central to a good headshot. If you’ve decided on an expression but you aren’t confident you’ll be able to reproduce it in a studio setting, make sure you practice in the mirror until it feels natural.
Element #4: Angles
If you’re fond of taking selfies, you understand the importance of the correct angles. But did you know angles matter for headshots as well? The angles used for professional headshots aren’t as extreme as those commonly used in selfies, but they make more of a difference than you may realize.
When you know your best angles, you’ll be much better equipped to take a great headshot. There’s a catch, though—many people over-fixate on what they think are their worst features, but these often aren’t the features others notice the most. To make sure you choose the best angle for your headshot, take several pictures from different angles and ask family members or close friends which ones they think work the best.
With that in mind, you should try several different angles to see which ones are the most flattering. This can take some patience, but it’s well worth it! In a professional headshot session, a photographer would typically coach you through several angles to find which works best for you, but you can also determine your best angles yourself. Here are some things to try:
- Tilt your chin slightly up vs. slightly down,
- Turn your head slightly to the right vs. slightly to the left.
- Lean one shoulder vs. the other slightly toward the camera.
- Try taking the photo right at eye level vs. a few inches above.
- Try including just your head and the top of your shoulders vs. your head and most of your upper body.
In terms of angles, things will get significantly easier if you can find your “good side.” Everyone’s face is slightly asymmetrical, and chances are that photos will look better when taken from one side or the other. Make sure you take several sample photos and analyze them carefully—your good side might not be the side you think!
Element #5: Body
You almost never see headshots that include your whole body. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use your whole body while posing, though! Even when you can’t see most of your body in the photo, the way you carry yourself can influence your facial expression and the way your head sits atop your shoulders. You might try the following to see if any of the suggestions make a difference:
- Stand (or sit) naturally—don’t try to strike a pose.
- Keep your shoulders rolled back.
- Imagine you’re in a relaxed, everyday setting like meeting a friend for lunch or waiting in line.
- If you wear heels, consider wearing a pair (this can improve posture).
- Try shifting weight primarily onto one leg; this sometimes creates more natural upper-body angles.
As mentioned above, one of the most important things to do during this process is to relax. Don’t get so fixated on the way you think you should stand that you force yourself into a rigid pose.
Element #6: Movement
Incorporating movement into a headshot might sound odd. After all, it’s a still image! However, some of the most effective headshots are shot in a way that appears to catch you in a moment of movement.
Some people choose a completely candid shot. If you do this, you might go with a picture of you working on a computer, laughing, or even sitting contemplatively. This isn’t the most common way to take a headshot, but when done well, candid headshots can be memorable for all the right reasons.
Many headshot poses include much more subtle moments of motion. You might set your camera on a timer and try slightly moving one shoulder, glancing to the side, or lightly touching your face or hair. Quick tip: if your hands end up appearing in the final shot, keep them relaxed! It’s very easy to spot tension in your hands in a photo, and that may make the entire picture look tense.
Not Sure Where to Begin? Start With These Classic Poses
There are many more elements to a successful headshot pose than most people realize. If you read through the tips above and still aren’t sure where to begin, you’re not alone. Below are a few shortcuts: just pick the energy you want to convey and adopt the corresponding pose. From there, you can make little tweaks to the way you tilt your head or the angle you use to take the picture.
The Professional Pose
If you’re looking to primarily project professionalism, this is a great way to go. Face the camera head-on and do your best to maintain a neutral expression.
That part can be harder than it sounds—you want to look professional, but not cold. If you’re someone who can’t quite grasp what facial expression to make in a photo, this might be one you want to practice in the mirror!
The Confident Pose
You always want to look confident in a headshot. However, if confidence is the main trait you want to convey, this is a great pose to choose. Here’s how to do it:
- Square your shoulders
- Hold your head high
- Lift your chin very slightly
- Keep your hands by your side or rest one on your hip
- Keep your hands (and the rest of your body) relaxed
Before selecting your final headshot, take a close look at the photos you have. The goal of this pose is to clearly communicate confidence. If you look imposing, try making your body language more subtle.
The Approachable Pose
If you’re in a field like teaching or counseling where approachability is key, you might consider this pose. It’s still professional, but it suggests a kind of openness that will make you stand out to potential clients. Here’s how to do it:
- Keep your body language open (no crossed arms!).
- Tilt your head slightly to the side.
- Smile in a way that’s genuine without being overly intense.
When posing this way, it might help to imagine you’re greeting a shy student or client. You want your presence to be inviting and approachable, but you still want to project confidence.
Most people will need to add a few minor changes to these poses to create a truly effective headshot. When doing this, keep in mind that even seemingly very small changes can make a huge impact on the way the photo looks. For instance, if you think you need to experiment with tilting your chin, start with a very slight tilt up or down. You might be surprised at the difference it makes!
The Right Pose Counts for a Lot—But It Isn’t Everything
The right pose can make or break a headshot. So can the overall quality of the photo. A traditional headshot session with a professional photographer can cost several hundred dollars, but if that’s not in your budget, you have other options. AI headshot generators like Portrait Pal use your own photos to create a realistic headshot. The best part? It saves you time and money, and you can create a professional headshot without leaving your home.All you have to do is upload 6-16 quality photos of yourself and select a few headshot preferences. In a few hours, you’ll have a set of professional headshots delivered straight to your inbox. If you wish, you can use our free headshot generator to review a free sample before you buy.