Whether it’s for business or in social situations, first impressions matter. And when it comes to first impressions online, there’s no better way to put your best face forward than with headshots.
From corporate and modeling headshots to personal headshots you can post proudly on your social media, mastering how to take a good headshot is a worthwhile pursuit. No need to spend hours in front of the mirror worrying about how to nail that perfect shot—here are 5 easy steps to improve your confidence and empower yourself before your next photoshoot.
What are Headshots?
Headshots are a type of portrait photography where the focus is on the person’s face. However, in most headshots the shoulders and front chest area are also showing. You’ll typically find headshots on corporate websites, as social media profile pictures, on dating profiles, and as promotional pictures of actors, models, and other artists.
While there’s no official “rule” around what constitutes a good headshot, high-quality headshots can provide the optimal first impression, especially when used for professional purposes. Blurry, pixelated, or unnatural looking headshots aren’t an accurate representation of a person’s likeness and should be avoided. An easy way to do so is by ensuring you plan and prep beforehand for the best results.
How to Take a Good Headshot
Even if you’re not a seasoned pro at being behind the camera, it’s easy to learn how to take good headshots. Like most things, practice makes perfect!
1. Plan Your Pose, Smile, and Props Beforehand
Headshots aren’t the most experimental type of photograph. Since you’ll be the focal point of the photo, there isn’t much room when it comes to playing with poses. Your arms will usually be still and by your side, and your legs won’t be in the shot, so it all comes down to how your face and neck looks.
Depending on the type of headshot you want, you’ll either face the camera straight on or be slightly tilted to the side. Regardless, you can still play around with the positioning depending on what side of the face you prefer, and adjust the level of your smile.
Top Tips
- Figure out which side of your face you want to angle towards the camera. Look back on any old selfies or photos taken by others. Is there a specific side that you prefer, or that you think looks better? Take a note of it and practice angling towards that side in the mirror.
- Depending on what you’ll be using the headshot for, figure out whether you want to smile with your teeth showing or mouth closed. For example, modeling headshots are usually more serious, while headshots for social media can showcase more of your personality and creativity.
- If you’re getting your headshot taken at a professional studio, they may already have props for you to utilize, like a stool for you to sit on to be extra comfortable. If you’re taking headshots at home, consider what you may need on the side, like an additional change of clothes to get a wide variety of headshots. If you’re using AI to generate headshots for you, you won’t need to worry about props as most come with built-in variations.
2. Consider your outfit, accessories, and makeup
Headshot photography is a great way to explore your creativity, but it can also affect how you’re perceived by future employers, clients, and other people in your life. If you’re wondering what to wear for professional headshots, it’s generally a good rule to wear clothes that are simple but classic, clean, well-fitted, and suitable for the industry you’re in—especially if you’re using it for job applications or auditions. As for your accessories and makeup, keep it natural. It usually photographs better and won’t be overly distracting.
Top Tips
- Prepare beforehand to ensure the photoshoot goes smoothly. Get a good night’s sleep and avoid eating anything high in sodium the day before, to avoid puffiness and eye bags. Avoid shaving your face, waxing eyebrows, or getting facial treatments done too close to the photoshoot to reduce redness and irritation. And if you can’t decide between several outfits, you can bring them all along to change into. Just make sure they don’t get creased.
- When in doubt, casual clothes that you feel 100% comfortable in are recommended over more formal or overly trendy outfits. Ultimately, you’ll want to feel like “yourself” on the day of the photoshoot. Wearing clothes that are too far out of your comfort zone may translate to stiffness or awkward vibes in the final headshot, which should be avoided.
- Accentuate your favorite features with makeup and accessories. To bring attention to your decolletage, opt for a subtle necklace in neutral gold or silver. If you want to play up your bone structure and bring dimension to your face, a light foundation and some contouring can even out skin tone, reduce blemishes, and carve out your cheekbones.
Generally, it’s better to keep makeup and jewelry classy. Avoid overly ostentatious or flashy accessories unless you want to include it for a specific reason.
3. Tweak the background and lighting
Since the main focus of a headshot should always be on your face, the background and lighting should enhance, rather than detract from your appearance. Professional headshot photography studios will be more likely to have single-color or lightly textured backgrounds perfect for headshots and the appropriate lighting equipment, like ring lights and reflectors.
Top Tips
- Depending on your skin tone, outfit, and the type of makeup you will be wearing, specific colored backgrounds can wash your complexion out and make you look sick or sallow. Typically, black and white backdrops help headshots look sharper and more defined, but you can ask the photographer to change the backdrop if you prefer.
- If you’re not taking a headshot in a professional studio, keep the positioning and harshness of the lighting in mind. Blown-out lighting can highlight skin imperfections and texture, while poor positioning will cast unflattering shadows across your face.
One easy way to optimize lighting is to use a two-light setup. When two lights point towards you at diagonal angles, each will eliminate the shadows cast by the other.
- In some cases, post-image processing will be required to further enhance the lighting and background—including removing any dark shadows or facial imperfections. This is often an extra cost with professional photographers or studios, but if you’re getting a lot of headshots taken in one go, it can be a worthwhile investment.
4. Focus on Being Natural and Relaxed
It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous or anxious during a photoshoot, especially if you’re not used to getting your photo taken. However, your nerves can affect how the final headshot looks especially regarding your smile, posture, and eyes.
Headshots are generally used to provide the best first impression possible. When you look tense, awkward, or unnatural, this can be a subconscious signal to others that you’re not comfortable in your own skin.
Top Tips
- Aim to keep the photoshoot environment as relaxed as possible. Ask the photographer if you can bring a close friend or family member to provide support and reassurance throughout the shoot.
If you’re not getting your headshot taken in a studio, it may be easier to get comfortable, however tactics like playing background music, taking regular breaks to “shake it out,” and even periodically changing locations, can help make the experience easier.
- You should aim to keep your mouth and eye area soft if you want to look friendly, approachable, and confident. It also minimizes the likelihood that fine lines or creases will appear, giving you a more youthful look.
To get into the right mindset, some people love to go to their “happy place” or think of a particularly funny or enjoyable memory. Others like to embody an “alter ego.”
- If the idea of being behind any camera at all is too intimidating, consider other options, like AI headshot generators. AI tools make the headshot photography process incredibly easy. You’ll just need to upload several selfies or casual pictures of yourself to the AI generator and let it create professional-quality headshots for you.
5. When in Doubt, Get Help
Sure, you’ll save a lot of time, money, and energy asking your friend to take a headshot of you with your iPhone, but if you really want professional-level headshots that put you in the best light (literally and figuratively) it’s worth getting help from the experts. When it comes to getting the best headshots possible, there are two options to consider—AI headshot generators and professional photographers.
AI Headshot Generators vs Professional Photographers
Choosing the right option for you will depend on your budget, customization needs, and aesthetic preferences. Here are some common pros and cons of each option:
AI Headshot Generators
AI headshot generators are a type of generative AI tool. They utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a range of professional-quality headshots. Some AI headshot generators just utilize existing photos of you, while others come with text prompts for further customization around background, clothing, and poses.
If you’re interested in trying out an AI headshot generator, but you’re not sure whether it will be right for you, give Portrait Pal’s free AI headshot generator a go.
Pros
- Cost-effective: AI headshot generators usually cost between $20-$100 for a selection of headshots, making it a great option for businesses or individuals just starting out in their professional field.
- Saves time: Since AI headshot generators can create headshots from the convenience of your home, there’s no need to physically attend a photo studio. It’s perfect for those who lead busy lives!
- Almost unlimited customization options: There’s only so many outfits and backgrounds you can try out in an in-person shoot. AI headshot generators make the impossible possible, giving you almost unlimited customization options.
Cons
- Potential for unrealistic headshots: AI headshot generators are getting smarter and better everyday. However, there’s still a risk for that “uncanny valley” or “overly AI” look we’ve come to recognize, especially if you choose low-quality AI headshot generators.
- Privacy or security concerns: Because AI headshot generators create images by processing existing photos of you, there’s always a risk of unauthorized use or misuse of your personal data. If you’re worried about this, ensure the tool you use has strict and transparent policies in place.
Professional Photographers
Professional photographers are experts behind the camera, and usually have years of skill and experience under their belt. They may be a freelance headshot photographer who takes photos at different locations or owns a photo studio.
Pros
- More creative control: When you work with a professional photographer, you’ll get to provide input, discuss background and lighting, and ultimately have more creative control than you’ll have using an AI headshot generator.
- Personal touch: Every professional photographer has a unique way of capturing a person, which is great if you’re looking for more complex or avant-garde headshots.
- Artistic expertise: Professional photographers know exactly what they’re doing, especially if they have the experience to back it up. They may provide unconventional ideas to enhance the final headshot, and even offer post-image editing to take it to the next level.
Cons
- Time-consuming: You’ll need to meet the photographer on location, take some time to set up the backdrop and props, and finish the photoshoot. When post-image editing is required, this can take an extra week or so, especially with a busy photographer.
- Can be expensive: The range in price for headshots taken by professional photographers is vast, anywhere from $150 to $2,000+.
Is Taking a Good Headshot Worth It?
Yes, but the answer is also relatively complex. Headshots for social media profile pictures or just for personal use doesn’t necessarily need to be as high-quality as possible. But if you want a headshot for professional, commercial, or networking purposes, then taking a good headshot is 100% worth it.
Ultimately, the time and effort you put into planning, creating, and receiving your final headshots can reap great rewards for you if you’re looking to get a new job, create a brand identity, or provide the perfect first impression. It’s the first look someone gets of you, and putting out a polished headshot is a worthy investment.
Also, headshots don’t need to be taken regularly (usually every few years, or whenever your appearance has changed drastically), so once you get your final headshots, you won’t have to think about it again for some time.
How to Be More Photogenic for Headshots
Even if you’re not a natural behind the lens, there are some easy ways to become more photogenic.
Understand Your Best Poses, Angles, and Features
We all have things about our face and body that we love the most. Flaunt your favorite features with clothes, makeup, and accessories that draw the eye towards them and away from any areas you don’t like as much.
Practice Posing in Different Settings
The last thing you want is to be caught off guard and snapped at an unflattering angle. To combat this, practice posing in different types of scenarios and settings. For example, at a wedding (more formal, indoor lighting) on an outdoor hike (casual, natural sunlight), and around friends (different emotions).
Incorporate Movement and Fluidity
Sometimes, the best pictures are taken when we’re in the middle of doing something—like walking, laughing, or talking— because we’re 100% comfortable and in the moment. Incorporating more movement and fluidity into studio photoshoots can help bring in a relaxed vibe.
How to Prepare Your Face for a Headshot
Since the focus of a headshot will be on your face, hair, and neck area, prep beforehand should always include these areas. Ideally, you’ll want to get your skin in its best condition possible. Light makeup can cover blemishes and give a much-needed glow, but other factors like your diet and exercise routine can help provide a healthy complexion and confident demeanor.
Moisturized skin photographs extremely well, as it reflects light and gives a beautiful sheen. You’ll want to ensure your skin, hair, and neck is in as tip-top condition as possible. While some tweaks can be made in the post-image editing stage, preparing yourself beforehand can help get your mind and body ready for the headshot photoshoot.
Avoid any new facial treatments, harsh waxing appointments, or even new hair color treatments beforehand, as you never know how the results of these may turn out. Instead, stick with your tried and tested appointments so you’ll feel prepared and positive on the day of the shoot.