Before you can captivate audiences on runways or become the face of a beauty campaign, you have to wow someone with a great headshot. A significant portion of headshot advice is geared toward people taking traditional headshots. While there’s certainly some overlap, you should be familiar with the general guidelines for modeling headshots before you take your next set of pictures.
1. Keep It Simple
The colors you incorporate into your headshot are up to you. However, regardless of your chosen color scheme, remember to keep things simple. Bright colors can work in some circumstances, but avoid loud patterns. It might be tempting to show off loud, memorable clothing, but don’t lose sight of the fact that the person evaluating your headshots isn’t primarily concerned with your style sense—they want to clearly see your eyes, facial features, and personality. Don’t lose sight of the fact that your modeling headshots should be about you—not your clothes.
2. Make Eye Contact
This is one piece of advice that is relevant for any kind of headshot, modeling or otherwise. Models generally need to send multiple headshots for a prospective job, but at least one should be a simple, straightforward, “traditional” headshot in which you are looking directly at the camera.
There are a couple of different reasons for this. One is that most modeling gigs—at least those that require photos—require you to look straight into the camera. When you include at least one headshot where you’re looking directly into the camera, you demonstrate your ability to effectively emote through your eyes. It’s a skill that not everyone has.
The other reason is that eye contact helps you create a connection with the viewer. First impressions matter (even if they’re through photos), and if your headshot can make an impression right away, you’re more likely to stand out.
3. Tailor Your Headshots to the Job
Usually, a headshot for a doctor isn’t going to look the same as one for an executive. In a similar vein, when you’re taking modeling headshots, you should make sure to tailor the photos you take to the opportunities you’re after. If you’re applying for beauty-related opportunities, headshots like the one above—with more casual, shoulder-baring clothing and artistic poses—might be appropriate. However, if you’re looking for work related to fitness or athletics, you’d probably want to send headshots in which you’re facing forward to give a sense of strength.
4. Show Some Personality
Generally, modeling headshots should be focused on your eyes and facial features. Your goal is to demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the type of work you’ll be doing, so the focus should be primarily on you. However, that doesn’t mean your headshots have to be devoid of personality! The one above is a great example. This headshot shows off the model’s face, physique, and hairstyle as a standard modeling headshot should. However, by showing his tattoo and the fingerless glove, he’s inserting a bit of his personality into the shot. These features aren’t enough to distract the viewer, but they do make him stand out—in a good way!
5. Keep the Focus on Your Face
Generally, a standard modeling headshot should highlight your facial features. Dramatic lighting and deep shadows might seem artistic, but to someone evaluating your suitability for a particular job, they’ll just make it look like you’re hiding something. Depending on the opportunities you’re applying for, it might be appropriate to include more artistic or nontraditional headshots somewhere in your portfolio—just not in your standard headshot.
This photo is a great example of a successful headshot. It’s plain and unassuming, and that’s precisely what makes it useful to someone reviewing your resume. The model is wearing minimal makeup, and the photo showcases her strong brows and uniquely shaped lips.
6. Don’t Forget About Hairstyle
This might seem like an obvious suggestion. However, with all the focus on your eyes, expression, and highlighting facial features, it can be easy to lose track of another key element of your headshot: your hair. While it’s true that you can easily clean up your hairstyle or get a quick trim before your next gig, that isn’t the point. You want to show off your looks, but you also want to communicate professionalism. Neat, well-styled hair shows that you take modeling seriously.
This headshot is a great example of how paying close attention to grooming can really make a headshot. When your hair is as short as that of the model in the picture, it can start to regrow quickly, making the edges look indistinct. That might not be an issue in everyday life, but when you’re applying for an opportunity that hinges on your looks, every little detail counts. By making sure his hairstyle has neat, clean edges, the model pictured indicates to potential employers that they can count on him to show up to shoots looking camera-ready.
7. Sometimes, It’s Okay to Show Off Makeup
Traditional wisdom holds that when it comes to modeling headshots, you should wear minimal makeup or none at all. It’s true that your primary headshot should follow these guidelines, but because you’re probably sending multiple photos for consideration, there’s nothing wrong with including one or two with some makeup—at least in some situations.
For example, imagine you’re applying for makeup-related ad campaigns. You want to show makeup companies your bare (or almost bare) face so they can understand the “canvas” they’re working with, but you also want to give them an idea of what you’d look like as part of a finished shoot. In this case, consider including a picture that looks like what you might find in a makeup ad. Include a picture in full (but not overdone) makeup.
Be sure to make it look as good as possible (or better yet, have your makeup professionally done). Some retouching is okay as long as you don’t alter the shape or structure of your face. The idea is to effectively give the viewer a sample photo shoot, so feel free to include the kinds of poses you might see in a makeup ad in a magazine.
8. Stay Relaxed
If you’ve been modeling for a considerable period of time, you’re probably comfortable in front of a camera. You also likely know how to pose. But what if you don’t? Traditional headshots might not show your whole body, but if you’re tense and unsure, the person evaluating your portfolio will be able to tell. There’s nothing wrong with planning your poses ahead of time, but make sure you’re familiar enough with them that they look convincingly natural. This headshot is a great example. It might not be a way you routinely sit, but if you can relax into the pose as organically as possible, you can make it look believable.
One great advantage of taking headshots at home and then sharpening them with an AI headshot generator is that you can try out poses as long as you like. They might not all look great, but even a couple of natural-looking stances will work. Curious? Learn more about AI headshot generation and check out some of our tips for great posing later in this article.
9. Neutrals Are Your Friend
Some people will tell you to stick to neutrals in your modeling headshots. And while you might not have to use neutral clothing and backdrops in every photo, a neutral-heavy main headshot keeps the focus on you.
However, the exact shades of the neutrals you use can make or break a headshot. Pure white can look stark in many instances, but if you have dark skin or hair, a very light background can create a beautiful contrast. On the other hand, black can look dark and dramatic in a good way (especially if you have light skin or hair), but in some instances, it might be a bit too dramatic.
Often, you get the best results somewhere in the middle. The headshot above is a great example. The model is wearing a warm beige top against a warm beige background. The picture isn’t quite monochromatic, but the background connects with the warm undertones in the model’s skin and hair, giving the composition a unified effect.
10. Black and White Works, Too
There’s something irresistibly classic about a black-and-white headshot. This type of headshot might not work for every kind of modeling work, but in some cases it’s perfect. For example, if you want to be considered for a vintage-style photo shoot, this might be the kind of headshot you want to highlight in your portfolio. Even if you aren’t specifically looking for vintage-style work, it might be worth including a black-and-white picture in your portfolio lineup. In the case of the headshot above, the model’s pensive look and creative pose complete the look.
Tips for Taking Great Modeling Headshots
You know modeling—but depending on your experience, you may or may not know photography. Whether you’re snapping your first set of modeling headshots or just want to freshen up your portfolio, check out some proven tips for attention-grabbing photos.
Communicate Genuine Emotion
You might have seen photos of models on the catwalk with vacant stares, but that isn’t the look you want for your portfolio. While some models build careers around fashion shows, that’s far from the only modeling work available, and it’s always wise to keep your options open. If you’re chosen for a photo-based campaign, you’ll need to be able to convey emotions that a viewer can feel from the other side of the screen or from the page.
Getting this right can take some practice. It may help to focus on the emotion you’re trying to communicate and then try to bring it to life through your eyes. Make sure you don’t overdo it—trying too hard to emote will make you look inexperienced.
Some people seem to have this skill naturally; others have to work at it. If you’re the latter type, practice can help you get where you need to be. Try running through different emotions with a selfie camera, studying the photos to identify how you might improve, and doing it again. It might seem tedious, but soon this skill will become second nature.
Remember the Importance of Lighting
When you’re taking modeling headshots, focusing on yourself is important. However, even if you have the world’s best poses and most natural facial expressions, it won’t matter if your headshot has poor lighting. Lighting is one of the areas where people new to taking headshots most frequently make mistakes.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a photography genius to get the lighting right. Natural light is integral to some of the best photos, and it costs nothing to use. The key to success is making sure you’re illuminated clearly enough that your viewers can see your facial features, but not so much that you start to look washed out.
Clothing Matters
If you’re taking headshots for acting, modeling, or corporate careers, everyone seems to have an opinion on what colors to wear and what not to wear. For instance, a common piece of advice is to stick to neutrals. This is generally smart advice, but if neutrals seem at odds with your personality, don’t be afraid to tweak things a bit. Busy patterns can distract from your face, so they’re something you should avoid altogether. However, there are many ways to safely add some bold color:
- Choosing a vivid, bright background while wearing neutral colors
- Wearing a solid-colored but bright shirt or dress
- Wearing a single bright accessory like a headband or pendant
It’s important to note that some of these suggestions sound better in theory than they look in practice. Always test them out before taking your headshots!
Keep Your Poses Relaxed and Confident
The wide world of potential poses can be overwhelming for those new to modeling. It’s more important to choose a natural, relaxed pose that makes you feel confident than it is to memorize a few posing techniques you discovered online.
Here’s a look at some popular poses:
- Leaning Slightly Forward: This classic pose creates a subtle sense of connectedness and intimacy.
- Facing the Camera: This is a universal pose in which you square your shoulders to the camera and face it head-on.
- Over the Shoulder: This artistic pose involves turning your back to the camera and looking over your shoulder.
- Sideways: Turn so you’re perpendicular to the camera. Depending on whether you’re taking a picture in profile or a more conventional headshot, you may or may not choose to turn your head to the camera.
It can take some practice to get these poses right, so be patient with yourself. And be sure to read our full guide on how to pose for a headshot.
More Tips
Understanding the basics of modeling headshots is great, but it can also be helpful to keep some of these general headshot tips in mind:
- Even if you don’t wear makeup, use a little powder to absorb shine-causing oil.
- Get a good night’s sleep beforehand.
- Align your clothing with the goals you’re pursuing.
- Stay well hydrated to keep your skin looking its best.
When in doubt, seek inspiration from others. Find a few actors you like and study their headshots. What makes them stand out? The goal is not to directly copy someone’s pose or editing style. Instead, you should use their photos as a way to guide your decisions and create a wonderfully memorable headshot.
Ready to Get Started?
Great-looking headshots can make the difference between landing the modeling gig of your dreams and getting turned down for opportunity after opportunity. But here’s the problem: Great headshots aren’t cheap. If you’re a world-famous supermodel, paying for a top-of-the-line professional photo shoot might not be an issue. But for most models who are just trying to make a living (and for newer models in particular), it can be difficult or impossible to spare the hundreds of dollars most professional photo shoots cost. Plus, as your career evolves, you will need to periodically retake these photos.
Luckily, Portrait Pal is here to help. We started with a simple mission: to help people early in their careers get the professional-quality headshots they need to succeed. Our groundbreaking AI technology lets us offer top-quality headshots for a fraction of the price you’d pay for a traditional photo shoot. We’ve generated more than 2.5 million headshots for people like you. Look around our site to discover more, and get started with Portrait Pal today!