Casual, artistic, or corporate—when it comes to headshots, the sky’s the limit. First impressions matter in today’s digital world, and high-quality headshots are crucial for getting your foot in the door, especially when used in a professional setting.
It may be tempting to just use one headshot for different purposes and across various platforms, but each type of headshot requires different poses, outfits, and even lighting. What type of headshot should you choose? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know and the seven most popular types of headshots available.
Headshots: What You Need To Know
- Headshots are photographs that focus on a person’s face, shoulders, and upper chest. The face usually takes up most of the shot.
- Headshots can be taken in a studio or outdoors. However, the background and lighting must be carefully considered to optimize the appearance of the face and not distract from the subject.
- Headshots can be used as profile pictures on social media platforms (like LinkedIn), business cards, a company website, a calling card, an email signature, or anywhere that you need to showcase your brand identity and profile.
- If you want high-quality headshots, you might leave it up to the professionals. Professional headshot photographers are a good choice as they have expensive photography tools and an in-person studio. However, photographers can be costly and the photo sessions are time-consuming.
- A popular alternative is using an AI headshot generator like Portrait Pal. Headshot generators create realistic, professional-quality headshots from your existing selfies, saving you time and money.
1. Corporate Headshots
Also known as business headshots, corporate headshots are popular because most working professionals have a corporate presence online. The focus of corporate headshots is to highlight your competence, professionalism, and friendliness and to give potential employers, clients, or colleagues the ideal first impression—which has a further impact on your career or the company you work for.
Because corporate headshots are designed to blend in seamlessly with other corporate headshots (when taken with a team) or your overall professional profile, you can expect a relatively simple and straightforward result. Typically, backgrounds and even outfit choices are kept minimal to highlight this; during a corporate headshot photo shoot, don’t expect to find any avant-garde photography techniques or props.
How Often Should I Get Corporate Headshots Taken?
Typically, you should aim to get your corporate headshots retaken every two years unless you have a significant change in appearance or need a specific type of corporate headshot (like a separate one for your company). The corporate headshots you use should accurately reflect what you currently look like and the image you want to portray, especially if you decide to change career paths.
What Should I Wear for Corporate Headshots?
The outfit you choose to wear will depend on the industry you’re in. For more conservative industries, like finance or law, a suit jacket and tie for men and a blazer pantsuit or high-necked dress for women are common. If you’re in the software or tech field, a clean-looking shirt, dress, or button-down top can be worn. In most corporate headshots, makeup is kept clean and simple, and jewelry should be subtle so it doesn’t distract from the face.
A good rule of thumb is to look at what other senior executives or colleagues in your field are wearing and try to emulate that.
How Should I Pose for Corporate Headshots?
There’s no need to pull out the catwalk-ready poses for corporate headshots. Instead, focus on minimalism. Some popular options include standing straight on to face the camera, positioning your body slightly sideways to showcase your best side, or standing with your arms crossed. Ultimately, go for the pose that showcases your personality and makes you feel most confident.
How Expensive Are Corporate Headshots?
If you decide to get your headshots taken by a professional photographer, a corporate headshot package can cost between $100 and $1500. However, the final price will also depend on the photographer’s expertise, their location, whether it was in the studio or outside, and other factors. AI headshot generators generally cost between $20 and $80 for a wide selection of corporate headshots with different outfits, poses, and backgrounds.
2. Acting Headshots
Whether you’re a budding actor or a seasoned professional, or you just want to get your foot in the door, acting headshots are a must-have if you want casting directors to take you seriously. Acting is a highly visual industry, meaning what you look like matters—whether that’s your height, ethnicity, hair type, or micro-expressions. This is why acting headshots need to showcase your true appearance while still enhancing your best features.
The best approach to getting your acting headshots taken is to focus on high-quality lighting, camera quality, and backgrounds. Low-quality or blurry shots can signal that you’re unprepared or unprofessional. Choose headshots in which you have a confident and relaxed expression with a well-lit backdrop to get the best chance for success.
What Should I Wear for Acting Headshots?
Unlike corporate or other professional types of headshots, you can get a bit more creative with your outfit and makeup for acting headshots. A well-fitting top in a color that complements your skin tone and features can make you look healthy and boost your complexion, while glasses, facial hair, and other subtle accessories can help differentiate you from the competition. Like all headshot types, simple is usually better, but you also have a chance to inject a little more personality into photos for acting.
How Should I Pose for Acting Headshots?
The casting director wants to see the real you. This means posing in a way that feels the most natural and comfortable, as tension in your shoulders or face will show in the final headshots. Standing straight with your shoulders relaxed can signal confidence, while tilting your face to the side and smiling brightly can signal a friendly disposition. Choose a pose that represents your true personality.
How Expensive Are Acting Headshots?
Acting headshots can be priced at $50–$100 per headshot, or up to $1500 for a full package. This often includes post-image retouching and takes into account the photographer’s expertise.
3. Modeling Headshots
Modeling headshots are the first thing a potential client sees when they’re searching for a model for their project, whether that’s an editorial shoot or a runway show. For any model, their headshot will be the main image on their comp card and is often the only image they provide for casting calls.
The modeling industry can be cutthroat, and if a client doesn’t like the look of your face or vibe based on your headshots, it’s unlikely that you’ll get a second chance. This is why having a selection of high-quality modeling headshots should be your first priority, regardless of whether you’re aiming for a commercial or high fashion contract.
How Many Headshots Do I Need for Modeling?
Modeling headshots are just one type of photograph a model needs to have. Clients typically request several full-body shots at different angles. If they like the look of the main headshot you submit, they may ask for additional headshots with different contexts (like smiling, relaxed, or varying poses). Therefore, models usually need two to three different types of modeling headshots.
What Should I Wear for Modeling Headshots?
The outfit you wear will depend on the type of modeling you want to do. A solid white or black top with a simple neckline is suitable for high fashion, while a colored top that complements your complexion or eye color can be great for commercial modeling. Unlike corporate headshots, it’s not uncommon to see low necklines or strappy singlet tops. In fact, most agents will recommend showing some skin in a classy manner.
How Should I Pose for Modeling Headshots?
Again, this will depend on the type of modeling. For commercial modeling headshots, some variations in angles, smiles, and even how your hands are posed are great. For high fashion modeling headshots, agents generally prefer a strong head-on pose with a neutral expression. If you need inspiration, search for modeling headshot examples on the internet and try to emulate them.
4. LinkedIn Headshots
LinkedIn is a professional networking social media platform used by working professionals around the world. Having a LinkedIn headshot is more than just letting others on the platform know what you look like—it highlights your competency, shows you’re serious about establishing your professional presence online, and builds trust and credibility with your LinkedIn audience.
According to a study conducted by LinkedIn, profiles with a professional-quality headshot receive up to 21 times more profile views and nine times more connection requests than profiles with no headshot. If you want to search for a new job, change career paths, or reach a larger number of potential employers or clients, a good LinkedIn headshot should be your first priority.
When Should I Take a New LinkedIn Headshot?
As a general rule, your LinkedIn headshot should be a recent photo—no more than four years old. Like any social media profile picture, it should be representative of what you look like now. So, if your appearance has changed significantly over the last few years, it may be time to refresh that headshot.
What Should I Wear for LinkedIn Headshots?
A great way to figure out what you should wear for LinkedIn headshots is by taking a look at the profiles of other colleagues or thought leaders in your industry. What type of makeup or accessories are they wearing? What clothes look good? Generally, more conservative industries, like finance, have a stricter dress code than more creative job types, so it’s recommended to dress for the type of job and industry you’re in (or are trying to join).
How Should I Pose for LinkedIn Headshots?
When posing for LinkedIn headshots, the focus should be on looking natural, professional, and polished. Whether you smile with your teeth showing or mouth closed is up to you—as is whether you prefer to look friendly and approachable or more serious. Popular poses seen in LinkedIn headshots include the simple front-facing pose, the head slightly tilted to either side, hands on the hips, or hands clasped in front.
5. Lawyer Headshots
All legal professionals need professional-quality headshots, whether done by their law firm or taken on their own. Lawyer headshots represent the subject on the law firm website and in marketing material, and are often the first thing potential clients see when they’re deciding which law firm and lawyer they want to represent them.
When it comes to lawyer headshots, it’s common for law firms to get all their lawyers to take similar headshots. Not only does this keep the look cohesive on their website, but it helps to highlight the synchronicity in which a law firm works, starting from the first impression.
Why Are Lawyer Headshots So Important?
All professional employees want to look friendly, intelligent, and reliable in their headshots. But for legal professionals like attorneys, these traits are crucial in order to attract clients. Legal professionals represent clients in court, assist them in transactions, and handle sensitive information. High-quality lawyer headshots subconsciously signal to clients that they can go above and beyond.
What Should I Wear for Lawyer Headshots?
Lawyer headshots are among the more formal styles out there. It’s generally recommended that men wear a suit and tie and women wear a formal blouse and blazer. Tailoring is also important, as well-fitting, wrinkle-free clothes look crisp and clean, which can make you look more credible.
How Should I Pose for Lawyer Headshots?
If you get your lawyer headshot taken as part of a team with your law firm, you’ll likely be told how to pose based on the brand identity and other factors. Otherwise, try to avoid overly exaggerated or dramatic poses, like awkward hand gestures or expressions. Smiling with your teeth showing can make you look more genuine and down-to-earth, whereas looking into the distance while showing off a power pose can make you look authoritative.
6. Doctor Headshots
If you’re a doctor or a medical professional, you need to get good headshots taken, regardless of whether you’re still a medical student, in your residency, or a seasoned medical director. Doctor headshots are an important visual introduction to medical institutions, fellow health professionals, and patients.
Doctor headshots are usually accompanied by a blurb when used in marketing materials, on hospital websites, in academic publications, and on social media.
Why Are Doctor Headshots So Important?
Patients generally like to research the medical practice, the clinic, and even their doctor before visiting or making an appointment. Doctor headshots can have a significant impact on a patient’s willingness to work with the medical professional as they’ll have a preference for a doctor who looks friendly and competent.
What Should I Wear for Doctor Headshots?
Unlike other types of professional headshots, which commonly involve wearing office-friendly attire, doctor headshots can include scrubs, a white lab coat over a button-down top, or a full suit if you’re a medical director.
How Should I Pose for Doctor Headshots?
For successful doctor headshots, you want to convey approachability, confidence, and competence. Avoid slouching or furrowing your brow. Instead, stand up tall, push your shoulders back, and keep your face warm and relaxed.
7. Realtor Headshots
If you’ve ever driven past a house or an apartment for sale, you’ve likely seen a giant billboard with realtor headshots plastered across it. Realtor headshots are also used in newspaper listings and displayed in TV ads, and are a must-have on real estate websites if you’re a real estate agent.
The real estate market can be competitive. If potential buyers and sellers see your face appear multiple times in online and in-person listings, they may be more likely to reach out and want to work with you.
Why Are Realtor Headshots So Important?
Realtors have to build trust with their clients. After all, the clients are placing all of the responsibility and delicate information surrounding selling or buying their home in the realtor’s care. High-quality realtor headshots showcase that the real estate agent pays attention to details, conducts themselves professionally, and is 100% trustworthy.
What Should I Wear for Realtor Headshots?
With realtor headshots, you can play it safe by wearing a simple blazer jacket and keeping things simple (like a typical corporate headshot). However, some realtors like to inject their personality into their headshots by wearing statement earrings, bright colors, or even makeup that represents their personality.
How Should I Pose for Realtor Headshots?
Posing for realtor headshots is the same as posing for any other type of professional headshot. Ultimately, keeping it natural is key. However, realtor headshots are also commonly taken outside, with backdrops of trees, fields, or lakes.