How to take a good headshot

Whether you need acting headshots, business headshots, or simply a photo to update your LinkedIn profile, a great headshot can make all the difference. It's your first impression since we meet most people online before we meet them in person, and it needs to be as professional and polished as you are. But how do you make your headshot look good? Here are some essential tips for a good headshot that will help you stand out from the crowd.

1. Choose the right photographer

The first thing you need to do is make sure you’re choosing the right photographer. You don’t want to hire a food photographer who photographs burgers and fries and has never taken a portrait of a person in their life.

Not all photographers specialize in headshots, so it's important to find one who does. They'll understand the nuances of lighting and angles, and they’ll know how to coach you into poses that work best for you.

When choosing a headshot photographer, first look at their portfolio to see if their style matches what you're looking for. Then look for variety in their photos: if every photo in their portfolio has the same background and lighting then they only have one method in their skillset and might not have the knowledge and experience to choose the right background, lighting, and lens that would work best for you. Make sure their portfolio demonstrates that they have the skills to know how all the elements of a photo can change your face shape, body shape, and overall appearance. You should also read reviews or ask for recommendations to ensure they're reputable and professional.

2. Dressing for a headshot

The clothes you choose for your photo play a crucial role in how your headshot turns out. Is your goal to look creative? Professional? Friendly? Casual? All of those things? It’s easy to overthink what to wear for your headshot, so try to remember this general rule of thumb: you want anyone looking at your photo to notice YOU and not what you’re wearing. Follow the tips on this page of our website for more specific colors and patterns to use or stay away from, but start by finding the clothes you wear on a regular basis when you want to feel confident and like your true self.

Remember that different industries have different expectations when it comes to attire in professional photos. For instance, if you're an actor, casual clothing like a simple t-shirt and jeans might be more appropriate than a business suit. And if you’re in finance then the standard is a suit and tie or something equally as formal might be best.

3. Prepare for your headshot

When you wake up in the morning and shave, style your hair, put on your makeup, or whatever else you do to get ready for the day, there’s definitely the extra pressure to get everything perfect for picture day. You want your headshot to look like you but you on your best day, so make sure you’re styling your hair and doing your makeup how you normally do, but camera-ready.

Watch for stray hairs that should be tamed for the photo, but don’t make any drastic changes just for a photo, such as straightening your hair if you normally wear it curly, or wearing contacts if you always wear glasses. You want this photo to look and feel like you.

Drink an absurd amount of water the day before and the day of your photo, since this will hydrate your skin, give it a better tone, and fill in fine lines and wrinkles. Try not to drink alcohol or other diuretics for a day or two before your photo session for the same reason: they can remove water from your skin and make you look more tired or older. And speaking of skin: there’s usually no reason to reschedule your session if you wake up with a blemish or you cut yourself shaving. There’s always photo retouching for that!

4. Posing for your headshot

The right pose and facial expression can make or break your headshot, so make sure you’re working with a professional headshot photographer who has the knowledge and experience to get great poses and smiles out of you. For example, your goal could be to look both confident and approachable, which can be a delicate balance to strike, so make sure the photographer knows that this is what you want and that they are helping you achieve that. Make sure they are guiding you, giving you cues and prompts, and that you also feel comfortable enough to give them feedback on what you think is and isn’t working for you.

A good tip for posing is to lean slightly towards the camera. This creates a sense of engagement, since we lean in for a handshake when we first meet people, so a slight lean forward in your headshot mimics that. (Not to mention it helps avoid the appearance of a double chin, which we can all benefit from). As for your expression, aim for a genuine smile that reaches your eyes. When staring down the lens of a camera try not to see the camera. Instead, imagine a scenario that you know would bring out your best smile, and allow yourself to be in that scenario. For example, maybe you’re a therapist and you can pretend the camera is a new patient you’re listening to: give them your best “I’m listening” friendly smile. Or if you’re a public speaker, imagine the camera is your audience and you’re smiling confidently as the host is introducing you to them.

5. Choosing the right background

Your photographer should give you some choices for the background of your headshot and it might feel overwhelming or you’re worried you’ll choose the wrong look. The background of your headshot should enhance, not distract from, your face. Simple backgrounds like solid colors or blurred outdoor scenes tend to work best. Avoid anything too busy or patterned that could pull focus away from you, or colors that clash with what you’re wearing or make your skin tone look washed out or wrong.

Think about where your headshot is going to be used to help you choose the backdrop for it. If you’re only using it for a LinkedIn profile photo, for example, you might want to choose a plain color background since profile photos can get small in size and you don’t want your face and hair to melt into the background when the photo shrinks down to a small size. If you have a website where your headshot is going, choose a background that looks good on that website and doesn’t clash with the colors or styles of the site.

5. Choosing the right background

Your photographer should give you some choices for the background of your headshot and it might feel overwhelming or you’re worried you’ll choose the wrong look. The background of your headshot should enhance, not distract from, your face. Simple backgrounds like solid colors or blurred outdoor scenes tend to work best. Avoid anything too busy or patterned that could pull focus away from you, or colors that clash with what you’re wearing or make your skin tone look washed out or wrong.

Think about where your headshot is going to be used to help you choose the backdrop for it. If you’re only using it for a LinkedIn profile photo, for example, you might want to choose a plain color background since profile photos can get small in size and you don’t want your face and hair to melt into the background when the photo shrinks down to a small size. If you have a website where your headshot is going, choose a background that looks good on that website and doesn’t clash with the colors or styles of the site.

Conclusion: Set yourself up for success

While these tips for a good headshot can guide you in the right direction, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to this type of photography. What works best will depend on factors like your industry, personal style, and comfort level in front of the camera. Find a professional photographer who is flexible, knowledgeable, and whom you can trust to guide you through the process.

And don't be afraid to experiment with different looks and poses until you find what works best for you – after all, your headshot should be as unique as you are!