How to Take a Great Headshot
The key to taking a great headshot is in your mindset - and imagination!
I was talking with a friend the other week and she was getting ready to take new headshots for her realty business. Understandably, she was a bit nervous. So much rides on taking a great professional or corporate photo.
You want to look your best. Plus, all wrapped up in one package, you need to come across as friendly, approachable, and relatable, yet also authoritative, competent, and serious-minded about your work. That's quite a lot of manage in one look.
Should you smile or not? Stand or sit? Look into the camera or off at a slight angle? How should you dress or wear your hair and makeup? The list goes on.
As if all those concerns weren't enough, you're challenged to look comfortable and natural, even though the experience of literally being in the spotlight is often anything but comfy and normal. In talking with my friend, my advice was pretty much the same as what I regularly share with my clients about developing their own on-camera confidence for videos and online appearances. After all, it's still about knowing how to prepare for and work with the camera.
After her session, my friend reached out to tell me that the suggestions were quite helpful, so I thought I'd share them here in this blog with all of you. Whether you're preparing for your first headshot session or a seasoned veteran needing an update, here are some broad guidelines for you to reference.
A great headshot captures the real, genuine you in an unguarded (not self-conscious!) moment.
Wanna know a secret? To capture your authentic self on camera for a headshot, have your thoughts on a real story you're recalling.
Plan out your looks - what do you want to convey?
Start with some basic organization. What types of looks do you want? My realtor friend had three in mind.
Friendly - approachable and relatable
Expert - knowledgeable and experienced
Caring - "I'm there for you" vibe
Of course, she would like to convey all three with one look. Chances are there's going to be some "bleed through" - she'll review photos that blend two or maybe all three of these characteristics. Knowing what you're going for, though, gives you a solid jumping off point.
Settle into your body so you look natural and at ease
The secret to looking and speaking at ease for the camera is to get comfortable in your own skin. Release nervous energy and negative thoughts with some light physical movements.
Hydrate
Drink plenty of water before your session. Your body will feel less tense with a throat that's not so dry (always heightened by anxiety!) and your muscles will feel less tight.
Relax
Easier said than done, right? Nope. Three quick and easy exercises you can do on the spot:
Shoulder shrugs up and down - better photos result when your shoulders aren't up around your ears.
Head circles, followed by slowly tilting your head back to face the sky and then forward towards your chest.
Knee bends and twists at the waist from side to side.
Breathe
Take a moment, close your eyes if it helps, and breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose for four seconds, hold for two to three seconds, and then breathe out slowly through your mouth for four seconds. Do a few times and you'll feel your nerves settling down.
Do you like headshot photo shoots?
0%I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille
0%Aack! Don't point that thing at me!
0%A necessary evil
0%Just another business requirement and expense
Adjust your mindset and fire up your imagination
The biggest takeaway here is not to worry about how you look, what people may think of you when they see the photo (or during the shoot if you're in a public place), or anything that has to do with the photographer's job, like the lighting or composition of the photo. Your thoughts should be on the story you're telling.
Huh? What story? you may be wondering. It's the story of you interacting with your client in a very positive way. A warm greeting. A deal being closed. Seeing how you've helped your client through a difficult transition. Whatever emotion is driving the story, it will be reflected in your facial expression. The photographer's job is to capture those moments on film.
If it sounds like you're doing a little playacting, you are. Except your story is real, because you lived it. Here's where an acting technique comes in handy to help get you where you want to be. Imagine that you're with a great client and you're walking through a scenario. Let's say you are a realtor and you're showing someone a home that's just been renovated and is looking quite lovely. Run the story through your mind, how you will see your client excited to see that gorgeous new kitchen and - gasp! - it's within her price range.
How do you react? Happily? Click! The photographer captures that moment. Pleased? Click! Another great look. Responding to a worried question? Click! You obviously are listening and care for your client in that photo.
Let the photographer do his or her job and catch those golden moments. Not ever snap is going to be great. You may have your mouth open, your eyes slightly closed. Those won't be used. But ... the ones that are will reveal real emotion, a smile that's real and natural, not composed for camera.
What if you're not so adept at running stories through your head like that, especially if you're nervous or self-conscious? Get some help! A good photographer may be able to able to prompt you, much like the fashion photographers in the movies ("work it, baby, work it!") ... but in a less intimidating way. Or perhaps a friend can come along to engage with you in real conversation, standing either behind the photographer or slightly off to the side, if your photographer wants options where you're not looking directly to camera. Talk with your friend, react naturally - even with conversation and laughter - and let the photographer do the magic. Just check with your photographer beforehand if you want to do this, so that they're on board with it, too.
A bonus tip
The best tip I can offer overall? Know that people who see your headshot aren't judging on glitz and glamour or the lack thereof. They're getting a sense of who YOU are before they meet you, or triggering a memory of meeting you when they look at your photo afterwards.
Human beings naturally orient right to the face to get a sense of someone. What's their first reaction and is it positive or negative? Then they'll focus on the eyes to see if they match the facial expression. A disconnect? Oh, no, someone may be lying or masking real intention or emotion.
You don't want that disconnect in your headshot. You want WYSIWYG: "what you see is what you get." That's why you need to create real, natural, authentic expressions in your headshot photography session, even if the experience unnerves you or you just don't like the spotlight. Remember, it doesn't really matter whether you're laughing, smiling, or appearing quite composed in your photo. It's the read of "genuine" that makes your headshot work.
Give these suggestions a go in your next headshot session. I can pretty much guarantee that they WILL make a difference - and when they do, please drop me a line to let me know!
Need any help preparing? Reach out to me and we can work together so that your new headshot puts you first and foremost in your clients' minds in the best possible way.
Women in Business Expo & Symposium
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Saturday, March 29, 2025
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I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.
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