What Should a Headshot Look Like? The Essential Breakdown

In today’s visual world, your headshot is often your first impression—on a job application, company website, LinkedIn profile, or even acting portfolio. But not all headshots are created equal. Knowing what a headshot should look like helps you present yourself in the best light, both literally and figuratively.

Whether you're a professional, creative, entrepreneur, or student, a quality headshot builds trust, showcases personality, and gives your audience a sense of who you are. This blog explores what makes a strong headshot, how to prepare for one, and what elements to focus on to ensure your photo truly works for you.

What Is a Headshot?

A headshot is a tightly cropped portrait that usually includes your head, neck, and shoulders. It’s different from a casual photo or a group picture—it’s specifically meant to represent you in a professional, career-focused context.

Headshots are used across industries:

• Corporate headshots for business websites and networking platforms.

• Actor headshots for auditions and casting submissions.

• LinkedIn headshots to create a professional online identity.

• Real estate and medical professional headshots to build client trust.

A good headshot should be clear, flattering, and aligned with your professional brand.

Composition: How the Photo Should Be Framed

Framing is one of the most basic yet overlooked elements of a quality headshot.

Standard Framing Guidelines:

• Cropped from mid-chest up, with your head and shoulders clearly visible.

• Centered in the frame, unless intentionally off-center for creative or branding reasons.

• Eyes should be about one-third from the top of the frame, following standard photography composition rules.

Head Position and Angle:

• Keep your head facing the camera directly or at a slight angle.

• Avoid tilting too much or looking too far off to one side.

• Maintain good posture—no slouching.

The goal is to create a balanced and flattering representation of your natural features while ensuring your face is the focal point.

Lighting: Natural and Soft Wins

Lighting has a big impact on how a headshot turns out. Bad lighting can add shadows that distort your features or create an unflattering mood.

Best Practices:

• Use soft, diffused lighting, like natural daylight or a professional studio light setup with softboxes.

• Avoid harsh lighting, overhead lights, or direct sunlight, which can cast unflattering shadows.

• Make sure both sides of the face are evenly lit, unless you are intentionally going for a more dramatic look for artistic or actor-specific purposes.

Good lighting should reveal skin tone naturally and avoid creating shine or glare.

Background: Keep It Clean and Neutral

A cluttered or busy background can pull attention away from your face. The background of a headshot should support the subject, not compete with it.

Ideal Background Options:

• Solid colors like white, gray, or light blue.

• Blurred office or outdoor setting (commonly used for modern corporate headshots).

• Studio backdrops in neutral tones.

Consistency matters—if you're part of a team, matching the background style with others on your team’s website photos helps maintain a cohesive look.

Facial Expression: Approachable, Confident, Natural

One of the most important elements of a headshot is your facial expression. It needs to communicate approachability, confidence, and professionalism—all within a single image.

Tips for Expression:

• Smile gently or maintain a relaxed, neutral expression.

• Avoid forced smiles or exaggerated expressions.

• Look into the camera with open eyes and a steady gaze.

Your expression should match the tone of your profession. For instance, a corporate executive might opt for a subtle smile, while a creative professional might go for a slightly more expressive, relaxed vibe.

Wardrobe: Dress for the Role

Clothing can make or break a headshot. What you wear should align with your profession, company culture, and personal brand.

General Wardrobe Guidelines:

• Stick to solid colors and avoid busy patterns.

• Choose clothing that fits well and looks polished—blazers, button-down shirts, or professional blouses work well.

• Avoid colors that blend into the background.

• Skip logos or graphic tees unless it’s intentional branding (e.g., startup founders in company merch).

When in doubt, bring a few options and change during the shoot.

Hair, Makeup, and Grooming

A clean and well-groomed appearance helps make your headshot look professional.

Hair:

• Neatly styled—nothing too wild or messy.

• Avoid dramatic hairstyle changes right before the shoot.

Makeup:

• Keep it natural and subtle.

• A matte finish helps reduce shine under studio lighting.

Facial Hair (for men):

• Should be trimmed, shaped, or clean-shaven depending on your usual look.

• Stick to how you normally present yourself at work.

Small touches like lip balm, concealer, or a quick hairbrush can improve your headshot’s overall polish.

What Should the Final Image Quality Look Like?

Beyond your appearance, the actual technical quality of the photo matters.

Key Elements:

• High resolution, suitable for both web and print use.

• In-focus and well-exposed, with no blurriness or overexposure.

• Professionally retouched—but not overly edited. You want to look like yourself, just at your best.

Most professionals invest in photographers who understand how to shoot and edit headshots for specific platforms, whether LinkedIn, websites, or casting sites.

Examples of Good vs. Poor Headshots

Good Headshot:

• Sharp, bright, and balanced lighting.

• Neutral or clean background.

• Confident, approachable expression.

• Professional attire.

Poor Headshot:

• Cropped too tight or too wide.

• Distracting background (e.g., cluttered room).

• Casual clothing like hoodies or tank tops.

• Outdated hairstyle or sloppy grooming.

• Expression that looks forced or disengaged.

Comparing examples can help you spot what works and what doesn't, especially when choosing which photos to use.

Should You Hire a Professional Photographer?

While smartphones are capable of decent photos, professional headshot photographers offer more than just a better camera. They understand lighting, composition, coaching, and editing—all of which add value.

Benefits of Hiring a Pro:

• Guided posing and expression coaching.

• Proper lighting setup.

• High-quality image output.

• Professional retouching.

• Multiple image options for different uses.

If your headshot is part of a job search, personal brand, or online presence, it’s worth the investment.

How Often Should You Update Your Headshot?

As a rule of thumb, update your headshot every 1–2 years or whenever you:

• Change your hairstyle or facial hair significantly.

• Get a new job or start a new business.

• Notice your current photo no longer looks like you.

Keeping your headshot current helps avoid awkward surprises in professional settings—especially if people are meeting you in person after seeing your online profile.

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Conclusion:

Your headshot says a lot in just a single frame. A well-composed, professionally lit, and genuinely expressive headshot helps you stand out, build trust, and make strong first impressions. Whether you're using it for business, acting, social media, or branding purposes, the key is to look like yourself—at your best. Investing the time to plan your outfit, choose a clean background, and hire a professional (when possible) makes a big difference. And once you have a great headshot, use it consistently across your platforms to build a strong, recognizable identity.

FAQs

1. What should I wear for a professional headshot?

Wear solid-colored, well-fitted clothing that reflects your industry and personal brand. Avoid busy patterns, logos, and overly casual outfits. For corporate headshots, button-down shirts, blazers, or blouses in neutral or classic tones work best.

2. How should I pose for a good headshot?

Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed and your head facing slightly toward the camera or directly at it. Keep your expression natural and confident—either with a subtle smile or a calm, approachable look.

3. Can I use a selfie or smartphone photo as my headshot?

While smartphone cameras have improved, a selfie usually lacks the lighting, framing, and image quality of a professionally taken headshot. For formal uses like LinkedIn or business websites, hiring a professional photographer is recommended.

4. How often should I update my headshot?

It’s a good idea to update your headshot every 1–2 years or after any noticeable changes in appearance—such as a new hairstyle, different facial hair, or a major career shift. Your photo should reflect how you currently look.

5. What background is best for a headshot?

A clean, uncluttered background works best—such as a plain studio backdrop, a softly blurred outdoor setting, or a tidy office space. The background should never distract from your face, which is the main focus of the image.