How to Pose for a Headshot and Look Your Best
Most people feel understandably awkward posing in front of a camera. Here's how to pose for a headshot so you look natural and relaxed.
Do you need professional photos for your business?
Image is everything. Whether you're promoting yourself through a resume, an online profile or a business card, it's important that you get your photos right.
If you've never had professional photos taken before, posing for headshots can be difficult and awkward.
In this article, we'll tell you exactly how to pose for a headshot. Read on for the best tips and tricks for photography poses, and you can be confident when it's time to shoot.
How to Pose for a Headshot that You Can Be Proud Of
Use these headshot posing tips, and you're guaranteed to get great images the reflect the true you!
Rehearse Your Poses and Facial Expressions
Your photographer is likely to ask you for a variety of looks. These may include anything from calm and serious faces to happy and excited ones.
Having to create these expressions on command may feel a little silly. For most people, it's unnatural. When you're put on the spot during a photo shoot, you might find yourself without a clue as to what to do with your face.
That's why you should practice your facial expressions in the mirror.
Take some time at home to stand in front of a mirror or a phone camera and practice different expressions. You can experiment with different looks and find out which ones look best.
With each expression, see how your face changes. Notice how your smile, eyes and facial lines adjust to each one. That way, you can pick out the most flattering ones.
If you've practiced these expressions beforehand, you'll have them ready to use when the photo shoot comes. That way, getting great photos will be easier for both you and the photographer.
Have Good Posture
There's more to a great photo than a smile. Your posture needs to be perfect, too.
Posture is an important part of body language. If used correctly, it can make you appear more confident. If not, you may look closed off, aggressive or stern.
Try not to slouch. Stand up straight with your spine aligned. Relax your shoulders and be sure not to hunch them over. These are the basics of good posture.
Crossing your arms can look good in a professional headshot, but it needs to be done the right way. Don't cross them too tightly. Otherwise, you'll appear too stiff.
You can also lean on walls or furniture for a more relaxed, casual look. Coupled with good posture, a lean can add a great personal touch to a headshot.
Know Your Best Side
Everyone has their best side. Do you know which one yours is?
Perhaps your hair falls better on one side than the other. Maybe your smile looks better on the left than the right. You might have certain features you're not particularly confident about.
No one's face is completely symmetrical. Generally, everyone looks better from one side than they do the other.
If you're not sure which one is best for you, take a look at previous photos. Find the most complimentary ones and take a look at which side they've been taken from. Then, try to replicate that in your headshot photo shoot.
Use Angles
Have you ever noticed how selfies often look much better than photos that are taken by other people?
It's all about angles. When you're taking the photo yourself, you can see how you look on-screen and adjust the angle until you get it just right.
A professional photographer knows exactly how to position both the model and the camera to get the most complimentary angle. Still, it doesn't help to do your own research, too.
Instead of looking directly into the camera, tilt your head slightly at different angles. It can make all the difference.
One simple technique is leading with your forehead. This means leaning your forehead slightly towards the camera lens. While it's only a subtle shift, it can completely change your look.
Consider Your Hand Position
Hand position is an important consideration for headshot poses.
Even if your hands are out of the shot, the position in which you place them can totally change the photo. This is because it affects your posture.
Try clasping your hands together, laying them on a desk in front of you, placing them on your hips, or simply letting them hang at your sides. Whichever pose you choose, make sure it's natural.
If your hands are clenched, your entire body and even your face may appear tense. Be mindful of where your hands are and how they're affecting your overall look.
Communicate with Your Eyes
Eye contact plays a crucial role in communication.
This is the case in photography as well as face-to-face conversation. Every time you switch poses, think about what emotion you're trying to communicate in the next shot. Then, try to do that with your eyes.
Whether you're giving an intense stare, a distant gaze or a friendly smile, your eyes will convey your emotion. They'll give the viewer an idea of who you are and what kind of personality you have.
Use Your Acting Skills
Finding professional headshot poses requires a degree of acting.
You'll have to use your body positions and facial expressions to give off the image you're looking for. That means you'll have to be animated.
If that doesn't come naturally to you, don't worry. With a little practice and some encouragement from your photographer, you can challenge your acting skills to get a great shot.
Get Perfect Headshots Every Time
Now that you've learned how to pose for a headshot, you're ready for your close up!
The next step is to find right photographer to take that perfect shot.
At Bradley Keith Headshots, we specialize in this kind of photography. We offer mini headshot sessions, classic headshot sessions, and even group session for organizations who want to shoot their entire team in one day.
After taking your headshots, we'll retouch them and send them to you within 48 hours.
To view examples of our work, see our website. If you like what you see, contact us to make a booking.