Your headshot is your first impression. Here's how to make it count.
Test Your Headshot Free →You try to look "professional" and end up looking robotic.
That stiff, uncomfortable smile where you are trying to look serious and professional? It makes you look unapproachable and untrustworthy. Here's how to look professional AND human.
A genuine smile makes you look trustworthy and approachable. Forced smiles (only mouth moves, eyes stay flat) make you look uncomfortable. Think of something that makes you genuinely happy when the photo is taken.
Looking directly at the camera = looking directly at the viewer. This creates connection and trust. Looking away makes you seem disengaged or unconfident.
Finance/Law: Suit and tie. Tech/Startup: Business casual. Creative: Professional but expressive. Rule: Dress how you would for an important client meeting.
Solid color wall (white, gray, subtle blue) or very blurred background. Focus should be on you, not your messy office. Avoid distracting elements in background.
Face a window for natural light. Avoid harsh overhead fluorescent lights or darkness. Natural light makes everyone look better and more approachable.
Not too close (weird), not too far (cannot see face). Frame from mid-chest to top of head with small margin. This is standard professional headshot framing.
Facing camera straight-on can look stiff. Angle your shoulders slightly (30 degrees) while your face looks at camera. This creates depth and looks more natural.
Stand or sit up straight. Roll shoulders back. Chin slightly forward and down (prevents double chin). Good posture = confident and professional.
Your headshot should look like current you. Photos from 5 years ago when you had hair or weighed less are lying. Update every 2-3 years or when appearance changes.
Use a good camera or modern phone. Blurry, pixelated, or low-quality photos look unprofessional. Your headshot represents your professional standards.
Upload your headshot. Get instant score. See if it looks approachable and professional.
Analyze My Headshot Free →Not necessarily. A friend with a good phone camera and natural lighting can take great headshots. Professional photographers help if you are camera-shy or need multiple professional shots. But many great headshots are taken with iPhones.
Yes! Genuine smiles make you look approachable and trustworthy. The old advice of looking stern or serious is outdated. Approachability matters more than looking intimidating.
Dress for your industry. Finance/law: suit. Tech: business casual. Creative: professional but you. Avoid busy patterns, stick to solid colors. When in doubt, slightly overdress rather than underdress.
Every 2-3 years or whenever your appearance changes significantly (hair, weight, aging). If people say you look different in person than your photo, it is time to update.