Whether you’re an actor, a model or a business professional, a high quality headshot is essential to your success.

For actors, a world-class headshot is the “calling card” that introduces you to agencies and casting directors. For models, a high quality headshot is the connection between you and those who cast talent for a wide array of opportunities. For business professionals, a warm and engaging headshot connects “the face with the name” and builds confidence between you and your prospective client.

So how do you rise to the top of an increasingly virtual world, where actors audition via Zoom, professionals do business via LinkedIn and everybody needs a profile picture to get started? How do you create a photo that makes you look trustworthy and competent? How do insure your headshot “hits the right notes” and reflects your authentic spirit and individuality? How can you be certain you’re catching your “best side?”

Can you set up a headshot at home with your smartphone? After all: “portrait mode” is pretty cool. Or do you need the experience and expertise of a professional photographer?

If these questions have been on your mind, have no fear. Here are 4 tips to get that perfect headshot. (Spoiler alert: save portrait mode for snaps of your bestie or your bulldog, put aside your DIY dreams and hire a professional photographer to get professional headshots.)

How To Take A Professional Headshot

1. List Your Expectations

Before creating an acting, modeling or business headshot, develop a mental image of what you want and try to explain it to your photographer in as much detail as possible. Even better: find examples of headshots you like and share them with your photographer. Professional photographers are, obviously, visually oriented; a mood board of images you like is an excellent way to communicate your ideas.

Do you want a formal headshot or something more candid? Do you want a traditional studio setting, with a plain color background, or something more environmental? Indoors or outdoors?

How will you use the headshot? For auditions? Casting calls? Press releases? Publications? Social media? Your website?  

Remember, headshots are all about first impressions. The final product will impact potential clients and casting directors and their decision on whether they will book you, hire you or buy from you. 

Have a specific angle you think works for you? While most professional photographers are experienced at reading faces, if you have a side you prefer, tell the photographer. If there are certain things about your face you’d prefer to downplay (scars, moles, etc.), tell the photographer upfront. He will appreciate that information. 

If you explain your ideas to an experienced photographer they will meet your expectations. You’re more likely to get a photo that you will love if you know what you are looking for and clearly communicate your ideas.

2. Dress For The Part

The way you dress will naturally affect the overall look of your headshot. Solid and neutral colors work best as they tend to put the focus on your face, just where you want it. Bright jewelry, clothing with big, bold patterns and shirts with large logos should be avoided. Headshots should be more focused on who you are rather than what you’re wearing. 

That being said, there are exceptions to every rule. Are you a big personality who likes pink paisley shirts? Go monochrome and do your images in front of pink paper. Do you sell country properties? An outfit that says “outdoorsy” (and is preferably shot, outdoors) is the right way to go. Whatever you choose, clothing should be consistent with your personality, look great with your eyes and complexion and work well with your chosen environment.

Need wardrobe help? Always consult with your photographer on what to wear. It will make you more comfortable and help them prepare. (At Michael Verity Photography, basic wardrobe consultation is included with every session.)

3. Pay Attention To Your Posture.

Your body posture says a lot about your confidence so it’s important to get this part right. Good posture insures the right angles and helps show your best features. 

Generally speaking, you should position your upper body diagonally to the camera while keeping your chin toward the photographer. Keep your back straight with your shoulders relaxed and avoid having your shoulders too high, which indicates tension. It’s a good idea to avoid body language - like slouching - that makes you seem unapproachable.

As with wardrobe, however, these are general guidelines. While an “arms crossed” pose doesn’t work well for a therapist, that type of pose from someone in the legal profession is often considered a sign of strength. It also works well for actors who are cast as police officers (and, oddly, for those who are cast as gangsters.) A “slouchy” pose wouldn’t work too well for a doctor but for young fashion models, that sort of approach is acceptable (and sometimes encouraged.)

As with points one and two, thinking about what you’re trying to achieve and communicating it with your photographer is key. An experienced photographer will have ideas, coach you through the process and help you achieve your goals.

4. Smile, No Smile

To smile or not to smile, that is the question. The short story is this: if you’re not someone who smiles “naturally,” don’t expect that to change magically once you step in front of the camera. It probably won’t happen. 

So what do you do? Think happy thoughts. Think about your favorite funny movie. If you think happy thoughts, you’ll look like a happy person. If you think about how you look, you’ll look like a person who’s worried about how he looks.

Another trick is to look at the camera as if it’s someone you love: your best friend, a beloved grandparent, a favorite nephew, your new kitten. Whatever it takes to put your brain in active thinking mode, not passive wondering mode is the way to go.

Pro Tip: change your facial expressions throughout the shoot. Make a great big goofy smile, followed by a huge frown. Make the silliest face you can followed by the meanest face you can. Have fun with it. An experienced photographer will find the “genuine you” in between all the exaggerated expressions. 

Lastly, remember these words: Shy is beautiful. Warmth doesn’t always require a big toothy grin. Start with who you are and see what happens. 

What About Using Your Smartphone For Headshots?

While we admit smartphones have come a long way in recent years, there’s really no debate on the advantages of a professional photographer over the DIY method.

Even the latest and greatest smartphone in “portrait mode” has its limitations: limited lens options, limited zooming capacity, limited images quality. 

More important, smartphones don’t know how to move a light an inch to the left to change your headshots from strong to stellar. They don’t consult with you on wardrobe, show you how to pose, offer you a cup of tea or coffee when you walk into the studio, ask how you how you’re doing today or give you real time feedback on how the session is going. 

This is because smartphones (or even expensive DSLRs) aren’t human. They don’t come with experience and expertise.

Professional photographers understand lighting, how to capture the best angles, what are the best camera settings, how to do the best retouching. In short, they know what you need to get a beautiful headshot. Follow these tips to get a great headshot photo that you’ll be proud to post on your website, your social media or your casting site. 

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade. If you are in the Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA area you can book a session with us.