If you work in a professional setting or have an online presence, a high-quality headshot is an absolute necessity. If you have a session coming up, you may be wondering how to present the best version of yourself in headshots. You want to look your best since these photos may be featured in magazines, press releases, LinkedIn photos, or on your company website. We’ll go over a couple of easy tips that will help your photo make a great first impression!
Common Headshot Mistakes
Sometimes, when people go in front of the camera, they naturally put their hands on their hips. This pose looks good in many photos and can help people feel more confident, but it may not work well with headshots. If you’re trying to appear slimmer, doing this will broaden your shoulders and create a wider angle, making you appear bigger than you are. While you can stand with your hands by your side to appear slimmer, this will create a flat and straight look from your shoulders to the end of the frame. A side profile works very well for women.
Tip #1: Stick You Chin Out
While it may feel weird, slightly bringing your chin forward will accentuate the jawline and help you avoid the dreaded double chin. Another little trick that can help you avoid a double chin is to press your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth. It’s a quick and easy way to tighten the facial muscles under your chin, giving you a slim and toned look.
Tip #2: Avoid Bulky Clothes
Even though headshots typically only capture you from the chest up, wearing bulky clothes can still make you look heavier than you are. Fitted, light clothing will help make your figure appear as small as possible. The keyword here is “fitted,” you want to avoid anything too tight or too loose. If you’re wearing a blazer or suit jacket, it should fit closely around the shoulders and arms. Collared shirts that are buttoned to the top should fit snugly around your neck. If it’s too tight or too loose, it will draw attention away from your features.
Tip #3: Hold Your Sub
The technique called Hold Your Sub was coined by an NYC headshot and portrait photographer, Peter Hurley. This technique is when you tuck your elbows in and pull your shoulders back. To visualize this pose, imagine you’re holding one of those absurd 6-foot long sandwiches from Subway. It may feel strange, but in a headshot, you can’t see what you’re doing with your arms, and the pose will create a tapered look with your arms. When you pull your shoulders back, it improves your posture, making you appear taller and leaner on camera.
The Mike & Jenn Experience
We hope our blog about how to look your BEST in headshots has helped out! We understand that posing for photos doesn’t always come naturally or feel comfortable, which is why we’re here to help. It’s our goal to create an enjoyable and relaxing experience. We’re excited to coach you through poses, have some fun, and take some amazing pictures!
We look forward to capturing your best self! See you soon. Mike + Jenn
