It doesn’t matter what business you are in and how successful you are, having a headshot taken seems to be a great equalizer— it makes everyone nervous. I have been a photographer for quite awhile and I see it time and time again- the feeling of “what I do?” The good news is that the photographer’s job is to help pose you. While you can get caught up in all the ways to improve the look of yourself with tilts, bends, and twists…. there are two ways that are simple and you most likely do them already. These two really simple headshot posing tricks will instantly improve your headshots.

Two simple ways to improve your professional headshots

1. Rotate to a 45 degree angle. Instead of standing straight onto the camera rotate a bit. You don’t want to be sideways at a 90 degree angle, but in between straight on and sideways. This position is great for your body shape. Turn your chin to the camera and smile! I bet you stand like this often and didn’t realize how great you looked.

2. Put your hands in your pockets. I can't tell you how often I get asked about what to do with hands. Hands can be awkward, but with headshots we really don't want to see them. In personal branding and portraits we often bring hands update chins and hair, but for business portraits it is best to just leave them in your pocket. Why the pockets? Well having your hands in your pockets automatically bring your elbows back which in turn takes the shoulders with them. Having your hands in your pockets also gets your arms way from your waist.. making sure we can see some daylight at your waist line. Having your arms right by your sides add inches to your waist and that isn’t what we are typically going for!

From here there are things to talk about like expression, how to distribute our weight, and how to relax (after all this is fun!) But if you can get theses two simple things down you will be steps again in the headshot posing process.

How to practice for your headshot

I suggest you practice in front of a mirror. Take some time to stand straight on with your hands by your side and then turn slighting to a 45 degree angle. Place your hands in your pocket, on your hips, or even gently clasp your fingers together with your hands at your bellybutton. The goal is to create shape with your arms and shoulders. See what you like best.

Move your chin around to find the angle you like best. Do this exercise on both sides to see if there is a side you like best. For women who have parts in their hair I often like to have the part closer to the camera so their hair isn’t in their face. You may notice you like one side better. I actually have an eye that is larger than the other. So I like to put my smaller eye more toward the camera to make it look the same size as the other. We all have our quirks.

Also practice your smile. I find that when I let a smile rip my cheeks seem to get wider and I prefer a closed mouth smirk. We all have a smile that looks most natural to us and to others. And while it may feel weird to practice smiling I find it gives you more confidence during your headshot.

One amazing tool I have incorporated into my headshot sessions are a preview. Most people want to see what they look like. It provides you with the confidence that things are looking good and it allows us to adjust something you aren't liking. A lot of times the things we don’t like about ourselves aren't things others notice. I want you to have a headshot you love and not one that has something that bothers you. Even if others love it… if it bothers you you won’t love it. I have found we are able to catch the small things by taking a few minutes to review your images and refine them.

If you are looking for a Topeka Photographer for your team, corporate, executive, or personal branding headshots please reach out. Still and Wild has a branding studio in Holton KS and travels for teams in Lawrence, Topeka, Atchison, and Northeast Kansas. Headshot portrait photography is important for external and internal media and we are here to help you look like a pro. Look like the professional others want to be!