How to Take a Great Headshot: Complete Professional Guide for 2025

A great headshot can be the difference between landing that dream job or getting passed over. Whether you're updating your LinkedIn profile, creating business cards, or building your personal brand, a professional headshot is essential in 2025. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to take a great headshot.

Why Your Headshot Matters More Than Ever

In today's digital-first world, your headshot is often the first impression you make. Research shows that profiles with professional photos receive 14x more views on LinkedIn, and recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds deciding whether to read your profile based on your photo alone.

According to a 2024 Recruiter Nation Report, 87% of recruiters find LinkedIn to be the most effective platform for vetting candidates, making your headshot a critical component of your professional presence.

Essential Equipment for Professional Headshots

You don't need thousands of dollars in equipment to take a great headshot. Here's what actually matters:

Camera Options

• Smartphone (iPhone 12 or newer, Samsung Galaxy S21+): Modern phones have excellent portrait modes that can rival dedicated cameras
• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: Ideal for maximum control and quality, especially with a 50mm or 85mm lens
• Webcam (1080p or higher): Can work in a pinch for remote work profiles

Lighting Setup

Lighting is arguably the most important element of a great headshot. Here are your options:

• Natural Window Light: Free and flattering. Position yourself facing a large window during daytime (avoid direct midday sun)
• Ring Light ($30-100): Creates even, shadow-free lighting and adds a professional catchlight in your eyes
• Softbox Lights ($100-300): Professional studio quality for serious photographers

The Perfect Headshot Setup: Step-by-Step

1. Choose the Right Background

Your background should be clean and non-distracting. Best options include:

• Solid neutral wall (white, gray, or light beige)
• Professional backdrop ($20-50 on Amazon)
• Slightly blurred office or bookshelf (adds context without distraction)

Avoid: Busy patterns, cluttered rooms, outdoor scenes with harsh shadows, or anything that draws attention away from your face.

2. Lighting Setup and Positioning

Follow this proven three-point lighting setup:

1. Key Light: Main light source at 45 degrees to your left or right, slightly above eye level
2. Fill Light: Softer light on the opposite side to reduce shadows (or use a white reflector)
3. Hair/Rim Light (optional): Behind you to add separation from the background

3. Camera Settings and Distance

• Distance: Position yourself 3-5 feet from the camera
• Camera Height: Eye level or slightly above (never shoot from below)
• Framing: Head and shoulders, with a little space above your head
• Focus: Sharp focus on your eyes (use portrait mode or set aperture to f/2.8-f/5.6)

Clothing and Styling Tips

What to Wear

• Solid colors work best (avoid busy patterns or logos)
• Professional attire appropriate for your industry:
  • Corporate: Suit and tie or blazer
  • Creative: Smart casual, can be more colorful
  • Tech: Business casual, clean and simple
• Colors that pop: Deep blues, burgundy, emerald green (avoid pure white or black)
• Fit matters: Well-fitted clothing looks more professional than loose or tight

Grooming and Makeup

• Hair: Neat, styled, and out of your face
• Skin: Clean, fresh-looking (minimal or natural makeup)
• Men: Clean-shaven or well-groomed facial hair
• Glasses: Anti-reflective coating helps, or position lights to avoid glare

Posing and Expressions

Body Language

• Angle your body: Turn shoulders 15-30 degrees from the camera (more flattering than straight-on)
• Face the camera: Your face should point toward the lens while body is angled
• Chin position: Slightly forward and down ("turtle neck" - it sounds weird but eliminates double chin)
• Shoulders: Relaxed and slightly back (good posture)

Facial Expressions

• Natural smile: Think of something genuinely funny or pleasant
• Eyes matter most: "Squinch" slightly (squint + pinch) - makes eyes look more engaging
• Mouth: Slight smile showing teeth usually works best for business
• Practice: Take 20-30 shots with different expressions

Common Headshot Mistakes to Avoid

Learning how to take a great headshot also means knowing what NOT to do. Avoid these common pitfalls:

1. Harsh shadows on your face - Use diffused or window light
2. Camera too low - Always shoot at eye level or slightly above
3. Distracting backgrounds - Keep it simple and clean
4. Over-editing - Keep it natural; you should look like yourself
5. Stiff or uncomfortable posture - Take a few practice shots to relax
6. Wrong clothing choices - Avoid loud patterns and inappropriate attire
7. Poor image quality - Use the highest resolution your camera offers

For a deeper dive into what not to do, check out our guide on 15 LinkedIn Headshot Mistakes that cost professionals job opportunities.

Editing Your Headshot

Post-processing can elevate a good headshot to great. Here's how:

Basic Editing Steps

1. Crop and straighten: Use the rule of thirds, ensure eyes are level
2. Adjust exposure: Brighten if needed, but don't blow out highlights
3. Color correction: Ensure skin tones look natural
4. Contrast and clarity: Subtle increases make the image pop
5. Minor retouching: Remove temporary blemishes, not permanent features

Recommended Editing Tools

• Free: Photopea, GIMP, mobile apps like Snapseed
• Paid: Adobe Lightroom ($10/mo), Photoshop ($10/mo), Portrait Pro ($50)
• AI-Powered: Luminar AI, Remini, FaceApp (use subtly)

Professional Headshot Costs: DIY vs. Professional vs. AI

Understanding the investment helps you make the right choice for your needs:

DIY Headshot

• Cost: $0-100 (equipment you may already have)
• Time: 2-4 hours (setup, shooting, editing)
• Pros: Budget-friendly, unlimited retakes
• Cons: Requires skill, time, and decent equipment

Professional Photographer

• Cost: $150-500 for a session
• Time: 1-hour session + 1-2 weeks for delivery
• Pros: Highest quality, professional guidance
• Cons: Expensive, requires scheduling and travel

Learn more about professional pricing in our article: How Much Does a Headshot Cost in 2025?

AI Headshots (Our Recommendation)

• Cost: $9-59 (most choose $39 plan)
• Time: 10 minutes total
• Pros: Instant results, multiple styles, affordable, no scheduling
• Cons: Requires one good source photo to start

Compare all options in depth: AI vs Traditional Headshot Cost Comparison

Where to Use Your Professional Headshot

Once you've learned how to take a great headshot, maximize its value by using it across:

• LinkedIn profile - Essential for professional networking
• Company website - Team page, about section
• Email signature - Adds personality to communications
• Business cards - Makes you memorable
• Social media - Twitter, Instagram, Facebook professional accounts
• Conference materials - Speaker bios, programs
• Press releases - Media and PR purposes
• Online portfolios - Personal branding

How Often Should You Update Your Headshot?

Professional guidelines recommend updating your headshot every 2-3 years, or sooner if:

• You've changed your hairstyle significantly
• You've gained or lost significant weight
• Your current photo is more than 5 years old
• You've changed careers or industries
• Your photo doesn't look like you anymore

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best camera setting for headshots?

For DSLRs, use aperture priority mode (f/2.8-f/5.6), ISO 100-400, and shutter speed 1/125 or faster. For smartphones, simply enable Portrait Mode and ensure good lighting.

Should I smile in my professional headshot?

Yes, a natural smile with teeth generally works best for business headshots. It makes you appear approachable and confident. However, some industries (legal, finance) may prefer more serious expressions - match your industry norms.

Can I take my own professional headshot?

Absolutely! With modern smartphone cameras, a tripod ($15-30), good lighting, and the tips in this guide, you can take professional-quality headshots at home. The key is patience and taking many shots to find the best one.

What resolution should a headshot be?

Aim for at least 1000x1000 pixels for online use, and 2000x2000 or higher if you need print quality. Most platforms will automatically resize, but starting with high resolution gives you flexibility.

Are AI headshots acceptable for professional use?

Yes! AI headshots have become widely accepted for LinkedIn, corporate websites, and professional use in 2025. They're photorealistic and indistinguishable from traditional photography. See our article: Do Recruiters Identify AI Headshots?

The Modern Solution: AI Headshots

While this guide teaches you how to take a great headshot traditionally, there's now a faster, more affordable alternative: AI-generated professional headshots.

Here's why thousands of professionals are choosing AI headshots:

• 10-minute process: Upload one selfie, choose styles, download 100+ professional headshots
• 83% cheaper: $39 vs $200-500 for traditional photography
• Multiple styles: Get corporate, creative, casual, and executive looks in one package
• No scheduling: Create headshots anytime, from anywhere
• Instant delivery: Download your photos in 10 minutes
• Unlimited variety: 10+ different backgrounds and outfits to choose from

Conclusion: Your Path to a Great Headshot

Learning how to take a great headshot is a valuable skill that pays dividends in your professional life. Whether you choose to DIY with the techniques in this guide, hire a professional photographer, or leverage modern AI technology, the key is having a high-quality, professional photo that represents you well.

Remember the fundamentals: good lighting, clean background, eye-level camera position, professional attire, and natural expressions. With these elements in place, you can create headshots that open doors and opportunities.

Ready to get started? Check out our headshot pricing to see all available options, or explore our gallery of AI-generated headshots to see what's possible.