"Should I smile for my headshot session?" It's one of the most common questions I get from clients. And honestly, the answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. As a professional headshot photographer in Pensacola, I've captured thousands of headshots, and the choice to smile (or not) comes down to your personal brand, industry, and the message you want to send.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of smiling in your headshot, along with tips for capturing a natural, authentic smile. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of what works best for you and how to make the most of your session.
Key Takeaways:
|
Why Professional Headshots Are Important
In today’s world, first impressions often happen online. That’s why having a professional headshot has never been more important. A high-quality headshot isn’t just a picture—it’s your chance to stand out, showcase your personal brand, and make a lasting impact.
Here’s why investing in a professional headshot matters:
First Impressions Matter: Your headshot is often the first thing potential clients, employers, or colleagues will see. A professional, well-composed image shows you’re competent and approachable right from the start.
Personal Branding: A great headshot is a key part of your personal brand. It communicates your personality, professionalism, and expertise. A skilled photographer can help you capture the image that resonates with your audience.
Consistency Across Platforms: Whether it’s LinkedIn, social media, or your company website, having a consistent image across platforms helps build a unified, polished presence.
Boosts Confidence: A high-quality headshot does more than impress others—it also boosts your own confidence. Seeing yourself in a well-crafted image makes you feel ready to take on new opportunities.
Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn profile photo, sending out press releases, or handing out business cards, a professional headshot is versatile. You’ll have a go-to image that works for any occasion.
A professional headshot is an investment in yourself and your brand. It helps you stand out, build trust, and leave a lasting impression—whether online or in person.
The Debate: To Smile or Not to Smile in your Headshot
Some people love to smile for the camera, while others would rather avoid it at all costs. Research shows that smiling in your headshot can make you seem more competent and sociable, but there are times when a serious expression works better. Ultimately, whether you smile or not depends on your personal brand and the message you want to convey.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros of Smiling | Cons of Smiling |
A smile shows warmth, trust, and approachability—great for making a strong, positive first impression. | Smiling can make your face appear wider, which might not always be flattering (though lighting can help). |
Smiling creates the impression that you're easy to work with, which appeals to potential employers and clients. | If your smile doesn’t feel genuine, it can come off as insincere or untrustworthy. |
A genuine smile helps the viewer connect with you, making you more memorable. | If you're self-conscious about your teeth, it may show in the shot (though post-production fixes are possible). |
Smiling can make you appear younger and more approachable. | Not smiling can make you seem more serious or aloof—though this can be a positive in certain industries. |
Client Stories: The Power of Smiling—or Not Smiling—in a Headshot
Accident Attorney: Conveying Confidence and Authority without Smiling
One client that really stands out for me is an accident attorney who knew exactly what he wanted—no smile, just pure confidence and authority. As an accident attorney dealing with high-stakes litigations where thousands or even millions of dollars are on the line, he needed a headshot that communicated strength, reliability, and professionalism. A smile wasn’t going to cut it for this headshot.
But here's the thing—getting that serious look just right takes more than simply not smiling. Without careful attention, a serious expression can easily come off as harsh or even angry, which would send the wrong message. This client needed a look that exuded power and confidence, without feeling off-putting.
During the session, we worked on achieving just that. I coached him through subtle, confident body language—straight posture, a slight forward lean, and a relaxed yet assertive expression. We focused on micro-expressions, guiding him to find that delicate balance between serious and approachable. The goal was to avoid a scowl and instead project calm authority. The right lighting and angle played a big role in softening the look while still keeping that confident edge.
The result? Flawless. His final headshot captured everything he wanted—strength, competence, and authority—all without a smile. In fact, he was so pleased with the result that he used the photo for a billboard to advertise his law firm, and it was a perfect fit for his professional brand.
Healthcare Workers and ERAS Headshots: The Importance of a Warm, Confident Smile
On the opposite side of the spectrum, I’ve also worked with healthcare professionals who need a completely different approach for their headshots—specifically those applying for medical residencies, like ERAS headshots. For these clients, their goal is to come across as warm, trustworthy, and approachable. After all, these are future doctors who will need to connect with patients, and a smile in their headshot can make all the difference in showing they are compassionate and easy to trust.
For one healthcare client, we focused on achieving a natural, genuine smile that radiated confidence and empathy. It’s easier said than done because posing for a headshot can feel stiff or forced if you’re not comfortable. So, we used a few techniques to help create a more natural moment—visualizing happy thoughts and even laughing between shots to keep the energy light and the smile real.
The end result was a warm, confident smile that immediately connected with the viewer, which was exactly what they needed for their ERAS application. That headshot became a key part of their application, and I’m happy to say it helped them secure their residency placement.
What to Consider When Smiling in a Headshot
Now that we've weighed the pros and cons of smiling in a headshot, let’s look at the other key factors that come into play. Whether you should smile or not depends largely on your industry, your personal brand, and the purpose of the headshot.
Industry and Profession
Your industry often plays a big role in deciding whether to smile in your headshot. For professions that are interpersonal—like healthcare, real estate, or education—smiling is a common choice because it helps build trust and connection. For example, a doctor or real estate agent will want to come across as approachable and trustworthy, and a smile can project just that.
On the other hand, if you're in a field like law or finance, where strength, reliability, and authority are key, a serious expression might work better. Take a lawyer’s headshot, for example: smiling might undermine the seriousness required to handle high-stakes cases. The key is to research your industry norms and consider how you want to be perceived within your field.
Personal Brand and Image
Your personal brand goes beyond your industry. It’s the image you want to project to the world, and your headshot should align with that. Think about how you want people to feel when they see your headshot.
If your brand is all about being approachable, collaborative, or people-focused, a smile could help reinforce that. For example, I’ve worked with actors who needed a variety of headshots—some smiling to showcase their warmth, while others were more serious to match the intense roles they tend to play. It’s important to think about the message you’re trying to send through your image, and whether smiling or a more neutral expression fits that best.
“The choice to smile or not in your headshot isn’t about following rules—it’s about capturing who you are and how you want to be seen in your professional world.”
Audience and Purpose of the Headshot
Lastly, consider who’s going to be viewing your headshot and why. Are you creating a LinkedIn profile photo to appeal to hiring managers or potential clients? If so, a smile is usually a good move, as it makes you look approachable and easy to work with.
On the other hand, if you’re the CEO of a corporation, the purpose of your headshot might be to project authority and leadership. In that case, a serious expression or a subtle smile might be the better choice. And remember—when in doubt, you can always take both a smiling and a non-smiling shot, then decide later which one fits your purpose best.
How to Genuinely Smile in a Headshot
So, you’ve decided to smile in your headshot. Now comes the challenge—capturing a natural, authentic smile that doesn’t feel forced. For many people, posing in front of the camera and smiling can feel unnatural at first. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to make the process feel more comfortable and keep that smile looking genuine.
“Getting a genuine smile isn’t just about what you’re doing with your face. It’s about how relaxed and comfortable you feel during the session—that’s where the magic happens.”
Techniques for Creating a Genuine Smile
Here are some simple yet effective ways to help your smile come across as real and relaxed:
Practice in the Mirror: This may sound cliché, but it works. Spend some time before your session practicing different smiles in the mirror. Try a soft smile, a big grin, and everything in between. This will help you figure out what feels most natural to you and what looks good. You’ll walk into the session with confidence, knowing what works for you.
Relax Your Face Muscles: During your headshot session, remember to relax your face every few minutes. Holding a smile for too long can start to look stiff, and your muscles will tense up. Take a deep breath, let your face go neutral for a second, and then smile again. This will keep your smile fresh and natural.
Visualize Someone You Care About: One of the easiest ways to get a genuine smile is to picture someone who makes you happy. Whether it’s a loved one, a friend, or even your pet, visualizing someone that brings you joy can help your smile look real. It’s like bringing a little bit of warmth into your expression.
Laugh it Off: When all else fails, laughter is your best friend. Laughing while looking into the camera might feel silly at first, but that’s the point! Sometimes, a fake laugh can quickly turn into a real one, and those genuine moments often result in the best smiles. A skilled photographer will know how to capture these candid shots in between the laughs.
Why Authenticity Matters
Humans are naturally good at reading body language—even if it’s subtle. A fake smile can feel off-putting, while a real smile draws people in and creates a sense of connection. If you’re going to smile in your headshot, it’s essential that it’s authentic. Relax, have fun with the process, and trust that your genuine personality will come through in the final shot.
When in Doubt, Try Both
Still not sure whether to smile or keep it serious? That’s completely normal! A great way to avoid overthinking it is to simply try both. During your headshot session, take a few shots with a genuine smile, and then switch it up with a more neutral or serious look.
This approach gives you options, allowing you to decide later which image aligns best with your brand and the audience you’re trying to reach. Having both a smiling and a non-smiling headshot in your toolkit can also be useful for different purposes—whether you need a warm, approachable look for LinkedIn or a more formal, authoritative image for your company website or professional bio.
A good headshot photographer will guide you through both styles during the session, helping you feel confident no matter which expression you choose. That way, when it’s time to pick the final shot, you’ll know you’ve got the perfect image ready for any situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I smile for my professional headshot?
A: It depends on your profession, brand, and the message you want to convey. Smiling works great if you want to appear approachable and easy to work with, but a serious look might be more appropriate if you need to project strength or authority.
Q: Can I try both smiling and serious expressions in my headshot session?
Q: How can I make my smile look natural in a headshot?
Q: What should I do if I don’t like smiling in photos?
Final Thoughts on Smiling in your Headshot
Whether you smile or not in your headshot depends on your profession, brand, and the impression you want to make. Both approaches can work—you just need to feel confident and authentic in front of the camera.
Still unsure? Try both during your session and decide later. With the right guidance, your headshot will reflect your best self. Ready to capture yours? Book your headshot session with me today, and let’s create a headshot that works for you.
