How to Get a Headshot That Makes People Trust You

Gather Your Gear and Choose Your Background

You need two things: a camera and a wall. Your phone’s main camera is fine if it’s from the last three years. Find a plain wall, not beige. Beige sucks the life out of skin. A deep navy, charcoal grey, or warm olive green works better. Stand about three feet from it to avoid casting a harsh shadow. The light is everything. Face a large window, but not at high noon. A cloudy day is your best friend. If you only have overhead lights, turn them off. That kitchen ceiling light will give you raccoon eyes. I once saw a brilliant headshot taken in a garage doorway, the person facing the soft light from the driveway. Use what you have, but be ruthless about the source.

Pick a Shirt That Works, Not Just Fits

This isn’t about your favorite band tee. Think color psychology, not laundry day. A pale blue or soft pink subconsciously reads as trustworthy and approachable. Avoid pure white—it blows out the camera’s sensor and makes you look washed out. The fabric matters more than you think. A crisp, non-iron cotton works. Leave the rumpled linen for vacation photos. Collars are your secret weapon. A standard point collar frames a face beautifully; a floppy, unstructured collar does not. Before you shoot, hold the shirt up to your chin in a mirror. Does the color make your eyes pop or your skin look sallow? That’s your answer.

Practice Your Expression in a Mirror First

You wouldn’t give a speech without rehearsing. Don’t do this blind. Spend five minutes the night before making faces at yourself. A genuine smile isn’t just teeth. It’s in the eyes—they crinkle slightly at the corners. Try this: think of something that genuinely amuses you, then look at the mirror. See the difference? That’s the look. Now, hold it for three seconds. Most people’s “camera smile” vanishes after half a second, leaving a strained grimace. Practice a neutral, confident look too. Relax your jaw, let your lips part slightly, and think “calm and capable.” You’ll feel silly, but it builds muscle memory so you’re not guessing on shoot day.

Avoid the 'Deer in Headlights' Stare

The lens is a black hole that pulls all personality from your eyes if you let it. Don’t stare directly into it. Look just above the camera lens, at the top of your phone, or imagine a friendly face standing right behind it. This softens your gaze instantly. Blink normally. People hold their eyes wide open, which creates a startled, unnatural look. Take a breath, blink, then resume your expression. A pro trick: have someone stand behind the camera and talk to you. React to them, not the gadget. Your eyes will sparkle with connection, not glassy fear. I’ve seen a thousand frames where the second the subject laughed at a joke, we got the shot.

Upload Multiple Photos for the Best Result

If you’re using a service, one photo is a gamble. Ten photos give you an insurance policy. Capture three distinct expressions: your practiced genuine smile, your calm neutral face, and a slight, thoughtful smirk. Change your angle slightly—turn your shoulders 15 degrees to the left, then to the right. Take some from chest-level, not from below (which creates a double chin) or from above (which makes you look childlike). Shoot 50 to get 10 good ones. The variation in your uploads allows for a better final selection, ensuring the result looks like the best version of *you*, not a generic avatar. I’ve had clients send 20 nearly-identical frames and wonder why the output feels stiff; variety is your raw material.

A great headshot is a handshake in visual form. It’s not about being the most glamorous person in the room; it’s about being the most present, reliable one. Get the light right, wear a shirt that does its job, practice until your face knows what to do, and give yourself enough options to choose from. Then forget about the photo and go connect with people. That’s what it’s for.