How to Look Your Best in a Headshot with a Double Chin

Start with Your Shirt Collar and Neckline

Your clothing choice is the first and most powerful tool you have. A wide, open collar like a scoop neck or a deep V-neck creates a vertical line that visually lengthens your neck. This draws the eye downward, away from the chin area. Think of a V-neck tee or a blouse with a plunging neckline. Conversely, a high, tight collar like a crewneck or a turtleneck acts like a visual bracket, highlighting and enclosing the jawline. It’s like drawing a circle around the very feature you want to soften. For men, unbutton that top button on your dress shirt. That one-inch gap of skin creates a crucial break and makes a world of difference.

Color matters, too. A darker top creates a receding effect, making it blend more with shadows, while a lighter face pops forward. This subtle contrast helps define the separation between your neck and your jaw. I once had a client wear a cream-colored turtleneck; in the test shots, her chin and neck visually merged into one shape. We switched her to a navy V-neck sweater, and the definition was instant. The camera saw a jawline where before it saw a block.

Tilt Your Chin Down, Not Up

This is the single most counterintuitive move for most people. The instinct is to lift your chin high to "get rid" of the double chin. That’s the worst thing you can do. Lifting your chin stretches the skin tightly over your throat, which often accentuates the fold beneath your jaw and can make your neck look wider. Instead, push your forehead forward slightly and tilt your chin down, as if you’re nodding a slow "yes." Do this until you feel a slight stretch in the back of your neck. This engages the platysma muscle, pulling the skin under your jaw taut. It feels awkward but looks fantastic on camera.

Practice in a mirror. Start with your head straight on. Now, think of leading with your eyebrows, not your nose. Move your entire head forward an inch and lower your chin a half-inch. You’ll see the shadow under your jaw minimize or disappear completely. A client of mine, David, always lifted his chin. His photos made him look like he was straining to see over a fence. We got him to tilt down, and his entire face relaxed; his jaw looked stronger, and his eyes became more connected to the lens.

Position the Camera Slightly Above Eye Level

The photographer’s camera height is your secret weapon. If the camera is below you, looking up, it’s the most unflattering angle for anyone—it emphasizes everything under the chin. The ideal position is for the lens to be just above your eye line, angled slightly down toward you. This perspective uses gravity to your advantage, allowing the skin under your jaw to fall back naturally toward your neck. Ask your photographer to hold the camera about 6 to 12 inches above your eye level. If you’re taking a selfie, hold your phone up high and look up at it, combining this with the chin-down tilt.

This angle also makes your eyes appear larger and more engaging, as you’re looking slightly upward. I keep a small step stool in my studio for this exact reason. For seated subjects, I often stand. The difference is not subtle; it’s the difference between a photo that says "I have a chin" and one that says "I have a defined jaw."

Avoid the Common Mistake of Pulling Your Head Back

When people get nervous, they often press the back of their skull into their neck, like a turtle retreating into its shell. This compresses all the skin and muscle under the jaw, creating a pronounced roll. You might think you’re sitting up straight, but you’re actually creating the problem. The fix is to think about the opposite motion: elongate your neck. Imagine a string pulling the crown of your head toward the ceiling. Push the top of your head forward, away from your shoulders. This creates space between your skull and the back of your neck.

Here’s a quick check: put your finger on the back of your neck, right at your hairline. Now, pull your head straight back. Feel the skin bunch up? That’s what you’re avoiding. Now, keep your finger there and push your head forward. Feel the space open up? That’s the posture you want. It feels exaggerated, but on camera, it just looks poised and alert.

Use Natural Light to Define Your Jawline

Harsh, direct light from a phone flash or an overhead office light casts deep, unflattering shadows right under your chin and in every crease. It’s a highlight reel for texture you don’t want. Soft, directional natural light is a sculptor’s tool. Position yourself facing a large window, but not directly in the sunbeam. Stand about three feet away, so the light falls across your face at an angle. This creates a gentle shadow that defines the edge of your jaw, separating it from your neck. The shadow should be soft and gradational, not a hard black line.

If the window is to your side, you’ll get what’s called Rembrandt lighting—a small triangle of light on the shadowed side of your face. This modeling effect adds dimension and makes your face look structured. Overcast days are actually perfect for this; the entire sky becomes one giant, soft light source. Avoid standing with the window directly behind you, as that will put your face in shadow and flatten your features. Light from the front defines.

Mastering your headshot is about controlling angles and light, not about losing weight or wishing for different genetics. These five techniques work together: the right collar, a downward chin tilt, a high camera, a long neck, and soft window light. Practice them in a mirror before your session. When you know what works, you walk in with confidence, and that’s the best filter of all. You’ll get a photo where people see you—your expression, your eyes, your character—not a feature you’re self-conscious about.