Look Confident: Posing for Headshots with a Cochlear Implant

Position Your Processor Before You Pose

Your processor is part of your look, so let's treat it like jewelry. The first five minutes of our session will be spent on this alone. I once had a client, Mark, whose processor kept slipping behind his ear during a laugh. We fixed it with a single piece of medical tape on the underside, completely hidden from the camera. The relief on his face was instant—he could finally forget about it and focus on connecting with the lens.

Do you wear it on one ear or both? This changes your posing strategy. For a single processor, I almost always have you turn your head slightly to the "processor side." It brings the technology gracefully into the frame, making it look intentional and integrated, not like something trying to hide. For bilateral processors, a straight-on or very slight turn works beautifully. The goal is symmetry.

Check the fit in a mirror before you step in front of my camera. Is the microphone array clean? Is the coil sitting flush? A quick wipe with the cloth it came with can prevent oily shine from the studio lights. This is your final gear check, just like a musician tuning an instrument.

Control the Light on the Microphone Array

That small microphone is a reflective surface. My studio lights are bright, and a misplaced highlight can look like a distracting white dot right in the middle of your processor. I watch for this on every shot. During Sarah's session, a ring light created a perfect, tiny star flare on her microphone that looked cool but drew the eye away from her incredible smile. We shifted her shoulders three inches to the left and it vanished.

My rule is a 30-degree angle. If the main light source hits you straight on, glare is almost guaranteed. By having you angle your body away from the light just a bit, we keep the microphone in a soft shadow. It remains visible but matte, showing its true color and design. I will direct you into this position; you just need to know why we're doing it.

Harsh overhead lighting is the worst culprit. It creates a top-down highlight that's hard to eliminate. If we're shooting in an office with fluorescent lights, I will often turn them off and use my own, softer light from a lower, more flattering angle. This control is everything.

Angle Your Head for a Natural, Strong Look

Forget "tilt your chin down." We need a better phrase. Try this: "Lengthen the back of your neck." It does the same thing—avoids a double chin—but feels stronger and gives you more control. Now, combine that with a head turn.

Which way should you turn? Here’s the simple test. Face a mirror squarely. Now turn your head slowly to the left, then to the right. One side will make your processor look like it's sitting flat and secure. The other might make it appear to jut out or the wire become more prominent. The flat side is your "good side" for these shots. It usually takes less than 15 seconds to find.

I will never have you turn so far that you strain. We're talking about a 10 to 20-degree rotation from the camera. This slight turn adds dimension to your face, creates a stronger jawline, and presents the processor in its most elegant profile. It transforms the shot from a mugshot to a portrait.

Avoid This Common Mistake with Hair and Glasses

Do not try to camouflage the processor with hair. I see this constantly. A client will carefully drape hair over the processor, but one stray strand catches the light differently or a slight breeze from the fan exposes it. The result is a photo where they look like they're hiding, and the eye is drawn to the "secret." It screams insecurity.

Instead, choose a style that is either clearly behind the ear or fully away from it. A sleek pull-back, a clean part, or hair tucked neatly behind both ears. This says, "This is me, and I am put together." It looks professional and confident. The processor becomes a detail, not the subject.

Glasses pose a similar puzzle. The temple arm can press against the processor, tilting it awkwardly. Should you wear them? Absolutely, if you need them. The fix is easy: we take five test shots. We adjust the glasses so the arm sits either completely in front of or completely behind the processor, never on top of it. Sometimes, lifting the glasses just a millimeter on that side solves everything. We find the position, and then you forget it.

Final Check: Confidence in the Preview

My camera is tethered to a large monitor. After we nail a shot, I'll say, "Come look." This is the most important moment. You are not looking for perfection; you are looking for *yourself*. Does this look like the person who walks into a room ready to contribute? Is your expression authentic?

Specifically, look at three things:

• The processor's position: Does it look secure and natural?
• The light on your face: Are your eyes bright and engaged?
• Your overall presence: Do you look approachable and capable?

If something feels off, we change it right then. One client, David, saw his preview and said, "My smile looks tight." He was unconsciously clenching his jaw on his processor side, worrying about it staying put. We took a break, he readjusted the magnet strength, and his whole face relaxed. The next shot was the one he used for five years.

Your confidence is the final ingredient. All the technical adjustments—the angle, the light, the hair—are just the setup. They clear the way so your personality can come through without any static. When you see a preview where you look strong and at ease, you’ll know. That’s the shot.

Remember, a great headshot is a collaboration. You know your implant better than anyone. Use that knowledge to get comfortable, then trust the camera to see the rest.

Related, and worth reading next: Pose Naturally Outside: A 5-Step Guide for Real Headshots.