3 Best Headshot Poses that Make a Good Professional Headshot
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Your corporate headshots can say a lot about you, so it's important that they're polished, approachable, and up-to date. These photos not only showcase your professional identity, but also communicate that you're still active in your field. Headshots are a must-have for LinkedIn and are perfect for elevating business cards, websites, and more. At our studio, we provide three shots per session (click here to check out our packages), so we suggest trying out three different poses. Keep reading for our pro tips on best headshot poses and how to come prepared to your corporate headshot session.
1) 45-Degree Angle Pose
If you've seen even just one headshot, you've likely seen this pose. The 45-degree angle pose is the standard go-to for corporate headshots and works in almost any professional context. The angles in your body facilitate a dynamic look, giving depth to an otherwise flat photo. When posing, be sure to turn your body at a 45-degree angle away from the camera. To achieve the look, turn back using only your hips, and point your chin towards the photographer. If you're not sure what to do with your hands, we suggest either putting one hand on your hip (which helps to keep your shoulders rolled back and posture up) or putting your hands in your pockets with a soft bend at the elbow to keep it natural. Simple yet professional, this pose is a go-to for a reason.
2) Lean In Pose
Still professional but slightly more casual and relaxed, the lean in pose is ideal for both actor headshots and presenting a more approachable look. Like with the 45-degree angle pose, the lean-in plays on natural angles to create depth and maintain a dynamic but simple composition. Start seated, facing the camera directly. Place your feet on an apple box to ensure that your legs are at a stable 90-degree angle (trust us, this makes a difference). Next, place your elbow on your leg right before your knee, leaving space between your elbow and your torso (this creates more angles while still keeping a natural posture). To finish the pose, either rest your chin on your hand or use your hand in a playful way, such as touching your hair or holding glasses. This lends the tiniest bit of a candid-looking flair, really driving home an approachable, personable attitude.
3) Power Pose
As the name suggests, this pose is a great way to establish a strong presence and air of confidence. For this reason, the power pose is ideal for corporate law firm headshots and other more competitive, high-stakes fields. For the first version of the pose, start with the 45-degree angle pose mentioned above. However, instead of having your arms down, cross them in front of your chest. Bear in mind not to squish your torso--hold your arms out and very slightly away from your body, relaxing your hands so as not to grip them. The next iteration of the power pose is perfect for a full-body photo. Stand facing the camera head-on. Point one toe out slightly away from the camera (this is to open up your hips), roll your shoulders back, and place your hands in front of your waist. To play on natural angles (as mentioned above), keep your elbows out and away from your body. Imagine forming a triangle between your forehead and your elbows. The power pose works to command presence: The direct look into the camera is a great way to show off your confidence, while the angles in your arms and legs add purpose to the image.
Bonus Tip for the Best Headshot Pose: Keep Chin out and Down
This sounds weird, but hear us out. In fact, this technique should be used in all photos, not just professional headshots. To get the look right, push your chin out while pulling your shoulders back. This helps to elongate your neck and preserve the angles of your jawline. Next, tilt your chin ever so slightly down. People are often concerned about a "double chin" look in their photos and point their chin up to compensate. However, this actually removes angles from your face, leaving you with a headshot that is mostly neck and no depth. By keeping your chin down, we can see your jawline and a clear distinction between your face and neck.
Angela Wolf Video offers corporate video production services near Philadelphia, PA. Do you have a specific video question? Schedule a free video analysis call at bit.ly/callawv
