**Headshot photography** is both an art and a practical craft: the goal is to communicate personality, polish, and purpose in a single frame. Whether the image is destined for a LinkedIn profile, a company “About” page, or an actor’s portfolio, the first impression hinges on clarity, confidence, and intention. A strong headshot blends flattering light, thoughtful posing, and a clean, distraction‑free composition to highlight what matters most: the subject.

Plan with purpose. Define where the image will live and how it will be used. Corporate directories often favor neutral, consistent backgrounds and modest retouching, while creative profiles can benefit from bolder expression and color. Wardrobe should align with the intended audience: solid mid‑tones, minimal patterns, and textures that don’t moiré on camera. Encourage subjects to bring two to three options so you can pivot if a color clashes with skin tone or background.

Light is everything. Soft, directional light sculpts features and keeps skin looking natural. Classic setups include a large key light just off‑axis, gentle fill to control contrast, and subtle separation on hair or shoulders to avoid blending into the background. Window light can be beautiful if you control spill with flags and watch for color casts. Outdoors, open shade near a bright source works well, especially when combined with a reflector to lift shadows under the eyes.

Pose with micro‑adjustments. Small changes in chin angle, shoulder rotation, and posture dramatically influence the mood. Ask the subject to anchor through the feet, lengthen the spine, and lean slightly toward the lens for presence. Rotate shoulders 10–20 degrees off camera, then fine‑tune head position to balance symmetry and dimension. Cue expression with prompts rather than commands—have them think of a recent win, speak a few words, or exhale slowly to soften tension around the mouth and eyes.

Compose for versatility. Leave negative space for cropping across platforms that use different aspect ratios. Keep the background simple and cohesive with brand colors when appropriate. Depth of field should isolate the face without turning ears and hair into distracting blur; f/2.8 to f/5.6 on longer focal lengths (85–135mm full‑frame) is a reliable range. Mind catchlights—one or two well‑placed reflections add life to the eyes without overpowering them.

Polish in post, don’t reinvent. Aim for natural retouching: even skin tone, reduce temporary blemishes, tame flyaways, and refine color balance. Preserve skin texture and avoid over‑smoothing. Deliver consistent file names, crops for common platforms, and both web‑optimized and print‑ready versions. Finally, invite feedback and offer one quick revision; the collaborative touch helps ensure the image truly represents the person behind it.