Should I smile for my headshots?
Headshot photographers are often asked of their input on whether or not someone should smile while taking their headshot.
My answer: Yes. End of blog.
Just kidding. As we all know, there is rarely a simple answer to any question. There is just so much room for nuance. Dallas headshot photographers cannot have a cookie cutter approach to the headshots that they do, and that goes not just for the setup, lighting and posing.
The expression of the subject is key, as that is how the viewer connects to the photo.
The decision to not smile or smile, and then to what degree all has a great impact on how well someone’s photo will be received, and the impression that it creates from there.
Here are three questions to ask yourself when determining what kind of expression you want for your headshot:
How do you want to present yourself?
Think about when you are headed to a meeting or event where you will be interacting with people, particularly people you haven’t met before. All of us want to create a strong first impression right?
When you go to create this impression, how do you plan on doing it? By a show of strength, respect, kindness or by being humble? Perhaps you come in with a big smile and greet people warmly, or try to show that you are a lighthearted jokester.
There are many different approaches when meeting other people in Dallas, so whichever fits you best should also show in your heashots.
How do you feel most comfortable?
Ok so I will go ahead and let the cat out of the bag: I am a headshot photographer in Dallas who is a big fan of smiling in headshots. I think that there is a lot of power in a genuine smile, and it is very magnetic to other people. But, you may not be comfortable having a big smile, or showing teeth at all. That is a very personal deal and I totally get it. You have to do what is comfortable for you. All I would suggest is that your personality needs to shine through. The smile, to whatever degree, helps do so, but you also need to show that spark in your eyes as well.
Who is your audience?
A dentist and a criminal defense attorney have two very goals with their headshots, or at least should. If you ever saw a photo of your dentist and he looked tough and stern, I’m sure all you can think about is the drill that he is going to bust out despite the fact you only came in for a routine cleaning. You want him to look warm, friendly and like someone you can be comfortable around. So many people, my wife included, are not the biggest fan of dental professionals, so anything they can do to look more approachable is a bonus.
On the other hand, the criminal attorneys I’ve worked with want to emphasize to their clients that they are indeed very tough, and will fight hard on their case. In that case, a warm happy smile may not be the best look for them.
Your particular industry probably falls somewhere in between these two, so look at whom you are appealing to when making the smiling decision. You may want to have a very broad happy smile if you are somewhere more relaxed, or it may be pulled back just a bit to more of a polite smile if you are appealing to a more conservative crowd. With that group, even a non-smile may be better. I just typically recommend that you don’t look really serious or mean.
You can look serious or formal while still having some personality shine through in your eyes, and after all, showing your individual personality is what it’s all about!