Nailing the Smile: 5 Tips On How to Smile Authentically For A Headshot
Gone are the days of first impressions taking place at the interview table, client presentation, or industry event. With LinkedIn, social media, and any personal or professional websites one might have, people are forming first impressions about us long before a handshake takes place.
Your corporate headshot is often the first thing people see when learning about you or your business, and it’s crucial that it represents you well.
Why A Smile Matters
While there are many elements that make a great headshot (see our guides on posing and wardrobe), the smile is by far the most important part. It’s also the most challenging, as you’re being asked to smile on demand and have it somehow look authentic. But that authenticity is key — without it, we end up with a fake smile that lacks the humanity and warmth that we want to project.
As a NYC corporate headshot photographer, I hear it all the time before starting a session with a new client — “I don’t know how to smile in photos” or, “my smile always looks fake when I take headshots”. If this sounds familiar, these tips on how to smile for a headshot will ensure that your smile reads as genuine and sincere.
How To Smile In A Headshot
Engage Your Eyes: A smile often reads as fake when there is a disconnect between the mouth and the eyes. Simply forming a smile with your mouth isn’t enough — it has to engage your eyes as well for it to feel sincere.
Keep it Fresh: Holding a smile for too long can lead to stiffness and inauthenticity. To keep things feeling natural and spontaneous, take breaks and relax your face every few seconds during the headshot session.
Ask Your Photographer: They should have some prompts or jokes that can help to bring about a smile organically. Keeping the mood light and humorous helps to ease any tension and provides opportunities for smiles to occur organically.
Bigger is Better: The nerves of being photographed often result in a more subdued smile than normal. A bigger smile will engage the muscles around your eyes and make for a more genuine expression. If you push through the nerves and smile a bit bigger, you’ll see a huge difference.
Communication is Key: Shooting in silence will only magnify the uncomfortable spotlight on you. Try to keep a conversation going with your photographer — they’ll get the shot when the right moment hits.
Know Your Audience: When To Smile In A Business Headshot
Though there are benefits to knowing how to smile in your headshot for any industry or profession, there are certainly some jobs which may be better suited towards a more composed headshot.
Deciding whether you should smile for your headshot is full of nuance, but generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to capture a variety of expressions during your session. Try and showcase a range of smiles so you’ll have a number of options to suit different needs.
Takeaways
Smiling in front of a camera can be daunting, and the pressure of the moment can make it difficult to smile authentically. Remember to engage your eyes, keep your pose fresh and relaxed, and engage with your photographer to allow for some organic smiles to arise.
I promise, your smile looks great — the trick is just in knowing how to show it. Use these tips on how to smile for a headshot and you’ll come away with photos that feel genuine and send all of the right signals to your audience.
Showcase Your Smile with Modern Corporate Headshots in NYC at Johnny Wolf Studio
If you struggle with your smile, or if you’d just like to hear some of the dad jokes that we use on set, get in touch and we’ll create modern professional headshots that set your brand apart.
