DIY guide
Headshot Poses That Look Natural
The headshot pose that works for almost everyone: shoulders turned a little away, face back to the camera, chin slightly forward and down, a relaxed smile. Below, the same two people in seven poses, so you can see what each one does.
Updated 2026-10-19. Every person pictured is fictional, generated for our likeness test, and every headshot was made by the same retouching you get here.
Angle your shoulders, not your face: about 30° away from the camera, with your face turned back to the lens.
Seven poses, same person (woman, mid 40s)
Square-on
Fine
Angled shoulders
Works
Chin forward
Works
Head tilt
Fine
Big smile
Works
Squinch
Works
Arms crossed
Fine
Seven poses, same person (man, early 70s)
Square-on
Fine
Angled shoulders
Works
Chin forward
Works
Head tilt
Fine
Big smile
Works
Squinch
Works
Arms crossed
Fine
The poses, and when to use them
- 1
Square-on
Shoulders and face both straight to camera. Direct and formal; can look stiff or wide. - 2
Angled shoulders
Turn your body about 30° away, then turn your face back to the lens. The classic headshot pose: slimmer shoulders, more depth. - 3
Chin forward
Push your forehead slightly toward the camera and tip your chin down a touch. Defines the jawline; feels odd, looks right. - 4
Head tilt
A slight tilt reads friendly; more than a few degrees reads casual. Good for creative fields, sparingly for corporate. - 5
Big smile
Approachable and warm. Best for client-facing and service roles. - 6
Squinch
A closed-mouth smile with the lower eyelids slightly raised. Looks confident rather than nervous. - 7
Arms crossed
Needs a wider crop, so your face is smaller in a profile circle. Better for a website ‘about’ page than LinkedIn.
Posing when you’re taking it yourself
- Prop your phone at eye level and use the self-timer with burst, or a cheap Bluetooth remote.
- Look at the lens, not the screen. Put a small sticker next to the lens if your eyes keep drifting.
- Breathe out just before the shot; it drops your shoulders.
- Think of something that makes you smile rather than smiling on command.
- Take 30 or more. Most will be blinks or half-smiles; you need one.
Questions
- What is the best pose for a professional headshot?
- Shoulders turned slightly away from the camera, face turned back to the lens, chin a little forward and down, and a relaxed smile. It’s the pose most photographers start with because it flatters almost everyone.
- Should I tilt my head in a headshot?
- Only slightly. A small tilt looks friendly and natural; a big one looks casual. Keep your eyes level with the lens either way.
- Where do I put my hands in a headshot?
- Out of the frame, in a standard head-and-shoulders headshot. Hands come in only with a wider crop, such as crossed arms or a hand at the chin, which suits websites more than profile pictures.
- Should I smile with teeth in my headshot?
- Take both. A smile with teeth reads warmer and suits client-facing jobs; a closed-mouth smile reads more reserved. Pick the one that looks most like you.