Professional Headshots Examples
Your headshot is often the first introduction people have to your professional image. Whether you’re a business executive, a creative entrepreneur, or simply want to make a strong impression online, c...
Your headshot is often the first introduction people have to your professional image. Whether you’re a business executive, a creative entrepreneur, or simply want to make a strong impression online, choosing the right style of headshot can help you stand out. Below, you’ll find ten professional headshots examples—each with unique advice for different industries and personal branding goals. Discover tips for posing, outfits, and backdrops so you can confidently present yourself in any professional context.
1. Male Professional Headshots Example
Why This Style WorksA well-lit, eye-level portrait featuring a relaxed but confident posture is crucial for men aiming to convey trustworthiness. This style often involves wearing long sleeves or a blazer.
Outfit Goal:Dress for the position you want. If you’re aiming for a corporate role, consider a jacket and tie. If the industry is more casual, a well-fitted button-down can work.Facial Expression:A natural smile helps you appear friendly and approachable.Confidence Cues:Keep your shoulders back and maintain a straight but relaxed posture.
Outfit Goal:Dress for the position you want. If you’re aiming for a corporate role, consider a jacket and tie. If the industry is more casual, a well-fitted button-down can work.
Facial Expression:A natural smile helps you appear friendly and approachable.
Confidence Cues:Keep your shoulders back and maintain a straight but relaxed posture.
2. Female Professional Headshots Example
Why This Style WorksWomen’s professional headshots often prioritize an approachable yet polished look. Minimal accessories keep the focus on your face.
Jewelry & Makeup:Subtle jewelry and makeup that matches your everyday style ensure authenticity.Neckline & Sleeves:Choose tops that reflect the level of formality in your field—suit jackets or long sleeves usually project a more corporate vibe.Hair & Makeup:Stick to your current, go-to hairstyle. Your headshot should match the way you appear in person.
Jewelry & Makeup:Subtle jewelry and makeup that matches your everyday style ensure authenticity.
Neckline & Sleeves:Choose tops that reflect the level of formality in your field—suit jackets or long sleeves usually project a more corporate vibe.
Hair & Makeup:Stick to your current, go-to hairstyle. Your headshot should match the way you appear in person.
3. Indoor Corporate Headshots Example (Male)
Why This Style WorksIndoor corporate setups are perfect for executive positions or team profile pages. A neat, clutter-free background keeps the focus on your face.
Lighting Essentials:Make sure your face is well-lit to avoid unflattering shadows. Professional lighting or large windows with natural light can work wonders.Background Choice:Consider bright, open office spaces, lobbies, or areas without distracting elements.Tie or No Tie:If your workplace or industry typically wears ties, include one. Otherwise, a crisp shirt paired with a suit jacket can be enough.
Lighting Essentials:Make sure your face is well-lit to avoid unflattering shadows. Professional lighting or large windows with natural light can work wonders.
Background Choice:Consider bright, open office spaces, lobbies, or areas without distracting elements.
Tie or No Tie:If your workplace or industry typically wears ties, include one. Otherwise, a crisp shirt paired with a suit jacket can be enough.
4. Female LinkedIn Headshot Example
Why This Style WorksBecause LinkedIn is all about professional networking, a clean and polished portrait can increase your profile views and credibility.
Simplicity Counts:Avoid busy backgrounds or patterns that distract recruiters or connections.Crop Smartly:Aim for a shoulders-and-up shot. Too much empty space can lessen the visual impact.Reflect Your Role:Whether you’re in a creative or corporate field, wear an outfit that aligns with your daily work attire.
Simplicity Counts:Avoid busy backgrounds or patterns that distract recruiters or connections.
Crop Smartly:Aim for a shoulders-and-up shot. Too much empty space can lessen the visual impact.
Reflect Your Role:Whether you’re in a creative or corporate field, wear an outfit that aligns with your daily work attire.
5. Modern Corporate Headshot Example
Why This Style WorksModern corporate headshots blend traditional business attire with a contemporary feel—think slightly more casual poses or softer smiles.
Wardrobe Selection:A suit jacket is typically expected, but ties can be optional depending on the company culture.Color Coordination:Stick to solid, muted colors (e.g., navy, charcoal) to avoid clashing with the backdrop.Relaxed Posing:Slight angle poses are in style for a modern twist, making you appear both professional and relatable.
Wardrobe Selection:A suit jacket is typically expected, but ties can be optional depending on the company culture.
Color Coordination:Stick to solid, muted colors (e.g., navy, charcoal) to avoid clashing with the backdrop.
Relaxed Posing:Slight angle poses are in style for a modern twist, making you appear both professional and relatable.
6. Outdoor Female Headshot Example
Why This Style WorksOutdoor headshots can convey warmth and approachability. Soft daylight also flatters facial features, giving a natural glow.
Seasonal Awareness:If it’s chilly, layer with a jacket. If it’s hot, choose breathable fabrics.Color Palette:Pick colors that enhance your skin tone and complement outdoor scenery (greens, blues, neutral earth tones).Natural Expression:A genuine smile tends to look more personable in an outdoor setting.
Seasonal Awareness:If it’s chilly, layer with a jacket. If it’s hot, choose breathable fabrics.
Color Palette:Pick colors that enhance your skin tone and complement outdoor scenery (greens, blues, neutral earth tones).
Natural Expression:A genuine smile tends to look more personable in an outdoor setting.
7. Professional Studio Headshot Example
Why This Style WorksStudio headshots offer consistency—ideal if you need uniform branding across a website or social media platforms. A plain or gradient backdrop creates a polished, timeless look.
Posing Variations:Experiment with slight tilts, placing a hand in a pocket, or crossing arms. Simple gestures can make images feel more natural.Backdrop Choice:Gray or light-colored backdrops are versatile for most professional contexts.Lighting Setup:Studio lights minimize shadows and highlight your best features.
Posing Variations:Experiment with slight tilts, placing a hand in a pocket, or crossing arms. Simple gestures can make images feel more natural.
Backdrop Choice:Gray or light-colored backdrops are versatile for most professional contexts.
Lighting Setup:Studio lights minimize shadows and highlight your best features.
8. Personal Branding Photo Example
Why This Style WorksPersonal branding images often go beyond simple head-and-shoulders shots, showing you in your work environment or with tools of your trade.
Multiple Outfits:Bringing two or three looks can showcase different sides of your personality or business.Props & Settings:Feature items relevant to your profession (laptop, art supplies, etc.) to tell a story.Wardrobe Fit:Well-fitted clothes exude professionalism and confidence. Avoid wrinkles at all costs.
Multiple Outfits:Bringing two or three looks can showcase different sides of your personality or business.
Props & Settings:Feature items relevant to your profession (laptop, art supplies, etc.) to tell a story.
Wardrobe Fit:Well-fitted clothes exude professionalism and confidence. Avoid wrinkles at all costs.
9. Business Headshot Example (Male)
Why This Style WorksBusiness headshots focus on straightforward, sharp attire and a direct gaze that conveys honesty and openness.
Tie Choice:If a tie is appropriate, pick a color or subtle pattern that won’t overwhelm.Grooming:Trim facial hair and ensure neat hair for a polished impression.Authentic Smile:Smiling with your teeth visible can suggest approachability and warmth.
Tie Choice:If a tie is appropriate, pick a color or subtle pattern that won’t overwhelm.
Grooming:Trim facial hair and ensure neat hair for a polished impression.
Authentic Smile:Smiling with your teeth visible can suggest approachability and warmth.
10. Business Headshot Example (Female)
Why This Style WorksWomen’s business headshots emphasize professionalism without sacrificing personality. They can be slightly casual or fully formal, depending on the role.
No Low-Cut Tops:Keep the neckline professional to avoid distractions.Minimal Accessories:Jewelry should be understated. Overly flashy pieces can shift attention away from you.Consistent Branding:Make sure your hair, makeup, and clothing match how you appear in everyday professional settings.
No Low-Cut Tops:Keep the neckline professional to avoid distractions.
Minimal Accessories:Jewelry should be understated. Overly flashy pieces can shift attention away from you.
Consistent Branding:Make sure your hair, makeup, and clothing match how you appear in everyday professional settings.
Reviewingprofessional headshots examplesfor men, women, indoor, outdoor, and studio setups can inspire the look you want. Remember:
Dress for the job or industry you’re targeting.Keep distractions to a minimum, from background clutter to bold patterns.A genuine smile and good posture help convey authenticity and warmth.
Dress for the job or industry you’re targeting.
Keep distractions to a minimum, from background clutter to bold patterns.
A genuine smile and good posture help convey authenticity and warmth.
Whether you’re an executive seeking an updated corporate headshot or an entrepreneur in need of personal branding photos, these tips will help you plan outfits, choose the right setting, and pose confidently. Ultimately, a well-executed headshot can open doors to new opportunities and make an unforgettable first impression. Good luck with your next shoot!
Andrew Petrov is a professional photographer and the founder of Detroit Photography, Metro Detroit's premier headshot and portrait studio. With a studio in the historic Bagley Mansion, he specializes in creating timeless, professional imagery for executives, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals.
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