So, what actually makes a good headshot? It’s a question worth answering properly, because the difference between a forgettable photo and one that genuinely works for you comes down to a handful of things — most of which are easy to get right with the proper approach.
Great lighting
Lighting is the foundation of every strong headshot. Done well, it’s flattering and natural, shaping your face and bringing it to life without you ever noticing it’s there. Done badly — harsh overhead light, a dim room, a phone flash — it flattens and ages you. It’s the single biggest thing separating a professional image from a snapshot.
A genuine, relaxed expression
The best headshots capture a real expression, not a held, braced “photo face”. A natural smile or a calm, confident look invites people in. And here’s the secret: that only happens when you feel at ease. Tension shows on a face instantly — so a huge part of my job is simply helping you relax until the real you turns up.
Clean, considered framing
A good headshot keeps the focus squarely on you — well-composed, with a clean, uncluttered background that doesn’t compete for attention. Everything in the frame should support the impression you want to make.
Sharp, professional quality
The image should be crisp where it counts — your eyes especially — and finished with subtle, honest editing that enhances rather than fakes. The goal is for you to look your best on a good day, not like a different person.
Above all: it looks like you
The most important ingredient is authenticity. A great headshot should look unmistakably like you, so the person who turns up to the meeting or interview matches the photo. Get the lighting, expression, framing and comfort right, and that’s exactly what you get.
Why the “good” ones look effortless
Here’s the thing about a genuinely good headshot: it looks easy, almost obvious — as if you simply turned up and looked like that. In reality, that effortlessness is the product of all the ingredients above working together quietly behind the scenes. When the lighting, framing, expression and comfort are all right, none of them announce themselves; you just look like the best, most natural version of yourself.
That’s the standard worth holding out for. A headshot isn’t a box to tick — it’s a small investment that works for you every single day, on every profile and in every first impression, for years.
If you’d like a headshot that ticks all of these boxes, see my headshot sessions or get in touch to book.
