How to Take Great Professional Model Headshots: An Introductory Guide

Whether you’re an all-star model like Kendall Jenner, a returning one like Bella Hadid, or aspiring to start your career as America’s Next Top Model, building your portfolio is a prerequisite to making it in the industry.

But what will make you stand apart from the run of the mill model? A perfect headshot. Having a professionally executed headshot can leave a lasting impression. This is not just to captivate agencies but also for the world to discover your defining qualities

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with the finest collection of tips to get your modeling headshots looking like the best in the business.

The Importance of Preparation: Concept and Type

Before the camera even clicks, it’s crucial to define the concept and type of your shoot. Whether you're aiming for high fashion, commercial, or fitness modeling, each requires a different approach in terms of composition, styling, and overall execution.

Knowing the intention behind your photoshoot helps align all creative elements, ensuring that the final images are both marketable and versatile.

For example, high-fashion modeling may demand edgier, more intense poses to captivate designers and enthusiasts. On the other hand, commercial modeling leans toward friendly, relatable expressions to convince the market into purchasing a product.

Regardless of the modeling type, every headshot should capture the model's range and ability to adapt to various roles.

Coordination is Key: Collaborating with Your Team

Communication with Photographer and Creative Director

A successful modeling headshot shoot is the result of strong communication and collaboration between the model, photographer, and creative director. Imagine if one party doesn’t grasp the concept and theme of the headshot? Then the results might seem like it came straight out of a wedding reception’s photo booth… and we don’t want that level of amateurism.

Collaboration should happen at every stage: before, during, and after the shoot.

Prior to the shoot, discuss the vision, target audience, and overall aesthetic of the headshot. During the shoot, constant feedback will help guide both the model and photographer to achieve the right expressions, poses, and angles. A post-shoot review helps everyone agree on which images show the true beauty of the concept.

From lighting setups to wardrobe changes, it is important for all team members to be on the same page. This helps avoid mistakes that could distract from the model’s best qualities and marketability.

Styling Your Model: Complement Their Best Features

Wardrobe: Simplify to Highlight Features

The wardrobe should be carefully chosen to complement your body type and the overall concept of the shoot. Avoid busy patterns or oversized clothing that could detract from your facial features. Instead, stick to solid colors and neutral tones that create a clean, polished look.

For an added layer of flair, accentuate accessories like necklaces or earrings. This can bring focus to your jawline without overshadowing your facial features or outfit.

The other goal of selecting your wardrobe is to create a defined silhouette, which is particularly important when shooting fashion or editorial headshots. Keep your outfits form-fitting to avoid distractions and ensure that the focus remains on your face and expressions.

If you want to keep things simple, SLR Lounge gives some pointers on keeping things minimalistic. But if you want to take your styling to the next level, American Express Essentials compiled a list of tricks that global models use to elevate their look.

Makeup: Natural vs. Bold Looks

Universally, makeup should be used to enhance your natural features rather than overshadow them. For most models, a “no-makeup” makeup look works best. This style lets the natural texture of your skin and bone structure show. This is important for agencies to see your true beauty.

Some concepts may require bolder makeup, particularly for beauty or fashion shots. Highlighting the eyes and lips with defining makeup is crucial, but it should still be done in a way that doesn’t mask the model’s natural beauty. And don’t forget to avoid excessive contouring.

Again, natural beauty is what casters want to see and not how well your makeup is done, but a little contouring to make that jawline pop could bring a more dramatic effect.

Quality Over Quantity: Expertise and Equipment Matter

Having high-quality photos increases the likelihood of being taken seriously, especially since major commercial modeling campaigns use advanced cameras and professional lighting. Your headshots should emulate the style of an actual modeling shoot, as the more you resemble the part, the better your chances of making a name for yourself.

Consider a Professional Photographer and Studio

Simply put, having the headshot done by a professional photographer is the quickest and easiest way to getting close to that perfect professional headshot. Expert photographers can share their years of experience and a gold mine of techniques to deliver that top-notch quality headshot for you within a few clicks.

Professionals also bring the best equipment to the table by using their own cameras, maybe even boasting their own studio, lighting and backdrops for you to utilize. While it may not be obvious to the common eye, experts in the industry can tell the stark differences between an iPhone’s camera and a commercial-grade digital and mirrorless camera.

However, great quality can come at a hefty price. Be prepared to shell out up to $500 per hour or even $1,000 per image depending on the photographer’s experience, specialization, and equipment. VSCO covers photography pricing from amateurs to top-professionals.

Lighting and Backgrounds

High-quality cameras and professional lighting setups are essential to capture the subtle details of your face. Natural light is often praised for its soft, flattering glow and works well for outdoor headshots. This type of lighting is excellent for a natural, approachable look.

On the flipside, studio lighting offers more control and can be used to create sharp contrasts or bring light to specific areas of the face, such as cheekbones or jawlines.

When it comes to choosing backgrounds for headshots, simplicity is key. A plain or textured backdrop ensures that the focus stays on your face, rather than being pulled toward busy or elaborate backgrounds.

Choosing a specific background and setting, like a garden or library, could also ensure that the theme and concept of your photoshoot is captured. Just make sure that the backdrop doesn’t clash with the model or overpower the shot.

Work It: The Importance of Facial Expressions and Poses

Expressions: Versatility and Authenticity

Expressions matter, especially in modeling and photography. A successful shoot will capture a range of emotions—from subtle and soft to intense and fierce.

Practicing in front of a mirror beforehand can help models become more aware of their expressions and how they translate on camera. Not to mention that it will also help you figure out your signature expressions. The goal is to exude confidence, which comes across in your eyes and body language.

Eyes are the windows to the soul, so maintaining eye contact or knowing when to use it can also create various kinds of emotional connection and authenticity.

Need to display that personal connection? Eye contact.

Need to express your attitude and fierceness? Eye contact.

Need to show vulnerability or fragility? You can try to avoid eye contact.

The eyes, Chico, they never lie.

Posing: Creating Shapes

A model's pose can dramatically impact the feel of a headshot. It’s about creating shapes and lines that are flattering to your body and the camera.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with poses that emphasize form. Small adjustments to posture, like extending the neck, tilting the head, or touching the face can highlight different features and improve the shot

Masculine poses often involve sharp angles and structured body language, while feminine poses tend to emphasize curves and fluidity. A good headshot will also highlight your jawline and create natural movement through the neck and shoulders. Make sure nothing feels overly formal since posing too hard tends to make models look stiff instead.

Angles and Framing

The right angles can dramatically change the feel of a photo. A shot taken right in front of the model can complement the slight downward tilt of the head with maintained eye contact. This type of angle can accentuate the jawline and look directly into the model’s eyes.

Experiment with angles to discover what works best for your face shape, and rely on the photographer to help frame the shot in a way that emphasizes your best qualities.

Olivia Bossert shares her tips on how to pose inexperienced models from a photographer’s perspective. This can come in handy even for models themselves.

Retouching: Enhancing Without Over-editing

Post-production can make a good headshot great, but over-editing can ruin the authenticity of the image. Models should aim for natural-looking retouching that enhances, rather than alters, their appearance. This includes removing small blemishes, evening out skin tones, and correcting lighting inconsistencies. However, avoid smoothing the skin too much or removing distinctive features like freckles or moles that are part of what makes you unique.

Conclusion:

Creating the perfect modeling headshot is a combination of preparation, collaboration, and technical skill. By focusing on collaboration, utilizing expertise, and experimenting with your style and delivery, you can create a headshot that stands out in a crowded field.

Plan the Concept: Define the type of shoot (e.g., fashion, commercial) and ensure it matches the model's range.

Collaborate: Communicate with the photographer and team throughout the process.

Wardrobe: Choose simple, form-fitting outfits that highlight features; avoid distractions.

Makeup: Use natural makeup to enhance features, bold only when needed.

Hire a Pro: Invest in a professional photographer for high-quality results.

Lighting & Background: Use natural or controlled lighting with simple backdrops.

Expressions & Poses: Practice versatile expressions and flattering poses.

Retouching: Edit lightly to enhance, not alter, natural appearance.

Ultimately, the goal is to present a version of yourself that is both authentic and versatile, leaving a lasting impression on casting directors and agencies alike.

With the right approach, your headshots will not only capture your best features but also open doors to exciting opportunities in the modeling world!

But what if you don’t have access to any of our recommendations? Lacking the budget and connections to a professional? Think you don’t have the right wardrobe and makeup to make the cut? We still have you covered. Aragon’s Professional Headshot Generator can help you create those pristine headshots without the need for any expertise or equipment. All you need is a few good photos of yourself and our tool will get the work done for you under $100.