How To Get The Best Headshot You’ll ACTUALLY Love
People walk into a headshot session convinced they're awkward in front of the camera. They're not. But, we all know a little help can go a long way. SO, here are our favourite tips for getting a headshot that feels confident, natural, and you.
"The best headshots aren't the ones where you look perfect. They're the ones where you look like yourself."
- Natalie
Why do so many people hate having their photo taken?
Let's start with a confession.
Almost everyone who walks into Candid says some version of the same thing:"I'm terrible in photos." "I never know what to do with my hands." "I'm not photogenic." "Can you Photoshop me?"
We hear it every day. And after having thousands of people in our studio, we've learned something important: The problem is almost never the person. It's the experience.
Most of us grew up being photographed in situations where we felt uncomfortable, rushed, self-conscious, or judged. School photos. Passport photos. Corporate headshots against a grey backdrop while someone tells you to "look natural." No wonder people hate it.
At Candid, we've built our entire studio around changing that experience. Confidence doesn't come from learning a magical pose. It comes from feeling comfortable enough to relax. And when that happens, the photos take care of themselves.
So if you've got a headshot session coming up, here are our favourite tips for getting photos you'll actually love.
Stop trying to look good
I know that sounds backwards, but one of the biggest mistakes people make is spending the entire shoot thinking about how they look. But the thing is, the moment you start monitoring every angle, every smile, every strand of hair, you stop being present. And cameras are surprisingly good at picking up tension.
So instead, focus on how you want to FEEL… Confident, calm, playful, warm, approachable, trustworthy.
People don't connect with perfect features. They connect with energy. So the best headshots happen when you're focused on expressing yourself rather than controlling yourself.
Wear something that feels like you
This sounds obvious, but it's amazing how many people show up wearing something they'd never normally wear. And if you're constantly adjusting your outfit, pulling at sleeves, or feeling unlike yourself, it'll show.
Your headshot should represent the version of you people actually meet. Whether that's a blazer, a knit jumper, a bold colour, or your favourite simple black top. When people see your photo on LinkedIn, your website, or your company profile, they should think:"Yep. That's them." Not: "Wow, they look completely different in real life."
The goal isn't transformation. It's recognition. It’s being and feeling SEEN as the authentic incredible YOU that already is.
Forget posing. Think movement.
One of the reasons our self-portrait studio works so well is because we hand people the clicker and you take the photos yourself. That means there's no pressure to hold one perfect pose while someone watches you. Instead, we encourage movement. So, shift your weight, turn slightly, look away, laugh, stretch, take a breath, walk around. Tiny movements create natural moments. And natural moments create great photographs.
Most people aren't awkward. They're just frozen.
Confidence is more important than symmetry
This might be the biggest lesson we've learned.
People often assume a great headshot is about looking flawless. It's not.
We've had people with crooked smiles, laugh lines, freckles, scars, missing teeth, bad hair days and everything in between. The photos people love most are never the technically "perfect" ones, they're the ones where they look alive.
And confidence is key. It’s what makes someone magnetic.
Not symmetry or perfection or editing.
Confidence. And confidence comes from self-trust, not self-criticism.
The secret weapon: bring a colleague or friend
Some of our favourite company headshot days happen when teammates cheer each other on.
The energy completely changes. People relax, laugh more, stop overthinking, and suddenly the person who swore they hated photos is asking for extra shots.
We've seen this happen during learning weeks, wellbeing events, office culture days, and team-building sessions with companies including Adobe, NEXT, and Primark.
Confidence is contagious. When one person starts enjoying themselves, everybody else follows.
Think beyond LinkedIn
A great headshot isn't just about LinkedIn anymore. It's your personal brand.
Whether you're speaking at events, applying for opportunities, building a business, networking, or simply showing up online, people often meet your photo before they meet you. And yet personal branding doesn't need to feel corporate.
The strongest personal brands aren't the most polished, they're the most authentic. Because people remember people. Not perfection.
So instead of asking:"Do I look impressive?" Try asking:"Does this feel like me?" That question usually leads to much better photos.
The best headshots feel human
If there's one thing we'd love people to take away from this, it's that being photogenic isn't a talent or something you’re born with. It's a feeling.
When you feel comfortable, seen, relaxed, and confident, your photos reflect that.
That's why we built Candid differently. Because the best photographs aren't created through pressure. They're created through permission. Permission to laugh, to experiment, to be yourself… and maybe that's the real secret to a great headshot.
Not becoming someone more confident, but realising you were enough to be photographed exactly as you are in the first place.
Love, Natalie Ava Nasr xo
Thinking about refreshing your company headshots or booking your own self-portrait session? Explore our studio experiences and team headshot days via the link below. We'd love to help you create photos that feel natural, confident, and unmistakably you.
