Professional Headshot Tips for Better Results
Matthieu van Haperen
Founder & CEO, Portreya · Updated Jan 2026
TL;DR: Quick Answer
The fastest way to improve a headshot is to simplify everything: neutral light, clean background, confident posture, and clothing that matches the role.
Use Portreya when you need a realistic individual headshot for LinkedIn, job search, or a public professional profile.
Use a photographer for casting, editorial, or high-stakes press work.
This guide is written for an individual who needs a credible professional image, not a corporate team rollout. The priority is to look natural, current, and ready for the context where the photo will appear.
Prepare before taking photos
Decide the use case first. A LinkedIn headshot, speaker bio, and acting package should not all look the same.
Choose natural expressions
A small real smile usually beats a forced grin. Take enough options that you can choose a relaxed expression instead of settling for the least awkward one.
Create your first headshots free
Upload a selfie and see the result before you pay.
Try it freeJudge the thumbnail
Shrink the image on screen. If it still looks trustworthy at small size, it will work on LinkedIn, resumes, and directories.
Next step
If you want to test this with your own face, start with the AI headshot generator. You can also compare AI versus a photographer before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important headshot tip?
Use good lighting. It improves skin tone, expression, and realism more than any editing trick.
How many options should I create?
Create enough options to compare expression and crop. With AI, generate several natural variants and pick the least forced one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important headshot tip?▼
Use good lighting. It improves skin tone, expression, and realism more than any editing trick.
How many options should I create?▼
Create enough options to compare expression and crop. With AI, generate several natural variants and pick the least forced one.
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About the Author
Founder & CEO, Portreya
Matthieu van Haperen runs Portreya, where he has helped hundreds of teams get professional AI headshots. Before founding Portreya, he spent 6+ years building and scaling tech startups. He writes about professional photography, team branding, and how AI is reshaping corporate imagery.
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