Why Most People Don’t Like Their Headshot (and What Actually Helps)
If you’ve ever looked at a headshot of yourself and thought, “That doesn’t feel like me,” you’re not alone. I hear this all the time, not from people who dislike being photographed, but from capable, confident professionals who are great at what they do and still never seem to love their photos. They’ll say things like, “I’m so nervous,” or “I never like pictures of myself,” or “I just need something that looks professional.” And what I’ve learned over the years is that most people don’t dislike their headshot because of how they look — they dislike it because of how the experience, and sometimes the setup, felt.
A lot of headshots are created quickly and casually. Sometimes it’s a coworker with an iPhone, sometimes it’s a quick crop from a group photo, and sometimes it’s taken in poor lighting because it was convenient in the moment. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s rarely done in a way that helps someone feel comfortable or look their best. Then people see the result and assume, “That’s just how I look on camera,” when in reality a big part of it comes down to lighting, angles, and whether the person being photographed felt supported or rushed.
What actually makes the difference isn’t knowing how to pose or having the “right” face for the camera. It’s feeling at ease and being photographed with intention. When someone feels comfortable and the lighting is working with them instead of against them, their shoulders relax, their expression softens, and they stop trying so hard to perform. That’s when a photo starts to feel natural and true, and that’s the moment I’m always watching for during a session.
One of my favorite things to hear at the end of a shoot is, “That was actually kind of fun.” Almost no one walks in expecting that. Most people expect it to be awkward or uncomfortable or something to just get through, but when the experience is guided, unhurried, and thoughtful, it changes how people show up in front of the camera and how they feel about the images afterward.
A headshot isn’t about looking younger or hiding things you don’t like or fitting into someone else’s idea of what “professional” is supposed to look like. It’s about looking like yourself on a good day — the version of you that walks into a meeting prepared, feels confident in your work, and knows what you’re doing. That’s the version people connect with when they see your photo, even if they can’t explain why.
If you’ve never liked a photo of yourself, that doesn’t mean you’re not photogenic and it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It usually just means you haven’t yet had the experience of being photographed in a way that feels thoughtful, supportive, and human, with lighting and guidance that are actually working for you. And that experience makes all the difference, not just in how the photo looks, but in how you feel when you see it. As a headshot and branding photographer in the Irmo and Columbia, South Carolina area, this is the shift I see over and over again.
If you find yourself cringing at your headshot photo, it may be time for a refresh. Give us a call today and we’ll have you loving your photographs in no time.