The Top 10 Mistakes People Make With Their Headshots (and How to Avoid Them)
A professional headshot is often the very first impression someone has of you—whether it’s on LinkedIn, your website, a conference brochure, or your social media profile. In a world where attention spans get shorter and expectations get higher, your headshot needs to do more than just show your face. It needs to communicate confidence, professionalism, personality, and trust.
Yet even the most accomplished professionals make simple mistakes that end up costing them impact, opportunities, and sometimes even credibility.
Here are the top 10 most common mistakes people make with their headshots—and how to avoid them so you can show up looking confident, approachable, and polished.
1. Using an Outdated Headshot
One of the biggest mistakes people make is using a photo from five, ten, or even fifteen years ago. If your headshot doesn’t look like you right now, it’s not doing you any favors.
Your clients, colleagues, or potential employers expect authenticity. If they don’t recognize you when you walk into the room, it’s time for an update.
Solution: Update your headshot every 1–2 years or whenever you make a significant style or career change.
2. Cropping a Vacation Photo or Selfie
We’ve all seen it—the headshot that’s clearly a cropped image from a wedding or a night out. You can spot them by the awkward shoulder from someone who’s been cut out or the background that makes zero sense in a professional context.
A headshot should look intentional and polished.
Solution: Invest in a dedicated headshot session, even if it’s a quick, express headshot session. The difference is obvious.
3. Wearing Distracting Clothing
Bold patterns, neon colors, tiny stripes, shiny fabrics—these all compete with your face and can pull attention away from your expression. The goal of a headshot is to highlight you, not your wardrobe.
Solution: Stick to timeless pieces in solid, neutral tones. Fit matters more than anything else, so choose clothing that flatters your shape and helps you feel confident.
4. Not Hiring a Professional Photographer
5. Using Heavy Retouching or Filters
Your headshot shouldn’t look like a beauty filter or an AI-generated version of yourself. Over-retouched photos can look unrealistic, and they often create distrust.
Solution: Choose natural, professional retouching that enhances without altering your identity. The best retouching is the kind you can’t see.
6. Choosing the Wrong Expression
A stiff smile. A blank stare. A too-serious face that feels unapproachable. Expressions communicate who you are, and getting it wrong sends the wrong message.
Your headshot needs life, warmth, and confidence—not hesitation or discomfort.
Solution: Work with a professional photographer. I help you with your facial expressions. Micro-expressions (small changes around the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth) make a massive difference in how trustworthy and confident you appear.
7. Not Thinking About How the Image Will Be Used
Most people don’t consider where their headshot will appear. LinkedIn? Website banner? Email signature? Press features?
Your platform determines whether you need a tight crop, a horizontal format, a more neutral look, or something with more personality.
Solution: Tell your photographer how you plan to use your headshot so they can capture multiple orientations and variations.
8. Poor Lighting and Bad Backgrounds
Harsh overhead lighting, dim rooms, cluttered backgrounds, mixed color temperatures—these all make a headshot look amateur. Lighting sets the entire mood of your portrait. The wrong lighting can create unflattering shadows or make your skin tone look off.
Solution: Professional studio or natural light setups are designed to flatter your features and make you look polished and confident.
9. Not Preparing Properly for the Session
Showing up rushed, tired, or unprepared can absolutely impact your final images. Your headshot session is not the time to experiment with a brand new haircut, tight clothing, or unfamiliar makeup.
Solution:
- Get good rest
- Hydrate
- Bring multiple outfit options
- Groom brows and facial hair
- Consider professional hair and makeup
Small preparations go a long way.
10. Not Updating Your Headshot When Your Brand Changes
Your headshot should reflect your career stage and personal brand. If you’ve moved into a leadership role, shifted industries, or gone from corporate to creative, your headshot should evolve too.
Solution: Keep your headshot aligned with your current brand message. Ask yourself: Does this image still represent who I am today?
Final Thoughts
A great headshot is more than a picture—it’s a marketing tool, a confidence booster, and a first impression that works for you 24/7. Avoiding these common mistakes ensures that when someone looks you up, they see the best, most authentic version of you.
If you’re ready to update your headshot or want a session that feels polished, fun, and confidence-boosting, I’d love to help you create portraits that truly represent you.
