Should I Smile in My Headshot? (Updated 2021)

Should you smile in a headshot?

The short answer depends on two things:

1. Do you like your smile? If you feel uncomfortable smiling with teeth, a smaller, closed-mouth smile can work well. But if you love doing a big smile, it's probably best to go for it!
2. What industry are you in and how formal should your shots look? If you're in a very conservative industry and feel that people looking at your photo would prefer you to look more serious, a non-smiling shot might work better.

We'll dive deeper in the rest of this article on when to smile and when not to, and we'll cover information for both business headshots AND actor headshots.

​So, should you smile in a headshot?

Well, because everyone is different and I don't know you personally, I'd like to start off by first listing the plusses and minuses of smiling and not smiling:

​Smiles are Great Because:

1. They allow you to connect on a genuine level with the viewer. If your smile is real, it will make your headshot more memorable and lead whoever is looking at your photo to like you more.
2. They show approachability, warmth, and build trust. These are the types of messages you want to send to people you meet for the first time, and since your headshot is like a first impression, it should send the same message.
3. They make the viewer more comfortable with you. Having a fake smile or uncomfortable expression in your headshot can make people feel a bit uncomfortable or unsure of how friendly you'll be when they interact with you.
4. They make you seem easy to work with. Smiling makes you seem like someone who is laid back and approachable, which is a good thing, especially these days when so many people can be uptight!
5. They can help you look younger. If you want to look younger, a smile is the way to go. Serious shots can make you look at least 5-10 years older in a headshot.

​The Downsides of Smiling:

1. If you don't like your teeth, they will probably show if your smile is genuine. But remember, your teeth can be whitened and straightened in Photoshop!
2. If you already look young, you will look even younger. Smiling can make people think you're inexperienced because you might look too young.
3. It's dangerous to fake a smile in a headshot. If it's not a genuine, real smile, you could appear untrustworthy. That being said, an easy fix to get a real smile is to just laugh!
4. Your eyes can become squinty. Fix this by looking at the top part of the photographer's camera, or do a more subtle laugh/smile instead of a big one. Don't deliberately widen your eyes or you'll look like a deer in the headlights!
5. Wrinkles can show on your face, or your face can look wider. Lighting tricks and Photoshop can easily help with these issues though.

​Serious Shots are Great Because:

1. They can help you appear older if you think you look too young.
2. If you do a very subtle, closed-mouth smile, it can show confidence with approachability, which is an awesome look.

The Downsides of Serious Shots:

1. If you're not careful, you can look dead, blank, or mean/angry. A simple fix to this would be to keep your lips closed and do a subtle laugh to create a tiny little approachable smile that still looks like a serious shot.
2. You can look older than you are.
3. You have to work the camera more to show engagement and confidence. If you don't truly feel the emotion of confidence, or curiosity, or intelligence, or even sneakiness (for actors), your shot can look forced and fake.

So, now that you understand the main differences, take a look at our recommendations:

Actor Headshots:

What characters do you like to play? Are you looking to go work in TV, Film, or Theater?

If you are looking for commercial work, a great smiling shot is the way to go. A good photographer should be able to help you achieve not only a great smile, but an interesting smile. You don't just want a stereotypical snapshot; you want your smile to engage and say something about your personality. 

If you are looking to play more serious roles, you'll of course want a more serious headshot. Does that mean your headshot should seem angry, blank, or unapproachable? Not at all! Work with your photographer because a serious shot can show anything from vulnerable to sneaky, to arrogant, and even to insecure.

Remember: engaging your viewer is key, so make sure your expression is genuine and natural. Longer sessions allow you to play with several expressions, which can give you more shots to choose from when submitting to casting calls. 

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​Topics include the following:

• The Hidden Angle Formula: Discover your best side and start using it to look WAY more confident and photogenic in your headshots – which leads to more audition opportunities.​
• Headshot Color Matching: Discover why certain colors look 10X better than othersand how to match pieces perfectly for the camera (even if you're awful at matching clothes)
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​
LinkedIn Headshots:

You'll first want to consider what is most appropriate in your company. What is your company (or industry) culture? If your industry is generally laid back, focusing on more of a smile or laugh will show that you not only understand the culture but fit with the culture. 

Alternatively, if your industry is formal and takes itself seriously, a fun and creative headshot may not be fitting. You'll want to prioritize approachability, but still show that you take yourself as seriously as your industry.

Often your clothes and background will reflect the kind of expression that works best for you. If you'd wear a polo or t-shirt to the office, a smiling shot will probably work best. If you feel a suit and dark background is most appropriate, a more serious headshot may be the way to go. But remember, confidence and approachability are key, regardless of whether you smile big or not.

Choose the Right Backdrop for Your Headshot
Download our Free "Headshot Backdrops Guide"

This quick guide was created to help you choose the proper backdrop for your headshot session. Whether you're an actor, author, business professional, or even doing photos for online dating purposes, this guide will help you figure out what backdrop to use based on your profession and personal brand.

​Here's what's covered:

• Avoid Common Backdrop Mistakes – Did you know that a dark gray backdrop could make a therapist appear untrustworthy? Learn the meanings of each backdrop so you choose one that works right for your career and goals.
• ​Backdrops Based on Industry – Lawyers, accountants, teachers, actors – they all require different backdrops. Learn which backdrop works best for each specific job.
• How to Find Your Personal Brand – Learn our simple step-by-step process called G.I.S.T. Method to figure out your personal brand and the overall aesthetic and look that will best capture it (even if it's different than the industry-standard).

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How to Smile for Professional Headshots

So how do you smile naturally for a headshot?

The easiest way to get a natural smile is to not think about it and just laugh. Do a big, fake laugh, and then hold the smile that comes after it. A simple trick like this can help any fake smile instantly look real!

​Want Amazing Expressions in Your Headshots?
Download our FREE "Expression Secrets" Guide

​We've been shooting headshots for over a decade and have learned how to help our clients look more experienced and natural on-camera within just the first few minutes of their shoot. In this guide, we'll show you the best expression secrets we've learned, and we'll teach you how to pull them off on your own – no matter who you're shooting headshots with.

What's included:
​

• 3 Expression Tricks to Help You Release Facial Tension Fast – so that you don't look tense and uncomfortable in photos
• 2 Surprising Facts to Make the Camera Feel WAY Less Intimidating – we explain these interesting facts to our clients at the beginning of every session, and once clients understand them, they almost instantly relax and we start getting great shots right away
• 3 Facial "Tweaks" to Make You Look Confident on Camera – these expression "tweaks" are so simple to do... yet they make SUCH a big difference when it comes to capturing "serious" shots like confidence, sneakiness, and interest

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What are your thoughts? Please feel free to leave a comment below.

You might also be interested in visiting this page, where we show you how to find your best side and look your best in headshots:

How Do You Look Good in a Headshot?