Many people who sit down in my studio tell me the same thing before we start: “I’m not photogenic.” After years of photographing executives, attorneys, physicians and entire corporate teams in Indianapolis, I can tell you that being photogenic isn’t a gift some people have and others don’t. It’s mostly expression, and expression can be coached.
This guide explains what I look for in a face, the small adjustments that change how a headshot reads, and what expression coaching actually looks like during a session.
Why expression matters more than anything else in a headshot
Lighting, wardrobe and background all matter, and I spend real time on each of them. But when someone looks at your headshot, the first thing they read is your face, and they decide very quickly whether you seem competent and whether you seem easy to work with.
Those are the two messages a professional headshot has to send: confidence and approachability. Too much of the first and you look cold. Too much of the second and you can look unsure. Most of my coaching is about finding the balance that fits you and your field.
Your headshot also has to work very small. On LinkedIn, in an email signature or on a team page, it is often shown at the size of a thumbnail. Subtle expressions disappear at that size, while clear, intentional ones still read.
The small adjustments that change everything
The eyes: a slight “squinch”
Wide-open eyes, the way most of us look at a camera, read as surprised or nervous. Raising the lower eyelids just a little, without closing the eyes, makes the same face look focused and self-assured. Photographers call it the squinch. It’s one of the quickest changes I make in a session.
The smile: genuine, and often smaller than you think
A posed smile involves only the mouth. A genuine one reaches the eyes, and viewers can feel the difference even if they can’t name it. That’s why “say cheese” never works.
For many professional headshots, the strongest option is a micro-smile: a relaxed, slightly closed-mouth smile that warms the face without looking like a holiday photo. I always photograph a range, from serious to a full smile, because the right expression depends on where the image will be used. An attorney’s firm bio and a real estate agent’s listing photo rarely call for the same one.
The jaw and neck: forward and slightly down
When people get nervous, they pull their head back, and that softens the jawline. Bringing the face slightly forward toward the camera and tipping the chin down a touch defines the jaw and gives the portrait presence. It feels strange in the moment and looks natural in the photo, which is exactly why you need someone watching from the other side of the lens.
The body: posture shows in the face
Even in a tight headshot, the body changes the expression. Raised shoulders read as tension. Squaring up to the camera can look confrontational, while a slight angle feels more open. Breathing out just before the shot relaxes the mouth. I adjust these details as we go so you don’t have to think about them.
For more on angles and posture, read how to choose the right angle for your headshot.
Why it’s so hard to do on your own
You can practice all of this in a mirror, and it helps. But a mirror shows you a reversed face, and you can’t watch yourself and hold an expression at the same time. Most people also overdo it: the squinch becomes a squint, the micro-smile becomes a smirk.
That’s the real value of being directed. Instead of guessing, you get precise instructions and immediate feedback, and we work through guided variations until the face on the screen looks like the best version of you.
What expression coaching looks like in a session
- We talk first. Where will the headshot be used, and what impression do you want to make? A first-time founder and a hospital department head need different things.
- We get you comfortable. Your playlist, real conversation, no rush. Nobody looks relaxed when they feel watched.
- We work through guided variations. Eyes, smile, jaw and posture, one adjustment at a time, so nothing is left to chance.
- We review together on screen. You see the images as we shoot, so you can tell me what feels like you and we can refine from there.
- You choose, then we retouch. Retouching polishes skin, flyaways and small distractions. It can’t create an expression that wasn’t there, which is why we put so much care into capturing it.
Expression is one of the seven elements I control in every session, along with light, composition, wardrobe, accessories, hair and posing. You can see how they come together on my headshot photographer in Indianapolis page.
Matching your expression to your industry
- Legal and finance: calm, steady and composed, usually with a micro-smile rather than a full one.
- Real estate and client-facing roles: warmer and more open. Clients need to feel they can pick up the phone.
- Healthcare and academia: kind and trustworthy, with relaxed eyes.
- Tech and creative: natural and personable. A slightly less formal expression often fits best.
For a team, consistency matters as much as the individual expression, so everyone’s portrait feels like it belongs on the same page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I practice my expressions before the session?
A little practice in the mirror is fine, but don’t arrive with a rehearsed smile. It’s easier to coach a relaxed face than to undo a practiced one. Get a good night’s sleep and leave enough time to arrive without rushing.
I don’t like my smile. Can I still have a good headshot?
Yes. We’ll photograph a range of expressions, including closed-mouth options like the micro-smile, and you’ll see them on screen as we go, so you can choose the one you’re comfortable with.
I’m camera-shy. Is expression coaching for me?
Yes. Clear direction removes the guesswork that makes people tense, so you don’t have to know what to do with your face. I’ll tell you. Read more in how to look more confident in photos.
Ready for a headshot that looks like you on your best day?
Every session includes expression coaching, in the studio in Indianapolis or at your office. See the sessions and rates, or tell us what you need and we’ll help you plan it.
