HOW TO look natural in professional headshots (Even if you hate being photographed)
If youโve ever stood in front of a camera and thought โwhat do I do with my hands?โ โ youโre not alone. Most people donโt love being photographed. The good news? Looking natural in a professional headshot isnโt about being photogenic. Itโs about working with a photographer who knows how to guide you so you show up as your best self.
Corporate Team Headshots & Group Photography on white and black
As an Auckland-based corporate headshot and personal branding photographer, Iโve photographed hundreds of business owners, creatives, and professionals whoโve said things like โI hate the way I look in photosโ or โmy photos never look natural.โ Hereโs how I help.
๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ด๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ โ ๐โ๐น๐น ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐
Your expression is what people connect with first, so thatโs your only job. Iโll take care of positioning, lighting, and angles to make sure everything looks flattering and natural. During the session, Iโll gently guide you so it never feels rushed or forced.
Tip: Lean slightly towards the camera โ not away from it. It feels odd, but it reads as confident and approachable.
๐ ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ผ-๐บ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ด๐ถ๐ฐ
Between shots, Iโll guide you through tiny movements โ a small shift of your chin or weight. These subtle adjustments help you avoid awkward angles and double chins, keeping everything natural and flattering.
Pro insight: If it feels a bit awkward, youโre probably doing it right. (And yes, Iโm a bit of a perfectionist about this โ I earned my Masterโs in Photography studying portraiture at a pretty serious level, so youโre in safe hands.)
๐ช๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐น๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น ๐น๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐
The fastest way to look uncomfortable is to wear something that doesnโt feel like you. Confidence comes from comfort. Choose clothes that fit well and reflect how you actually show up professionally โ polished, but authentic.
If youโre unsure what photographs best, think solid colours, clean lines, and natural fabrics. Avoid large logos or busy prints that distract from your face.
๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ผ ๐ต๐ฒ๐น๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ (๐ต๐ถ, ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐โ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ)
A great headshot isnโt just about lighting or angles โ itโs about trust. The right photographer will guide you through poses, adjust details you canโt see, and create an atmosphere that feels easy and human.
My sessions are conversational and collaborative. We chat, test angles, and find your best side together. Most people leave saying, โthat was way more fun than I expected.โ
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ ๐๐ผ๐โ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐
The best photos happen when you stop performing for the camera and start showing up for your purpose. Itโs not about looking perfect; itโs about being real. People connect with authenticity โ thatโs who they want to do business with.
Whether youโre updating your LinkedIn, launching a new brand, or levelling up your visibility, your photos are an investment in how people perceive you. Focus on confidence and warmth, not perfection, and everything clicks into place.
๐ช๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ-๐๐ฝ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
If youโre ready to refresh your image with photos that actually look like you, book a branding or headshot session with me in Auckland. Weโll create portraits that feel relaxed, real, and ready to help your business grow.
