What Makes a Good Headshot in 2025?

Damien Ross
7 days ago
2 min read

By Damien Ross | Southend Portrait & Headshot Photographer

A corporate headshot is a visual handshake.

A good headshot in 2025 is natural, confident, and tailored to where it’s going, LinkedIn, casting calls, or branding. It reflects your personality, fits your profession, and avoids awkward posing or over-editing. In short: it looks like you, on your best day.

So, what actually makes a great headshot today? Let’s break it down.

Tip #1 - What Makes a Good Headshot in 2025?

Forget old-school rules about stiff poses and forced smiles. A strong headshot feels natural, relaxed, and present. You're not hiding behind a fake grin, you're showing up with confidence.

Pro tip: The best expressions often happen in between poses. I always leave space for those spontaneous, real moments.

Tip #2 - What Should a Modern Headshot Look Like?

Your headshot should quietly say: “I know what I’m doing.” But that doesn’t mean dressing like someone you’re not.

Actors may want a blank canvas look. Consultants might lean towards clean and sharp. Creatives? Maybe something bolder. I help you find the sweet spot between professional and personal, where you look like yourself, but elevated.

"Investing in professional headshots is a worthwhile investment in your personal brand or in the case of businesses, your human capital"

Tip #3 - How Should a Headshot Be Lit in 2025?

Lighting is everything. A good headshot uses clean, flattering light that enhances your features without screaming “studio flash.” It’s subtle, confident, and puts the focus where it should be, on your eyes and expression.

At my Southend studio, I use professional lighting setups tailored to each person’s face, hair, skin tone and mood. (Yes, really.)

Tip #4 - How Should a Headshot Be Cropped?

A 2025 headshot needs to work across a lot of platforms: LinkedIn, company bios, casting profiles, Zoom icons, and yes, even WhatsApp.

That means:

Good cropping (shoulders up, face clear)
High resolution for print or press
A few variations (black & white, close crop, full face)

I always deliver edited images in formats that actually make your life easier.

Tip #5 - Should My Headshot Be Retouched?

No plastic skin. No weird filters. Retouching today is about refining, not removing. I clean up temporary blemishes, soften shadows, and make subtle tweaks that help you look polished, not artificial.

People should recognise you, just think of it as you on a well-rested day.

Tip #6 - What If I Don’t Like Being Photographed?

Let’s be real, most people don’t love being photographed. That’s why how you feel during the shoot matters just as much as the tech.

I’ll guide you through natural poses, help you relax, and we’ll probably have a laugh or two. That ease? It shows in the final photo.

Final Thoughts: The Best Headshots Feel Like You

In 2025, the best headshots don’t follow a rigid formula, they feel authentic, confident, and quietly powerful. They’re made by photographers who listen first and shoot second.