- Try various hand gestures for an untraditional head shot pose.Headshot of a young fashionable woman image by rgbspace from Fotolia.com
Whether business cards, a modeling portfolio or a promotional publicity portrait need updating, a head shot portrait session is the answer. A clear, close-up head and shoulders portrait looks best when the subject is relaxed and sitting in a natural posture. Small talk with the photographer or cracking a few jokes will help your nervous feelings about being in front of the camera melt away, allowing your personality to shine through. - When posing for a head shot, remain relaxed and assume a natural posture. Rarely does a person sit with a straight back, facing directly forward. Lose the rigidity of a straight spine and angle the shoulders toward or away from the camera, advises Darren Rowse of the Digital Photography School online. Leaning toward the camera gives the subject an aggressive, powerful look. Real estate brokers, professional athletes and high-powered businesspeople look good with a slight tilt forward. Leaning the shoulders away from the camera and back slightly creates a more submissive appeal perfect for demure modeling head shots, portraits of welcoming teachers or physicians.
- Try standing and sitting poses during a head shot session, says professional photographer Daniel Colegrove of Southern California. When standing and waiting for the session, a comfortable standing pose may naturally occur. Whether your hands are gently tucked into your pockets or a coy swagger is evident with hands on the hips, your upper body will assume a unique posture. Allow body language to come through. For some purposes, hands add character to the classic head and shoulder head shot. A head shot of an author may show him with his reading glasses dangling from a loose hand. An angelic graduate may rest her head gently in the palm of a cupped hand and stare soulfully away from the camera to give a "pondering the future" look.
- To smile, or not to smile--that is the question. Most portrait photographers encourage both looks. A serious, closed mouth expression evokes a stern, responsible appeal. Think of head shot poses of police officers and lawyers. A small smile evokes sincerity, with an air of friendliness. A wide-eyed, laughing smile showcases a comedian, actor or patient preschool teacher. Some people practice their facial expressions in a mirror before heading to the studio. This helps eliminate unrealized squinting, awkward teeth clenching or habitual lip-biting.
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