Types of Headshots: Choosing the Right Style for Your Needs

Your headshot is the first impression you give in the digital and professional world. Long before someone reads your bio or your résumé, they see your face. In a few seconds, that photo can signal confidence, professionalism, warmth, or creativity.

Years ago, headshots were defined mostly by how much of your body was in the frame. Now, the style matters more than the crop. An actor’s portfolio shot looks very different from a CEO’s profile photo or a student’s graduation portrait. Backgrounds, clothing, posing, and even facial expressions all shift depending on the purpose.

In this guide, you’ll find nine of the most common types of headshots. Each section breaks down how the style works, what to wear, how to pose, when to update, and more. By the end, you’ll also know where and how to take your headshots so that you’re natural, approachable, and confident.

1. Professional/Corporate Headshots

This is the most widely recognized style of headshot, the kind you see on company websites, in press releases, and in polished professional profiles. They project reliability and competence, whether taken in a studio or in a workplace setting.

What to Wear

Go with clean, neutral colors like navy, gray, black, or white. A blazer, collared shirt, or blouse works well. Skip loud prints or anything overly trendy; they tend to distract. If you work in a more creative industry, a subtle accessory or softer color can add personality without breaking professionalism. Bringing two outfits is smart, since lighting can change how colors look.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Aim for balance: authority with approachability. Relaxed shoulders, a slight lean forward, and a confident but soft smile work well. Think engagement over stiffness.

• Update frequency: Every 2–3 years, or after a major career or appearance change.

• Cost range: $100–$400 with a photographer; around $50 with Studio Pod.

• Backgrounds: Neutral tones or environmental office settings.

• Main purpose: To present a professional, trustworthy image.

2. Creative/Personal Branding Headshots

Personal branding headshots show who you are to work with. That’s why they’re popular with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and creators whose personality is central to their business. The best ones strike a balance: professional enough to be credible, but distinctive enough to be memorable.

What to Wear

Think of your outfit as part of your brand kit. A bold color, a signature piece of jewelry, or a casual-but-sharp look can all reinforce the identity you want people to associate with you. The trap to avoid is being random: your look should feel intentional and consistent with how you present yourself online or in person.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Match your posture and expression to the story you want to tell. A consultant may opt for a confident, open stance, while a lifestyle blogger might choose something candid and relaxed. Subtle movement, like a slight head turn or playful gesture, can bring energy to the photo.

• Update frequency: Every 1–2 years, or when your brand evolves.

• Cost range: $150–$500, depending on the photographer.

• Backgrounds: Colorful walls, murals, outdoor spaces, or creative studios.

• Main purpose: To create a distinct, memorable image that supports your personal brand.

3. Actor Headshots

Casting directors look at acting headshots to decide if you fit a role, so the photo has to be honest. Over-editing or trying to look like someone else works against you.

• Commercial headshots: bright, approachable, everyday roles.

• Theatrical headshots: more serious, dramatic characters.

Most actors keep both, so they’re ready no matter what the audition calls for.

What to Wear

For both types of actor headshots, simple and neutral outfits are most effective. Plain T-shirts, button-downs, or tops without logos let your face do the work. Clothes are just the frame, you’re the subject.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Expressions should feel real. Commercial shots need warmth and openness, while theatrical shots call for subtle intensity. You should also ask the photographer/editor to keep retouching to a minimal. Casting directors want to see you as you are, not a version polished beyond recognition.

• Update frequency: Every 1–2 years, or after a significant change in appearance.

• Cost range: $200–$600, often with multiple looks.

• Backgrounds: Neutral studio setups or softly blurred outdoor shots.

• Main purpose: To market yourself authentically to casting directors and agencies.

4. Modeling Headshots

Modeling headshots should showcase natural features and versatility. Agencies often use them to decide if you’re right for specific campaigns. 

What to Wear

Keep it minimal with neutral, fitted clothing. Heavy makeup or trendy pieces distract from what agencies want to see: your face and bone structure. Some agencies even ask for “digitals”, plain, unedited shots that show your look with zero styling.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Demonstrating range is important. Agencies may want a neutral expression, a subtle smile, and softer variations. Overly dramatic or editorial-style poses should be reserved for portfolio shoots and not standard headshots.

• Update frequency: Every 6–12 months, or after changes in appearance.

• Cost range: $200–$700, depending on the photographer.

• Backgrounds: Clean studios or natural light settings.

• Main purpose: To highlight versatility and facial structure for agencies and clients.

5. Event/Trade Show Headshots

These are quick, professional headshots offered at conferences and expos. They provide attendees with a refreshed profile image, serving as a fun networking and engagement feature for the organizers.

What to Wear

At trade shows and professional events, most people stick with business casual. Organizers can take it a step further by offering company-colored accessories or branded items for attendees to wear in their headshots. It’s a small touch, but it doubles as brand reinforcement and a keepsake.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Because time is limited, you need to keep it simple. A relaxed smile and natural posture are ideal. For organizers, headshot booths create buzz and give participants something tangible to take away. 

• Update frequency: One-off, but a great opportunity if you haven’t updated in years.

• Cost range: Often free with registration, or $30–$100.

• Backgrounds: Portable backdrops or neutral setups.

• Main purpose: To provide instant, polished photos while boosting event engagement.

If you’re heading to a conference or trade show, some venues even bring in Studio Pod booths so attendees can walk away with fresh, professional headshots. You can take a look at Studio Pod event headshots and trade show headshots to see how it works.

6. University Headshots

Universities use these for student directories, graduation programs, faculty websites, and alumni publications. They bridge the academic and professional world.

What to Wear

Students should choose neat but simple attire, like a collared shirt or modest blouse. Faculty members often go more formal, but the emphasis is on looking approachable and professional.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Students may want to project eagerness and energy, while faculty often combine warmth with authority. Since these photos often stay in records for years, clean professionalism is key.

Still, it can feel stressful to take a photo that lasts that long. Studio Pod’s university headshots make the process easier: you can see your results right away, adjust poses, swap outfits, and leave with images you feel good about.

• Update frequency: Once for students (usually at enrollment); every few years for faculty.

• Cost range: Often free through the university; $30–$100 independently.

• Backgrounds: Studio setups or campus environments.

• Main purpose: To create consistent, professional images in academic settings.

7. Editorial/Media Headshots

Editorial and media photos are about context; they're meant to introduce you to readers in a way that fits the story. That might be a polished, serious portrait for a financial publication or a warmer, lifestyle-style image for a magazine feature.

What to Wear

Think about how you want to be presented to an audience that doesn't know you yet. An author might choose something relaxed but intentional: a sweater, an open collar, or a layered look. A startup founder being profiled might lean sharper to signal credibility. 

The safest rule is: dress for the audience of the outlet, not just for yourself.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Editorial photos often work best when they capture you "in character." That doesn't mean staged; it means reflecting the role or mood tied to the piece.

For an op-ed, direct eye contact can make the reader feel like you're speaking to them. For a lifestyle feature, a looser, mid-action shot feels more natural. 

So, the best advice here would be to follow your gut.

• Update frequency: Whenever you hit a milestone, release work, or gain media coverage.

• Cost range: $250–$600, depending on style and concept.

• Backgrounds: Contextual locations tied to your work or identity.

• Main purpose: To represent you in the media while reflecting your professional or creative identity.

8. LinkedIn/Social Media Headshots

Think about how you scroll on LinkedIn: you notice the face before the headline, résumé, or even the job title. That split-second impression can decide whether someone clicks to learn more about you. A good headshot here is less about formality and more about being trustworthy and approachable.

What to Wear

Skip the overly formal suit-and-tie look unless that’s truly your daily style. On LinkedIn and other platforms, clothes that feel like you on your best workday usually work best. The adjectives that describe it the best are clean, fitted, and current. Even a simple, solid-colored top can look great if it contrasts nicely with the background.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

The goal is to look approachable enough that people want to reach out. A natural smile, eyes directly toward the camera, and a relaxed posture go a long way. If you feel stiff, imagine you’re greeting someone at a coffee chat, not sitting for a passport photo.

• Update frequency: Every 2 years, or after career or appearance changes.

• Cost range: $75–$300, depending on the studio.

• Backgrounds: Neutral backdrops, blurred outdoor scenes, or branded colors.

• Main purpose: To encourage connection and engagement on professional networks.

9. Environmental Headshots

Some headshots work best when they zoom out a little. Instead of a blank backdrop, the scene becomes part of the story, the paint on an artist’s hands, the glow of a monitor in a developer’s workspace, the tools laid out in a chef’s kitchen. These details don’t distract; they underline what you do and make the photo feel lived-in and real.

What to Wear

Instead of dressing “for the camera,” dress for the work you do. A doctor’s coat, an architect’s rolled-up sleeves, or an entrepreneur’s smart-casual outfit in their co-working space all help underline your professional identity. 

The key is authenticity; the clothes should feel true to your daily work, not like a costume.

How to Pose & Use Expressions

Here, stiff studio poses don’t work. The strongest environmental shots often catch you in motion: sketching at a desk, adjusting equipment, or simply leaning comfortably in your space.

Expressions should feel like natural extensions of that activity: a moment of focus, a quick smile in between tasks, or quiet confidence as you stand in your element.

• Update frequency: Every 2–3 years, or when your setting or role changes.

• Cost range: $200–$700, depending on shoot complexity.

• Backgrounds: Your actual workplace or creative space.

• Main purpose: To capture your identity in context and show your professional world.

Taking the Stress Out of Headshots: Studio Pod

Reading through all these headshot types might leave you thinking: Great… but how do I pull this off without stressing out? 

It’s true; getting a good headshot can feel overwhelming. You’re trying to pick the right outfit, manage your expression, and perform under the pressure of a rushed photo session. In settings like universities or photographer sessions, you often get only a few seconds in front of the camera before it’s over.

Studio Pod was built to take that pressure away. Instead of feeling rushed, you step into a quiet space that you control. You can see your photos in real time, adjust your pose or expression, even swap outfits until you’re happy with the result. Sessions last around 15 minutes, and you walk out with 15+ professional-quality images.

It’s also simple on the practical side: $50 per session, with optional retouching for $10. Studio Pod has multiple locations, so it’s easy to find one near you if you’re in Chicago, Texas, or Aliso Viejo, California. 

If you want headshots that feel like you, without the stress of a traditional shoot, this is a simple, affordable way to get there.

Bottom Line

Your choice of headshot depends on your goals: corporate for professionalism, creative for branding, acting or modeling for auditions, and environmental for storytelling. The important thing is to keep your photo current and aligned with where you are right now.

If you want an easy way to refresh your headshot, Studio Pod gives you professional-quality results in minutes. No stress, no big expense; just a photo that works.

FAQs

What’s the difference between ¾, ½, ¼, and full-body portraits?

These terms describe how much of you is in the frame. A ¾ headshot usually cuts around mid-thigh or waist up, ½ is from the chest up, ¼ is close on the head and shoulders, and a full-body shows you head to toe. Today, the “headshot” is less about crop and more about purpose, but knowing the difference helps when a photographer or agency specifies a format.

What is a ¾ headshot?

A ¾ headshot frames you from roughly the waist up. It’s useful because it gives space to show posture and clothing while still keeping your face the main focus. In practice, this is common in corporate, editorial, and environmental shots where body language matters alongside expression.

What is a full headshot?

Despite the name, a “full headshot” usually means a full-body portrait. These are less common for everyday professional use but are often requested in modeling portfolios or acting submissions, where agencies want to see your overall build and presence, not just your face.

What makes a bad headshot?

The quickest giveaway is inauthenticity. If your photo looks overly edited, stiff, or nothing like how you appear in real life, it works against you. Distracting backgrounds, poor lighting, or outdated clothing can also hurt. A good headshot should look like you on a confident, natural day, not a character you’re pretending to play.

Should you smile in a headshot?

It depends on context, but in most cases, yes. A natural, small smile signals warmth and approachability, which is what employers, clients, or casting directors want to see. A serious expression can work if it matches your field, say law or academia, but a completely blank or forced look rarely helps. The key is authenticity: your expression should match the impression you want to leave.