Why the smile matters in a headshot
A headshot is often the first impression someone gets of you. The expression does a lot of that work: a relaxed, genuine look tends to read as approachable, while a stiff or forced one tends to read as nervous. The goal is not a big smile. It is an expression that looks like you on a good day.
This guide covers the main smile styles, techniques photographers commonly suggest, and how to practice. For the rest of the picture, see what to wear for a professional photo and our lighting guide for headshots.
Should you smile with teeth?
Both options are used professionally, and neither is universally right. The choice usually depends on your field, your personality and how you look when you do each.
- Closed-mouth smile: Often described as calm and composed. It can suit conservative settings such as law or finance, though it can also look tight if the jaw is tense.
- Slight smile with teeth showing: Often read as warmer and more energetic. It is common in sales, tech, healthcare and creative work.
A good approach is to try both during your session and compare them. Most photographers will let you review a few frames, and you may be surprised which one you prefer.
The main smile styles
- The soft smile: The corners of the mouth lift slightly, lips together or barely parted. Works as a safe default.
- The relaxed open smile: Lips parted, teeth visible, but not stretched. Often looks friendliest.
- The eye smile: A genuine smile engages the muscles around the eyes, which can slightly narrow them and lift the cheeks. Some people call this “smizing.” It is more of a mental cue than a mouth shape.
- The laugh-in-between: A frame caught just after a real laugh. Photographers often capture the best expressions between prompts rather than on command.
Techniques that help
None of these work for everyone, so treat them as things to try.
- Think of something real. Picture a person, a funny memory or a moment that made you glad. Real emotion shows around the eyes more than a pasted smile does.
- Skip “cheese.” Saying it tends to pull the mouth into a wide, flat shape. Photographers sometimes suggest other words or a quiet chuckle instead.
- Build the smile gradually. Start neutral, then let the smile rise to about half of what feels natural. Many people over-smile on camera.
- Lean the head slightly forward and drop the chin a little. This can define the jaw and reduce a double chin. Ask your photographer for the right amount, since too much looks odd.
- Relax the jaw and shoulders. Tension in the jaw shows in the smile.
- Blink and breathe. Closing the eyes for a moment and opening them on a breath out can help the eyes look fresh and avoid a staring look.
- Talk between frames. A friendly chat with the photographer usually produces more natural expressions than silence.
The tongue trick
You may have seen advice to place your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth, behind your top teeth, while you smile. Photographers suggest it to relax the jaw and keep the lower face from tightening, and some say it helps reduce the look of a double chin. It is advice based on photographers’ experience rather than something proven, so try it in a mirror or test shots and keep it only if it works for you.
A short warm-up routine
Do this for a minute or two before you start shooting:
- Roll your shoulders back and shake out your hands.
- Take a slow breath in through the nose and a long breath out through the mouth.
- Open your mouth wide, then scrunch your face, then relax. This loosens the facial muscles.
- Smile, hold it, then release it and let the face return to neutral.
- Repeat the smile a few times, each time a little softer.
Practice before the session
- Use your phone’s front camera or a mirror and try each smile style.
- Record a short video. A video can show a natural moment better than a still pose.
- Look for the one where your eyes look warmest and your face looks relaxed, rather than the one that looks most “correct.”
- Keep in mind that a mirror shows a reversed version of your face, which can make photos feel unfamiliar at first. Looking at your photos for a while usually helps you get used to them.
Match the smile to your industry
Think about who will see the photo and what they expect. A corporate or legal profile might lean toward a composed, soft smile. A startup founder, teacher or creative might choose a more open, friendly one. When in doubt, choose the expression that looks most like you in person, since the photo will be used to introduce you to someone who may meet you.
If you hate being photographed
Many people feel awkward in front of a camera. A few things can help:
- Tell the photographer at the start. Good photographers have ways to relax people.
- Bring music, a friend or a joke to your session if allowed.
- Move a little between shots instead of freezing.
- Take your time and expect the first several frames to be the weakest.
- Consider a longer session so you have time to warm up.
If you are shooting yourself, see professional photos and portraits at home for ways to take lots of frames without pressure.
Mistakes to avoid
- Smiling too wide or for too long, which makes the face tired.
- Holding your breath.
- Staring at the lens without any thought behind the eyes.
- Raising the chin too high or tucking it too far.
- Tensing the neck and shoulders.
- Choosing a photo because of how your smile looks to you rather than how it reads to others. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to help choose.
About the “20 60 20 rule” and color
You may see the “20 60 20 rule” mentioned in photography and styling discussions. It is used in different ways in different places, so there is no single definition. In styling, some people use it as a rough guide to color balance, where one color dominates the outfit and others play a smaller role. It does not change how you should smile. For choosing colors that work with your skin tone and background, see what to wear for a professional photo.
FAQ
Should you smile with teeth in a professional headshot?
It depends on your industry and your natural look. Both are used. Try both in your session and choose the one that looks most relaxed.
What is the tongue trick for smiling in photos?
It is a suggestion to rest the tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth while smiling to relax the jaw. It helps some people; test it for yourself.
How can I look natural if I feel awkward?
Warm up, breathe, move between frames and talk with the photographer. Natural expressions often appear between poses.
Should you smile in a headshot at all?
Many people choose to, because it tends to look friendly and approachable. A calm, neutral expression can also be appropriate for some roles. Ask what your industry or platform usually expects.