Headshot Poses: 3 Easy Business Headshot Poses You Can Do at Home (Free Guide Included)

If you’ve ever needed a new headshot quickly (for your website, Instagram bio, LinkedIn, speaking event, or a last-minute opportunity) you already know the problem…

You either:

• crop yourself out of a wedding photo

• use a selfie and hope nobody notices

• or avoid updating it altogether

The good news is: you don’t need a professional photographer or studio to fix this. You just need a few reliable headshot poses you can pull out whenever you need a professional photo on demand.

In this blog post, I’m going to walk you through three simple, flattering headshot poses you can do at home, using your phone, with minimal setup.

And if you want the full step-by-step version (with visuals), you can download my free guide: Fix Your Headshots

Why headshot poses matter more than you think

Your headshot isn’t just “a nice photo of you”. It’s one of the most important branding tools you have as a woman in business.A strong headshot helps people instantly understand:

• who you are

• what you do

• what your brand vibe is

• and whether you feel like someone they can trust

You can have the best service in the world, but if your headshot looks outdated, awkward, or overly casual, people feel that disconnect straight away.

What makes a headshot look professional?

A professional headshot doesn’t mean stiff, formal, or corporate. A “good” headshot usually has three things:

1. Clear intention

You look like you meant to take the photo and you appear present in the moment.

2. A confident pose

Not over-posed or frozen, instead a pose that gives structure, shape, and presence.

3. The right vibe for your business

Your headshot should match your brand personality. A creative business owner doesn’t need the same headshot vibe as a lawyer, academic, or corporate consultant. Choosing the right pose matters.

Headshot pose #1: The Classic Business Headshot

This is the “safe option” headshot pose every woman in business should have.

It’s clean, polished, and works across:

• LinkedIn

• website headers

• email signatures

• bio profiles

• media features

It’s especially great if you want to look:

• professional

• experienced

• confident

• trustworthy

It’s also the easiest pose to repeat again and again whenever you need a new headshot.

Headshot pose #2: The Lean-In Headshot (Approachable + Connected)

This pose is perfect if you want your headshot to feel warm and relatable, without losing professionalism.

It creates a more connected feel because your face is slightly closer to the camera, and your body language reads as “open” instead of rigid.

This one works beautifully for:

• coaches

• creatives

• service providers

• personal brands

• small business owners

It’s the kind of pose that helps someone feel like they already know you.

Headshot pose #3: The Candid Branding Headshot (Relaxed + Real)

This pose is ideal if your brand vibe leans more modern, friendly, and conversational.

It’s not stiff and feels like a real person running a real business, which is exactly what most audiences trust.

This pose works well for:

• Instagram and social content

• website about pages

• launch graphics

• personal brand marketing

It also gives you that “natural but still professional” look without needing to fake a big smile.

The biggest mistake women make with headshot poses

The most common issue I see is women facing the camera completely straight-on and locking everything up.

Straight-on poses can quickly make you look:

• wider

• stiffer

• less relaxed

• less premium

Even tiny shifts, like angling your body slightly or softening your shoulders, can completely change the outcome of your headshot. That’s why using a simple “base pose” system works so well and you don’t need 50 poses.

You need 3 that you can repeat.

Want the full step-by-step headshot posing guide?

If you want the full breakdown (with the exact steps and photo examples), I made a free guide for you:

Fix Your Headshot (Free Guide)

It’ll help you:

• take professional headshots at home with your phone

• stop guessing what to do with your body

• choose a headshot pose that suits your brand vibe

• get a clean headshot you can use across your business instantly

GRAB YOUR FREE HEADSHOTS GUIDE HERE