I have answers :) Here they are:

1. "I'm not photogenic."

I strongly believe that the term "photogenic" was invented by some lazy photographer who was struggling to make people look good in pictures and came up with this term, saying they're "not photogenic."

Of course, to look good, you have to do something in front of the camera. "Being photogenic" is not about having some special set of facial features – it's about the ability to control the existing ones. And since there are not so many who can do this professionally and voluntarily – models, actors, etc. – the photographer is here to help. All you need is a good mood and a desire to get great shots. The rest is on me.

2. "This is my very first headshot session."

Congratulations! And this is also fine :) Headshot photography is a fast-growing industry, and despite the widespread online business and other relationships, 90% of the world’s population prefers to hide behind the no-image icon or some random outdated picture, losing the opportunity for a great first impression. You're not one of them anymore, and that's why I congratulate you.

3. "I don't know what to do."

You don't have to! That's why you're here :) You are a pro in your area, and this is my area. I'll tell you what to do. Some things might look and feel counterintuitive, but it's not every day you spend in front of the camera, right?

4. "It feels so weird to stand like this!"

Your inside and outside appearances are completely different. When you feel okay, relaxed, and healthy inside, you might still look sad or grumpy to some people. In a headshot session, it's all about how you LOOK from the outside, not what you FEEL inside at the moment. Some positioning might feel weird but looks great on the screen!

5. "I don't look like myself."

How often do you see yourself? You might say, heck, every day! Many times! In the mirror!

Well, what you see in the mirror is the REFLECTED image of you. We are not symmetrical, and you might not notice that but can always feel it. What you see on the screen during the session is how everyone else sees you. Also, it's not every day you see yourself in studio light and on a big screen in high resolution.

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However, apart from all these boring technical details, the ground zero of a premium headshot is the facial expression. Real confidence and approachability radiate 360 degrees around and make everyone stop scrolling and pay more attention to your profile, CV, website, etc., than to your faceless competitor.

So make sure your visual message is clear, simple, and doesn't look cheap.