Why do all my professional headshots look like a passport picture?
2 days ago
3 min read
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You finally book a “professional” photoshoot.
You expect to get photos that make you feel confident, that you can proudly use on LinkedIn or your website.
But then you open the gallery, and your first reaction is: “Why do I look like I’m posing for a passport?”
It’s one of the most common things people tell me before we work together. And I get it.
It’s disappointing when the photos don’t feel like you. It makes you doubt whether it’s even worth investing again.
You don’t want to waste more money on more unusable images that will sit in a folder.
That’s why I want to break down why this happens and what you can do differently, even if you’re not ready to book a new shoot yet.
10 reasons your photos end up looking like a passport picture
Pressure to look like someone else
When someone tells you to “look more professional,” it usually means hiding parts of yourself.
Forced posing
Crossed arms, stiff smiles, the same angles repeated over and over - none of them feel natural.
Nobody really knows what “professional” means
The word is vague. For some it means formal, for others approachable. You’re left chasing an undefined idea.
No time to prepare
Many shoots are rushed because you “needed it yesterday.” That pressure shows.
Bias of the photographer
Some photographers lean on old clichés of what business portraits should look like, instead of adapting to you.
Discomfort in front of the camera
If you don’t feel comfortable, your body tightens. The camera notices.
Unclear process
Not knowing what’s happening during the shoot makes it hard to relax.
No chance to review
If you can’t see or adjust during the session, you end up stuck with results you don’t connect with.
No creative input
Without talking about your story or goals, the result is generic.
No link to your future vision
If your images don’t show where you’re going, they’ll always feel flat.
Why it’s not your fault
If you’ve ever thought “maybe I’m just not photogenic” - stop!!
It’s not about you.
It’s about the process.
Traditional headshots are built to be quick and safe.
That’s why they often feel stiff and lifeless.
What you can do differently even without booking a shoot yet
You don’t need to hire a photographer tomorrow to start changing this. Here are three things you can already do:
Define your version of “professional”
Choose three words that you want your photo to say about you (e.g. approachable, confident, creative).
Check your state of mind
Comfort shows. If you’re rushing, stressed, or distracted, it will appear in the photo.
Ask for collaboration
If you do work with a photographer, ask to see shots during the session. A few adjustments in real time can change everything.
A real story
One of my clients once told me:“I just need something better than what my boyfriend takes - and definitely more than my passport picture.”
So many people feel the same. They’re not looking for glossy magazine shots. They just want photos that actually look like them - images they can use with confidence.
We prepared together, talked through her goals, and created portraits that finally felt like her. She later told me the photos gave her confidence in interviews and even when negotiating her contract.
If you’re not ready to invest in a photoshoot yet, that’s completely fine.
Start with the small steps: define your words, notice how you want to be seen, and pay attention to your state of mind. These shifts already change how you show up - in photos and in person.
And when the time feels right, you deserve more than another stiff “passport picture.”
You deserve images that feel real, that you’ll actually want to use, and that connect with the future you’re building.
Read more about my Power Portrait Session → designed for people who want portraits that finally feel like them.
