27 Tips for Getting That Perfect Realtor Headshot

How To Get That Perfect Realtor Headshot Nashville

The real estate market is massive. Hence, the very first step to attract clients is through trustworthy and informed realtors, as well as capturing the essence of these estates. Engaging clients for a realtor is through an ideal representation of the brand in their headshot. And that's what this article is all about.

Moreover, this article explains how you can represent your brand through your headshots, with tips coming from professional photographers to body language experts. Your headshot must represent that you are confident, trustworthy, and competent enough so that people can entrust you with critical decision-making of their lives.

How to Look Confident in Your Headshot

1. Squinting

Squinting means to close your eyes partly. It is mostly perceived that having wide-open eyes portrays that you are frightened. Therefore, squinting your eyes would help give you a more confident look. 

2. Smiling naturally

People who smile more are approachable and confident. Thus, don’t forget to show your teeth in your next headshot!

3. Finding out the right angle to make your face photogenic

The key to making your face look photogenic is giving your jawline the spotlight. To make this happen, push your face a bit towards the camera and tilt your chin downwards. This trick also comes in handy to hide your double-chin. 

4. Psychologically tricking yourself through power poses

Power poses are postures that can psychologically trick your brain to appear more confident. For example, the superman pose (your hands above your head) or the wonder-woman pose (your hands on your hips.)

Standing in these power poses for a few minutes instinctively makes you feel more confident and voilà, there you have all the confidence you needed for the headshot.

5. Keep calm and drink wine!

When has wine not helped you feel more confident with yourself! For all the wine-lovers, go ahead and have a glass or two before the photoshoot to appear more relaxed, calm, and confident.

6. Posture is everything

Standing or sitting up straight always showcases your confidence and professionalism. Consequently, make sure to have the right position. 

7. Just relax

This tip might seem to be a cliché, but can never go wrong and is the essence of a great headshot. Try to keep yourself calm and collected through meditation or breathing exercises. 

How to Look Competent in Your Headshot

8. Dress up!

Never underestimate the power of dressing up ― it is the key to look professional. Don’t overdo it with heavy jewelry or patterns. Instead, dress according to your target audience and choose the color accordingly. Also, remember to select well-fitted clothes. Loose clothes can come off as lazy, and too light clothes can look snobbish.

9. Wear appropriate make-up

Don’t glam yourself up or leave a bare face. Wear the right kind of make-up to emphasize your features and look more photogenic and competent.

10. Make your face the highlight of the photograph

Make sure to choose the right background to highlight your face, and keep the focus on yourself. Bear in mind that you are representing your brand. Therefore, the background should be chosen suitably.

11. Get your hair right

Tidy up your hair and go for a professional haircut to get the right headshot. Messy hair can make you look unprofessional and incompetent. 

12. Don’t forget to smile!

Smiling makes you look more trustworthy and approachable. So, never forget to smile.

Some General Headshot Tricks

13. Hiring the right photographer

Make sure to appoint a professional photographer who is right for you and your brand. Check portfolios and editing skills before engaging. Some photographers may maintain copyrights, so make sure to do prior research.

14. Let the photographer know your interests, likes, and ideas

You and your photographer are a team. Therefore, the photographer must know about your likes to represent your idea and brand correctly.

15. Cropping your photograph right

Get a standard head and shoulder shot so that the headshot can work in every situation and place. 

16. Have options

Ask your photographer for a headshot, environmental shot, and a full body shot to keep your options open for every kind of situation there is.

17. High-resolution photographs

You need to have high-resolution headshots to be able to use them for every kind of situation.

18. Trusting your photographer

You should entrust your photographer. Remember that they are professionals and are going to perform accordingly.

19. Sleep the night away!

Getting the appropriate amount of sleep is essential to look confident and competent. Having less sleep makes you look tired and anxious.

20. Environmental photographs are important

Have a more casual environmental photograph. Get yourself clicked while working or doing one of your power poses to target your audience accordingly.

Common General Posing tricks for Your Headshot

21. Tilt that head

Tilting your head helps you look more confident and authoritative. Hence, tilt that head up!

22. Get more opinions

It is always better to get more opinions to generate new ideas. Ask your family and friends about your headshots and remember their constructive advice.

23. Practice your posing beforehand

Practice posing for the headshots previously so you are prepared for the big day. It would also make you look more confident as you already know what you have to do. 

24. To cross or not to cross your arms

Crossing arms are tricky territory. It all depends on whether it is the right pose for you or not. Therefore, practice beforehand and cross your arms appropriately. 

25. Angling yourself

Don’t look straight ahead towards the camera. Angle one of your shoulders away from the camera. This will make you look slimmer and more confident. 

26. Stay focused

Keep your focus on the task at hand to appear more proficient. 

27. Keep your pets away!

Nope. It is never a good idea to get a headshot with your pet! Keep your pets away from the camera at all costs. 

Once you follow all the tips above, you are good to go! Hire a professional photographer, and remember to keep the right pose and wear the right clothes. Stay calm and smile away!

“A professional headshot in front of a bookshelf says you're an intellectual. A professional headshot peeking though a bookshelf says you're probably under a restraining order.” 

-Ryan Lilly