The Secret to Looking Natural in Professional Headshots (If you are a woman over 40)
Let’s be real for a second.
If you’re a woman over 40 and you’ve been avoiding headshots because you hate how you look in photos, you are not alone. I hear this all the time. Most of my clients come in saying things like, “I always look stiff,” or “I’m not photogenic,” or “Ugh, I just never like pictures of myself.”
And you know what? That’s completely valid. But here’s what I’d like you to know: you don’t need to be a model or change a single thing about yourself to look and feel incredible in your headshots. You just need a session that’s built around you.
Let me walk you through exactly how we make that happen around here.
You’re a Whole Story..
This part is the most important in my professional opinion.
Before we ever start taking photos, I want to make sure I take time to get to know you.
I want to understand where you are in life, what kind of work you do, how you want to be seen, and how you feel about being photographed. Because let’s be honest, there’s often a lot of emotion wrapped up in being photographed; especially if you’ve spent years feeling invisible or avoiding the camera altogether.
You’re not just showing up for a quick photo. You’re showing up for yourself. You’re letting yourself be seen in this season of your life. And that deserves care, time, and real connection.
It is what you deserve anyway!
What to Wear: Simple Pieces That Feel Like You
One of the first things you’ll probably stress about is what to wear. Totally normal. The key is to keep it simple and choose looks that feel comfortable, true to who you are, and most importantly, pieces you absolutely love.
Think classic outfits that are well-fitted and flattering. Solid colors usually work best, especially deeper tones like navy, emerald, or burgundy. These colors look beautiful on camera and naturally draw attention to your face.
Now, if you have a vibrant personality that shows up in your style, don’t hold back. Bold colors and patterns can photograph beautifully if you love them and feel confident wearing them.
Try to avoid tiny checkered or high-contrast patterns. They don’t usually play well with the camera and can take the focus away from you.
Also, bring a couple of outfit options! You’ll be surprised how your confidence grows with each wardrobe change.
Hair and Makeup: This Isn’t About “Glam,” It’s About Confidence
Now let’s talk about professional hair and makeup. And no, I’m not talking about over-the-top, not-even-recognizable levels of glam. I mean the kind of subtle polish that helps you feel like the best version of yourself.
Makeup for photography is different from everyday makeup. A professional artist knows how to bring out your natural features, make sure your skin looks smooth and even, and help your eyes pop—all without you feeling like you’re wearing a mask.
Hair matters too. Even a soft blowout or some light styling can make a big difference in how you carry yourself during the shoot. When you feel good, you show up differently in front of the camera. And that confidence definitely shows!
Posing Isn’t Your Job (That’s Mine)
I say this with love: You don’t need to know what to do in front of the camera. At all.
The vast majority of women I photograph aren’t models. They’re real people. Executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, creatives. They’re amazing at what they do, but they’ve never done a photo shoot like this before. (and they don’t have to.)
I’ll guide you through every part of it. I’ll show you where to stand, what to do with your hands, how to soften your shoulders, when to breathe, when to smile and I will also coach your expression.
We’ll go at a pace that feels right. We’ll pause. We’ll chat. I’ll show you some of the photos as we go so you can see how incredible you actually look.
And I promise, you’re going to be surprised at how amazing you look.
Seeing Yourself—Really Seeing Yourself—Can Be Emotional
When we sit down and review your images together, there’s often this moment of awe. You look at the screen and say, “Wow… that is me!”
And yes, it is. But it’s the version of you that you might not always see or feel like. The one your clients, your family, your closest people already see. The one who’s powerful, grounded, warm, experienced, beautiful.
Sometimes there are happy tears. Sometimes there’s just a deep admiration for the woman on the screen.
And those are the moments I live for.
Closing thoughts…
You don’t have to wait until you lose weight. You don’t have to feel photogenic. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not.
You just have to show up. As you are.
And I promise, we’ll create something that reflects who you’ve become—something you’ll be proud to share.
If you’re ready, I’d love to help you step in front of the camera and finally feel good about what you see, book a quick call —no pressure, just a real conversation about what you need and how I can help.
Let’s do this together.
