When I photograph corporate headshots in Northern New Jersey, the conversation usually starts the same way: “I hate getting my picture taken.”

I get it. Most people walk in anxious, then walk out with a photo that looks technically fine but feels off. Too polished. Too posed. Like they’re wearing someone else’s face.

The problem isn’t that you don’t photograph well. That’s why I focus less on “posing” and more on creating a session that feels natural, so your expression looks like you instead of a performance. The problem is that most headshots prioritize “professional” over “human,” and the result reads more like a stock photo than a real person.

Here’s what I’ve learned after 30+ years and thousands of sessions: trustworthiness comes from three specific elements working together: expression, lighting, and wardrobe. When all three are right, you get a headshot that feels like you on a really good day.

And if you’re looking for professional headshots for women in NJ, this is the difference between “I guess this works” and “That’s me.”

Why “Professional” Often Reads as “Stiff”

Most corporate headshots fail for the same reason: they’re trying too hard.

A photographer tells you to sit up straight, chin down, shoulders back, smile with your teeth. You follow directions. The camera clicks. And the result is a photo where you look competent but unapproachable.

That’s not really a photography problem. It’s a psychology problem.

When you’re told to “look professional,” your brain often interprets that as “don’t be yourself.” You stiffen up. Your smile becomes performative. Your eyes lose the warmth that makes people want to work with you. And that stiffness shows up immediately.

Trustworthy headshots work differently. They capture what you actually look like when you’re talking to someone you respect: engaged, present, and genuinely comfortable. That doesn’t come from forcing a pose. It comes from a session that feels natural.

The Three Elements That Make Professional Headshots Feel Trustworthy

1) Expression: Confidence Without the Armor

The most important part of a trustworthy headshot is expression. The goal is confidence and approachability at the same time.

Here’s the mistake I see constantly: people think “professional headshot” means “serious face.” So they flatten their expression and neutralize their energy, and suddenly they look like they’re about to deliver bad news.

That doesn’t build trust. It creates distance.

The expression that works best is what you look like during a real conversation where you’re explaining something you care about. Your eyes are engaged. Your mouth has a natural curve, not a forced grin. It’s the face you make when you’re listening, not performing.

When I’m photographing professional headshots in Northern New Jersey, I spend most of the session talking to people. We’re not “doing poses.” We’re having a conversation. Work, family, college, life, whatever gets you out of your head. That’s when the best headshots happen, because that’s when people stop trying to look professional and start looking like themselves.

2) Lighting: Flattering Without Being Fake

Lighting determines how trustworthy your headshot feels, and most people don’t realize how much bad lighting undermines credibility.

Harsh lighting creates strong shadows, which can make you look tired, stressed, or older. Flat lighting removes dimension, which can make you look washed out and lifeless. Both send the same message: rushed, low-effort, or not current.

The lighting that builds trust is soft, even, and slightly directional. It should bring out the natural contours of your face without creating dramatic shadows. Skin should look like skin, not overly airbrushed, and not harshly lit.

This matters even more for executive headshots. If you’re in a leadership role, your photo has to communicate authority without intimidation. Soft, clean lighting does that. It reads as confident, calm, and approachable.

3) Wardrobe: Polished Without Being Performative

Wardrobe is where people overthink, and it’s also where stiffness can start.

I’ve had clients show up in suits they never wear because they thought that’s what a headshot required. The issue is simple: if you feel like you’re in costume, it shows on your face.

The best rule is this: wear what you’d wear to an important meeting where you want to feel confident.

If you never wear a blazer, don’t wear one for your headshot. If you’re more comfortable without a tie, skip it. If you’re a creative professional who wears a clean, casual button-down, that’s fine too. The goal isn’t someone else’s idea of professional. The goal is the most polished version of you.

Wardrobe guidelines that consistently work:

• Solid colors beat patterns. Patterns can distract, especially high-contrast or busy ones.
• Avoid anything too trendy. Classic cuts and neutral tones last longer.
• Fit matters more than brand. A simple top that fits well photographs better than an expensive one that doesn’t.
• Keep jewelry minimal and intentional. If it catches light or steals attention, it becomes the subject.

Executive Headshots for Women: The Biggest Difference Makers

For women, especially in leadership roles, most headshots need to do one thing well: communicate authority without feeling stiff.

A few practical things that help:

• Necklines matter. Clean, simple necklines photograph best and keep focus on your face.
• Blazers are great if they’re actually you. If you wear them regularly, they can add structure and polish. If you don’t, skip them.
• Hair and makeup should look like you, just refreshed. Even skin tone, defined eyes, natural finish. Not heavy or trendy.
• Choose one “signature” detail. A simple necklace, a sharp blazer, or a strong solid color. Not all at once.

If you’re booking professional headshots for women in NJ, these small choices add up fast, and they make the final image feel current, confident, and real.

What Happens When You Get All Three Right

When expression, lighting, and wardrobe come together, the result isn’t just a headshot that looks good. It feels right.

First impressions form fast, and your headshot often does that work before you do. People don’t think, “Nice photo.” They think, “I’d like to work with her.”

That’s the difference between a headshot that’s technically fine and one that actually builds trust.

I photographed a client recently, an executive at a financial services firm who needed updated headshots for the company website. She came in nervous, convinced she didn’t photograph well. We spent twenty minutes talking about her work, her team, and what leadership looks like when you’re managing a lot.

When she saw the final image, her reaction was immediate: “That’s me.” Not “That’s a good photo of me.” Just “That’s me.”

That’s the standard.

How to Prepare for a Headshot Session That Actually Works

If you’re getting headshots done, these are the things that make the biggest difference:

• Choose a photographer whose portfolio looks human. If their work reads stiff, your photos will too.
• Bring options, but don’t overthink it. Two or three outfits you feel confident in is plenty.
• Get sleep the night before. Exhaustion shows in the eyes.
• Don’t practice your smile. Rehearsed expressions always look forced.
• Show up ready to have a conversation. The best headshots happen when you forget about the camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear for professional headshots as a woman in NJ?

Wear what you’d wear to an important meeting where you want to feel confident. Solid colors work better than patterns, fit matters more than brand, and one signature detail (a simple necklace or sharp blazer) is enough. If you never wear suits, don’t force it. The goal is the most polished version of you, not someone else’s idea of professional.

How long does a professional headshot session take?

Most headshot sessions take 30 to 45 minutes. That includes a few minutes to settle in, time to try different expressions and angles, and a quick review at the end. If you’re doing multiple outfit changes or need both indoor and outdoor shots, plan for up to an hour. The session itself should feel conversational, not rushed.

What’s the difference between corporate headshots and executive headshots for women?

Corporate headshots work for LinkedIn, team pages, and general business use. Executive headshots are typically for leadership roles and need to communicate authority without intimidation. The difference is often in wardrobe choice, background, and lighting. Executive headshots tend to be more polished and intentional, but both should feel approachable and real.

Final Thoughts

A great headshot isn’t about looking perfect. It’s about looking like yourself: confident, approachable, and trustworthy.

If your current LinkedIn photo makes you cringe, or you’ve been putting off updating your website because you don’t have a headshot you actually like, it’s worth doing it right.

If you’re in Northern New Jersey or NYC and want professional headshots that feel like you, confident, approachable, and ready to use, let’s talk. I’ll guide you through the session calmly, and you’ll walk away with images you’re proud to share.

Looking for professional headshots in Northern New Jersey? Alex Kaplan Photo specializes in corporate headshots, executive portraits, personal branding, and team sessions across NJ and NYC. I also offer corporate video coverage and content creation for businesses that want a complete, consistent look.