Behind the Scenes: My Process for Shooting Headshots That Actually Look Like You

A good professional headshot should feel like an honest introduction. Not stiff. Not overproduced. Just… you, on your best day. I’ve shot headshots for execs, creatives, founders, and entire teams, and the process always comes down to one thing: making people comfortable enough to show up as themselves.

Keep It Simple and Intentional

No one needs a three-light setup and a wind machine for a good headshot. Clean light, a solid backdrop, and a calm environment go a long way. I keep the setup light and distraction-free, whether we’re in a studio or your office conference room.

What matters more is how people feel when they step in front of the camera. That’s where tone, energy, and timing come into play. Some people need a few quiet moments. Others want music or a little banter. I read the room and match the energy, not force it.

The best headshots don’t feel “shot.” They feel caught.

Zero Pressure, Real Direction

I still remember what it felt like to get headshots taken back when I worked in the corporate world. You’d be pulled out of your cubicle, walked to a windowless room, told to smile, and then sent back without ever seeing the image.

It was impersonal, uncomfortable, and completely disconnected from who I was. That stuck with me. So now that I’m behind the camera, I make sure no one ever feels like that on my watch.

When I shoot headshots, I bring a setup that lets you see exactly what we’re getting in real time. I’ll even do a little live retouching on the spot so you get a feel for how the final image will look. We adjust together. You get to feel confident in what we’re capturing.

People relax when they know they won’t be surprised later. That’s when the real personality comes out.

Editing Should Keep You Recognizable

Editing isn’t about perfect skin and porcelain teeth. It’s about cleaning up distractions without erasing what makes you, you.

I retouch with a light hand. Flyaways, lint, blemishes, sure. But the expression stays real, the lighting stays honest, and the end result still looks like the person who walked in.

If the image doesn’t feel human, it won’t connect. That goes for websites, press kits, LinkedIn bios, or wherever else your headshot lives.

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Tymel Young is a New York based photographer, videographer, and creative director. Working with brands and personalities of all sizes across the globe