Headshot Prompts That Make You Look Like You on Your Best Day

Brief for a LinkedIn professional headshot. Subject: [role/industry]. Include: attire recommendations (industry-appropriate), background (clean, branded, or location), lighting (soft, flattering, even skin tone), pose (front-facing, slight turn, shoulder angle), expression (approachable but confident), framing (chest up, head+shoulders), what to avoid (distracting backgrounds, over-retouched skin).

Brief for corporate team headshot session (10+ people). Include: consistent backdrop/lighting across all, same lens/distance for uniform look, pose variations that feel individual, time management (3-5 min per person), backup lighting, file naming convention, delivery format.

Brief for actor headshots. Actor type: [leading, character, commercial, theatrical]. Include: look variations (2-3 looks minimum — commercial smile, dramatic, theatrical), wardrobe direction, lighting drama level per look, framing (theatrical often tighter), eye connection intensity, industry standards (3x4 vs 8x10). For casting use.

Brief for C-suite executive portrait. Include: authoritative but approachable tone, office environment (architectural context) vs studio backdrop, attire (suit, business casual per brand), pose variations (seated at desk, standing, environmental), lighting (controlled, premium), retouching standards (natural but polished). For annual report, press, bios.

Generate a Midjourney prompt for a professional AI headshot. Subject: [describe — age, ethnicity, features, hair, expression]. Include: professional attire, clean studio background (specify color), studio lighting setup ("three-point lighting"), shallow depth of field ("85mm f/1.8"), photorealistic film stock reference ("shot on Portra 400"). Params: --ar 4:5 --stylize 150 --v 7.

Workflow for generating consistent AI headshots of same person across multiple shots. Tool: Midjourney with --cref or Flux with references. Include: base reference image creation, reference strength parameters, outfit/background variation while keeping face consistent, avoiding face drift, storage/organization of generated images. For AI creator "personas."

Midjourney prompt for photorealistic skin detail in AI headshots. Include: explicit skin detail instructions ("visible skin pores, natural skin texture, subtle imperfections, no plastic skin"), lighting that reveals texture, technical photography references, high-resolution intent. Avoid the "AI-smooth-skin" tell.

Create a QA checklist for AI-generated headshots before client delivery. Check: facial symmetry (subtle asymmetry = real), hand visibility (problematic areas), ear detail, teeth accuracy, hair naturalness, clothing realism (buttons, seams), background consistency, lighting logic (shadows match direction), skin texture. Flag any "AI tells."

Write a pre-shoot prep guide for headshot clients. Cover: wardrobe (bring 3 options), grooming/makeup day-of, sleep/hydration 24 hours prior, arriving early, what to expect, how to handle "don't photograph well" concerns, bringing props if needed. Reduces day-of anxiety.

Script expression coaching during headshots. Include: warm-up expressions (big laugh, resting), subtle adjustments ("slight smile with eyes"), how to prompt genuine (not forced) smiles, intensity variations, what to say/not say (never "smile!"), coaching different expressions for different shots.

Build a session structure for headshots. 1-hour session. Include: arrival/setup (5 min), wardrobe consultation (5 min), warm-up shots (5 min), main session with variations (30 min), review images with client (10 min), wrap up (5 min). Deliver 50+ usable images.

Write headshot delivery email. Include: personalized intro, gallery access (password if relevant), selection guidance (pick 5-10 favorites), included edits, add-on options, delivery format (web, print), usage advice (LinkedIn sizing, print dimensions). Educate and wow.

Design headshot pricing packages. Tiers: basic (quick 30-min session, 3 edited images), standard (1 hour, 2 looks, 5 edited, print releases), premium (1.5 hours, 3 looks, 10 edited, makeup artist). Pricing per tier, what drives upsells, add-ons (rush turnaround, extra looks, on-location).

Pitch corporate headshot services to [company]. Include: research on their team size, what prompts corporate rebrand/update cycles, pricing structure (per-person vs day rate), efficiency claims (X people per day), quality consistency, file management benefits, on-site vs studio. For HR/marketing decision-maker.

Help me pick a headshot niche. Options: [corporate executives, actors, realtors, speakers, LinkedIn professionals, AI headshots, medical/legal]. Analyze each for: demand, price ceiling, competition, referral dynamics, recurring revenue potential. Recommend one for 12-month focus.