50+ Headshot Examples for Every Industry

A strong headshot is often the first impression you make online. LinkedIn profiles with a professional photo receive 21x more views and 36x more messages than those without one. Whether you need a LinkedIn headshot, a corporate team photo, or an acting headshot, this guide shows you exactly what great headshots look like across every major category.

What makes a great headshot?

Before diving into examples, here are the five elements that separate a forgettable snapshot from a headshot that builds trust and credibility:

• Sharp focus on the eyes. The viewer's gaze naturally goes to your eyes first. They need to be tack-sharp and well-lit.
• Clean, non-distracting background. Solid colors, subtle gradients, or lightly blurred environments keep attention on your face.
• Flattering lighting. Soft, even light minimizes harsh shadows and makes skin look natural. Learn more in our headshot lighting guide.
• Appropriate wardrobe. Your outfit should match your industry without overpowering the photo. See our what to wear for headshots guide.
• A genuine expression. A natural smile or confident, approachable look connects with the viewer far better than a stiff pose.

Corporate and business headshot examples

Corporate headshots communicate professionalism, trust, and competence. They are the standard for company websites, annual reports, and internal directories. The best corporate headshots share a few traits:

• Neutral or branded background (white, grey, or a subtle company color).
• Business professional attire: a tailored blazer, collared shirt, or a clean blouse.
• Consistent style across the team so everyone looks unified on the company page.
• A warm, approachable smile. The era of stiff, overly retouched corporate shots is over. Today's professionals want images that feel genuine while still polished.

For business headshots, entrepreneurs and small-business owners often opt for a slightly more relaxed look: open collar, rolled sleeves, or an environmental background like a modern office or co-working space.

LinkedIn headshot examples

Your LinkedIn headshot is displayed as a circle in search results, comments, and messages. That means framing is critical: leave space above your head and below your chin so nothing gets clipped.

The best LinkedIn headshots tend to be:

• Cropped from the shoulders up with your face taking up roughly 60% of the frame.
• Shot against a simple background. White, light grey, and soft blue are the most popular choices.
• Sized at least 800 x 800 pixels (LinkedIn's minimum is 400 x 400, but higher resolution looks sharper on modern screens). See our headshot size guide for all platforms.
• Smiling and making eye contact. Profiles with a visible smile get significantly more engagement.

Team headshot examples

When a whole team needs headshots, consistency is key. The best team headshots use the same background, lighting setup, and crop for every person. This creates a cohesive, professional look on the company “About Us” page.

With AI headshot generators like AiProPortrait, each team member uploads a few selfies from wherever they are, and the AI produces studio-quality results with matching backgrounds and style. No need to book a studio or coordinate schedules.

Acting headshot examples

Acting headshots are a different world from corporate portraits. Casting directors use them to quickly assess your look, type, and range. The standard print size is 8 x 10 inches (2400 x 3000 pixels at 300 DPI). For a deeper look, see our actor headshot examples guide.

There are two main categories:

• Commercial headshots feature a big, bright smile, even lighting, and approachable energy. These are for ads, sitcoms, and brands that want likable, relatable faces.
• Theatrical headshots show more emotional depth. The lighting is often moodier, the expression more intense or nuanced. These are for film, TV drama, and stage work.

The most important rule from casting directors: you must look like your headshot. Heavy retouching or outdated photos create a disconnect the moment you walk into the audition room.

Real estate headshot examples

Real estate agents use headshots on business cards, yard signs, listing flyers, and their brokerage website. Realtor headshots should project warmth, local expertise, and trustworthiness.

• A polished but approachable look. Clients want to feel comfortable inviting you into their home.
• Environmental options work well: standing in front of a sold sign, a local landmark, or a modern home interior.
• High resolution is essential since the same photo will be printed at different sizes, from a thumbnail on Zillow to a large bus bench ad.

Lawyer headshot examples

Lawyer headshots lean toward traditional professionalism. Dark suits, neutral backgrounds, and confident expressions are the norm. The goal is to convey authority, competence, and approachability at the same time.

Law firm websites often display partner headshots in a grid, so consistency across the team matters just as much as individual quality. A subtle smile goes a long way: clients want a lawyer who looks capable and approachable, not intimidating.

Creative and model headshot examples

For creative professionals like designers, writers, and models, headshots can break the traditional mold. More expressive poses, bolder colors, and unique angles are fair game.

Models specifically need a comp card style: minimal makeup, clean skin, and shots that show their natural features without heavy styling. Agencies want to see what they are working with, not a finished editorial look.

How to get headshots that match these examples

You have three main options:

• Hire a photographer ($150 to $500+ per session). Great results, but expensive, time-consuming, and hard to coordinate for teams.
• DIY with your phone. Free, but quality depends entirely on your lighting, background, and self-direction skills. Check out our headshot tips if you go this route.
• Use an AI headshot generator. Upload a few selfies to AiProPortrait and receive 40+ studio-quality headshots in under an hour, starting at $19. Multiple backgrounds, outfits, and crops included.