Business Headshots for Men

Business Headshots for Men: A Complete, Practical Guide

A strong business headshot opens doors. It anchors your personal brand, increases profile views, and sets expectations before you ever speak.

Whether you’re a job seeker, consultant, or founder, this guide covers how to nail professional headshots for men—what to wear, how to pose, and when AI headshots make sense.

Why Your Headshot Matters More Than You Think

Your photo is often the first thing people see on LinkedIn, your website, or a pitch deck. Clean, current headshots signal competence and trust.

Good headshots can:

• Improve click-through and connection rates
• Align your image with your industry and target clients
• Keep your brand consistent across platforms

If getting to a studio is hard, AI-generated headshots can deliver a polished, on-brand look in minutes. With AI Business Headshots, you upload two photos, pick attire, pose, and background, and get results in seconds.

What to Wear: Men’s Headshot Wardrobe Tips

Clothing should support your face, not overshadow it. Aim for timeless, fitted pieces.

• Suits and jackets: Navy, charcoal, or medium gray are universally flattering. A well-fitted blazer sharpens your silhouette and frames your face.
• Shirts: Crisp white, light blue, or soft pastel tones. Avoid high-contrast patterns or ultra-thin stripes that can moiré on camera.
• Ties: Optional. If you wear one, keep it solid or subtly textured. Darker tones with minimal pattern are safest.
• Casual-professional: A fine-gauge crew or quarter-zip over an Oxford, a tailored chore coat, or a pressed polo can work for tech and creative fields.

By industry:

• Finance, law, corporate: Suit jacket, collared shirt, and possibly a tie.
• Tech, startup, product: Blazer over a tee or knit; open-collar shirt.
• Creative, media, design: Elevated casual with interesting texture and layers.

Pro move: Generate multiple looks with our service to A/B test a suited versus smart-casual version on different platforms.

Grooming and Style Essentials

Small tweaks go a long way on camera.

• Hair: Trim or shape up within 3–5 days before shooting. A light product adds polish without stiffness.
• Facial hair: Shape beards cleanly; define neckline and cheek lines. If clean-shaven, shave gently to avoid irritation.
• Skin: Use oil-control sheets or a matte, transparent powder to reduce shine—especially for bald or shaved heads.
• Glasses: Clean lenses thoroughly; avoid transition lenses. Slightly tilt frames down to minimize reflections.
• Jewelry: Keep it minimal and professional, if any.

Bald or close-cropped? Choose medium-tone backgrounds (not too white) to avoid glare and create contrast around your head shape.

Posing and Expression: Look Confident, Not Stiff

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. A few reliable cues deliver flattering, consistent results:

• Angle your body 10–30 degrees off-camera, then turn your head back toward the lens.
• Chin slightly forward-and-down to define your jawline. Think length, not tilt.
• Bring shoulders down and back for an open, confident posture.
• Eyes to camera, with a micro-smile. Try a “polite” smile, then a warmer version to see what fits your brand.
• Hands: If they appear, keep them relaxed—hands lightly in pockets or gently folded.

Example scenarios:

• Startup founder: Blazer over a tee, modern office background, relaxed half-smile.
• Consultant: Suit jacket, neutral backdrop, direct eye contact, slight smile.
• Designer: Textured knit and layered jacket, creative studio background, approachable expression.

Lighting and Backgrounds That Always Work

Great lighting is half the battle.

• Light: Soft, diffused light at a 45-degree angle to your face is flattering. Window light with a sheer curtain works well. Avoid overhead-only or under-chin lighting.
• Backgrounds: Neutral gray, off-white, or soft gradient feels modern and versatile. For brand cohesion, consider a muted tone that matches your website palette.
• Environmental options: Modern office, bookshelf bokeh, or architectural textures can add context without clutter.

With AI Business Headshots, you can select ideal backgrounds instantly—no studio setup or location scouting required.

Technical Specs That Boost Quality

Ensure your files look sharp everywhere.

• Resolution: At least 2000 px on the long edge. LinkedIn recommends 400 x 400 minimum, but 1200 x 1200+ looks crisp.
• Crop: 1:1 square for LinkedIn; 4:5 or 8:10 for websites and speaker bios. Leave a little headroom.
• File type and color: JPG or PNG in sRGB color space.

Our service outputs platform-ready crops, so you can download a LinkedIn version and a website version in one go.

Preparation Checklist (Day Before and Day Of)

The best headshots start with a simple routine.

Day before:

• Choose outfits, steam or iron, and lint-roll darker fabrics.
• Hydrate and get sleep. Avoid heavy salt and alcohol.
• If you can, do a quick test selfie to confirm colors and fit.

Day of:

• Apply a small amount of anti-shine product on forehead, nose, and cheeks.
• Bring options: one jacket, two shirts, and one casual layer.
• Keep grooming tools handy: comb, wipes, lint roller, tissues.

No time or access to a photographer? Use AI Business Headshots to generate polished images from just two regular photos.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Busy patterns and loud logos that distract from your face
• Harsh lighting from below or mixed color temperatures (cool plus warm)
• Over-editing that erases skin texture or alters your features
• Cropping too tight at the chin or top of the head
• Using outdated photos that no longer resemble you

When AI Headshots Make the Most Sense

AI headshots shine when you need speed, variety, or consistency.

• Fast turnaround: Upload two photos, choose attire, pose, and backdrop, and get results in seconds.
• Budget-friendly: Avoid studio costs, travel, and reshoots.
• Variety on demand: Generate multiple looks—suit, smart casual, different backgrounds—to match platforms and audiences.
• Team consistency: Produce a unified set for your whole team without coordinating a photo day.

See how it works in action:

With AI Business Headshots, you maintain control. Select attire, background, and pose, and instantly preview options before you export final images.

Choosing Headshots for Different Platforms

• LinkedIn: Neutral or professional background, direct eye contact, slight smile, 1:1 crop.
• Company website: Slightly wider crop, environment that hints at your industry, two versions (suit and smart casual).
• Speaking and press: High-resolution vertical and horizontal crops, consistent look with your brand colors.

Tip: Create a small toolkit of 3–4 variations. With our service, it’s easy to keep each version cohesive.

Real-World Scenarios

• Career changer: You need a credible corporate look for LinkedIn and a warmer casual version for networking events. Generate both in minutes.
• Remote leader: Your team spans cities, but you need uniform headshots for a website relaunch. Produce consistent backgrounds and crops across everyone.
• Founder fundraising: Match your headshot to your pitch deck’s color palette for visual cohesion.

Final Take

Business headshots for men don’t need to be complicated. Keep attire simple, use soft light, aim for a confident but approachable expression, and choose clean backgrounds that fit your brand.

When you’re short on time—or want multiple on-brand options quickly—AI Business Headshots is your fastest path to professional results. Upload two photos, configure your headshot, and get polished images in seconds. Your next opportunity could be one great headshot away.