Facial Expression Coaching: Where Your Transformation Begins

At Chicago High-End Headshots, a great image starts long before the shutter clicks. Every client receives personal facial expression coaching; because the most impactful headshots aren’t about how you pose, but how you present.

🎯 What We’re Really Looking For

Before you even step in front of the camera, we’ll have a relaxed conversation where I explain the four traits we’re creating: confidence, presence, approachability, and authenticity. These aren’t buzzwords; they’re visible, readable, and coachable.

👁 Confidence Comes From the Eyes

Your eyes are everything. They’re the first place people look, and the most common reason a headshot feels either strong or... off. I’ll show you how to avoid expressions that feel uncertain or disengaged.

• Open them too wide, and you might look surprised or uncertain.

• Narrow them too much, and you risk appearing disinterested—or even intoxicated.

Through subtle coaching we’ll work together to find the balance that makes you look calm, focused, and in control.

🤝 Approachability You Can Feel

Approachability is about how likely someone is to trust you; before you've said a word. People want to connect with those who feel open and inviting. I’ll coach you to project an energy that says, “I’m confident, but I’m human too.”

Think about it: when you walk into a room, do people naturally gravitate toward you? Your headshot should say yes.

I’ll coach you to bring out a relaxed expression that feels warm and open, without losing your professional edge. We’ll create a look that says, “You can talk to me,” while still conveying executive presence.

💼 Presence That Commands Attention

You don’t have to “pose”. You just have to own your space. I’ll help you refine posture, jawline visibility, and head positioning to eliminate distractions like double chins, and make you appear stronger, more attentive, and fully present. It’s a small adjustment with massive impact.

💯 Authenticity That Resonates

We’re not trying to make you look like someone you’re not; we’re capturing the best version of who you are. I’ll coach you to drop the fake smiles, drop the self-doubt, and step into your natural expression. The goal? To create an image where people don’t just say, “That’s a great headshot,” but, “That’s really you.”

Great headshots aren’t about posing. They’re about presence. And with the right coaching, you’ll walk away with images that change how you see yourself, and how others see you.