11. What’s the etiquette for headshots?
Arrive on time, well-groomed, and rested. Don’t try anything too new haircut, makeup, or bold fashion on shoot day. Keep it true to who you are, but elevated.
12. Can I make my own pro headshot with a phone?
Technically yes but it won’t compare. My studio setup, lens choice, lighting control, and directing skills create results a phone simply can’t match. Especially when your career is riding on that image.
13. What’s the best pose for a headshot?
Slightly turned shoulders. Chin positioned carefully. Relaxed mouth. Direct eye contact. The pose shouldn’t look like a pose. I coach every client through this naturally no awkward angles or stiff arms.
14. What’s the most flattering angle for a headshot?
Usually, just above eye level with a soft body turn. But it depends on your features and energy. I work with the light to define the jaw, soften lines, and bring the eyes forward.
15. How do you look photogenic in a headshot?
By being comfortable. That’s my job to create the right environment so your guard drops and your best self shows up. No performing. No pretending.
16. What’s the trick to a good professional headshot?
Trust and timing. I know how to read people, adjust posture, and catch that exact second where everything aligns. That’s not a trick. It’s trained instinct.
17. What should a professional headshot look like?
Simple. Thoughtful. Not over-edited. No visual noise. Just clarity, intention, and a real expression.
18. What is a professional headshot for LinkedIn?
It’s your digital first impression. No sunglasses. No cropped holiday snaps. Just you sharp, grounded, and ready to be trusted.
19. What’s the best background for a professional headshot?
I use a mid-grey seamless background in my studio because it gives me total control.
With years of experience in studio lighting, I can shift that neutral grey into almost any tone or mood using lighting gels and the inverse square law a principle that lets me shape how light fades between subject and background.
Whether you need clean, bright professionalism or moodier sophistication, I can dial in the perfect background tone to match your brand and your skin tone.
20. What size is a professional headshot?
Most clients receive high-res files in both square (for LinkedIn) and 4x5 crops (for websites), plus web-optimised versions. All delivered, labelled, and ready to use.
21. Can I use an AI-generated headshot?
You can but people can tell. AI often looks plastic. Lifeless. And clients, employers, or recruiters feel that. If you're building real-world trust, nothing beats the human warmth of a real portrait.
22. How much does a professional headshot cost?
In my Point Cook studio, I offer:
Express Headshot – $175
30 minutes, 2 final retouched images
Ideal for quick LinkedIn updates or resumes.
Profile Package – $275
1 hour, 5 final retouched images
More time, more variety, more confidence.
Both sessions include full direction, lighting, professional retouching, and same-week turnaround. You’ll be gently guided through every step of the process, so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience.
Book your session here to see available dates.
What Makes a Professional Headshot Stand Out?
It’s not the lights. Not the camera.
It’s that moment where you really show up. The real you confident, composed, and completely present. That’s what I capture. That’s what clients remember.
You don’t need to be camera-ready or confident when you arrive. That’s my job. With experience, patience, and clarity, I will lead you there.
David Mullins Photography is a professional portrait and headshot studio based in Point Cook, proudly serving clients across Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, and surrounding suburbs including Werribee, Altona, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Williams Landing, Seabrook, Laverton, Newport, Yarraville, and Footscray.
Known for relaxed, guided sessions and timeless, high-quality results, David specialises in:
LinkedIn and corporate headshots
Professional portraits for business and media
Fine art family photography
Studio pet photography
Creative and legacy portraiture
If you're looking for a trusted headshot photographer in Point Cook, or you’re ready to update your personal or professional image with a studio session in Melbourne’s West, you’re in the right place.
Browse session options and book online anytime.
How to Stand Out in a Headshot. Without Looking Like You’re Trying Too Hard
Every week, people walk into my studio with the same quiet fear:
“I just don’t want to look awkward.”
That feeling makes perfect sense because a great headshot is more than just a photo. It’s your first impression. Your personal brand. Your professional handshake.
With many years of experience photographing professionals across Melbourne, I understand exactly how to bring out your best. You don’t need to worry about how to stand, smile, or pose. I will take the lead from the moment you arrive, guide you gently through the process, and make sure your experience is relaxed, confident, and even enjoyable.
And the result? Headshots you can be proud of. Headshots that work.
1. How do you stand out in a headshot?
Forget gimmicks. The best headshots don’t shout they connect. What makes a headshot stand out is presence not perfection. I coach every client toward that moment where the mask drops and the real you comes through. That’s when your photo becomes magnetic.
2. How should you smile in a headshot?
Start by breathing. Then think about something real a person or moment that makes you feel relaxed or proud. A genuine smile starts in the eyes, not the mouth. That’s why I don’t just “pose” you. We talk. I guide. The smile we capture isn’t forced it’s earned.
3. How do you avoid looking ‘fat’ in a headshot?
It’s not about your size. It’s about lighting, angle, posture, and lens compression. I use professional setups that flatter everyone regardless of body type so you look confident, strong, and composed.
4. What colour looks best in a headshot?
The best colours for headshots are solid, understated tones that complement your skin and keep the focus on your face. I recommend colours like navy, charcoal, deep green, burgundy, and soft earth tones. These shades photograph beautifully under professional lighting and work well across a wide range of skin tones.
If you’re unsure what to wear, bring two or three options to your session — I’ll guide you on which one works best for the look you’re going for. The key is always balance: your clothing should support your portrait, not dominate it.
5. What colour should you avoid in a headshot?
Neons, high-contrast stripes, busy patterns, and colours that match your skin tone too closely. These either distract or wash you out. Soft solids always photograph best.
6. What should women wear for a headshot?
A clean neckline, fitted shape, and a timeless cut. Avoid anything too low, too loose, or too bold. Jewellery should be subtle. Think “polished, not posed.”
7. What should men wear for a headshot?
A crisp, well-fitting shirt is essential. For more formal roles or personal branding work, add a blazer or suit jacket. Stick to timeless tones like navy, charcoal, or black.
7.1 The Two-Button Jacket Rule (And Why It Matters)
If you're wearing a two-button suit jacket, the rule is simple:
Always button the top, never the bottom.
This isn’t just about style it’s about structure. Leaving the bottom button undone creates a cleaner silhouette, stops the jacket from pulling at the waist, and maintains proper posture. This subtle detail makes a noticeable difference in how confident and refined you look on camera.
8. What qualifies as a professional headshot?
Clean lighting. Clear expression. Precision posing. Cropping that frames the face with intention. A professional headshot isn’t just “a nice photo.” It’s a visual statement built for trust.
9. What does a professional headshot look like?
It’s sharp, simple, and speaks directly. You won’t find distracting filters or fake smiles. Just you confidently seen, well-lit, and composed with care.
10. Are you supposed to smile in a professional headshot?
If it feels right yes. If it doesn’t don’t fake it. I guide you toward the expression that matches your profession and personality. Smiles aren’t mandatory. Authenticity is.
