Plus Size Professional Headshot Tips: How to Get Photos That Actually Look Like You (And Feel Good Doing It)
Because looking professional has nothing to do with looking smaller and everything to do with looking confident.
I'll never forget the email.
"I just got my headshots back and I want to cry. I look like I'm apologizing for existing."
She was a VP at a Fortune 500 company. Ran a team of 40 people. Closed deals that made grown men nervous.
And her photographer had her hunched forward like she was ducking through a doorway. Chin jutting out at an unnatural angle. Shoulders pinched. Eyes screaming "Can we be done now?"
Here's the thing nobody tells you about plus size professional headshots: the problem isn't your body. The problem is that most photographers don't know what they're doing.
They learned one set of poses in school. "Lean forward." "Angle your body." "Turn your chin down and out."
And they apply those same tired techniques to every single person who walks through the door regardless of whether those poses actually work for that person's body.
The result? Photos that look stiff, awkward, and deeply uncomfortable.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
The Real Reason Most Plus-Size Headshots Look Bad
Let me be direct: the photography industry has a body problem.
Not your body. Their problem with bodies.
Most professional photographers receive minimal training on posing diverse body types. The "flattering pose" rulebook was written decades ago, designed around one specific body shape.
So when a curvy client walks in, many photographers panic. They overcorrect. They try every "slimming trick" they half-remember from a workshop.
And the person in front of the camera can feel it.
Here's what actually makes a headshot look unprofessional: not your size your discomfort.
When you feel judged, you tense up. Your smile gets tight. Your eyes go flat. Your shoulders creep toward your ears.
That's what shows up in photos. Not your weight. Your stress.
What Actually Works: Plus Size Headshot Tips That Aren't About "Looking Thinner"
I'm going to share the techniques that genuinely help but I want to reframe them first.
These aren't tricks to disguise your body. They're strategies to help any person look their most confident, competent, and authentic self on camera.
Because that's what a professional headshot is supposed to do.
Camera Height Matters (But Not Why You Think)
Yes, a slightly elevated camera angle tends to be flattering. But not because it "hides" anything.
It's because when someone looks up slightly, their eyes open wider. They appear more engaged. More present.
Think about it: when you're listening intently to someone taller than you, you naturally lift your gaze. That's connection. That's confidence.
The sweet spot: Camera at eye level or slightly above. Not dramatically overhead like a surveillance camera.
If you're working with a photographer, you can simply ask: "Can we try a few shots with the camera just a bit higher?"
If they get weird about it, that tells you something.
The "Turtle" Move (Sounds Weird, Works Brilliantly)
Here's the technique that photographers describe terribly and clients execute even worse.
You've probably heard: "Push your chin forward and down."
What people actually do: contort their neck like they're trying to inspect something on the ground.
Here's the real technique:
Imagine there's a string attached to the crown of your head, gently pulling you taller. Now, move your entire head forward like a turtle peeking out of its shell while keeping your shoulders back.
That's it. No dramatic chin jutting. No uncomfortable neck angles.
This creates separation between your jaw and neck, elongates the overall silhouette, and most importantly doesn't make you feel ridiculous.
Shoulder Position Is Everything
The single fastest way to look more powerful in a photo? Your shoulders.
Drop them. Seriously. Right now, wherever you're reading this, notice where your shoulders are. Now let them fall.
Feel that? That's confidence.
Raised shoulders signal stress, defensiveness, uncertainty. Dropped shoulders signal ease, authority, competence.
In your headshot, you want:
- Shoulders back (not aggressively, just naturally)
- Shoulders down (away from your ears)
- One shoulder slightly closer to the camera than the other
That last point creates dimension. When you face a camera perfectly square, you look wider and flatter. A slight angle maybe 15-20 degrees adds depth and visual interest.
Your Arms Are Not Your Enemy
Here's where things get unnecessarily complicated.
You've probably seen the advice: "Put your hand on your hip! Create space between your arm and body!"
Which... can work. But it can also look forced and awkward if it's not natural to you.
Better approach: Just don't pin your arms to your sides.
Cross them loosely. Hold something. Rest one hand on a table. Put them in your pockets. Whatever feels natural.
The goal isn't to "create gaps" like you're constructing a building. The goal is to avoid the stiff, arms-glued-to-body pose that makes everyone (regardless of size) look uncomfortable.
The Clothing Choices That Actually Matter
I'm not going to tell you to only wear black.
Yes, darker colors are "slimming." You know what else they are? Boring. Dated. And sometimes completely wrong for your industry and personality.
What actually matters for plus size professional headshots:
Fit is everything. Clothes that are too tight create pulling and bunching. Clothes that are too loose add visual bulk and look sloppy. Properly fitted clothing that follows your actual body shape looks professional.
Solid colors photograph better than patterns. This isn't about size. Busy patterns compete with your face for attention. In a headshot, your face should win.
V-necks and scoop necks elongate. Crew necks and high necklines can make anyone's neck look shorter. A V creates visual length.
Structure helps. A blazer or structured jacket gives your shoulders definition and creates clean lines. This works for every body type.
But here's the real secret about clothing: wear something that makes you feel powerful.
If you feel confident in bright coral, wear bright coral. If you feel unstoppable in a perfectly tailored black blazer, wear that.
Your emotional state shows up in photos far more than your clothing choices.
Why AI Headshots Are Changing Everything for Plus Size Professionals
Stay with me here.
Traditional headshot sessions have a fundamental problem: they require you to perform confidence while feeling vulnerable.
You're standing in front of a stranger. That stranger is judging how you look (literally—it's their job). They're giving you directions that may or may not work for your body. And you have maybe 45 minutes to nail it.
No wonder so many people hate their professional photos.
AI headshots flip this dynamic completely.
You upload photos of yourself photos where you already look and feel like yourself. Photos taken in your own space, on your own time, when you weren't performing for anyone.
The AI generates professional-quality headshots based on your actual appearance. Different backgrounds. Different lighting. Different professional styles.
And here's the part that matters for plus size professionals: you're in control of the entire process.
No photographer making you feel self-conscious. No awkward direction. No trying pose after pose while someone you don't know evaluates your body.
Just you, choosing the images that represent how you want to show up professionally.
We've had customers tell us they generated more headshots they actually liked in 10 minutes than they got from thousand-dollar photoshoots.
Not because AI is magic. But because removing the stress and judgment from the process lets people look like themselves which, it turns out, is exactly what professional photos should do.
If you're tired of dreading professional photo sessions, try generating AI headshots and see what's possible when you're actually relaxed.
The Mindset Shift Nobody Talks About
I want to be honest with you.
All the technical tips in the world won't help if you walk into a photo session (or open your AI headshot results) believing you don't deserve to look good.
The photography industry has spent decades telling plus size people they need to be "fixed" in photos. Hide this. Minimize that. Create the "illusion" of something different.
That message is garbage.
Your job isn't to look like someone else. Your job is to look like the most confident, capable, professional version of you.
And that's achievable. Right now. At your current size. In your current body.
A great headshot doesn't make you look smaller. A great headshot makes you look like someone people want to work with.
Competent. Trustworthy. Approachable. Confident.
Those qualities have absolutely nothing to do with your dress size.
Practical Steps Before Your Next Headshot
Whether you're booking a photographer or trying AI headshots, here's your prep checklist:
The week before:
- Try on your outfit options. Sit in them. Move in them. Make sure nothing pulls, bunches, or rides up.
- Practice your "relaxed shoulders, slight smile" face in the mirror. Know what it feels like.
- Look at headshots you admire. What do you like about them? The expression? The energy? Save them as references.
The day of:
- Get enough sleep. Seriously. Exhaustion shows up in photos.
- Avoid salty foods the night before (they cause puffiness this applies to everyone).
- Do something that makes you feel confident before the session. Power pose. Listen to your hype song. Whatever works.
During the session:
- Take breaks if you need them. Tension builds up.
- If something feels wrong, say so. "Can we try it a different way?"
- Remember: discomfort is visible. If a pose feels ridiculous, it will look ridiculous.
The Bottom Line on Plus Size Professional Headshots
Here's what I want you to take away from this:
The problem was never your body. The problem is an industry that hasn't caught up to the reality that professional, powerful, successful people come in all sizes.
You don't need to master seventeen "slimming poses." You don't need to apologize for taking up space. You don't need to walk into a photo session hoping the photographer can somehow make you look "acceptable."
You need to look like yourself confident, competent, and ready for whatever's next.
That's what great professional photos capture.
And whether you achieve that through finding the right photographer who actually understands diverse bodies, or through creating AI headshots on your own terms, the goal is the same:
Photos that make you say "Yes, that's me" instead of "I guess that'll do."
You deserve that. So go get it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most flattering pose for a plus size professional headshot?
The most flattering pose for plus size headshots involves angling your body 15-20 degrees away from the camera (rather than facing it square), dropping your shoulders down and back, and positioning your head slightly forward with your chin naturally lifted. This creates dimension, projects confidence, and ensures your face not your body position remains the focal point.
How do plus size professional headshots compare to traditional photography sessions?
Traditional photography requires performing confidence under pressure while a stranger directs you, which often creates visible tension in photos. Many plus size professionals find that AI headshot generators offer more control and less stress you upload casual photos where you already look like yourself, and the technology generates professional-quality results without the judgment factor.
How do I avoid looking uncomfortable in professional photos?
Discomfort in photos comes from tension, which shows up in tight shoulders, flat eyes, and forced smiles. Before your session, practice relaxed posture in front of a mirror. During the session, take breaks when needed, communicate if something feels unnatural, and remember that your emotional state matters more than any specific pose.
Is it worth hiring a professional photographer for plus size headshots?
It depends on the photographer. A skilled photographer who has experience with diverse body types and makes you feel comfortable can produce excellent results. However, many plus size professionals have found that traditional sessions create anxiety that negatively impacts their photos. If you've had frustrating experiences with photographers, AI headshot options like HeadshotPhoto.io offer a stress-free alternative with professional results.
What should I wear for a plus size business headshot?
Wear properly fitted clothing in solid colors avoid busy patterns that compete with your face. V-necks and scoop necks create visual length, while structured pieces like blazers add professional polish. Most importantly, choose something you feel confident wearing. Your emotional comfort shows up in photos far more than any specific clothing choice.
