One Simple Tip to Look Thinner in Headshots nbsp
Let's be honest — everyone wants to look their best in a headshot. Whether you're updating your LinkedIn profile, refreshing your company bio, or finally investing in personal branding photography, there's a perfectly understandable desire to appear polished, confident, and yes, a little slimmer on camera. The good news? Looking slimmer in your headshot doesn't require a crash diet, a fancy filter, or Photoshop wizardry. It requires knowing one simple posing trick — and a photographer who knows how to use it.
The Secret: It's All About the Jawline
The number one trick I use with clients who want to look thinner in headshots is almost embarrassingly simple: push your forehead slightly toward the camera. That's it. This subtle movement — sometimes called the "turtle trick" in photography circles — instantly defines your jawline, elongates your neck, and dramatically reduces the appearance of a double chin. It's one of those small adjustments that makes a genuinely large difference, and it works on literally everyone.
Here's how to do it: imagine your nose reaching two inches toward the camera while your chin drops ever so slightly. That's the whole move. From the side, it feels a little ridiculous — like a curious turtle poking its head out of its shell. From the front (which is all that matters, since that's where the camera is), it creates a clean, sculpted jawline that looks entirely natural.
Why the Jawline Is Such a Big Deal in Headshots
When most people think about looking slimmer in photos, they think about waistlines or arms. But in a headshot — where the frame typically cuts off at the chest — it's all about the face, and more specifically, the jaw and neck area. In a flat, two-dimensional image, any softness under the chin gets exaggerated by poor posture and flat lighting. The result can make someone look heavier than they are in real life, which is frustrating and entirely avoidable.
By extending your head forward just slightly, you accomplish three things at once:
- Tighten the skin under the chin
- Add definition and separation between chin and neck
- Create a natural shadow line that sculpts the lower face
It's not magic — it's geometry. And once you know it, you'll never take an unflattering photo again.
"Wait, won't that look weird?" — Every client, before they see the result on the back of my camera.
Nope. Not even a little. From the camera's perspective, it simply looks like great posture and a confident expression. Which brings us to the supporting cast of tips that make the turtle trick even more effective.
Five Posing Tips That Work Alongside the Jawline Trick
1. Stand (or Sit) Tall
Good posture is the foundation of every great headshot. Shoulders rolled back and down, spine long, chest open — this position naturally lengthens the neck and creates the vertical space the jawline trick needs to do its job. Slumped shoulders compress the neck and counteract everything you're trying to achieve. If you want more posing guidance, I've written a full post on how to pose for a professional headshot that goes deeper on this.
2. Angle Your Body Slightly
Rather than facing the camera dead-on, turn your torso about 30 degrees to one side. Then rotate your face back toward the lens. This creates a natural diagonal line through your body, adds dimension to the photo, and — here's the bonus — makes your shoulders appear narrower. It's a classic portrait technique that works for every body type.
3. Drop Your Chin — Just a Touch
Once your head is forward (turtle mode: activated), a slight downward chin tilt does two things: it accentuates the eyes by giving them a more direct, engaged look, and it adds another layer of definition to the jawline. The key word is slight. Too much and you start looking like you're staring at the floor. Your photographer will dial this in with you.
4. Let Lighting Do Some of the Work
In a professional headshot session, lighting is everything. A well-placed key light can chisel cheekbones, define a jawline, and add depth that a flat phone camera simply can't replicate. Soft, directional studio lighting or diffused natural light both work beautifully — but the placement matters enormously. This is one of the biggest reasons a professional headshot in Vancouver produces results you just can't replicate at home, regardless of how good your phone camera is.
5. Relax Your Face
Tension in the jaw or forehead can inadvertently make the face look heavier. Before each shot, I often ask clients to take a breath, drop their shoulders, and let their face go completely slack for a second — then smile or settle into their expression naturally. The difference between a tense face and a relaxed one is immediately visible, and it makes every other technique work better.
A Real Client Example
One of my clients — let's call her Sarah — arrived to her session a bit nervous and mentioned upfront that she was self-conscious about her chin. It's one of the most common things people tell me. During the shoot, I guided her into the forward-head pose, helped her relax her shoulders, and added a gentle chin tilt. When I turned the camera around to show her the first frame, she went quiet for a second, then grinned.
"Wait — that's me?"
It wasn't about changing how she looked. It was about capturing her at her best: good posture, flattering angles, confident expression. She walked out of that session beaming — and that confidence showed in the photos. If you want to know more about how to prepare so you feel relaxed and ready, my guide on how to prepare for your headshot session covers everything from sleep to what to eat beforehand.
Why Your Headshot Confidence Actually Matters
Here's the bigger picture: when you feel good about your headshot, that confidence translates to every platform where it appears — your LinkedIn profile, company website, email signature, press mentions. Research consistently shows that people form judgments about competence, trustworthiness, and approachability within milliseconds of seeing a face. Your headshot is working hard for you whether you're paying attention to it or not.
That's why getting the technical details right — posing, lighting, expression — isn't vanity. It's a legitimate professional investment. Whether you're looking at LinkedIn headshots in Vancouver, corporate headshots, or personal branding photography, the same principles apply: great posing, flattering light, and a photographer who knows how to make you look like the best version of yourself.
The Bottom Line
You don't need to be a model to look great in headshots. You need to know a few tricks — and have a photographer in your corner who knows how to bring them out. The jawline trick is the single most effective posing tip I use with clients who want to look slimmer in headshots, and it takes about fifteen seconds to learn. Pair it with good posture, a slight body angle, and relaxed expression, and you're already most of the way there.
If you're camera-shy, self-conscious about how you photograph, or just not sure where to start, that's exactly what I'm here for. Take a look at my headshot portfolio to see what's possible, check out headshot pricing in Vancouver, or book your session and let's get you a photo you'll actually want to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the "turtle trick" really work for everyone?
Yes — it works on every face shape and every body type. The degree of the movement varies slightly from person to person (some people need a more pronounced forward lean, others just a subtle shift), but the principle applies universally. A good photographer will guide you into exactly the right position for your face. If you're wondering about other posing techniques, check out my full guide on how to pose for a professional headshot.
Can I learn to do this on my own for a selfie or phone photo?
You can practice the forward-head position in a mirror and apply it to any photo — yes. That said, the full effect relies on the camera being at or slightly above eye level, good directional lighting, and someone else operating the camera so you can focus on your expression. For anything professional — LinkedIn, company website, press kit — it's worth working with a professional headshot photographer who can manage all of those variables at once.
What should I wear to help me look slimmer in my headshot?
Darker solid colours tend to be the most flattering, and well-fitted clothing always photographs better than baggy or oversized pieces. A blazer or structured jacket adds a clean line to the shoulder area. I've written a complete guide on what to wear for a professional headshot — it covers colours, fabrics, and what to avoid.
How important is lighting for looking slimmer in photos?
Extremely important. Flat, even lighting (like the built-in flash on a phone) eliminates shadows, which removes depth and can make the face look heavier. Directional lighting — positioned at an angle to your face — creates shadows that define the cheekbones and jawline. It's one of the most significant differences between a professional studio photo and a DIY snapshot. You can see examples of how this looks in practice in my headshot portfolio.
I'm very camera-shy. Will I still be able to get a good result?
Absolutely — and you're not alone. Most of my clients are at least a little nervous before their session. Part of my job is making you feel comfortable enough that your natural expression comes through. The technical tricks (posture, chin position, body angle) all happen with my guidance during the shoot, so you don't need to memorise anything in advance. Read my guide on how to prepare for your headshot session if you want to feel as ready as possible before you arrive.
Ready to get a headshot you'll genuinely love? Book your session or get in touch and we'll find a time that works for you.