Well, because everyone is different and I don't know you personally yet, I'd like to start off by first listing the plusses and minuses of smiling and not smiling:
SMILES ARE GREAT BECAUSE:
- They allow you to connect on a genuine level with the viewer. Make sure your smile isn't fake!!!
- They show approachability and warmth and build trust.
- They make the viewer more comfortable with you.
- They make you seem easy to work with.
- They can help you look younger.
THE DOWNSIDES OF SMILES CAN BE:
- If you don't like your teeth, they will probably show if your smile is genuine. But remember, your teeth can be whitened and straightened in Photoshop!
- If you already look young, you will look even younger and possibly inexperienced.
- It's dangerous to fake a smile in a headshot because you could appear untrustworthy if it's not a genuine, real smile. An easy fix to get a real smile is just to laugh!
- Your eyes can become squinty. Fix this by looking at the top part of the photographer's camera, or do a more subtle laugh/smile instead of a big one. Don't deliberately widen your eyes or you'll look like a deer in the headlights!
- Wrinkles can show on your face, or your face can look wider. Lighting tricks and Photoshop can easily help with these issues.
SERIOUS SHOTS ARE GREAT BECAUSE:
- They can help you appear older if you look young.
- If you do a very subtle, closed-mouth smile, it can show confidence with approachability, which is an awesome look.
THE DOWNSIDES OF SERIOUS SHOTS CAN BE:
- If you're not careful, you can look dead, blank, or mean/angry. A simple fix to this would be to keep your lips closed and do a subtle laugh to create a tiny, little, approachable smile that still looks like a serious shot.
- You can look older than you are.
- You have to work the camera more to show engagement and confidence. If you don't truly feel the emotion of confidence, or curiosity, or intelligence, or even sneakiness (for actors), your shot can look forced and fake.
