Everyone knows that first impressions are important, especially for employers looking to hire. For this reason, it’s essential to have a professional headshot in your arsenal. It’s the perfect way to demonstrate that you’re a well put together candidate. Follow 7 easy steps to snap a professional headshot with your phone and make a lasting impression.
1. Set Your Phone’s Camera to HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Switching HDR on will result in a higher quality headshot. You don’t want to appear blurry, which is why it’s important to not zoom in before taking your photos. Zooming in will give them a grainy and low-resolution look. If your phone has Portrait Mode, use it to focus on and accentuate your face.
2. Get Your Setup Right
Now it’s time to set up your behind the scenes. Ask a friend or family member to take the photos for you. Make sure to ask for honest feedback about what looks best. If you’re alone and plan to take the professional headshot yourself, it’s best to use a phone stand. They sell budget-friendly options online that will get the job done. Many phone stands include a Bluetooth remote so that you can snap pictures anywhere in the room.
If you don’t own a phone stand, lean your phone against something, but try to take the photo at eye level or above. If you’re taking the photo yourself, use your phone’s self-timer. Set it for 10 seconds, so that you have enough time to position yourself.
3. Choose a Simple Background and Good Lighting
Your background can make or break a professional headshot. Avoid a cluttered or distracting area. If you’re taking the photo indoors, a ring light is great to have. There are small ones you can attach to your phone, or larger ones that you can situate on a surface in front of you.
Your best option is to stand in front of a white or neutral wall. If you don’t have a neutral background to pose in front of, don’t worry. There are free tools that will remove your background and make it transparent. Check out this online background remover, for example. You can also place your image over a white background with some editing.
Going outside to take a photo is generally better because you can take advantage of natural light. Make sure the sun is positioned behind you, so you’re not squinting. You may have to angle yourself a certain way if you appear overly backlit.
4. Make Sure You Look Well-Kept
Your hair needs to look presentable and it shouldn’t cover your face. If you wear makeup, try your best to not go overboard. It doesn’t have to be unnoticeable, but you want to avoid glam makeup. After all, this is a professional headshot and not a selfie!
5. Show off Your Professional Wardrobe
When it comes to clothing, your best option is a well-ironed collared shirt. Avoid patterns since they can be an eyesore on camera. You don’t want your top to be the first thing someone notices about you. Steer clear of bold colors; instead, choose darker tones (dark gray, black), which tend to draw more attention to your face. If you prefer lighter tones (beige, white, or light blue), that’s fine, too. Don’t wear dramatic jewelry like large earrings or statement necklaces that will be distracting. When in doubt, keep it simple.
6. Strike a Pose!
Going back to setup, make sure your professional headshot is taken at eye level or slightly above because it’s more flattering. Don’t take the picture head-on, or it’ll look more like a mugshot! Angle yourself somewhat to the side, so that one shoulder is slightly further back from the camera, and look directly into the lens. Try some different facial expressions: full smile, half smile, or whatever else makes you appear lively, yet professional.
7. Edit, but Don’t Go Crazy With Filters
If you don’t think your professional headshot needs editing, that’s okay, but it can greatly improve a photo when done right. You can get rid of shadows by adjusting the exposure. You can modify the brightness to make your photo slightly lighter or darker. Use the sharpening tool to make your image look crisper. Play around and see what looks best, but don’t overdo it to the point where it looks like an Instagram picture!
If you follow these simple steps, you’re bound to get a professional headshot that you’ll be able to use for a long time. Above all else, taking self-portraits can boost self esteem and make you more confident as you apply for new opportunities.
