Taking a Professional Headshot at Home - The 10 Fundamentals
At Software and Process Design, we've discovered that most goals can be achieved by breaking them down into essential steps, roughly 10 fundamental principles. We call these principles the 10 Fundamentals.
You can think of these Fundamentals as a roadmap for success. If you’re aiming to achieve something, these Fundamentals are like simple rules to follow, breaking down goals into actionable steps.
What makes it even more exciting is that we're actively developing tools to simplify this journey further. As you read through this guide, see how these Fundamentals, when combined with our tools, become your companion for reaching your goals.
In today's digital age, a professional headshot is more important than ever. Whether you're updating your LinkedIn profile, setting up a company website, or applying for a new job, a polished headshot can make a lasting impression.
This guide covers the ten essential tips for taking a professional headshot, from choosing the right background to perfecting your pose.
By sticking to these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to capturing a professional headshot you can be confident in.
Key Takeaways:
1. Use a solid-coloured background.
2. Take a few test shots to check the lighting.
3. Set up the camera at eye level.
4. Choose an appropriate outfit.
5. Choose an appropriate makeup & hair style.
6. Beware of glares and reflections on glass or shiny objects.
7. Clear the background.
8. Stand perpendicular to the backdrop area; turn ONLY your torso towards the camera.
9. Try a few different poses.
10. Don’t forget to smile.
1. Use a solid-coloured background.
Find a wall or door with a solid colour to use as a background.
Try to avoid background with patterns or lines. Ideally, you’ll want to find a white or a pale colour wall/door as this will allow for contrast between you (the subject) and the background.
2. Take a few test shots to check the lighting.
If needed, move a lamp so that it’s pointing towards the area where you will stand. The front of the subject should be lit as you do not want a backlight and have your face in shadow.
The light does not need to be directly in front of the subject, but there should not be any blockage of the light as this can cause shadows. This also allows the face to be clear without directing the focus away from the subject.
Also, be careful about creating a dark shadow behind the subject (you) when using lighting. You may have to take a few test shots and adjust the lighting position until you find the appropriate setup.
3. Set up the camera at eye-level.
Set up your camera (or whatever device you are using) about 6 – 10 feet away from where you will be positioned for the photo and at eye level to where you will be positioned for the photo.
The reason for this is that the photo can always be cropped closer but cannot be zoomed out. You can also use the self-timer option in this position if you are taking the photo yourself, for example.
Most smartphone cameras come equipped with a self-timer that can be turned on/off in the camera’s settings.
Some even allow more photos to be taken at a time based on a voice command (rather than trying to press the self-timer and run).
4. Choose an appropriate outfit.
Choose an outfit that is professional, neutral, and free of distracting patterns. For example, if selecting a dark patterned jacket choose a lighter shirt so that it’s not so distracting to the eye.
This does not mean that you should only wear plain clothing/background, just try to follow a simple theme. The outfit should also be clean and neat, i.e. no stains, holes, wrinkles, profanity, or distracting words/phrases/logos visible.
5. Choose an appropriate makeup & hair style.
If choosing to wear makeup for the photo, go for a minimal, ‘natural’ look. As for the hairstyle, choose one that will accentuate not overpower your face.
That is not to say that if you have a specific style you cannot wear it but typically the makeup and hair should match the reason for the photo.
For example, if you will be working in a fast-paced office that is customer-facing it may be assumed that the make-up will be neutral with the hair away from the face.
If applying for a job at a makeup supplier or as a hair stylist, for example, that is where you will want to demonstrate your skills.
6. Beware of glares and reflections on glass or shiny.
If wearing religious or medical headwear in the photo, be sure it will not reflect the flash as this will help to achieve your best photo.
If it cannot be removed and will bounce the flash, then consider altering the angle of the body or the position of the lighting to allow the flash to bounce away from the camera in another direction.
Another example would be if you were wearing glasses or using glass as the background of your photo, for example. If you look directly into a light source while wearing glasses, it will cause a glare on the lenses in the photo, so try looking away from the light source.
7. Clear the background.
Before taking your photos, remove all items that could be visible in the photo and cause distraction from the subject (you).
For example, remove photos or glass/shiny objects that could bounce the light (as mentioned in the previous point).
You’ll also want to remove any clutter, or distracting decor (like signage or posters) and take down any identifying objects that are personal.
This could include wedding/family photos or certificates with your full legal name on them, for example.
8. Stand perpendicular to the backdrop area; turn ONLY your torso towards the camera.
When posing for the photo, stand with one shoulder towards the wall, perpendicular to the backdrop area.
Standing with both shoulders even and facing the camera tends to cause people to look like they’re taking a passport photo which can be less natural-looking.
The goal of this photo is to help capture your personality and create an inviting image, so test out a few different poses to see which one works best for you.
For example, maybe you prefer being photographed on your left side as opposed to your right or prefer smiling without showing your teeth (or with).
For a traditional headshot pose, start with turning just your torso towards the camera. To do this, you’ll want to straighten your back, turn your chest 10 to 45 degrees from the camera, and lean slightly toward the camera.
You can also cross your arms to create a powerful/tough impression on the viewer. A slight or full smile can help balance out the crossed arms to create a strong, yet friendly impression.
9. Try a few different poses.
For alternative poses, try different arm positions to get the photo look you want. For example, you can place your palms on your thighs or place them on your hips.
Take as many photos as you need until you get the desired outcome. You can also set up ‘burst mode,’ which is also called ‘continuous shooting mode.’
This mode will capture several photos in quick succession and is usually activated by holding down the shutter button when taking a photo, or by activating it in the camera’s settings.
With burst mode, you can quickly move/pose for a handful of photos, then review the photos and poses afterward.
10. Don’t forget to smile.
If you’re having trouble, tell yourself a joke, watch a funny video, or listen to a song that you love - anything to make the happiness display on your face. You can also call someone to help you get out of your head and just smile.
Even if you wear a face covering, a smile will show with your eyes. Moreover, your whole body reflects happiness, so actively perform happiness-inducing actions before taking the photo.
This will enhance the overall look of your photo.
It can be tough trying to remember all these tips when it comes time to snap that photo. Luckily, we’re building tools that will help simplify the process of taking professional headshots.
Soon, you’ll be able to find, access, and create detailed lists, tips, and guides on how to achieve your goals more successfully.
From the little things like taking a professional headshot, to the bigger, more daunting goals like landing that executive position - with 1our upcoming tools, you’ll be able to realize your untapped potential.
Hungry for more? Stay tuned for additional guides on how to achieve your goals using our solutions and keep in mind that soon, groundbreaking tools will turn these principles into actionable steps.
You can also check out the 10Fundamentals YouTube channel for more helpful tips and informative video lessons.
Software and Process Design: A group of expert problem-solvers crafting software solutions that redefine. Learn more about the work we’re doing at softwareandprocessdesign.com.