How to Take Professional Headshots with A Smartphone?
A quick guide to creating professional-looking ✋headshots with a smartphone📷
Many companies hire remote💻 teams. However, gathering a remote team together for a professional corporate photoshoot📷 is challenging. So, how to take professional headshots with a smartphone? In this article, I will teach you how to take professional headshots ✨ using your iPhone or Android at your home office. I am Natalia Golenkova, a US-based Digital Advisor, Google-certified specialist, and Google Partner with hands-on experience in digital marketing & online security.
1. Smartphone camera: Use A Forward-facing Camera ONLY
💡⚡ Take your photo using the forward-facing camera on your smartphone. The “selfie” camera on the screen side has a significantly worse lens that will distort your headshot. Your photo might look blurry online even if it looks OK on your smartphone, so please use a forward-facing camera ONLY.
2. Posture: Do Not cut the head or shoulders & look straight into the camera without tilting.
💡⚡Do not cut the head or shoulders. Even if are sure that you look better with half of your forehead cut — it is not the right thing to do.
💡⚡Avoid unusual “creative” angles. It is good when the whole team’s headshot has an identical viewpoint.
💡⚡Avoid touching your face with your hands and making your head tilt.
3. Edits: Do Not Edit or Cut Photos &Do Not Use Filters.
💡⚡Refrain from editing or curring photos yourself and using any filters. It might reduce the quality of the initial image. Ultimately, your initial photo will be edited by a designer.
4. Lighting: Youn Need Good Light.
💡 You want to be facing directly into the light. Natural light from the widow is preferable. Try to shoot near a window or door and use the room behind you as the backdrop. You’ll want to pick the brightest window possible but not have the sun shining directly on you so you are not backlit.
💡You’ll want to avoid using bright overhead lighting (especially lamplight). It’s unflattering: you will look 15 years older and be covered with shadows.
5. Background: Avoid Distracting Objects or Clothes That Blend With The Background.
💡Most likely, your company will hire a professional designer to edit the images and make them look like an in-house team. Even if the background changes later, try to avoid distracting objects in the background or the background that blends with your clothes.
6. Dress Code: Look Professional
💡You want to wear formal clothing and look professional. Try to avoid too much makeup, distracting jewelry, and bold patterns. Avoid too revealing outfits.
💡Try to wear an outfit that has high contrast with your background. A light-toned shirt with a dark blazer is a classic professional look.
Finally: Just Take Your Shots!
💡⚡Take at least 10 photos. Try different locations, backgrounds, and postures. You may be uncomfortable in front of the camera, but avoid the temptation to take one photo and then quit.
