Summary:
- Setting the Scene for Your DIY Headshot
- Tech Tools to Discover
- DIY Headshot Poses and Angles
- How to Fine-Tune Your Headshot
- Taking an Extra Step with Your DIY Headshot
When we think of headshots, we often think of the professional photograph a company President or CEO would have on their website. That's a good place to start, but a headshot is much more than that. A headshot is a must for anyone from career professionals to freelancers, bloggers, founders and everyone in between.
Believe it or not, a headshot can be a deciding factor that will dictate if someone contacts you or not. In fact, according to LinkedIn, their members are 21 times more likely to get their profile viewed and can get up to 36 times more messages when using a LinkedIn profile picture.
Everyone deserves access to a headshot that will create an impact, but not everyone has access to the funds needed to get an in-studio headshot done.
It's time to take some notes because, in this blog post, we'll cover top DIY headshot tips and tricks that will allow you to create a strong first impression for a fraction of the cost.
According to LinkedIn, their members are 21 times more likely to get their profile viewed and can get up to 36 times more messages when using a LinkedIn profile picture.
Setting the Scene for Your DIY Headshot
Long are the days when you need expensive camera equipment to take quality photographs. Most mobile phones now have quality resolution with high megapixels, making it easy to take photos from the comfort of your home.
This brings the question…can selfies be professional enough for a headshot? Our answer is yes, and we'll teach you the steps to achieve the best possible outcome.
- Make sure that your background has a neutral backdrop. It can be a lighter or darker color to ensure that you are the focal point of the photo. Even if you don't have a lot to work with, try to avoid busy patterns.
- If at all possible, you want to position yourself near a window, ideally facing the window. If you don't have much natural light, you can consider taking the photo outdoors or in a room where the lighting is more white vs. yellow.
- Wear neutral colors. Avoid big patterns or bright colors, as the only focal point in the photo should be you. Of course, there are some exceptions, if you are a designer or work in fashion, we'd understand someone trying to achieve both.
- Put on some music, relax and remember that if the camera typically makes you nervous, in that moment, it's your time to shine, and the only one you have to impress is yourself.
Tech Tools to Discover
Now that the scene is set, it's time to get creative and see what you have in your home or office that could make this process easier. Ideally, you want to take a selfie without the photo looking like it's a selfie. To achieve this, we recommend the following tools.
- Use a tripod or anything to help you stabilize your device. If your phone or whatever device you are using has a timer, using a tripod will make it even more likely that your headshot will appear professional. If you don't have a tripod, try using a chair and a box on the chair to lean your phone against it. Depending on the height needed, you could also use a shelf or a stool.
- Using your phone timer. Most mobile devices these days have timers built-in to the camera function. If that's the case, we recommend giving yourself at least a ten-second countdown. This is enough time to position yourself at your most comfortable angle and not too much time to overthink your shot. The best part? You can repeat this process as needed.
- Do you have a wireless camera remote? What's great about using a wireless camera remote is that you control when you are ready to snap the photo. Since you are taking a headshot, it makes it easy to hide the remote or crop the photo to leave out this minor detail.
DIY Headshot Poses and Angles
Now that the scene has been set and you're ready with your tech stack, let's talk about angles. DIY headshot or not, knowing your angles is always a bonus when it comes to photography.
- Look at past photos and identify at least three where you feel you look your best. Try to repeat these angles and poses when taking your headshot.
- A no-fail angle when taking a headshot is when you are facing the camera. While we understand that this may make some people uncomfortable, it can be the most impactful headshot.
- Another popular angle is being slightly tilted to the side and turning your head slightly to face the camera. Cross your arms somewhat parallel to your chest.
You can also challenge the status quo and do something different that represents you. It's important to remember that people buy from people, so what makes you unique could be your recipe for your best headshot.
How to Fine-Tune Your Headshot
Depending on your lighting, you may want to make some minor adjustments to your headshot. A DIY headshot can look like a professional photograph, but it's important to do a bit of fine-tuning.
- You'll want to consider cropping your headshot. An ideal headshot is a clear image of your face and shoulder area.
- If the lighting appears yellow, you may want to reduce the warm tones and make the image a bit lighter. Depending on the tool you are using to edit your photo, this could be called a selective color tool or it could be found under the "adjust" section of an app like InShot, and you would adjust the lightness and warmth accordingly.
- If you didn't have access to a solid background while taking your headshot, you can remove the background and replace it with a solid color. This can easily be done in Photoshop or Canva.
Taking an Extra Step with Your DIY Headshot
There is a simple and cost-effective way to make your DIY headshot even better. At bareface, we understand the basics of what makes a great headshot, and we can help you create that lasting first impression.
Now that you have an awesome headshot created by yourself, let our artists handcraft and digitize the perfect finished product for you. Browse our headshot styles, select the perfect fit, and upload your selfie. That’s all it takes for our artists to get to work.
