DIY Tips to Take Professional Headshots at Home

Headshots play an integral part in our professional lives. However, getting a professional headshot photoshoot has become seamless—thanks to smartphones! If you’re planning to create a professional headshot by yourself, you’re at the right place. With our recommendation tips and the right technique, you can learn how to take a good headshot without burning a hole in your pocket. Today, we will discuss all about how to take headshots that look professional and polished. 

DIY headshots are perfect for someone who wants to make a huge impact on a budget. Before diving right into our detailed guide and exploring simple setups and lighting tricks that teach you how to take a headshot at home, let us understand what a headshot is and why it is important.

What is the importance of a headshot?

A headshot is a professional image from the shoulders and above that is a reflection of your personality and professionalism. It’s an effective tool to make a lasting impression on colleagues, clients, and recruiters. It is generally used to represent you across various platforms, such as LinkedIn, resumes, and websites. It plays a vital role in shaping your career, as it is the first impression you make on potential clients, employers, and followers. 

How to Take a Professional Headshot?

Taking your own headshots at home is an affordable and practical way to enhance your personal brand. Using your smartphone can result in a high-quality DIY headshot. Suitable for updating your LinkedIn, website, resume, or social media profile, an authoritative and professional headshot. Let us check out a step-by-step guide to creating a headshot that is capable of making a lasting impact. 

10 Steps to Take a Professional Headshot with Your Smartphone

Below are some easy-to-follow steps to taking your own headshots:

Choose the Right Location 

Look for a well-lit, peaceful location with minimal distraction. Make sure that the place is simple, clean, and features neutral-colored walls or curtains as a background. Clean the clutter when taking headshots at home and avoid places with heavy footfall. It is recommended to look for a place that is close to large windows for supporting natural sources of lighting. Avoid walls or curtains with busy patterns.

Set Up Your Phone 

If you’re wondering how to take a professional headshot at home, the answer is simple—use your smartphone. Once you’ve found the right spot, set up your phone for capturing a clear and sharp headshot. To achieve a high-resolution image, use the rear camera of your smartphone. Consider using a tripod to hold your phone. To avoid blurry images, fixate your phone in the tripod and adjust it at eye level. In case you don’t have a tripod, place your phone on a flat surface, such as a high table or stack of books. 

Lighting Is Key 

Natural lighting is the best option for a DIY headshot. When figuring out how to take the best headshot, consider shooting during golden hour, i.e., one hour before sunset and one hour before sunset. For best results, place the setup near a large window or use a ring light to help even out shadows and cast additional light. Avoid harsh direct light and consider soft and flattering light to prevent shadows on your face.

Choose Simple, Professional Attire 

Opt for solid colors or simple patterns to avoid distraction. For authoritative and professional headshots, consider dark shades such as black, navy blue, and grey. Whereas for artistic and creative headshots, you can opt for bright or lighter shades to add warmth and approachability. Avoid busy patterns and flashy clothing with logos.

Mind Your Posture 

You should be mindful of your posture when taking your own headshots. For showcasing your professional image, stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back. Relax your hands on your laps or fold them across your chest. Avoid slouching; keep your body relaxed. 

Angle Your Face Slightly 

When exploring how to take a good headshot, you cannot ignore the most important aspect—your face. Turn your face slightly to one side and keep your chin down for a more flattering headshot. Avoid titling your head and stay confident. You can try a few angles in front of the mirror before getting clicked. 

Smile Naturally 

A natural and friendly smile will portray approachability in your headshot. If you’re someone who doesn’t know how to take professional headshot at home, consider looking for references on the web. While taking your own headshots, imagine standing next to a close friend and bringing a genuine, relaxed smile to your face.

Framing and Composition 

The framing of a headshot mostly includes your head and shoulders. For a DIY headshot, position the camera at eye level for a more flattering composition. Leave some space around your face for a better composition. This helps make it look visually appealing, neat, and open. 

Take Multiple Shots 

Trial and error is part of the process when you’re experimenting on how to take headshots. So, don’t stop at just one shot and try experimenting with different angles, lighting setups, phone settings, and expressions. Taking your own headshots gives you full control over the final result. 

Edit for a Polished Finish 

Now that you’ve learnt how to take your own headshot, it’s time to show your end result to the world. However, you cannot do this before editing the final version. Once you’re through the process of how to take a professional headshot by yourself, use editing tools to enhance the photo. You can use apps such as Snapseed, VSCO and Adobe to edit your DIY headshot. For basics, adjust the brightness, contract, sharpen, and aim for a polished, natural look. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to take a DIY headshot at home?

The process of learning how to take headshots begins by finding a good spot at home, adjusting the phone setting to high-resolution, and fixing it at eye level. Smile at the camera wearing formal clothing and edit for best results.

2. Can you do your own headshot?

Yes, taking your own headshot at home is an easy task that only requires a smartphone. By learning how to take a professional headshot by yourself, you can save money and gain control over the final photo.

3. Can you take headshots on your phone?

Yes, smartphones allow capturing high-resolution pictures. Aim to click a picture in natural lighting with a clean background for a professional result. For best results, enhance your image using photo editing apps.

4. How do you pose for a headshot at home?

To achieve a professional and approachable headshot, stand or sit up straight with your face slightly away from the camera. Aim for a relaxed smile and avoid tilting your head.

5. How to take a great headshot of yourself?

For learning how to take headshots, make sure you have a good spot with natural lighting and a smartphone with a high-resolution camera. Adjust the phone at eye level, and pose confidently with a genuine smile on your face.

6. Can I take headshots indoors if I don’t have access to natural light?

Yes, absolutely! You can learn to take your own headshot with a ring light for a professional image. Place the light at eye level and adjust its settings to prevent creating shadows on your face.

Are you on a budget but still want stunning professional headshots?

We have got you covered!

Welcome to InstaHeadshots! We’re your go-to AI solution for creating standout professional headshots. InstaHeadshots makes it easy to get high-quality images from the comfort of your home. 

Why Choose InstaHeadshots?

It is perfect for you and your friends as it offers:

• Outstanding Reviews: Our clients rave about the quality and professionalism of our work.
• Superior Quality: We deliver high-quality headshots that capture your unique personality and professionalism.
• Competitive Pricing: Get exceptional value with our competitively priced packages.
• Stress-Free Experience: Enjoy a seamless and comfortable photoshoot process without any hassle.
• Customizable Packages: We offer a range of packages tailored to fit your specific needs and budget.

Contact Us:

Got questions or need more information? Our friendly team is here to help. Reach out at help@instaheadshots.com. 

Don’t Wait! Get Your Perfect Professional Headshot Today.