How to Take A Great Headshot with Your Phone
Whether you’re looking to learn how to take headshots to use for your instagram profile picture or brand kit bio. You’ll want to think about what feeling you want to portray and where you want to use them. Most business owners are looking for a feeling of being approachable, trustworthy and competent. But how do you achieve all of that and still look good? By the end of this post you’ll have learnt; what type of headshot you want and how to take a good headshots. HINT: It’s more about you than it is the camera.
What is a headshot?
A headshot is simply a picture of your head or head & shoulders. A good headshot is well lit, with eye contact.
Is a selfie a headshot?
Headshot are planned, balanced, professionally. A selfie is never professional.
But that doesn’t you can’t learn how to take headshots yourself with your phone. It’s actually easier than you think.
What to wear for a headshot?
Selecting the right colour that matches your skin tone and/or eyes truly is the best method for providing a flattering look to your headshot. Avoid yellows and beiges that will blend into your skin tones.
My favourite professional headshot tips
Headshot tip #1 – Smile with teeth
It turns out that smiling does more than make you just look happy — it actually makes you feel happy too. It also perceived as more trustworthy and approachable. If you’re feeling self conscious and what to know how to take headshots and smile without looking like the Joker then put your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
Headshot tip #2 – Jawline Shadow
By moving your forehead forward and chin slight down, like a tortoise poking its head out of its shell. No jawline shadow, no definition. If you want to show confidence and competence then this is my go to tip for how to take headshots.
Headshot tip #3 – Squinch
Headshot tip #4 – Hold your sub
Pro Note: This doesn’t work for full body or 3/4 portrait poses – Check out my how to take a full body picture.
Headshot tip #5 – You look where they look
Human beings have a natural tendency to follow the gaze of others, and we have been coached since birth to follow arrows directing us to where we should be looking/going.Use this to your advantage with your headshots.
Headshot tip #6 – Rule of space
While a close up of you will give emphasis and help build trust. It’s important to balance it. There are other ways take good pictures of yourself.
If you want to stand out the crowd, try giving yourself a little more space and use the rule of thirds, not only will it emphasis scale but it will give you options to crop to different ratios, add text, products or CTA’s.
HOW TO TAKE HEADSHOTS WITH YOUR PHONE WITH THESE 5 SIMPLE STEPS
Use your best camera
Use the back camera on your smartphone or a DSLR on a tripod, it’s much better quality.
Pick a simple background for headshot
Using a plain colour background will help emphasis you. You can be as creative or as classic as you want in this. Orange and green have been a proven favourite after the classic black and white studio look, but don’t underestimate using a wall or nature to provide a simple background.
Use natural light
Open shade or window light is best for this.
Use a remote trigger
There’s many ways to trigger the camera to take the shot when you’re doing this alone; timer, apps or remotes. Bluetooth remotes are still my favourite if you don’t have a friend to hand.
Relax
Don’t be afraid to take a few or even use burst mode so you can capture the real you. Learning how to pose yourself to look good in pictures is just about learning which angles work best and remembering my top headshot tips from above.
