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How to take professional headshot?
Source: @stevelawtonphotography

How To Take Professional Headshot: Essential Guide For Best Clicks

A professional headshot talks about your personality and professionalism. It is important for you to know how to take professional headshots to nail the perfect shots. You need to take care of the camera settings, lighting setups, wardrobe choices, etc. to capture the best professional headshot for your needs.

In this article, you will get to know how you can take professional headshots in many different settings and what are the best practices in detail. Get to know the right technique and capture professional headshots which will help you to stand out on the corporate ground. Let’s slide underneath and get ready to shine on your headshot photographs.

Why should you know how to take a professional headshot?

A professional headshot is essential for establishing a strong online presence. It serves as your professional introduction which makes you more appealing to your potential customers or employers. A well-taken headshot can open doors to new opportunities and help you stay ahead of competitors. People naturally form judgments based on appearance, and a professional headshot ensures that these judgments are positive.

Posture and presentation also play a significant for your professional headshots. In the age of social media, a high-quality headshot is indispensable. Professional headshot is not only about attractiveness. It should also present yourself confidently and professionally. A well-crafted headshot serves as a versatile asset which will shine your image across various platforms.

How to take professional headshot?

Professional headshots photography help you to make a strong first impression in various professional settings. You will often need them to use on such as LinkedIn profiles, company websites, and marketing materials. A great headshot showcases professionalism and can open doors to new opportunities. Let’s have a look at how to take professional headshots.

What Do You Wear For A Professional Headshot

You should always be careful what you wear for professional headshots. Solid colors are typically the best choice. They will create a clean and formal appearance. You should avoid the bold patterns because they can be distracting and unprofessional. The choice of color for your clothing should also complement your skin tone:

·       Light Skin Tones: Darker shades like navy, charcoal, and deep greens offer an admiring contrast.

·       Medium Skin Tones: Jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire, and ruby enhance your natural glow.

·       Olive Skin Tones: Earthy colors like browns, terracotta, and warm olives harmonize with your complexion.

·       Dark Skin Tones: Bright colors such as white, light pastels, and bold blues provide a striking variation.

What Do You Wear For A Professional Headshot
What Do You Wear For A Professional Headshot

Camera Angle & Setting

Proper camera settings and angles are vital for a sharp professional headshot. Set the camera at eye level to prevent unflattering angles. A wide aperture (like f/2.8 to f/4) will create a shallow depth of field, and ensure the subject stands out against a blurred background. Fast shutter speeds of at least 1/160s will help to capture sharp images.

Besides, you should also try to keep ISO low (ideally between 100-400) to minimize noise. Focus on the subject’s nearest eye to capture the sharpest detail. RAW format shooting is recommended because it will allow maximum flexibility in post-processing. Also, use a non-distorting lens rather than a wide-angle lens to maintain natural proportions.

Lighting/headshot lighting

High quality headshots always ask for effective lighting setup. The Triangle Setup (uses three light sources) will help to avoid unwanted shadows. Besides, shadows can also add a creative touch but they are usually best left to advanced photographers for artistic headshots.

Clamshell lighting can also be taken into use which positions lights above and below the subject. It will provide a soft, and flattering light for the professional headshots. Always try to maintain consistent lighting throughout the shoot. Get the best result of your headshots by experimenting with the size and position of the light source.

Expression

A natural expression is key to a successful headshot. It is also important to avoid appearing too stern or bossy. Have a confident yet genuine smile to make you look approachable and professional. Besides, a slight squint will add a touch of warmth and friendliness to your expression.

Crop

The ideal crop for a professional headshot is either 8×10 inches or 4:5. It is also often considered as industry standards. You should align the eye line with the first horizontal line by using the Rule of Thirds. Besides, you should also ensure that there is equal space around the shoulders while cropping. It will create a balanced and professional composition for the headshots.

Hairstyle

A clean, and well-groomed hairstyle is essential for a professional headshot. Messy hair should be avoided, although retouching can help correct minor issues. Women can go for soft waves or polished curls but should avoid overly tangled and twisted styles. Men should keep short hair neatly trimmed and medium to long hair well-combed. Simplicity and neatness are key for both men and women when it comes to hairstyle choice for professional headshots.

Posture

A good posture enhances the professional appearance of your headshot. The 3/4 angle pose is effective, and standing up straight is recommended. But sitting poses for headshots are also becoming increasingly popular nowadays. Tilt the chin slightly down to avoid a double chin appearance. Bring a natural and confident look to the photographs with relaxed shoulders. Having direct eye contact with the camera with a slight body angle will create a friendly yet authoritative presence.

Makeup

Light natural makeup is ideal for headshots. You can try a matte-finish foundation matching your skin tone. A lightweight concealer can also help cover dark circles. You should also make sure to keep your lips moisturized to ensure they look healthy and natural. If your budget allows, you can also hire a professional makeup artist. They can enhance your facial feature appearance without overdoing it.

Jewelry

Simple jewelry works best for professional headshots. Spectacles can be included if they are a natural part of your look. No jewelry altogether is also an option. Men might consider wearing a watch for a touch of professionalism. For women, a simple pendant necklace can be effective. But flashy or expensive jewelry should be avoided to maintain a professional appearance.

Hire a Professional Photographer

For the best quality headshots, hiring a professional photographer is highly recommended. Their expertise and experience will click a polished and marketable image. There is a noticeable difference between amateur and professional headshots, which can impact your professional presence.

A beginner photographer will charge around $25 to $200, mid-level photographers $75 to $500, and experienced photographers $250 to $1,500+. Choose the best tier photographer according to your professional headshot photography budget.

Editing Your Professional Headshot Photos

Professional headshot photos create a polished and compelling image. It also significantly impacts your online presence and professional interactions. Quality editing ensures that your headshot looks natural. Some of the common editing practices for professional headshot photos are shared below.

  • Skin Retouching: Skin retouching is a vital component of headshot editing. It focuses on smoothing out imperfections like blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. Get a flawless and youthful appearance without making the skin look unnatural or overly airbrushed.
  • Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening in headshot editing involves brightening the teeth to enhance your smile and make it more inviting. This adjustment can significantly improve your overall appearance by removing any discoloration or stains.
  • Color Correction: Color correction is essential for balancing the colors in your headshot. It involves adjusting the lighting, contrast, and white balance to make the image look more natural and visually appealing. Proper color correction enhances the overall tone of the photo.
  • Background Removal: Background removal in headshot allows you to remove any distracting or unsuitable backgrounds. This process ensures that the focus remains on you. Besides, it also enhances the overall composition of the headshot.
  • Hair Retouching: Hair retouching involves tidying up stray hairs, and enhancing volume. This process helps in presenting a polished appearance by adjusting the hair’s texture and eliminating any frizz or flyaways. Proper hair retouching contributes to a clean and professional look.
How To Take Professional Headshot
Source: @shootmenowuk

Is it possible to take professional headshots with a smartphone?

Yes, it is possible to take a professional headshot with an iPhone or most flagship smartphones at home. A flagship smartphone with a high-quality camera and features like portrait mode can help achieve a polished look. Natural light or a ring light is best for the headshot photography effect. Besides, the front-facing camera is preferable over the selfie camera for better quality.

Snap multiple shots from different angles and poses so that you can filter out the best headshot from multiple options. After that, post-process your images using photo editing apps like Snapseed or Lightroom. There are also new AI headshot generators like ProPhotos which can help to enhance your images. But for high quality professional headshots, the expertise of a professional photographer and a controlled setting are still essential.

Few Tips To Make My Headshot Look Professional

Professional headshot clicks require careful preparation and attention to detail. I am going to share with you some essential tips to ensure your headshot looks polished and effective. These tips can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your headshot. Let’s slide down and get to know more about it.

·       You should project confidence in your headshot to make a strong impression.

·       During the headshot session, you need to make sure you have enough time on hand without feeling rushed.

·       Get plenty of rest and drink enough water to avoid tired eyes and dehydrated skin.

·       A clean haircut and beard trim enhance your professional look.

·       Familiarize yourself with different poses by practicing in front of a mirror.

·       Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable to avoid strained expressions.

·       Seek professional help for finishing touches to enhance your image.

·       The headshot outfit should represent your personality professionally.

·       Invest in a skilled photographer to ensure top-quality headshots results.

Wrap Up

You already know how to take professional headshot with a strong first impression. Professional headshots should be polished with attention to grooming, and posture. Get the best headshots with the assistance of skilled photographers. Besides, you can also try professional headshot photography with your flagship smartphone. Present yourself with a confident, approachable and professional image across all platforms. Keep coming back for more updates shortly.