How to Get a Headshot Photo: Quick Tips and Tricks for Success
Getting a good headshot photo is essential to your success. Whether you’re applying for a job, looking for love, or trying to get more followers on social media, the quality of your image will determine whether people want to click on it. In this blog post, Sydney Headshot Photographer Dan Cantero shares some headshot photography tips and tricks that will help you take high-quality photos so that all of those things become easier!
Deciding what type of photo you need is the first part of the formula. Your photo needs to represent you when you are not there so it needs to send the right message. For example, you may want to come across as a serious professional that is approachable and friendly. These are all things that need to be worked into the photo which leads to the first tip.
Expression
Your expression is the thing that will speak to others. It is also going to be the first impression you make. It is unrealistic to think that you will not be judged by your photo. This may not sound like a nice thing to say but it is a fact that people will make up a large part of their first impression by looking at your photo. Your photo often decides if they are going to look further into what you are all about.
Background
There are numerous types of backgrounds that you can use for your photo. In my opinion, the best type of background that you can have is one with a neutral color. A white backdrop, for example, will make your photo look as if it’s been professionally taken and might catch an eye more quickly than another option because there are no other objects to distract the viewer.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important factors in taking a headshot photograph. Make sure the light is soft so that there are no hard shadows in the face. Nothing shouts “amateur” more than unflattering shadows on the face. If you do not have access to professional lighting equipment, make sure you are facing a large window with diffused light. Translucent (white) curtains normally work well.
Camera height
The camera has to be a similar height to the person you are photographing. You don’t want to look up to someone or down on someone as you are going to introduce distortion in the image which looks amateurish.
Wardrobe
For a professional headshot photograph, you need to be wearing the right clothes because it says something about your professionalism. Wearing clothes that are too fashionable will make you look out of date, and wearing oversized items like a sweater or sweatshirt will also not work well because it can give the impression that you lack confidence in who you are.
Post-Production Editing
There are many types of editing software to choose from when producing a headshot photograph but I recommend Photoshop or something similar because they allow you to alter the photo in ways other programs cannot. For instance, Lightroom doesn’t let you change lightning which means if there is too much light on your face then that part won’t show up well on camera and this could lead to fewer opportunities for others to see what you’re all about. In case no post-production editing program is available, you may want to consider sending your photo to an image retoucher.
Dan Cantero
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