How to Take Your Own Professional Headshot

A good headshot depends far more on light than on equipment. Modern phone cameras are sharp enough; the job is to give them soft, even light and a clean background.

What you need

• Phone with a rear camera
• Tripod or a stack of books
• A window with indirect daylight
• A plain wall
• White poster board (optional)

7 steps to a DIY headshot

1. 1

   Face a window

   Stand 3–4 feet from a window with soft, indirect light on your face. Avoid direct sun; an overcast day is ideal.
2. 2

   Put a plain wall behind you

   Stand a few feet in front of it so your shadow falls away and the wall goes slightly soft.
3. 3

   Set the camera at eye level

   Use a tripod or books. A lens just above eye level is the most flattering angle.
4. 4

   Use the rear camera and a timer

   The rear camera is sharper than the selfie camera. Set a 10-second timer or use burst mode.
5. 5

   Frame from mid-chest up

   Leave room above your head; it's easier to crop tighter later than to add space.
6. 6

   Take a lot of shots

   Make small changes to your chin, shoulders and smile between frames. Fifty shots for two keepers is normal. Pose ideas.
7. 7

   Edit lightly

   Adjust exposure and crop. Skip beauty filters; they make headshots look less trustworthy.

Common mistakes

• Overhead lighting. Ceiling lights put shadows under your eyes. Turn them off and use the window.
• Camera too low. Shooting from below adds a chin. Raise the phone to eye level.
• Selfie-camera distortion. Arm's length makes noses look bigger. Use a timer and step back.
• Cluttered background. Shelves and doorways distract. Swap it afterward if you have to.

Good shot, messy room?Upload the photo you took and swap the background for a clean studio or office blur.

Change the background