Headshots are becoming more and more important as each workplace becomes more digital and remote. Have you ever sat on a zoom meeting and you’re the only one who doesn’t have a headshot as your photo? Are you using a cropped friend photo or are you sticking with the person outline? Either way, you need to take the perfect headshot.
I’m going to run through my five tips and then give you four examples of headshots and what I like and don’t like about each of them a la So Many Thoughts style.
My eight tips to taking the perfect headshot:
- Find Good Light – don’t put it behind you, find soft light so it’s not beaning you directly, and don’t let yourself be dappled with it
- Keep your Boring Background – if you’re taking these in a house then make sure your background is a blank wall; take art off the walls if you have to. If you’re outside then make sure it’s a mostly monotone color or have there be enough space between you and the background so it will be out of focus.
- Your Outfit Should be One Degree More Formal than your Workplace – if your office is business causal then wear a blazer in yours; maybe you can wear a colored blazer. A good check is to see what your boss is wearing in theirs and match or exceed their level of formality.
- Keep it to (mostly) Solids – no prints beyond a slight pinstripe. Just don’t do it.
- Clean Lines – keeps the lines of your arms and body clean. If you need to bend your arms then do it at the elbows only. If you’re shrugging your shoulders or your hands are above your shoulders you’ve lost the plot.
- Keep your Smile Soft – teeth are fine, but my recommendation is to use the smile that doesn’t scrunch your eyes up
- Only a Slight Head Tilt – if a full glass of water would fall off the very top of your head then it’s tilted too far
- Find a Professional – if you can’t find one or are not offered one by your office then so be it, but you’re going to get the best shot with a professional photographer
Slide to see my edits on each of the below headshots!
Shop the Perfect Headshots Look:
Thank you so much for compiling this list and prividing a detailed analysis of your own pictures! I‘ve been thinking about updating my headshots for a while now and your tips will help a great deal when I finally get the courage to take some professional selfies. Thanks a lot, keep doing what you‘re doing!