- Consider wearing solid-color clothing without patterns so it does not distract from your face
- Dress for your role
- Usually either business casual or business professional is best for a headshot photo
- Hair should be neat and make-up should be natural-looking
- Avoid big jewelry
- Find a solid background that is tidy and clutter-free
- This could be a solid-colored wall in your home
- If you are taking the headshot indoors, set yourself up next to a window and turn off any lights in the room
- Choose a time of day where non-directional light pours into the room
- If you are outside, choose a shady area, stay away from direct sunlight or spotty light, and find an area with a simple background
- Disable any flash on your mobile device or camera and always use the natural light from outside
- Use your camera on a self-timer, or grab someone to take the photo(s) for you
- If you are using a self-timer, set your phone up using a piece of furniture or mini phone stand
- Ensure the camera is steady and eye-level
- Take multiple headshots for options o Pose in different positions, smile and try a few different clothing options
- How you edit your photo is just as important as how you take it
- Make sure it is bright enough, the contrast is right, and the sharpness makes your headshot look crisp
- Afterlight is a great editing app if you need to adjust the lighting, contrast, or sharpness
- Save the photo at its regular size so it does not lose resolution
- Upload your picture on Handshake, LinkedIn, etc.