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3 Helpful Tips To Take Your Headshot Using Your Phone
- Chanel French
- Jul 9, 2019
- 2 min read
YES, you read that right. With your PHONE!
A few classmates from my User Experience Cohort at General Assembly needed new headshots for LinkedIn, and being the professional photographer that I am I decided to offer them casual headshot mini-sessions.
All of the headshots I've done for my classmates so far have been using an iPhone (including the photos in this post), and if you know anything about me you know I'm a firm believer that you don't need the best gear in the world to make things happen. If you're looking for tips on how to take better photos with your phone, you can find those HERE.
However, if you're looking for a few easy tips to help you take a good, casual headshot with your cell phone, keep reading below.
1. Find your light
Tyra Banks used to say this on America's Next Top Model constantly, and for good reason. It's solid advice that translates to any situation.
No matter what's going on or who is taking your photo or what tool they're using: above all else, find your light.
If you're a super beginner, I'm going to break down the easiest way for you to find your light.
For universally flattering light that's easy to photograph, your photographer should be standing between you and your light source. This will give you nice, even light across your face that will photograph well. Voila! You have the start to an awesome headshot.
*Pro tip: avoid shooting your headshot outside when the sun is the highest. This will cast ugly shadows underneath your eyes, giving you a raccoon look. If you can't avoid the sun, either find a nice spot with shade or take your headshot indoors.
2. Clear out that background
Details are key, especially when it comes to elevating your cell phone headshots. Keep a very close eye on what's going on in the photo, especially in the background.
Avoid backgrounds that are too cluttered and distracting. Instead, go for a backdrop that matches the vibe of your headshot and accentuates your aesthetic.
When in doubt, opt for a clean, solid background that won't take the attention away from you - the star of this headshot show.
3. Edit your headshot
You don't have to be a photoshop wiz for this last tip. All you need is a few good editing apps that can help you elevate your headshot to look a bit more professional than the average snapshot.
A few of my favorites:
Lightroom Mobile - be aware, there is a slight learning curve
VSCO - great for pre-made filters and pretty easy to use
Snapchat - I love their Healing tool to fix blemishes easily
There are tons more out there, but these are my tried & true go-to's that I easily recommend to anyone who asks.
4. When all else fails, hire me
You HAD to have known that was coming haha! But seriously, if you've done all you can and you find your photos just aren't coming out the way you'd like, hire a professional photographer with the expertise to help you make the right decisions from beginning to end to help capture your vision.
If you'd like to book a professional session with me, you can contact me HERE. Happy shooting, friends!
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