A professional headshot showcases your professionalism and gives employers an idea of who you are in the business world. Headshots are an absolute must in our world of social media and online profiles, and they are necessary for a LinkedIn profile, personal website, blog, and online article submissions.

Your professional headshot offers the first impression to clients, coworkers, prospective clients, and prospective coworkers. It is crucial that it grabs the attention of others and invokes positive attention. Here is helpful information for capturing the best professional headshots.

Be Prepared

Ensure that you prepare for your headshot in advance. Plan your outfits, take care of your skin, eat well, drink plenty of water, and get plenty rest.

Position the Camera

Try to position the camera between a natural light source and yourself. Natural light provides 360-degree lighting. Artificial lighting often causes a shadowy effect and comes off as harsh. Avoid direct sunlight if possible. If you use a smartphone, use the front-facing camera for the best quality.

Use a Neutral Background

A neutral-colored brick wall, outdoor setting, or solid wall is ideal for a headshot background. Try to avoid busy locations that have clutter and other elements that are distancing.

No Filters

The idea of a headshot is to show the real you. So, avoid any filters that make you look perfect or different. Try to look like you usually do. Hiring managers looking at your photo are likely to meet you in person at some point. Try to avoid looking completely different from your headshot photos!

Take several images in one sitting. You can try out several outfits to give you options with different looks. Remember that it is easiest to get the perfect headshot when you have several photos from which to select.

Make the Right Color Choices

A solid shirt is the best choice for a headshot. Neutral colors like black, navy, cream, and white work very well. If you opt for a lighter color shirt, wear a darker suit jacket to offer some contrast.

Be Prepared for Black-and-White

Most headshots are in color. However, you might require a black-and-white photo. Contrast is vital when it comes to these types of images. If you wear two lighter colors together, they will match almost exactly in the picture and show very light.

Dress for the Industry

All industries have their definition of appropriate work attire. It might be casual or business formal. Try your best to mirror other professionals in your industry and workplace and similarly dress for your headshot.

Go Easy on the Accessories

Too many accessories will be a distraction in a headshot. Are you wearing earrings? Choose simple, non-distracting ones. Your hair and makeup must look professional. Your goal must be to get people to notice you, not the accessories or lack of grooming.

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