How to Make Your Own Professional Headshot for Free

STEVE MOORE CHAIRMAN AND CEO Parman Energy Group - Photo By Kenneth Purdom

How to Make Your Own Professional Headshot for Free

Avoid these mistakes and attain the same level of perfection with a headshot as of professionals, for free.

Gone are the days when professional headshot pictures were not worth emphasizing. Very few used to care about quality aspects around it. It won't be wrong to claim that it was moreover about those small passport-sized photos. However, the scenario has changed significantly in modern times. In this time of LinkedIn, an appealing, professional headshot photoshoot seems quite essential.

However, when it comes to professional photoshoots, the first thing that comes to mind is the budget. On the other hand, everyone knows that a quality headshot photoshoot can provide much-needed attention among the recruiters. In a competitive scenario, this can give a much-needed edge. What to do; should one borrow some money? Well, no need for that in this technological period. You can click at home and still attain the same quality. And no, it's not as complicated as you think. All you need to ensure is avoiding the mistakes below:

Avoid These Mistakes On Your Headshots

1. Using low-quality cameras

We're done with the days when the definition of the high-resolution photograph used to be too cryptic for a commoner. And people would think that the photographer taking the shot is a genius. Well, now you realize that it's all about the camera. So, just keep your laptop webcam or even the phone camera aside and pick a professional camera (rent it if budget is an issue).

2. Poor lighting

Lighting always plays a crucial role in deciding picture quality. If you have to take a photo instantly and there is no room for adequate light, squeezing down the area may work. But it's a mistake to use flashlights on such occasions as it affects quality significantly. The most helpful suggestion would be to come under daylight or natural light. 

Well, you don't need to stand under scorching sunlight falling upon you directly. Forget about brightness; you will get shadows instead. The perfect option would be to use the scattered sun rays that often fall through the windows. If there is no room available and you have to go outside, it would best to wait till the end of the afternoon (preferably an hour or a couple before sunlight). Try it, and thank me later.   

3. Cluttered background

Often people make their beautiful faces look weird to be creative. Remember, a pro is, after all, a pro. They are taught well about attaining perfection in position. Don't be greedy and try those challenging shots if you are inexperienced. Keep it simple, but attain perfection. What I highly suggest is to stand at a little distance from a wall with deep shade. Standing too closer to it may lead to the formation of shadows. Single-colored walls give the same feel as clicking professional shoots.   

In case there is no single color wall, clicking at your workplace would be your excellent option. All that you need to secure is that there are not too many objects to disturb. You might have to blur them later. Emphasis should always be on your face—or simply yourself. The simpler the background, the better it is as headshots are concerned for a professional profile.   

4. Wrong outfit

People don't realize how annoying it looks to wear the wrong clothes on inappropriate occasions. There needs to be some sense while selecting clothes for a photoshoot. You can't wear a too fluorescent shirt while having an even brighter backdrop for a professional headshot. 

Similarly, you can't expect to gain a great impression of recruiters upon wearing a casual jacket. Remember, headshots don't look good with casual tees or jackets, at least for professional profiles. People may not realize it, but these little things may lead to the rejection of someone's candidature as well. Ask any professional photographer; he would never suggest clicking a formal photo wearing casual wear. 

Yes, things often differ from industry to industry. People in creative fields may not necessarily need to wear a blazer every time. But this doesn't mean they can wear polka dot shirts or floral loose fit shirts. The problem is that these shirts take away the much-needed impression of the headshot. Take some time to pick the right kind of attire. 

5. Inappropriate selfies

Selfies are as essential as breathing for some. But, a recruiter may not be kind enough to understand these feelings. Well, the selfies are not banned, though, for professional purposes. The thing is that the ways we take selfies don't portray the face entirely to be accepted by a professional recruiter. Your highlighted jawline, stretched arms, etc., don't impress recruiters as it distorts the face (though you think it is making you look good).  

If you in no way can ask others to take a click, the soundest recourse would be to stand at a little distance from the camera. Instead of making a weird arrangement of tripods, use timers on your phones or camera.

6. Not asking for comments

Humbleness has been the secret of everyone successful today. The same attribute you must carry as well. Don't take it to your ego level to ask for feedback. Okay, you are not egoistic but shy; both are the same thing. The point is to ask for feedback. Even upon sticking with instructions of pros, often pictures are not clicked well. 

World's best actors also often depend upon others to know whether their facial expression is correct enough. Most importantly, all these particular aspects do matter at the professional level extremely. Those who care about their profession should take these little aspects well.

Therefore, your headshot can look as catchy as a pro, and you don't need to spend huge bucks for that. Just keep the above aspects in mind while clicking. These methods are all tried and quite proven, too. Thus, don't worry, and be careful to have the best headshot to portray your personality well.  

Gone are the days when professional headshot pictures were not worth emphasizing. Very few used to care about quality aspects around it. It won't be wrong to claim that it was moreover about those small passport-sized photos. However, the scenario has changed significantly in modern times. In this time of LinkedIn, an appealing, professional headshot photoshoot seems quite essential.

However, when it comes to professional photoshoots, the first thing that comes to mind is the budget. On the other hand, everyone knows that a quality headshot photoshoot can provide much-needed attention among the recruiters. In a competitive scenario, this can give a much-needed edge. What to do; should one borrow some money? Well, no need for that in this technological period. You can click at home and still attain the same quality. And no, it's not as complicated as you think. All you need to ensure is avoiding the mistakes below:

1. Using low-quality cameras

We're done with the days when the definition of the high-resolution photograph used to be too cryptic for a commoner. And people would think that the photographer taking the shot is a genius. Well, now you realize that it's all about the camera. So, just keep your laptop webcam or even the phone camera aside and pick a professional camera (rent it if budget is an issue).

2. Poor lighting

Lighting always plays a crucial role in deciding picture quality. If you have to take a photo instantly and there is no room for adequate light, squeezing down the area may work. But it's a mistake to use flashlights on such occasions as it affects quality significantly. The most helpful suggestion would be to come under daylight or natural light. 

Well, you don't need to stand under scorching sunlight falling upon you directly. Forget about brightness; you will get shadows instead. The perfect option would be to use the scattered sun rays that often fall through the windows. If there is no room available and you have to go outside, it would best to wait till the end of the afternoon (preferably an hour or a couple before sunlight). Try it, and thank me later.   

3. Cluttered background

Often people make their beautiful faces look weird to be creative. Remember, a pro is, after all, a pro. They are taught well about attaining perfection in position. Don't be greedy and try those challenging shots if you are inexperienced. Keep it simple, but attain perfection. What I highly suggest is to stand at a little distance from a wall with deep shade. Standing too closer to it may lead to the formation of shadows. Single-colored walls give the same feel as clicking professional shoots.   

In case there is no single color wall, clicking at your workplace would be your excellent option. All that you need to secure is that there are not too many objects to disturb. You might have to blur them later. Emphasis should always be on your face—or simply yourself. The simpler the background, the better it is as headshots are concerned for a professional profile.   

4. Wrong outfit

People don't realize how annoying it looks to wear the wrong clothes on inappropriate occasions. There needs to be some sense while selecting clothes for a photoshoot. You can't wear a too fluorescent shirt while having an even brighter backdrop for a professional headshot. 

Similarly, you can't expect to gain a great impression of recruiters upon wearing a casual jacket. Remember, headshots don't look good with casual tees or jackets, at least for professional profiles. People may not realize it, but these little things may lead to the rejection of someone's candidature as well. Ask any professional photographer; he would never suggest clicking a formal photo wearing casual wear. 

Yes, things often differ from industry to industry. People in creative fields may not necessarily need to wear a blazer every time. But this doesn't mean they can wear polka dot shirts or floral loose fit shirts. The problem is that these shirts take away the much-needed impression of the headshot. Take some time to pick the right kind of attire. 

5. Inappropriate selfies

Selfies are as essential as breathing for some. But, a recruiter may not be kind enough to understand these feelings. Well, the selfies are not banned, though, for professional purposes. The thing is that the ways we take selfies don't portray the face entirely to be accepted by a professional recruiter. Your highlighted jawline, stretched arms, etc., don't impress recruiters as it distorts the face (though you think it is making you look good).  

If you in no way can ask others to take a click, the soundest recourse would be to stand at a little distance from the camera. Instead of making a weird arrangement of tripods, use timers on your phones or camera.

6. Not asking for comments

Humbleness has been the secret of everyone successful today. The same attribute you must carry as well. Don't take it to your ego level to ask for feedback. Okay, you are not egoistic but shy; both are the same thing. The point is to ask for feedback. Even upon sticking with instructions of pros, often pictures are not clicked well. 

World's best actors also often depend upon others to know whether their facial expression is correct enough. Most importantly, all these particular aspects do matter at the professional level extremely. Those who care about their profession should take these little aspects well.

Therefore, your headshot can look as catchy as a pro, and you don't need to spend huge bucks for that. Just keep the above aspects in mind while clicking. These methods are all tried and quite proven, too. Thus, don't worry, and be careful to have the best headshot to portray your personality well.