2021 is the year I’ve decided to re-launch and re-brand the entire “Haute” brand and with that comes a lot of work! I’ve decided to take it into bite-size pieces and source help for a lot of things and also do as much as I can by myself with the help of Google and YouTube.
One of those things I had to do quickly, is taking my own headshots! Headshots can get pricey depending on the photographer and their skill level and how in-demand they are. I thought that I would try my hand at taking my own photos since I have all the tools and this is how it came out! Keep reading for 5 Tips for Taking your own Headshots at Home.
5 Tips for Taking your own Headshots at Home
- Decide on the look you are going for: My headshot is a bit different, as I wanted something that would show my creativity without it being “too much” and I still wanted it to be just enough for something more professional. I decided that I would show my personality with clothing and opted for a solid cream blazer with gold hardware and a fun pink ruffled top. I decided to keep the hair, makeup, and accessories simple as I did not want to draw attention to those areas.
- Choose a solid background: Always remember the golden rule in life, fashion & business “less is more”. I experimented with a gold glittered background and also a nude background but ended up using the wall and adding in a background. I chose a pink background which was vibrant and fun and was more on the creative side and also two gray backgrounds: one that was a solid gray and one had a gradient. This way, I have the same photo but 3 different backgrounds that can be used for a variety of things.
- Know your Angles: I watched a few videos on YouTube for ideas on how to pose and how to find my best angle. I already knew that my good side is my right side so I did a few photos from that side but I still experimented with the left side so I had options. Also, be flexible with poses! Do not be stiff — experiment with straight on vs from the side and even slightly over the shoulder. Also! If you wear glasses, decide if you will be wearing them or not — I decided to not wear mine as it kept leaving a weird glare.
- Stay away from Bold Prints: Again I say, less is more — stay away from prints like gingham, black and white plaid, paisley, and anything that can be given a distorted look once you’ve taken the photo. Also, ensure that the color you are wearing does not match with the background as it will wash you out!
- Professional Editing: The thing that will make your headshot stand out is the editing! If you are skilled in editing and have Photoshop or another editing software, ensure you play around with color grading. You want your photos to have that nice subtle, bright but glossy look that can easily look like a professional photographer took the photo. I am not skilled at editing in any way so I went to Fiverr, fumbled around, and found the perfect Photo Editor for only $10. He delivered online and did everything that I wanted. Fun fact about me: I do not like edited photos as I actually like how I look (as corny as that sounds) and I want when people see me in public, they can identify me as the same person from photos. I told him to make my photo brighter and removed lines from the corners of my nose that my glasses left. He did that and it looked amazing!
BONUS: Lighting is everything! I took my photos during the daytime around 1 pm and used different lighting. There were 3 natural light sources (2 windows to the side and front of me as well as a door, ceiling lights, and also a ring light. Things were super lit, literally so editing was a breeze.
If you are looking to take your own headshots and have all the things you need, go right ahead and use these tips. I hope these tips will help at least one person to get a step closer to their dreams.
#5 Tips for Taking your own Headshots at Home
#5 Tips for Taking your own Headshots at Home
#5 Tips for Taking your own Headshots at Home
#5 Tips for Taking your own Headshots at Home
#5 Tips for Taking your own Headshots at Home
