How to take a headshot with your phone
On this page you will find instructions for how to take a great headshot with your cell phone.
After you take your headshot, please submit it to us for retouching and processing so we can coordinate your companies photo style with other employees.
If you have a professional or decent quality camera, please use your camera to take your headshot instead of a phone.
STEP 1:
wardrobe + makeup
WARDROBE:
Prior to taking your headshots, discuss with your employer what the preferred wardrobe they would like you to wear. Press your clothes to remove wrinkles and use a lint-roller if you see any pet hair or lint on your clothing.
GET READY:
Plan extra time to do your hair and makeup and select your wardrobe. We tell clients to spend an extra 15 minutes than you normally would to look over your personal grooming. Taking these extra steps helps ensure you will love your images.
STEP 2:
SET UP YOUR SHOT
SELECT THE RIGHT SPOT:
Lighting is EVERYTHING . Find a location in your home with the best natural light. Just inside of a door or a large window that has soft filtered light is usually best. You want to avoid direct sun beams as this will cause the light to be too harsh.
ABOUT THE BACKGROUND:
If possible, place a solid white sheet or white wall behind you. If you are unable to access a white sheet, avoid having a distracting background behind you.
SET UP YOUR PHONE:
Your phone should be far enough away from you that allows for you to get a wide enough shot. The image should not be a “selfie”, rather a photo taken with your phone away from you. Ask a friend or family member to take the photo for you or use books stacked up to position your phone away from you. Use the timer on your phone if needed. We welcome the use of a ring light or professional photographic lighting if you have access to it.
CAMERA SETTINGS:
Do not use “portrait mode” as this actually messes up our retouching process. Please take a normal photo with no special effects.
CROPPING:
Crop to just above your waist (see examples), and DO NOT cut off your shoulders on either side of your body. We need a wide shot of your entire upper-torso so that we have the ability to crop the image in to match other team members headshots. Take photo vertically (up and down).
BODY LANGUAGE:
Stand up straight, don’t sit or slouch. Expression should be natural and welcoming, not forced. Cheat shoulders away from the camera slightly with your face straight at camera (this will create a more slimming photo).
ADJUST CLOTHING:
Use a mirror or have your camera flipped towards you so you can adjust clothing and hair one last time. Men should have suits buttoned and ties straight. Cardigans or any open jackets should fall straight down over (not around) chest.
Use these images below as an example for proper cropping, body language, and clothing adjustment.
STEP 3:
TAKE YOUR PHOTO
STEP 4:
SUBMIT YOUR IMAGE
When you feel you have successfully taken a few images that you are happy with, please email them to us at TheCorporateShake (at) gmail.com. We will let you know within 24 hours if you need to re-do them or if they are ready to be retouched.
Please reach out if you have any questions, we are here to help!