How to get a free headshot
You need a good headshot for your website, but how do you go about it?
Sometimes people can’t afford the investment for a professional photographer. Sometimes people pay for a photographer only to get back photos that feel artificial or awkward.
Did you know you can use a selfie as a headshot? It’s allowed!
Take it yourself.
The photo I’ve had on my website for over 3 years I took of myself. I can be comfortable with myself, and I can see what my face looks like in my phone in real time. These are two of the things that are lacking when getting your portrait done by someone else. (The alternative is to have someone you feel really comfortable with take them. And have them tell you a joke so you laugh naturally. They can show you a series of photos after they’re taken.)
The problem with “hiring” someone who’s not a trained professional (or getting your cousin to do it) is that the lighting may be unflattering, the pose may seem unnatural or slouchy, and the smile may appear forced. These people don’t know to have you tilt your chin down, open your eyelids more than seems natural, sit up so straight that it hurts, and they won’t tuck your hair behind your ear so you can see your cute earring, or gather your hair together on one side of your neck so it doesn’t look stringy or thin. You might end up with a bunch of photos you don’t really even want to use.
Taking a selfie for a headshot is totally legit. It isn’t going to discredit you or make you look “low-rent”. Selfies can capture a genuine image without the pressures or cost of a formal photoshoot.
Some of the most important pieces of advice for photographing your headshot are:
1. Take an insane number of photographs.
The objective is not to secure a single perfect shot on the first attempt but to create a broad selection from which to choose. By capturing a large volume of images, you increase the probability of capturing a variety of subtle microexpressions so your chances of getting a good one (that feels like you to you) increases.
2. Look after.
Professional photographers sometimes do this before you move, so the camera doesn’t go out of focus. But novices will take one, stop, look at it, and take another. If you ask a photographer to look at each, it will disappoint you, which can be demoralizing. Look later.
3. Try various angles, lighting, and expressions.
Remember to take some with playful or humorous expressions. Relax your facial muscles in between spurts by squinching up your face and mouth, then sticking your tongue out. Then laugh (at yourself) which truly gives you a genuine smile, which you can then get a few seconds of mileage out of. There’s freedom to experiment without an someone witnessing you, which enables you to get more comfortable. Move around in the environment a little, maybe priding the left then right side of your face. Move the phone up, down, turn it the other way. You’re going to look like a nut if you’re sitting at the park, but it will be over in a couple minutes. We live in a selfie culture now, so it’s nothing people haven’t seen before. Here’s an example:
4. Give it a sec to warm up.
People are stiff for the first few photos. Professionals just toss the first several shots because people take time to warm up. Give it a minute or two, just take a bunch of trash ones to get used to the exercise. You can delete them too. Once you’ve been doing it for a moment, you’ll sink into the activity a little bit.
5. Wear A LOT of makeup.
Even if you’re a dude or you don’t usually wear makeup, putting on face lotion, a little concealer on dark spots or pimples, pinching your cheeks to let the blood run to your face, and wearing at least some chapstick will go a long way. Cameras wash you out and depending on the lighting, it can bring out your least favorite attributes. If you’re a femme who’s ok with makeup, don’t be afraid to do a whole face treatment (but not, like, body glitter for a rave makeup). If you’re over 40, don’t cake on the foundation, it will crack and you’ll be upset about it.
In mine, I wore A LOT more makeup than I usually do (eyeliner, foundation, blush, lip liner, brow shadow & gel,) and it looks like I’m barely wearing any by the end of an hour and 2 outfit changes. My clients now see me without any makeup and it’s grand; but, they were attracted to me based on the photo on my website/profiles. It’s sad, but attractive therapists get more work. Grooming self-care projects self-worth, which is often what they want, but don’t have yet! Professional models and actors have SO MUCH MAKEUP on, trust me.
6. Grab a few different shirts.
One light, one medium, one dark. One bright, one subtle. It’s hard to tell what’s going to work before you see it, so doing a wardrobe change, (even though it’s extremely awkward in public places). If you can’t afford nice stuff, charge it at Nordstrom and then take it back. They take returns almost for life. Worst case scenario, you can generate a different shirt using AI later. I’ve done that with a few clients who were wearing ill-fitting blazers or see-through shirts that were very unflattering or looked clunky.
This will give you more color options to choose from. People want to know you tried, versus showing up in your favorite old tee shirt because you’re attached to or because your grandma gave you that scarf.
Ultimately, a successful headshot should illustrate someone at their professional best, even if it’s not who you really are day to day. If you struggle with self-esteem, take the mindset of “act as if”. Act as if you feel comfortable in that silk blouse and blazer. Act as if you’re the kind of person who has a skin care regimen just for that day. Take those photos as if you love yourself no matter what. Act as if you love taking selfies!
It will show and it might even get you more business!
