This playbook will help you take a legit headshot using only a smartphone and a nearby location.📍

While everyone has the power to take photos with smartphones, not all images are created equally. You want to make sure you have a legit headshot to use across all of your accounts: LinkedIn, Gmail, or other social media accounts.

Say goodbye to these profile pictures! 👋

Your headshot will set the stage for first impressions as you meet people, be your avatar on slack. Make it authentic and have high standards!

1. Set yourself up for success with a good camera setup📸

• Have a good-camera-quality smartphone with portrait mode (iPhone, Google Pixel, etc.)

  • The later the model, the better the camera will be. Borrow your parents, borrow a friend’s, or make a new friend borrow their phone for an afternoon to get a legit photo.
  • Portrait mode will help make you sharp and in focus and blur out the background.
  • Download an app that will allow you to take RAW photos. These allow for better editing afterward.

  ACTION: Watch these videos 👇

  https://youtu.be/CJpC__VVcWc

  2. Get a good shot with lighting and pose 🔦

  Diffuse Lighting - The quality of the shot is directly proportional to the quality of lighting. Bad lighting will ruin a good shot.

  Have good diffuse lighting that highlights you as the subject. There should be no shadows on your face, and you should be brighter than the background.

  • Tip: Cloudy days are the best way to get perfect diffuse lighting. Or you can stand in front of a window.

  ✔ Do use diffuse, soft lighting ❌ Don't have harsh shadows

  (hint: put a white t-shirt in front of the light) (don't use single-point lighting)

  

  Clean background with contrast - Make sure the background does not detract from you as the subject. Have depth, blur, and contrast between you and your background.

                   ****❌ **Don't**                                                                       ✔ **Do**                                                                                                                        
  

  

Be intentional with what you wear- No suit and tie but also no ripped hoodie. Be authentic to yourself and make sure your clothing is clean. Don't have it be a distraction or focal point of your photo. Make sure the camera angle is at eye level and you are centered looking straight at the camera

1. Make your photo tell a story

Reveal something about you - The best photos tell a story. It's in your body posture, your eyes, and your facial expression. Here are some prompts for helping your photo tell a story. Boss mentality, Curiosity, and Enthusiasm should be delivered through your profile picture.

• Tip: Work with a friend or family member and have fun with making a shoot. Some times the best shots are the ones in between poses, so be sure to get candid shots in there. The more photos you take the more you can choose from in post-processing.

1. Edit your photo to make it pop📸

Edit the contrast and colors so your photos pop. Check out the photo editing playbook for tips.🤳

• You can also use preset edits, such as the VSCO app.
• Tip: Editing cannot make a bad photo and make it good. Make sure you have 1-3 down. Editing helps a good photo and makes it great.