How to Take a Headshot

A lot of times a headshot is the first—and sometimes only—impression someone will have of that person. Whether it serves as a badge, runs with a newspaper article or is part of a portfolio, having it look good is important to the person and should be equally important to the photographer. Taking a headshot may seem like a simple task (and it doesn’t take a relatively long amount of time), but a lot of thought needs to be behind it, and it needs to be taken serious to please the person and yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Person
• Location (varies)
• Chair (optional)
• Camera (preferably a digital one with a zoom)
• Tripod (optional)

Instructions

1. Determine what your assignment is. Will this run in print or will it be part of a modeling portfolio? Does the shot need to be serious or playful? How big will the printed picture be? By knowing the answers to these questions, you will know if your subject needs to be in front of a blank wall or otherwise, if your subject needs to smile or make a silly face and how to otherwise set up your shot.

2. Find the location. Decide if you need to take the picture in front of a white or colored wall, a brick wall, window or other location.

3. Prepare the subject. Place the subject in front of the desired location. Tell that person where to stand or sit and how to pose (smile, neutral). Make them feel comfortable by talking casually to them so the picture doesn’t look forced, faked or nervous.

4. Step back. If you are near the subject and helping to arrange her, step back once you think you’ve got it set up how you want it to look. If you don’t like the location, how she is sitting, the face she is making, etc., you might have to change it a few times.

5. Set up the shot. Once you are sure you have the shot set up how you want it—the subject in the right location and cooperating—get the camera ready by arranging the tripod or setting up the camera. Add a flash or change the camera settings if needed. Then, zoom in close on the subject—usually just above the top of the head/hair and down to the mid-shoulder; leave room on the sides just to the edge of the arm line (you can always crop in later if you plan to use a photo editing software).

6. Snap the shot. Take a few shots to make sure you can get perfect shot--try a few different poses to get more choices.