5 Useful Tips to Improve Your Headshot Images

        5 Useful Tips to Improve Your Headshot Images Here’s a quick tip from our [Free eBook – Headshots 101](. If you missed out on your copy last time, it’s available again, and [free today](. –– Capturing a great headshot requires a few considerations that can really spell the difference between a mediocre shot and an excellent one. Here are five useful tips that you can use when creating headshots. 1. Framing Unless there is some creative reason, or use in reproduction, that requires a horizontal format, you are best off shooting headshots in a vertical format. [Photo by Aurimas]( The above image was professionally produced. When you’re creating headshots and you choose an unusual format or crop, make sure that there is a reason for it. 2. Choose the right equipment With a headshot assignment, you want to use a medium length telephoto lens like 85mm, 105mm, or 135mm. You’d typically use an aperture of f/5.6 to f/8.5. You want enough depth-of-field to keep the face sharp, but let the background go soft. Always focus on the eyes when doing a headshot. A headshot with soft focus on the eyes never looks good! Use a tripod to compose your headshots better and to not have the framing and focusing thrown out of balance. Want more? Grab your Free Headshots 101 eBook now. Discover the secrets to capturing compelling headshots… [Download Your Free Headshots 101 eBook]( :) 3. Camera point of view A headshot created for a businessperson or a model, for example, should be shot looking directly into the face. [Photo by Boudewijn Berends]( A camera POV that looks down on a person (even slightly) makes them appear more approachable and submissive. You get the opposite effect when the camera is lower and looking up at your subject. That camera POV tends to make the subject look more commanding and in control. 4. Your choice of background The choice of background has a big impact on a headshot image. Take a look at the following images – the lighting scheme is exactly the same. The only difference is the background. [Photos by Steve Jurvetson]( 5. Skin retouching and props When you retouch skin, you should not remove all skin texture. This is especially important on a headshot. We are all used to looking at people up-close. Skin texture looks normal. Wrinkles look normal. Yes, it’s important to make your subject look their best. But if you remove all skin texture and wrinkles, your subject will begin to take on the look of a plastic doll. Props with headshots should be eliminated or used minimally. 6. Bonus Tip Your subject(s) will be more critical about their hair than just about any other aspect of their portrait, headshot or otherwise. Always check the hair before proceeding. If you’d like to dive deeper into creating compelling headshot images, check out our free ebook [Headshots 101]( that contains professional tips to help you capture great headshots. [Download it free here]( Keep that creative fire burning 🔥 Cheers, Brett   P.S – Already mastered headshots? Grab a set of night photography creativity prompts [here](.       If you want to build your creative confidence, join our super supportive (and free) [Weekly Photography Challenge Group](. It's a great place to share your work, get inspiration, and mingle with fellow photographers. [Join Group →]( Thank you for supporting Photzy! We're so glad you're here. Our mission is to help you explore your creative side, through photography. As a small community-led team, email is a crucial way for us to keep in touch. We regularly send out free tutorials, photo tips, inspiration, and store discounts. Never want to hear from us again? Break our lil hearts and [unsubscribe](. Or tell us how we can improve [here](mailto:cservice@photzy.com?subject=Feedback%20on%20your%20email). [Made with ♥ at Level 2 11 York St Sydney Australia]( Copyright © 2012 – 2021 Photzy Pty Ltd.