Photo Guide

Follow the steps outlined below to get the best results for your DIY Headshots!

1. Get dressed for the occasion. Even though your pants may not be in the photo, we encourage you to dress like you are heading to a professional photo shoot. Your confidence will show, as well as any other accessories that might come into frame (bracelets, earrings, etc.).

2. Strike a pose. Take a look at what others have done and the look you want to go for. Powerful? Friendly? Laid-back? Get a few ideas in mind and take a few practice shots.

3. Prep your space. Taking your photo against a plain wall works best, so opt for a less “busy” background. If you don’t have a helping hand who can be your photographer then try propping up your phone against an object and set your timer to 10.

4. Lighting, lighting, lighting. This is THE most important step. Natural lighting will help make your photo look more professional. Be like a sunflower and face the sunlight — do NOT have your back to it. TIP: If you are in a room, turn on your camera and rotate clock-wise to watch the lighting change. You will see the shadows in your face alter how you look, and can adjust your camera positioning accordingly.

5. Submit your file. Please only submit one photo at a time. Our designers keep track according to each form submission, which means if you upload multiple photos at a time then one might get missed. Also, do not make any edits to your photo —our designers make adjustments to saturation, contrast, etc. based on the background and any previous alterations can result in an overedited look.

That’s it! We do not share original photos as they are deleted immediately once sent to the email address you provided. This is a free service offered to the community, and we hope that you will spread the word and provide feedback so we can continue helping people put their best foots forward!