iPhone Headshots! | How To Take Stellar Photos On An iPhone

Taking a Good Photo on a Budget

Let me preface this by letting you know that this article is geared towards business professionals. I happen to work with lawyers and attorneys and is astonishes me how little attention they give their professional headshot. One thing I always tell them is that if you are going to take a photo yourself, at least take a good one!

So you do realize that a good photo can be the difference between actually booking a client and not booking that client right? I figure that we should start there because this simple truth is the basis and foundation for this article.

Now, let me be clear.

This article is not so you can take the easy way out when it comes to getting your photo taken by a professional. When it comes to your business headshot, you should ALWAYS get a professional one as that is the potential clients 1st impression of you. If it is low quality, then the potential customer will associate it with your business being low quality.

You need to be BETTER than EVERYONE else. The fact is that there are too many other options out there for you to waste any time on a bad first impression.

This article is to be used as a LAST resort if your finances, location, or pride won’t allow you to get a professional photo taken.

Ready? Let’s go.

That tool you use to make phone calls, call a phone? In particular, an iPhone? That is a pretty powerful instrument for inexpensive photography. 8 megapixels. More than enough for a web sized headshot for your website. That is what we are going to use.

NEVER

• Take the photo yourself
• Use flash – Flash is not bad, if you know how to use it. If you don’t know how to use it, take it in a spot where there is plenty of light so that you don’t get flash “hot” spots in the photo.
• Make funny faces (unless your business calls for it)
• Take the photo in direct sunlight.
• Shoot below the eye level
• Give a cheesy smile – Commit or take a serious one.  

Steps:

1. Find your wardrobe
2. Find a shady area for your photo
3. Make sure that the background is neutral and not distracting
4. Find a spot in the shade, next to a building, inside the building where there is plenty of light
5. Find the most even lighting possible – this  gives a customer a different feeling than the photos above
6. A good headshot is typically from the chest up
7. Take several shots so that you have options to choose from. You never know which one will capture a potential client’s attention
8. Take the photo with someone you are comfortable around! This is the best way to truly bring out your personality which is what the potential customer is going to be drawn to in the first place!
9. Use natural light outside – It is at your disposal and can create a compelling image.
10. Last but not least, shoot where the background is darker than the light hitting your face
11. If you are shooting on an automatic mode, this allows the camera to properly expose your face

You want to shoot it on a neutral background (out of focus if possible). This way all of the attention is being put on your face. The photo should be taken at eye level or slightly above eye level. A suit would be the most ideal choice for wardrobe as it is the most professional and the “image” of what people expect when looking at an attorney photo. Avoid busy patterns on the tie, as that can detract from drawing the attention to your face. As your professional headshot, the goal is for people to like you immediately and feel immediately comfortable with you. This photo is your opportunity to show the client the type of lawyer you are.

By following these tips, you will be able to get some killer shots using nothing more than a mere iPhone. In addition, send these photos to someone who knows how to edit them, and you will definitely be in for a treat at how great they can look with a little editing.

Happy Shooting!