A strong headshot comes from soft light, a flattering lens distance and a relaxed expression. Place the subject near a window, use a focal length around 85 mm and focus on the eyes. The rest is guiding the person so they feel at ease.
Light and Background
Soft light from a large window is flattering and easy to control. Put the subject at a slight angle to the window, so light covers most of the face with gentle shadow on the far side. Use a white card or a light wall to open up that shadow.
- Choose a plain background in a neutral color, or one that is well out of focus.
- Keep the subject a meter or more away from the wall to avoid shadows on it.
- Avoid mixed light from lamps and windows together.
- On a cloudy day, shoot outdoors in shade for an even look.
Camera Steps
- Choose a focal length of 70 to 135 mm. Wide lenses used up close distort the nose and forehead.
- Place the camera at eye level or just above.
- Set aperture to f/2.8 to f/4 for a soft background, but f/4 to f/5.6 if the face moves a lot.
- Use a shutter of 1/160 second or faster, with ISO adjusted to suit the light.
- Enable eye detection autofocus, or focus manually on the closest eye.
- Take a test, check the face brightness on the screen, and adjust exposure compensation.
- Shoot in bursts and keep talking so expressions change naturally.
Guide the Subject
Most people are nervous, so give clear directions and keep the mood light. Ask them to lean slightly toward the camera, push the forehead forward and down a little, and relax the jaw. Turn the shoulders at an angle and the face back to the lens. Tell them to think of something that makes them smile rather than saying cheese.
| Direction | Effect |
|---|---|
| Lean forward a little | Looks engaged and defines the jaw |
| Angle the shoulders | Slimmer, more dynamic shape |
| Breathe out before the shot | Relaxes the face |
| Look just past the lens | Gives a thoughtful variation |
Glasses can reflect the window. Tilt the frames down a touch or move the light a little higher or to the side. Check hair, collars and jewelry before each setup, since small distractions are tedious to fix later.
FAQ
What should the subject wear?
Solid colors that suit their skin tone work well. Avoid busy patterns and logos, and make sure clothes fit well.
How many frames should I take?
Plenty. A hundred or more frames give you room to choose the best expression and fix blinks.
The Short Version
Use soft window light, a lens near 85 mm, and eye focus at f/2.8 to f/5.6. Guide the subject with simple directions and shoot many frames.
