Using a phone for headshot photography vs. professional photography
Using a phone for headshot photography in this episode. I’m sharing some tips and recommendations on the debate of using a phone for headshot photography vs. professional photography.
The PRO Perspective on Using a phone for headshot photography
If you have always wondered what a Pro Photographer really thinks about using a phone to catch a headshot compared to using a pro-level camera to shoot a headshot, then this is the episode for you. Maybe you had a shot planned and the current situation with COVID-19 has you all 6’s and 7’s?
Fear not, let me help you out remotely with using a phone for headshot photography. This is a bit of a classic debate. I’ve summed it up into 6 helpful points for you today. So let’s go!
Number 1 – Quality
Quality is at the forefront of everyone’s minds when they think about making do with a selfie or using a phone for headshot photography.
For right now, you can create large enough images with a smartphone but it will have limitations that relate to quality and size.
Remember this when it comes to using a phone for headshot photography
It’s not a good idea to use phone photography in high-resolution scenarios. Like for print or complex post-editing.
If you need something to use online, though, just make sure you are taking a shot using the right kind of light that will not compromise the overall quality of the shot.
2. The Jack of All Trades Is The Master Of None
Prompting & developing a “shoot-flow” that fills you with confidence is something that professional photographer learns after they migrate from a student to real pro.
Proper Photographer “Craic”
Knowing how to speak to people in the right way to get the best out of them is a skill that really does take years to develop. It’s this bit that can take a home-based DIY shoot on a phone into a full-scale argument within seconds.
Avoid World War 3 when Using a phone for headshot photography
So, if you are planning on asking someone to help you out with some phone DIY Photography make a real point of asking them to be gentle with their words and to really think about encouraging you. You should also make a point of going into this unusual dynamic with an open mind and thicker-than-normal skin.
Orchestrating a team of people on your behalf is again another skill that only some professional photographers develop and hone over years of learning and making mistakes. I’m guessing that your style department or hair and make-up artist may be delegated to some of your fellow self-isolation family members. Give everyone a clear job, try to make it fun, and go into it with an open mind. A good reward like a nice dinner or treat at the end is probably wise too.
Pro Timing & Angles
When to press the button, and when to move the camera angle is again a well-honed skill that we professionals learn to master over years and years. A couple of rules to experiment with when shooting with a phone. Experiment with lower-than-normal angles to see how it makes you look. Avoid overhead extreme angles like this.
It’s been done to death and you won’t be impressing anyone.
Especially me!
3. Cropping & Positioning of your phone
Try to get it out of the selfie close-up crop that you have been pre-conditioned to take. Play with scale. Then, play with backgrounds. Think about poses that convey the mood that you want your business to be perceived in.
What do you bring to the world?
• Relaxation? Then, think about showing a relaxed demeanour.
• Determination and focus? Then channel these thoughts as you pose for the camera phone.
4. Lighting with precise narrative
Honing light to deliver narration within the final photo is something we pros are always striving to deliver through our work. This is something that you can also begin exploring when using a phone for headshot photography for your business and personal brand to look better online.
Get Your Compass Out
A great way to begin with this is to make a note of which direction your house faces. This will give you a rough idea of where the sun rises and sets. When you know this, you can be confident about which rooms will be light or shady and at what time.
A quick rule of thumb. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
In my Case…
My house faces 303 degrees NWW. This means that my back garden and the rooms at the back of my house are really bright in the morning. I get a sunset light into all of the rooms at the front of my house when the sunsets.
If You Don’t Have This On Your Phone Yet
You can get a free compass app for your phone. This will help you to find out how natural light works around your home. This will really help with using a phone for headshot photography when stuck in one location.
Why Not Read Your Natural Light?
You can get a range of local free weather apps. This will help you to see what time sunrise and sunset are going to be. I tend to use a couple of weather predictions. Then I take an average reading. For sunrise and sunset times, they should all be the same.
If you’d like to see how I make use of natural light in my professional photoshoots, why not take a quick look at my portfolio of work and case studies?
BBC Weather App
Met Office App
5. Space
Thinking about space in a crop is key to creating great photographs. Headshots of yourself will more useful when you think about space. This space can end up being invaluable on your social media posts. Even on your website, too, if you are in a bit of a photography bind right now.
To get what I mean…
• Take a photo one pace away from the phone, and shoot it.
• Next take 3 paces and shoot it.
• Then 10 and then 20 or more if you are in an open space.
• Try it from a higher angle.
• Then try it from a very low angle.
6. Editing
When I have been using a phone for headshot photography, I edit all of my phone photography. To do this I use a series of different apps. I go from Lightroom:
Then to Facetune,
More Inspiration
I know—seeing is believing. That’s why I’ve pulled together a curated selection of past client work to show you what’s truly possible when we collaborate on your professional headshots.
Over the last 14 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of professionals. Influencers, Virtual Assistants, Consultants, Creatives, Coaches, and Corporate Leaders. Helping them go far beyond the typical headshot. Together, we’ve crafted striking, personality-rich imagery that supports not just how they look, but how they lead.
Take a closer look at the range of photography services in my portfolio, and imagine what we could create for your own brand.
Ready to Chat about your Personal Brand and Photography?
