How to get a professional headshot
There are three routes to a professional headshot — a photographer, a careful DIY phone shot, or AI. Here’s how each one works, roughly what it costs, and how to prepare so any of them comes out well.
A “professional” headshot is less about expensive gear than about a few fundamentals: clean light, a simple background, a flattering crop and a genuine expression. You can hit those three different ways, at very different price points. Below is each route, then the preparation that makes all of them look better.
Three ways to get a headshot
A professional photographer is the premium route: you get expert lighting, direction and editing, typically for somewhere around $150–$300 (more in big cities). A careful do-it-yourself phone shot is the free route — modern phone cameras are more than good enough if you control the light and setup, which the sections below cover. AI headshot generators are the fast, low-cost middle ground: you upload selfies and get a pack of professional styles, usually for a one-time $20–$50.
Which is right depends on your budget and the use. For a deep dive on price, see how much headshots cost. To see what each professional style looks like — free, no signup — browse the style examples; this site doesn’t generate headshots itself.
What to wear for a headshot, by industry
Wear something smart and simple in a solid colour — busy patterns and fine checks shimmer and distract at small sizes, and mid-tones photograph better than pure white or pure black. The rule of thumb is one step more formal than the everyday dress code where you want to work. By field: a suit or blazer against a plain backdrop for law, finance, consulting and senior roles; a clean collared shirt or fine knit without a tie for startups, tech, sales and client-facing roles; a natural, daylight-lit look for real estate, coaching and creative work; and a plain studio look for resumes, company pages and anyone who wants the safe, timeless choice.
Descriptions only go so far — you can see all four levels side by side in the style gallery, which holds 24 AI-generated examples across six looks, free and with no signup. Then groom as you would for an important meeting, keep accessories minimal, and watch for glare if you wear glasses. For the shot itself, frame head-and-shoulders with your eyes about a third down from the top, leave a little headroom, and keep the background plain and uncluttered. The expression that reads as confident and approachable is a relaxed, genuine half-smile with direct eye contact — practise it a few times so it doesn’t look forced.
How to take a headshot with an iPhone (lighting and setup)
Light is what separates a professional-looking headshot from a snapshot. Soft, even light is the goal: stand facing a large window, or step outside into open shade, so the light wraps your face without harsh shadows. Avoid overhead lights and the on-camera flash, which flatten features and cause glare.
Use your iPhone or Android phone’s rear (not front) camera for better quality, set it at eye level about an arm’s length away, and use a timer or a friend rather than an outstretched arm. Portrait mode is optional and best used sparingly — it can smear hair and glasses at the edges. Take plenty of frames, then pick the one with the best expression and sharpest eyes. Then crop the winner to LinkedIn or CV size with the free photo cropper.
Browse the styles yourself — free
See every professional style on real LinkedIn, résumé and company-page crops, or crop your own photo to an exact size with the free cropper. No account; nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a professional headshot?
Three ways: hire a photographer (around $150–$300 for expert lighting and editing), take one yourself with a phone in soft window light, or use an AI headshot generator (a one-time $20–$50 from your selfies). Whichever you choose, the fundamentals are clean light, a plain background, a head-and-shoulders crop and a genuine expression.
Can I take my own professional headshot?
Yes. With a phone, soft even light (face a large window or step into open shade), a plain background, an eye-level camera an arm’s length away and a relaxed expression, you can get a genuinely professional result for free. Take lots of frames and pick the sharpest.
How do I take a headshot with my phone?
Use the rear camera at eye level about an arm’s length away, in soft light from a large window or open shade — never the direct flash or harsh overhead light. Frame head-and-shoulders with a little headroom, use a timer or a helper, and shoot many frames to choose from.
What should I wear for a headshot?
Smart, simple clothing in a solid mid-tone colour, one step more formal than the everyday dress code where you want to work — a suit or blazer for law, finance, consulting and senior roles; a clean collared shirt or fine knit for startups, tech and sales; a relaxed daylight look for real estate, coaching and creative work. Avoid busy patterns, which shimmer at small sizes, and keep accessories minimal.
What colours are best for a headshot?
Solid mid-tones photograph best: navy, grey, deep green, burgundy and muted blues all hold detail. Pure white can blow out under bright light and pure black can lose the shape of your shoulders, especially against a dark background — so pick your top against the background rather than on its own.
Should I smile in a headshot?
Yes, in most cases — a relaxed, genuine half-smile with direct eye contact reads as confident and approachable. A fully neutral expression is only required for ID and passport photos, which have their own rules.