# How to take your own professional headshot, step by step

> To take your own professional headshot, face a window for soft light, put your phone at eye level 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 feet) away with the 2× or portrait lens, stand in front of a plain wall, wear solid colors and take many shots with your chin slightly forward and a real smile. Then keep the sharpest one. For a studio-style background and light, upload two or three of those photos to Headshot Generator AI and pick a style.

You do not need a studio. A window, a phone and ten minutes are enough for a headshot that works, and the generator can polish it into a professional one.

## At a glance

- **Light:** Face a window; avoid overhead light and sun
- **Camera:** Eye level, 1–1.5 m away, 2× or portrait lens
- **What to wear:** Solid mid-tone colors, no logos
- **Pose:** Shoulders angled, chin slightly forward
- **Price per headshot:** 20 credits with Fast, 45 with Studio

- Six steps, ten minutes
- Poses and outfits
- Phone camera settings

[Polish my photo](https://headshotgeneratorai.app/create)

## What makes a headshot look professional

- **Soft, even light**: Light from a large window in front of you smooths skin naturally and puts a catchlight in your eyes.
- **Sharp eyes**: Focus on the eye nearest the camera. A slightly soft background is fine; soft eyes are not.
- **A clean background**: A plain wall or a tidy room far behind you, with nothing growing out of your head.
- **A natural expression**: Think of someone you like just before the shot; a real smile reaches the eyes.

## How to take a professional headshot at home

1. **Find window light**: Stand facing a large window in daylight, out of direct sun. Turn off overhead lights so colors stay neutral.
2. **Set up the camera**: Put the phone on a stack of books or a tripod at eye level, 1 to 1.5 meters away. Use the 2× lens or portrait mode; a wide lens up close enlarges the nose.
3. **Choose the background**: A plain light wall, or a tidy room with depth. Step a meter away from the wall to avoid shadows behind you.
4. **Dress and groom**: Solid colors that contrast with the background, a neckline that suits you, hair as you normally wear it.
5. **Pose and shoot many frames**: Angle your shoulders, bring your chin slightly forward and down, and look into the lens. Use the timer or burst mode and take dozens of shots.
6. **Choose and polish**: Keep the sharpest frames with a natural expression. Upload two or three to the generator for a studio-style background and light.

## Headshot poses that work

Photographers use the same handful of adjustments for almost every headshot. Try each one and compare:

- Turn your shoulders 30 to 45 degrees from the camera and your face back toward it
- Push your chin slightly forward and down to define the jawline
- Drop your shoulders and breathe out before each shot
- Narrow your lower eyelids a little for a confident look
- Take both a closed-mouth smile and an open smile
- Lean slightly toward the camera for warmth

## What to wear for a headshot

Clothes take up a third of the frame, so they matter more than people expect:

- Solid mid-tones such as navy, gray, teal or burgundy flatter most people
- Avoid logos, thin stripes and small checks, which flicker on screens
- A V-neck or open collar lengthens the neck; a crew neck reads casual
- A layer such as a blazer or cardigan adds shape to the shoulders
- Keep jewelry small and nothing that reflects light
- Steam or iron your clothes: collars show in every headshot

## Taking a headshot with an iPhone or Android phone

Use the rear camera rather than the selfie camera: it has the better sensor and lens. Portrait mode blurs the background nicely but check the edges of your hair. Tap your eye to focus, and lower the exposure slightly if your face looks too bright. Wipe the lens before you start; a fingerprint smear softens everything.


## When to let AI finish the job

If your light, background or outfit fell short but the photos are sharp and look like you, the generator can redraw them as a professional headshot in the style you choose. It cannot rescue blurry or heavily filtered photos, so start with the sharpest frames you have.


## Next steps

- [AI headshot generator](https://headshotgeneratorai.app/): Turn your best frames into a headshot.
- [Headshot backgrounds](https://headshotgeneratorai.app/headshot-background): Choose a backdrop color.
- [LinkedIn headshot](https://headshotgeneratorai.app/linkedin-headshot): Size and crop for your profile.

## AI headshot pricing: plans and credit packs

- Starter: $9.99 / month, 1,000 credits
- Plus: $24.99 / month, 2,800 credits
- Premium: $59.99 / month, 7,000 credits
- Mini: $4.99, 400 credits
- Standard: $14.99, 1,300 credits
- Large: $39.99, 3,600 credits

## Taking your own headshot: FAQ

### How do I take a professional headshot at home?

Face a window in daylight, put your phone at eye level about 1 to 1.5 meters away on the 2× lens, stand in front of a plain wall, wear solid colors and take many frames with the timer.

### What should I wear for a headshot?

Solid mid-tone colors with a simple neckline and a layer such as a blazer. Avoid logos, small patterns and anything shiny, and wear what you would wear to work.

### Can I take a professional headshot with my phone?

Yes. Modern phones are sharp enough; light and pose matter far more. Use the rear camera, the 2× lens or portrait mode, and a timer or a friend.

### What is the best pose for a headshot?

Shoulders turned slightly away from the camera, face turned back toward it, chin a little forward and down, and a relaxed, natural smile with eye contact.

### Should I use the selfie camera?

Better not. The rear camera is sharper, and holding the phone at arm's length distorts the face. Prop the phone up and use the timer instead.

## Turn your best shot into a headshot

Upload two or three of your photos and use your 2 free Fast headshots.

_Last updated 2026-10-06_