The Happy Headshot

Ahhh the digital age, where employers can google you and see exactly the type of person you might be. Now if you have nothing to hide, fantastic! However if the first impression you want someone to have of you isn't you at a kegger getting hammered with your friends might I suggest you look into a headshot (Oh and check your digital privacy levels too!). A fantastic headshot doesn't have to cost an armload of money and it doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to look good. (If you're looking for acting work I suggest a professional photographer though).


Here is how to take a great headshot YOURSELF (provided by eHow)

 

1. Find a room in your house with a large amount of natural light. Natural light is by far your best option for professional-looking head shots.
2. Place your digital camera on a tripod. You will not be able to secure it yourself during the shoot, so a tripod is your best option.
3. Hang a white sheet to serve as the background of your shot. Place it on the opposite wall from your windows, with you facing the light.
4. Hang a white sheet to serve as the background of your shot. Place it on the opposite wall from your windows, with you facing the light.
5. Prefocus your camera by having a friend stand in for you or placing an object where your face will be. A digital single-lens-reflex camera, or SLR, will give you the best quality, but consumer cameras are fine if your head shots do not need to be perfect. Your eyes should be the central focus point.
6. Disable your camera's flash. Flashes add harsh glare and your natural light should be sufficient for the image.

Use the timer setting on your camera so you can hit the shutter button and run into frame. It will likely take several tries for you to nail down the timing, position and focus. Take a dozen photos or so and look at them on your computer. You can find qualities with which you are not happy and adjust your equipment to compensate.