A Sharp Photo - Taking Good Selfies

I am a member of a business group on facebook and one of the members asked me about using selfies in an about page on a business site.  While I think best practice would be to hire a professional who is proficient in taking headshots, it is possible to get a great image yourself with a little effort and these tips.

- Phone cameras are normally 35mm and that isn't the best focal length for portraits. Because its so wide, you have to have it close to your face to get a headshot. When you do that, it distorts your features. So you'd be better served to shoot wider and crop in ( below the bust line or even waistline)

- An image on your website should invite people to you as opposed to just show them what you look like. Think of something that makes you smile or feel confident or feel helpful when you are taking a photograph and that will show in the photo.  Also, dress the part.  Wear something that you might wear to an interview or networking event or meeting.  Not only will this look good in the photo but it will affect how you carry yourself.

- Eyes tend to go to the brightest part of the photo so you want to make your face the brightest part of the photo. Because you are shooting with your phone, it isn't likely that you can control the light as much as you can with a camera so you have to choose an appropriate background to make this happen. Optimum would be you facing a window with a dark wall behind you.

- I don't often use my phone for photography but my understanding is that the rear camera is of higher quality than the front facing camera. You will get a sharper image if you place the camera on a stand (or prop it somehow), set the timer, get in place and take the image that way.

- Shoot it in portrait mode (vertical) and try to frame right at the top of your head to right underneath the neckline of your shirt.


Headshots are my wheelhouse so of course feel free to reach out to me.  If you are in the Central Florida area this weekend, I am working with Detour Entertainment Productions and doing a headshot special.  Contact the information on the flyer to book your slot.

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A Sharp Photo is a Central Florida based (Orlando to Ocala) photography company specializing in Actor/Corporate headshots, Film & TV Production photography, Boudoir, Portrait photography and Art.  Michae E. Allen started this company in 2012 and his aim is to use photography to show people the beauty in themselves and the world around them.