How to Take a Professional Headshot at Home: Simple Setup, Stunning Photos

Remote work and virtual interviews have made your headshot more important than ever before, as it is usually your first online impression. Whether it is LinkedIn, a company profile, or your personal brand, a clear, confident photo can go a long way.

The best part is that you can shoot a professional-looking headshot in the comfort of your own home. With simple tools, smart lighting, and easy steps, this guide will show you how to create a polished photo that stands out.

Step 1: Pick the Perfect Spot with Natural Light

When taking a professional headshot at home, good lighting is all that you need. Select a spot that is close to a large window with soft and indirect sunlight in the room. The light of morning or evening, in the afternoon, is a warm halo upon your skin, and becomes flattering to all faces.

Do not use harsh overhead bulbs or direct sunbeams, they may impose unflattering shadows or may leave uneven light spots on your skin and background. In case of limited daylight, you can compensate for the light by using a plain ring light or softbox placed a bit higher than the eye level in order to keep that bright and natural appearance.

Step 2: Choose a Clean, Neutral Background

The simple background keeps the focus on you. A light-neutral or clean white wall works perfectly, provided that it is not cluttered and is well-lit. Always check the uneven paint, the texture of the wall, or the glare, tiny details that may be distracting your photo before you shoot.

In case your wall is not perfect, invest in a professional photography backdrop. Backdrops make all the difference in at-home headshots. They are non-reflective, color accurate and completely smooth. You will have a uniform texture and tone throughout your image and you will save time on editing. The backdrop immediately turns any part of your house into a studio.

Here are three popular backdrop styles you can try for professional-looking headshots at home:

1. Pure White Fabric Backdrop

To achieve a classic, work-related appearance, consider a pure white texture backdrop. It has a smooth, wrinkle-free cloth that has a clean and glare-free finish that LinkedIn photos love. It is simple to install, lightweight, and ideal for producing bright and modern portraits that seem to be taken in a studio.

If you prefer other clean tones or subtle textures for different headshot moods, explore more solid fabric backdrops that suit your style.

🤍 Keep it clean, timeless, and professional ➜

2. Cold Gray Abstract Backdrop

A cold gray abstract background provides just enough texture and depth, bringing a modern and professional look to your headshots. Its neutral color appeals to everyone regardless of their skin type, and it does not concentrate on the background but on you. The surface is not so distracting, but interesting enough to make your image stand out. It is also long-lasting, wrinkle-free free and it is easy to maintain,  perfect for home setups.

For more textures that create the same professional yet creative vibe, discover other options in our Abstract Textured Backdrops Collection.

📸 Add subtle depth and polish to your headshots in seconds ➜

3. Black Smooth Paper Background

To achieve a bold and timeless appearance, a seamless paper backdrop in black delivers studio-level results from the comfort of the house. It has crisp edges and deep contrast with its smooth, non-reflective surface, making your features look beautiful. This backdrop in minutes collapses easily when required, and can even be reused--the perfect DIY shoot that is fast and professional.

You can also experiment with different seamless paper colors to achieve various moods for your portraits.

🖤 Capture bold elegance with this deep black paper ➜

Step 3: Hang and Smooth Your Backdrop

Properly hanging backdrops is the key to creating a professional-looking headshot at home. It ensures that your background is smooth and wrinkle free, hence you do not have distracting lines or shadows. It also conceals unsightly walls or furniture so that you have the neat, studio finish without the light being uneven and the skin tones being unnatural i.e. less work will have to be done to it.

To achieve optimum results, use a backdrop stand that is stable and can be adjusted in height and width. In case of lack of space, wall hooks or sticky hooks can be used in cramped spaces. A stand is also not available; a curtain or tension rod will work as well. Lastly, attach your background using clamps or clips to stretch the fabric into a tight band and smooth it neatly down to the bottom.

⚙️ Adjustable, durable, and easy to assemble ➜

Step 4: Shooting with a Smartphone vs a Camera

You do not require any special equipment to make a professional headshot at home; both smartphones and cameras can do the job amazingly. It depends on your comfort and setup. Smartphones cannot be beaten in terms of convenience, whereas cameras are more creative and detailed. Here are some tips to make the best of either.

Smartphone: New mobile phones feature advanced portrait features and large-resolution cameras that can compete with entry-level cameras.

• Use a tripod to mount your phone on, enable portrait or HDR mode and adjust exposure to achieve natural skin tones.

• Set a timer or a Bluetooth remote to prevent shake and take a couple of angles so that you can choose your best look.

Camera (DSLR or Mirrorless): A camera provides complete control of depth, focus and light.

• Adjust your aperture to f/2.8-f/4 to achieve a blurred background, set your ISO low (100-200) to achieve clean shots and set your white balance to manual. The 50mm or 85mm lens provides the right flattering angle to portraits.

Tip: It doesn't matter which device you are taking photos with, it's the light and the steadiness of a shot that counts. Either way you will do very well. Do what you feel most comfortable doing.

Step 5: Find the Best Framing and Expressions for a Standout Headshot

Making a great headshot does not necessarily mean about light or equipment but it is about the way you frame, pose and express yourself. Everyone has a different shape and posture of their face, so there is no universal installation. The objective is to try it out until you discover what comes naturally and appears professional.

Here are three simple ways to master your framing and expressions for the perfect headshot:

1. Set Your Composition for a Balanced, Professional Look:

Simple framing, such as a head-and-shoulders or half-body crop is the way to go. Keep a margin on top of your head to be able to adjust or crop at a later time. When standing straight with relaxed shoulders and straight back, you look confident but friendly.

2. Explore Angles and Expressions to Find Your Best Look:

Rotate your shoulders a little, tilt your chin a little and experiment with a couple of angles. Test your lighting on a mirror or do a series of brief shots to determine the effects of the light on your face. An artificial smile can easily look more natural than a natural smile.

3. Take Several Photos Until You Have the Right One:

Make lots of photos, various faces, angles and little movements. The more you get to shoot the more you will have to make a choice later.

Tip: Framing is not only a matter of the spot where you make the crop, but it is also a matter of the best angles and expressions to come up with the final headshot which looks natural and well-polished.

Takeaways

Capturing a professional headshot at home is cheaper and simpler than ever. You can achieve amazing results with the right amount of light, backdrop, and setup without hiring a studio. All you have to do is follow the above steps, test your equipment and show your personality with every single shot. Start creating professional portraits at home.