In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about iPhone headshot photography.
Sometimes, we don’t want to use a professional DSLR or mirrorless camera when we have to take a photo of ourselves. These days, the iPhone has similar capabilities to these high-end cameras.
But when it comes to using an iPhone versus a “regular camera,” there are some tips you should know. Let’s dive in!
We’ll be covering the following topics (click on a bullet point to jump to that section):
Table of Contents
Can You Take a Headshot with an iPhone?
The short answer is YES. You can absolutely take a headshot with an iPhone! The longer answer is that you need to follow some pro tips before you get your hands on the camera.
Canon DSLRs are considered the industry standard for photographers who want to take their craft seriously, but it’s not easy to convince everyone to invest $2000+ in a camera.
And let’s face it, if you’re trying to create an online presence (or want to make yourself look like a professional), no one needs to know that your images were taken with an iPhone.
With the advent of apps like Photography Editor, Snapseed, and Instagram, anyone can become an award-winning photographer with just a smartphone and an hour of practice.
If your main concern is finding the best quality apps that will allow you to edit and enhance your photos, check out this article that breaks down photo editing apps.
If you’re ready to learn headshot photography, read on for 9 pro tips on how to get the most out of your iPhone camera.
How to Take a Headshot With iPhone?
Here are ten tips you can use when you want to take a headshot with your iPhone:
1. Forget the Zoom
It’s easy to focus on getting close-ups for headshots, but it’s much harder to focus when your subject is up close.
Instead, pull back and ensure that your face or body is visible from the feet to the forehead.
If you really want a close picture of one eye or eyebrow, lean in until you get the object of your focus in frame, then take the photo.
Alternatively, if you’re really struggling to get a good headshot without zooming in on the face, try using an app that will allow you to blur out the background so that it’s not distracting from your subject.
When you are learning this headshot trick, don’t forget to clean up iPhone to maximize the photo storage.
There will be a lot of hits and trials and this will lead to a big pile-up of photos on your phone. It is not possible to delete the photos every time you click a new one.
The smart thing to do is to access the phone memory data and clean it up. Storage does not come cheap. Every MB of space on your iPhone comes at a price.
High-resolution media and these photo-taking experiments need space. One option is to store the data on your iCloud storage, but that, too, has its limitations.
So before learning to take headshots, clear storage on your iPhone to make your device clutter-free.
After all, why should you be bothered about storage when learning something new, like taking photos or shooting videos?
2. Use Additional Light Source if Possible
Phone flashes are more than up to the task, but you must use an additional light source so you have some fill light to reduce harsh shadows and make the headshot look more appealing.
In the three-point lighting system, you have a key light, a fill light, and a backlight.
When it comes to taking headshots with the iPhone, then the key light would be the phone’s flash. For the fill light, you can use another light or natural lighting for ambient light, such as a window nearby.
3. Use Apps That Improve Quality
There are many apps that can enhance the quality of your images. In this article, we’ll discuss how to create professional headshots using Camera+ and Snapseed.
Camera+
If you’re looking for an easy way to improve the quality of your iPhone headshots, get Camera+.
The app allows you to take pictures up to 32 megapixels by just tapping on the screen. It also has a great auto-focus feature that will help you line up your image perfectly every time.
Snapseed
Snapseed is definitely the most versatile iOS photo editor, and it’s applicable to headshots. Go into brush mode and swipe over the parts of your photo that you want to brighten up (i.e., under the eyes).
You can also enter selective adjust mode and brush on shadows or highlights, depending on which part of your image needs enhancing.
4. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Good Lighting
If you want professional results, you should make sure that you use a high-quality light source.
It’s best to use a lightbox (or something similar) and natural lighting if possible, for your fill light — as mentioned in tip #2
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, on-the-go light source, try LED video lights.
If you want more of a professional look, purchase studio lights and modifiers like umbrellas and softboxes.
5. Frame Your Subject Correctly
Before you start snapping, be sure to frame your subject correctly. For a headshot, aim for the shoulder to a bit above the head.
You don’t want them too far away from the background, but if they are too close, then you will end up zooming in to find somewhere for them to stand.
This is an amateur mistake that you must avoid at all costs!
6. Make Sure Your Subject is at the Right Angle
When you take your headshot, it’s important to ensure that your subject isn’t looking straight into the sun (or other light source).
The idea here is to enhance his or her features and create a flattering angle.
When shooting outdoors, note the sun’s position and ensure your subject is at the correct angle.
7. Take Lots of Shots and Experiment!
There’s no harm in trying many different things when you’re taking these shots; after all, practice makes perfect!
So don’t be afraid to experiment with lighting, angles, backgrounds, etc.
Before you know it, you’ll create magic whenever you pick up your iPhone!
8. Don’t Use a Dull Background
If you want professional headshots, avoid using a dull background.
This will make the difference between amateur and expert shots.
Get creative with things around you and try to create something unique that stands out from the rest.
If you don’t want to go outside and dig around the back of your garage, we recommend using Photoshop to create your background.
9. Use a Tripod/Holder for More Stability
When moving from location to location, it’s important not to move too far, which can result in blurry images.
You can solve this using a simple tripod to hold your iPhone in place.
If you’re not able to get a tripod, then you can use anything that provides stability and will keep your subject sharp from head to toe!
10. Use Exposure Compensation
If your face is too bright or dark, you can adjust the exposure compensation by tapping on the screen and sliding the exposure slider up or down to achieve the desired brightness.
Common Mistakes When Taking Headshots with iPhone
Now that we’ve covered some tips, let’s also examine some common mistakes people make when trying to take their own headshots with an iPhone.
1. Poor Lighting
The biggest mistake people make is having poor lighting. We’ve already covered ways to resolve this above, but I wanted to state it again.
Lighting is so important, and I’d say it accounts for 70% of a good photographer (if not even more).
2. Wrong Focus
Ensure the camera focuses on your subject’s eyes, which should be in sharp focus. If the camera focuses on the nose or mouth, the eyes may appear soft or blurry.
3. Over-Processing the Photos
While the iPhone’s built-in filters and editing tools can be useful for enhancing your photos, it’s important not to overdo it.
Over-processing can make the photo look artificial and distract from the subject’s natural features. A little filtering is fine, but avoid that “porcelain doll” look.
4. Ignoring the Background
The background of a headshot photo can have a big impact on the look and feel of the final image. Make sure the background is clean and uncluttered.
Also, make sure no objects or lines are coming out of your head or appearing to go into your head from the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Selfie OK for a headshot?
While a selfie can be convenient and may work for some purposes, such as social media profiles or personal use, it is generally not recommended for a professional headshot.
Are iPhones or Androids better for headshots?
The latest iPhone and Android models have advanced camera systems that produce sharp, detailed, and color-accurate photos.
Final Remarks
After reading about these 10 tips, you should feel confident in knowing how to take your own iPhone headshot photography.
This guide is also a part of our Headshot Photography Hub, so be sure to check that out for further headshot photography tips and insights.
Nate Torres, with over seven years of professional photography experience, founded Imaginated, an educational platform designed to teach photography enthusiasts. Nate Torres is also a professional portrait and headshot photographer in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas. He specializes in portraits of individuals, couples, groups and headshots. Nate Torres is also a photography writer and content creator and educates other photographers on exposure, photography composition, photography editing, photography gear, and photography business. You can find his content on his personal website, social media, and YouTube Channel, as well as on blogs such as Fstoppers, Photofocus, and SLR Lounge.
