Yes, some people decide upon their doctor or attorney on how they look because characteristics such as confidence, professionalism, and approachability come out in a headshot. So, the main reason a headshot should not be a selfie – or a photo taken on your phone – is because a headshot is created by a professional.

What qualifies as a headshot?

A headshot is a tightly cropped photo of the face, from the shoulders up. The subject is camera aware — typically looking right in the lens. Years ago, headshots were reserved for actors and models. A casting director can scour through hundreds of photos in search of the perfect face for the role at hand.

Can a professional headshot be a selfie?

Phone cameras can even achieve a shallow depth of field that separates you from the background by blurring it out (either through advanced manual settings or dumbed-down “portrait modes”), so you can transform a selfie into a professional-looking self-portrait.

What makes a headshot a headshot?

In general, a good headshot is chest up with good lighting on your face, and no strong dramatic shadows, unless you are going in for “The Phantom of the Opera.” Three-quarter shots are good for print, and extreme close-ups are good for, well, nothing.

Is a headshot just your head?

Headshots Can Be More Than Just Heads Depending on the needs of your client, headshots dont have to be only the head and shoulders. Headshots can include the chest, upper torso or even full body. Again, the primary determining factor is USE not cropping.