How To Take A Professional Headshot At Home.
- Cat Brant
- Jan 13, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 21
Taking a headshot can be a little harder than you might have first imagined. Here I discuss a few tips on how to get a great headshot at home and if you think you might need some help, some information on how to book in with me.
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Composition for headshots
Eyes are the most important aspect of a headshot, they must be clear and crisp in focus.
The eyes should ideally be on the line of the top third, framing of a professional headshot is everything and cannot be underestimated. See the examples below of proper framing and central face framing.
If you are using a camera phone I recommend taking it out of portrait mode, there is nothing more telling than a bokeh background that starts too soon and cuts parts of your face off. If you don't have a tripod to place a phone on, use a stack of books.
💡 Pro Tip: Try a few variations—centered, slightly off-center, and a closer crop—to find what works best for your face shape and style.
Lighting for headshots
Natural Light: Position yourself near a large window with soft, indirect light. For a passport photo you'd want to face the window fully for even light on your face, for a professional headshot, stand with the window 45 degrees to your left or right.
DIY Softbox Hack: No soft light available? Use a lamp, point it towards you and drape a white t-shirt or sheet over it for natural diffusion.
Cloudy Days Are Your Friend: Overcast skies act as nature’s softbox, giving you even, flattering lighting without harsh shadows.
Once your lighting is perfect, experiment with different angles and expressions to capture a range of options.
Need a Professional Headshot? I Can Help!
If you’re struggling to get the perfect shot at home, I offer studio and mobile headshot services to make things easy for you.
In-Studio Headshots
If you need just one polished headshot for your LinkedIn or business profile, coming to my studio in Fleet, Hampshire is the most time- and cost-effective option.
Conveniently located near: Church Crookham, Farnham, Guildford, Reading, Camberley, Basingstoke. If you’re coming from London, taxis from Fleet Station cost around £10.
Mobile Headshot Studio – I Come to You!
Need a bespoke session with multiple looks? My pop-up studio is a great solution! If you have just 2ft of space, I can create a professional studio setup right in your home or office.
What I Bring:
✅ 2ft white pop-up backdrop
✅ Professional studio lighting (with extension cable if needed)
✅ A small fan for natural movement and comfort
✅ Various colored backdrops and reflectors to match your branding
Want to see how it works? Check out this behind-the-scenes video of a living room headshot setup!
Check out this video to see the space I used to create a backdrop in a living room.
Headshot Pricing
Mobile Headshot Studio: Starts at £499 Travel charge: £50 for locations over 30 minutes from GU52 7JY
Additional time: £50 per extra hour (for easily accessible locations)
City Locations: I can travel to London and other city centers, but parking charges will be added to your invoice if applicable.
Not ready to book but want a quote? Drop me a message, and I’ll price up your project—no pressure!
Bespoke Backdrops & Branding Headshots
Brand consistency is key! Whether you're an actor, actress, or entrepreneur, I can tailor your headshot session to match your aesthetic.
Case Study: Zoe Croft (Actress)
Zoe needed a variety of headshots for agency submissions and auditions, including black-on-black and warm brown tones. To achieve this, I sourced custom backdrops matching her vision. Here she is with a coffee coloured backdrop.
Have branding colors? I’ll find the perfect backdrop to complement your brand identity.
Retouching – The Best Version of You
Retouching is about enhancing, not altering. Your headshot should still look like YOU!
✅ Light skin smoothing & blemish removal
✅ Brightening eyes & enhancing natural glow
✅ Flyaway hair fixes & minor clothing touch-ups
What I won’t do: Change facial structure, remove permanent features (moles, scars, etc.)
For actors & models: Your casting shots must represent you authentically—I ensure your final images are natural and true to life.
Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing
The quote you receive includes editing, retouching, and full print releases—no hidden costs! The only additional charges apply if you request extra edits beyond the agreed package.
Ready for your best headshot yet? Let’s chat—drop me a message today! ✨
Ready to go ahead? Contact me today, lets chat x
This is a fantastic and comprehensive guide on taking professional headshots at home, Cat! I particularly appreciate the detailed breakdown of composition, lighting (the DIY softbox hack is genius!), and the emphasis on natural-looking retouching. The examples you provided are super helpful for visualizing the concepts.
It's interesting how you mentioned experimenting with different angles to find what works best for your face shape. It reminds me of how important it is to know your face shape, not just for headshots, but for choosing hairstyles, glasses, and even makeup. There's actually a cool tool that uses AI to determine your face shape from a photo - it's like having a virtual stylist! You can find your face shape here: Face…