Get Model-Ready Headshots with Portraze in 5 Steps

Choose a clean background and set up your space

Your background is your silent partner. It should whisper, not shout. A cluttered bookshelf or a busy patterned wall will steal all the attention from your face. I once had a client shoot in front of a bright red door; in every photo, she looked slightly angry because the color cast was so strong. Find a plain wall. Matte paint is best—eggshell white, light grey, or even a soft navy. Stand at least three feet away from it. This distance kills harsh shadows and makes you pop. Clear a space six feet wide and eight feet deep. That’s your stage. Put your phone on a tripod at eye level. If you don’t have one, stack books on a table. A crooked camera angle makes people look off-balance, and not in an artistic way.

Pick lighting that flatters your face and skin

Forget the overhead kitchen light. It creates raccoon eyes and unflattering shadows under your chin. You want soft, even light that mimics a cloudy day. Position a large window directly to one side of your face, about four feet away. See how the light smooths your skin? That’s your main source. Now, hold a white poster board or a sheer white curtain on the opposite side. This bounces light back into the shadows on your face—photographers call this a “fill”—and it’s the secret to eliminating dark, hollow areas. Do this at 10 AM or 3 PM, when the sun isn't directly overhead. Harsh noon light through a window will make you squint and highlight every pore. Soft light hides imperfections you’d otherwise fret over.

Pose with angles that highlight your features

Looking straight into the lens is powerful, but a slight turn of the head is often more dynamic. Turn your shoulders about 30 degrees away from the camera, then turn your head back toward the lens. This creates a slimming line. Drop your chin slightly, just a one-inch nod. This prevents a double chin and makes your eyes look more engaged. Now, think about your eyes. The camera reads lifelessness instantly. Before you shoot, think of something that genuinely makes you smile—your dog, a stupid joke, a great memory. Your eyes will soften. Take ten shots just focusing on that expression. Another trick: lift your forehead a tiny bit to smooth the skin there. It’s a subtle movement that takes five years off.

Avoid common headshot mistakes that ruin the shot

I’ve seen thousands of self-submitted photos fail for the same three reasons. First, bad wardrobe. Avoid loud patterns, neon colors, and turtlenecks that swallow your neck. A solid color v-neck or a simple collared shirt in a rich jewel tone (like emerald or burgundy) works for almost everyone. Second, a dead, flat expression. You’re not posing for a driver’s license. Let a real thought show in your eyes. Practice in a mirror: think “confident friend,” not “intense CEO.” Third, pixelation and blur. Use the back camera of your phone, not the selfie camera. Clean the lens with your shirt. Set the timer for 3 seconds to avoid camera shake. Shoot at least 50 images. You need volume to find the one where everything clicks.

• Don’t wear a shirt with a busy logo or stripes.
• Don’t let your hair create weird shadows on your face—pull it back if needed.
• Don’t stand so far from the light that your face looks dark and muddy.

Submit your photos and get a polished model image

You’ve shot your 50 images. Now, be ruthless. Scroll through quickly and flag the three where your expression feels most authentic and your posture looks natural. Zoom in. Is your hair tidy? Are your eyes in sharp focus? These are your finalists. The goal is to submit a photo that has the right raw material: great light, a clean background, and a genuine connection with the camera. The retouching process can then work its magic on the details—smoothing skin tones, whitening eyes, perfecting flyaway hairs—but it can’t fix a bad expression or terrible lighting. Choose the single best shot where you look like the most compelling version of yourself, the one that makes you think, “Yes, that’s me on a good day.”

Great headshots aren't about being someone else; they're about presenting the best version of you with clarity and confidence. By controlling your space, your light, and your expression, you give any service the perfect foundation to build upon. The result should look like you, just after a fantastic night's sleep and a great conversation.