Virtual Headshots : Introduction and Tips

In this global village everything is at your fingertips. So does a perfect headshot. Going to a studio and getting the service of a professional photographer is out of fashion now. Almost everyone has a smart phone with them. Seemingly Arthur C. Clerk’s predictions of mobiles have become a reality in this digital era. With the emergence of smart phones, a considerable number of camera users collapsed. As a result, it is undebatable that photography has become a compulsory function of smart phones. Today we are going to discuss about virtual headshots.

What is a virtual headshot?

Simply saying a virtual headshot is a digital portrait of a person. In an occasion where we get to update our CV, LinkedIn profile or get a photograph for an official purpose, we go for headshots.in other words virtual headshots refer to professional profile images. In earlier times, official photographers captured their best shots at studios.  

How to have a professional virtual headshot at home?

Unlike earlier times, today we are closely connected with modern information and communication technology.  Especially under the pressure of a global pandemic and imposed travel restrictions, people are looking for home-made solutions. So, it is the same with regard to headshots. But there is nothing to worry as there is enough facilities to get your professional headshots at your home itself. What you need to have, is just a smart phone.

The best virtual headshot

Photography, itself is an art. That is why it needs a good eye to become a good photographer among all the people with a smartphone. Besides, a perfect headshot requires editing and re-touching as well.  For this purpose, there are online service providers. First you need to take a suitable photograph of you and send them for editing and retouching purposes. Professional editors will complete their work and send you best quality images for official social media profile uses.

What are the requirements you need to fulfil before sending the images?

1. Choose an image of yourself that you like and think fit for an official use.
2. Even an existing photo is enough for this if it had been taken in a well-lit environment and with good quality.
3. And make sure the pose and features of you in the photo fit for official purposes.
4. If an existing photo is not good enough, you can take a new one and send to be edited. Make sure you have paid attention to all the above pre-requisites.
5. Simply send!

Now the primary stage is over. The next task is on the editors. So that, they start fixing colors, adjusting exposures, removing blemishes and distractions with touch-up elements in the end.

Reminder: The background of the picture you send to be edited is not important. Because the editors will cut you out of the image and will drop into a new background. This best part of this new background is it adds value to the image creating a professional setting.

Why virtual headshots are important?

As I have mentioned above, virtual headshots play a vital role during a global pandemic like Covid-19. Because companies and organizations have to limit their regular staff and they have work from home. In such a situation, getting staff photos will be a difficult task. Even though, virtual headshots cannot replace the outputs of a professional photographer, it helps a lot. The following are few reasons why virtual headshots are important for companies and organizations.

1. With the purpose of minimizing physical contacts due to Covid-19
2. Staff living in remote areas
3. Staff working at different branches in different areas or different countries
4. Employees not in the office on the day of the official photo shoot
5. Budget constraints in paying a professional photographer

How to take photos for virtual headshots

Now let us pay attention on the tips that we need to focus on before taking a photo for a virtual headshot.

Tips	Reason
Quality camera	Take a high-quality image with at least 1000 pixels or with the highest possible resolution. Instead of zooming, capture closely.
Plain background	Choose a plain background or a wall that contrasts with your clothes and hair.
Wide area	Make sure there is enough space for cropping purposes. As the virtual headshot consists of head and shoulders, do not crop those. Let the editors work on that.
No filters	Applying filters is a common practice of daily photographs. But avoid filters and keep the clean image.
Natural light	However, too much sun light is not recommended. Use natural window light.
No selfies	Ask someone to take the photo for you rather than taking selfies.

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