Your headshot and profile preview are crucial for making a positive first impression on prospective clients. Studies show that people judge you on your appearance within moments and often decide to trust someone within milliseconds. Additionally, Grow has found providers with high-quality profile photos enjoy a 25% higher booking rate. The following tips will help you achieve a standout headshot, whether you hire a photographer or take the photo yourself.
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Before starting, think about what makes a high-quality headshot and decide whether to hire a photographer or go the do-it-yourself (DIY) route. Spend a few minutes scrolling through Psychology Today and consider your reactions: What makes a good headshot? Which headshots resonate with me and why? What poses and styles do I prefer?

Make a list of qualities you want to convey in your headshot. For instance, do you want to appear warm, inviting, engaging, and kind? These are just a few qualities you might consider for your photo.
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If you're unsure where to start, the key points below can help ease your hesitance, especially if you decide to take the photos yourself. Remember, perfection isn't the goal—you aim to convey your authentic self to build trust with potential clients.

Hiring a professional photographer who specializes in headshots can greatly reduce the stress of obtaining a high-quality portrait. However, it is still possible to achieve excellent results using a high-quality mobile camera and a DIY approach. If you choose to take your own photos, keep in mind that a great headshot should accomplish the following:

Ask a friend - A friend can help you achieve different angles more quickly, provide feedback on your poses and demeanor in photos, offer additional viewpoints, and, most importantly, make the experience more enjoyable!

Use a tripod - If no one is available to help you take a headshot, use a tripod with a self-timer. You can purchase a smartphone tripod from sites like Amazon and B&H Photo for under $30. Position your camera at chest height for the best results.

Use portrait mode - Digital cameras and smartphones typically have a portrait mode setting that focuses on the subject while blurring the background.

Use your smartphone's back camera - Your phone's rear camera typically produces higher-resolution images than the front camera. Additionally, the back camera tends to have less distortion compared to the self-facing camera.

Choose an optimal location - Choose a clean, simple background that isn't distracting and contrasts with your clothing. If you have a decorated office space for telehealth, consider using it to showcase your personality, provided the lighting allows.

Practice proper lighting - To achieve the best lighting for your photos, use natural, diffused light from a window or photograph yourself outdoors in a shaded area. Avoid direct sunlight and harsh shadows. The ideal lighting conditions often occur in the morning or early evening, just before sunset, during what's known as the "golden hour."

If you need to replicate diffused light, you can place a translucent screen, sheet, or filter between the light source and the subject. This will soften the harsh light rays and create a more pleasing illumination.

Consider the headshot's destination - When preparing for your headshot, think about where it will be shown and be sure to leave enough space for cropping. Your Grow Therapy profile photo will appear as a circle, which is the standard format on other platforms like LinkedIn and Google. You can accomplish this by taking several pictures in both vertical and horizontal orientations with plenty of space, like this example:

When you partner with Grow Therapy, you don’t have any required out-of-pocket costs. However, you may consider hiring a professional photographer for your headshot. Investing in a high-quality headshot can significantly enhance your business's brand over the long term, and it is also eligible for a tax write-off.

When selecting a photographer, perform an online search of photographers in your area. You can also browse freelancer search services like Upwork or Snappr. Review the photographer's work and price range. Create a list of two to three photographers you would be open to hiring. Call each one and see if they would be open to meeting you beforehand to gauge your comfort with them.

Whether you hire a professional or take the photo yourself, planning ahead is essential so you don’t feel rushed when scheduling your headshot session. Feeling pressured or uncomfortable can significantly affect the quality of your final portrait. Investing time in this process will pay off in the long run, as it can reduce the need for extensive photo editing and lessen the chances of needing a re-shoot.

It is essential for clients to perceive your personality and professionalism accurately. Doing this creates a genuine first impression that reflects who you truly are rather than a fabricated image that may not resonate when you meet in person. Essentially, your headshot should visually represent your authentic self.
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Wear a collared shirt, blouse, business suit, or blazer in solid neutral colors. Avoid clothing with logos. Avoid wearing heavy make-up. Find a color that contrasts nicely with your skin tone and hair color. Ideally, keep your clothing simple, but you can also find something that shows your personality. Play around with different tops and even some shots with or without your glasses. It's always good to have options.

Make your eyes the photo's focal point and try to convey your strongest inner thoughts. Be confident and smile naturally to come across as friendly and approachable.

Many photographers use music to help set a tone and ease the subject's nerves. Music can also be a great bonding experience between you and your photographer, even if that photographer is you!

Applying these best practices to your headshot should result in a profile photo like the example below.
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Once you have completed your headshots or received proofs from your photographer, pick two to three people you trust and show them the pictures. They can help you select your ideal photo. Free services like Canva allow you to crop images for the final destination easily. Avoid using filters or overly editing your photos.