Whenever I open my LinkedIn, I am greeted by a cringy headshot from high school. It was a spur-of-the-moment picture I had taken in front of a bank’s brick wall with my frizzy hair and forced smile when applying to scholarships my senior year. While I’ve been meaning to change it, I have been intimidated by the prospect of taking a professional headshot. This is especially the case when all of the ones I’ve seen on LinkedIn from other University of Florida (UF) students use the perfect backdrop and have flawless hair, despite being outside.
Despite this, I decided last weekend was the time to finally tackle the task. With a friend’s camera in hand and a practiced smile, I embarked on my journey to take the perfect headshot. Once I reviewed the shots I had gotten, I was overjoyed to finally update my LinkedIn. While the ones taken using my friend’s camera turned out perfectly, the ones I took on my iPhone using the “portrait” feature turned out just as well.
Even though they turned out well, there are some things I wish I had known or that there are better locations on the UF campus than others. With this in mind, I will be filling you in on how to slay your professional headshots for job/internship-hunting season and where the best places are to take them on campus:
- Take them a couple of hours after sunrise or before sunset
-
When I first attempted to take my headshot, I started at noon. In short, taking them at this time was a disaster. Not only was the sun in my eyes, but some shadows were cast on my face from the sub being directly overhead. The harsh contrast between the shadows and the brightness of my skin made my headshots look scary instead of confident. After some research, it is typically recommended to take headshots when the sun is low in the sky, which means a couple of hours before sunset or after sunrise. The angle of light from the sun leads to softer light that casts a warm glow perfect for portraits. Learn from my mistake and make sure to plan your picture times accordingly.
- Bring a comb, a towel, and whatever you need for a refresher
-
While strolling along campus to find the perfect spot, your hair will inevitably get out of place, and your face may get shiny from sweat. That is why it is imperative to bring a bag of supplies to refresh your look. When I was taking my headshots, I brought a comb to tame my hair, a towel to wipe off sweat (it’s Gainesville), some extra makeup and a lint roller for my blazer. Some other items that may be useful to bring along are a matte facial spray or an extra hair tie in case yours breaks.
- Make sure to check the weather before you go
-
Imagine getting ready to take your headshots and driving to campus only to discover it is about to start raining. Even worse, it is very windy outside with no end in sight. On these days, you have to surrender and wait for a better day to take your headshot. There is no use fighting Mother Nature, eventually, she will win. If it’s windy, you risk having headshots with hair all over the place. If it’s about to rain, it is only a matter of moments until your professional clothes are soaked. Either way, cut your losses and plan for a new day to take your headshots.
Now that you have some tips to make your headshot session successful, you can explore places to take them on campus. UF has a gorgeous campus with many trees and beautiful brick to serve as your backdrop, however, these spots seem to be superior to the rest:
1. Gator Walk at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
This is by far the most popular spot for professional headshots and graduation photos alike, and there is a good reason why. It not only has the luscious palm trees lining the walkway, but it also provides a clear backdrop of the stadium highlighting the iconic image of the UF campus.
2. Gator Ubiquity by Matherly Hall
Better recognized as the “Gator Globe,” this statue serves as a perfect backdrop for your headshot along with conveying a message. After all, the Gator Nation is everywhere; there is no better way to display that sentiment than to include it in your headshot!
3. Walkway in Plaza
The sprawling oak trees and picturesque brick give a scenic backdrop that works to divert attention toward you. This simple yet effective background provides some shade from shadows that the sun may cast on your face as well as provide a UF neutral shot.
4. In front of the Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence
This new building on campus has an intriguing sculpture in the front and has a backdrop perfect for those pursuing degrees in engineering. Even if you aren’t an engineering major, you can still use the sculpture and the Reitz as a backdrop for your headshot.
5. With Albert and Alberta on W. University
If you’re going for the sentimental UF headshot, the statue of Albert and Alberta is a perfect choice! You can’t portray the UF spirit more than looking professional next to the beloved mascot.
While the process of getting the perfect headshot may seem stressful, I hope these tips help to ease the process. With the right background and detail-oriented preparation, your first impression to employers will be impeccable.